The first few days back in Korea had been peaceful. Eun-Seo felt a quiet happiness with Ji-Hoon — walks in familiar streets, shared meals, and laughter echoing through their small apartment. Yet, as life returned to normal, so did the little complications that had been absent in Paris.
It started with a simple message.
Ji-Hoon's phone buzzed during breakfast. Eun-Seo glanced over as he checked it. The sender: Ha-rin.
Her stomach twisted.
Ji-Hoon frowned slightly at the message but didn't reply immediately. Eun-Seo's mind spiraled. Why is she contacting him again?
"Ji-Hoon… who's that?" she asked cautiously.
He looked up, calm. "Ha-rin? She's… an old friend. Just checking in. Nothing important."
Eun-Seo's lips pressed into a thin line. "Old friend? It looks… personal."
Ji-Hoon placed his phone down and reached for her hand. "Eun-Seo, listen. You have nothing to worry about. You know that."
She nodded, forcing a smile, but inside, jealousy gnawed at her. In Paris, she had faced Ha-rin briefly, but seeing her name now reminded Eun-Seo that Ji-Hoon had a life outside of their perfect bubble.
---
The Misunderstanding
Later that afternoon, Ji-Hoon received a call from a colleague about an urgent work matter. Eun-Seo decided to accompany him to his office to see him in his element.
When they arrived, she noticed a female staff member laughing a little too closely with Ji-Hoon, brushing her shoulder as she pointed at a document. Eun-Seo's stomach dropped.
Is she flirting with him?
She tried to ignore it, but her mind raced. Every smile, every gesture seemed magnified, feeding her insecurity.
After Ji-Hoon left the office for a brief meeting, Eun-Seo stayed behind, trying to busy herself with checking the lobby. But her mind refused to rest.
She overheard fragments of conversation — the woman calling Ji-Hoon by his first name, his soft laughter — and her heart sank.
Eun-Seo's thoughts spiraled. Does he feel the same for me anymore? Was Paris just a fleeting fantasy?
---
Confrontation
When Ji-Hoon returned, Eun-Seo's eyes were tense, her lips pressed tight.
"Ji-Hoon… can we talk?" she asked quietly.
He tilted his head, concern flashing across his face. "Of course. What's wrong?"
Eun-Seo's voice trembled. "I… I saw you with her. The way you smiled… your laughter. It felt like… like you were happy with her. Not me."
Ji-Hoon froze, then carefully took both her hands in his. "Eun-Seo, look at me."
She obeyed, heart pounding.
"I promise you, there's nothing between me and anyone else. Paris, Ha-rin… it's over. You are the only one I want, now and forever. The past is just that — past."
Eun-Seo blinked back tears. "But… it felt so real. I couldn't stop imagining…"
Ji-Hoon pulled her close, resting his forehead against hers. "I understand. I know you're scared. And I should have reassured you sooner. But I'm here, Eun-Seo. Only you. Always."
Her shoulders relaxed slightly, though a few stray tears still fell.
"I'm… scared of losing you," she whispered.
He kissed her softly — not the passionate Paris kiss, but gentle, grounding, full of reassurance. "You won't. I promise you, nothing can take you away from me. Not work, not family, not anyone else."
---
Reaffirming Trust
They spent the rest of the afternoon walking along the Han River. Eun-Seo leaned into Ji-Hoon, holding his arm tightly, needing to feel his presence.
"You really mean it?" she asked softly.
Ji-Hoon smiled, tilting her chin to meet his gaze. "Every word. You are mine, Eun-Seo. I chose you. Always. Nothing will change that."
Her heart swelled. "And I choose you too. Always."
He kissed her forehead this time, lingering, letting her know she was safe and loved.
"I don't want small doubts to grow between us," he said, voice soft. "If anything ever bothers you, tell me immediately. We face it together."
Eun-Seo nodded, finally letting go of the jealousy that had plagued her. For the first time, she trusted completely — Paris, Ha-rin, and the world outside couldn't touch what they had.
---
A Cozy Evening
Back at the apartment, Ji-Hoon cooked dinner while Eun-Seo set the table. The small domestic routine reminded them both that love was built not only on romance but also on daily life, shared responsibilities, and mutual care.
As they sat down to eat, Ji-Hoon reached across the table and took her hand. "You know, jealousy is natural," he said teasingly. "I might even be a little jealous if you laughed with someone else."
Eun-Seo laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
"But you love me anyway," he said, eyes sparkling.
"I do," she whispered, squeezing his hand.
They finished dinner laughing and talking, the earlier tension melted away. Eun-Seo realized that love wasn't about never feeling insecure — it was about how you faced it, together.
---
A Silent Promise
Later that night, as they curled up together on the couch, Eun-Seo rested her head on Ji-Hoon's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
"I was foolish today," she admitted quietly. "I let my mind wander."
Ji-Hoon kissed the top of her head. "No. That's human. What matters is you come back to me, every time."
"I will," she said softly, closing her eyes.
Ji-Hoon whispered, "Good. Because I'll never let anything separate us. You're mine, Eun-Seo."
Her heart felt full. For the first time since returning to Korea, she was certain: no matter the misunderstandings, work, family, or even past connections — they would face it together.
And in that certainty, their love grew stronger, preparing them for whatever came next.