Ch- 17

The night had been gentle. Sora was curled into Jungwon's side, his arm tucked around her as they both lay on their bed, watching TV. The soft glow of the screen casting flickering light across their faces.

The air was warm and safe, her head rested on his shoulder, his hand occasionally brushing over her arm absentmindedly. She had just finished a short call with Yeji, chatting about baby clothes and cravings.

As moments passed, his phone suddenly buzzed. Jungwon glanced at the screen, brows furrowing slightly before smoothing out again with practiced ease.

"I'll take this- just a sec"

He whispered, pressing a quick kiss to her temple as he got up, offering her a soft smile, but something in his eyes had shifted. There was tension behind it, a guarded edge.

She noticed it, but didn’t press. He never really hid anything from her. At least, not until now. She turned back to the TV, though her attention drifted.

He was gone longer than usual.

When he finally returned, his steps were slower. Shoulders tighter, smile softer, almost too soft. He climbed back into bed beside her wordlessly, slipping his arm around her as she shifted to rest her upper body gently against his front.

Her ear rested just above his heart. His fingers found her belly under the thin cotton of her nightdress, tracing over it with almost reverent tenderness. Feather-light, like she might break.

"Everything okay?"

She murmured, but there was a pause. Then his lips found her hair.

"Yeah"

_________

The Next Morning, the day began as any other. They brushed their teeth side by side. She complained about how bloated she felt. Breakfast was light, and so was their mood. But as the sun slipped lower, things began to change.

Jungwon grew quieter.

In the late afternoon, he took a breath and turned to her as they sat near the window.

"I need to talk to you" 

He started gently, as she tilted her head, sensing the shift.

"The call last night.. was about my dad. He's in a really bad condition. I need to go back home- for a while."

As he finished, silence followed. Like a stone dropped into still water.

"You're.. joking right?"

Sora blinked once. Then again, and his expression told her everything.

"No? You're not"

Her face fell, as he nodded slowly. He takes a step closer, taking her hands.

"I'll be back soon, I promise. But I have to go."

"No. No, Jungwon, you can't- how can you leave now?"

She shook her head once in disbelief.

"I'll be back"

He tried to reassure her, but her voice cracked and she suddenly stood, unable to breathe through it.

"I.. need a minute"

She turned quickly and walked to her room, closing the door from inside.

The soft click of the lock might as well have been a gunshot.

_________

"Sora please, talk to me"

Jungwon stood outside, hand resting against the wood.

There was no answer. His heart twisted. After a few more attempts, he stepped back and immediately called the one person he knew could get through to her.

Yeji arrived twenty minutes later. After Jungwon explained everything, she looked visibly torn.

"I don't like it either, but if it's about your dad, you have to go. She's just scared."

She admitted as they both approached the door. Yeji gently knocked.

"Sora? It's me. Can I come in?"

Only silence followed from the other side.

"I know it's a lot, but let us be there for you?"

She tried again, her voice softer now, but there was still no response.

They exchanged glances, worried. But then.. after nearly an hour of waiting, the door clicked open. Sora stepped out, her face washed, her expression calm, too calm.

"Sorry, you came all this way. I'm fine now."

"Are you sure?"

Sora nods, giving a reassuring smile.

Yeji nodded and began to leave as Sora gave a last faint smile, then she turned toward Jungwon as if nothing had happened.

"Can we go sleep now?"

He hesitated, but nodded. And so, like nothing happened, the night passed with silent words and distant smiles.

__________

As morning approached, Sora was brushing her hair in the room, while Jungwon sat with Yeji in the kitchen.

"I hate the timing of all this"

He muttered, looking troubled.

"It's your dad. You've done everything you could here. Just.. call often. I'll stay with her."

Sora then entered, catching the last of their words, her eyes were dry but unreadable.

"I'll be okay, you should go."

She said, startling both of them, as they stood immediately.

"Are you sure?"

"No, but i don't want to keep you from your family."

She said with no hesitation, as Jungwon stepped closer, searching her face.

"Just promise me, you'll come back, fast please."

She added, her voice wobbling.

"I swear. As soon as I can. I'll call every day. Facetime every night."

He pulled her in a tight hug, to which she could only nod in response.

Later That Day

By early afternoon, Yeji was already settled in with Sora, promising to help with meals and accompany Sora to her appointments.

Jungwon didn’t leave immediately. He spent every minute he could with Sora, making tea, sitting beside her in the sunroom, rubbing her swollen feet with such focus it made her eyes sting.

As the sun began to lower, the time came.

He held her face between his hands at the doorstep, brushing his lips over her forehead, cheeks, and lips with trembling affection.

"I love you" he whispered.

"I love you more"

She smiled up at him, soft and genuine.

Yeji stood behind her, one hand on Sora’s shoulder, watching as Jungwon picked up his luggage. He gave one last wave, biting his lip to keep it together.

And then… he walked away.

The door clicked shut.

Sora stood frozen.

Then her legs gave out.

Yeji caught her instantly, lowering them both to the floor as Sora finally broke, sobbing into her chest, fists curled into the fabric of Yeji’s shirt.

"I didn't wanted him to go"

She whispered brokenly.

"I know"

Yeji whispered back, holding her tightly, and caressing her back.

"But I'm here. You still have me."

And in that quiet house, where love still lived but felt suddenly distant,  Yeji rocked her like a child and let her cry until there was nothing left.

__________