"Finally, all done!" Nicole exhaled, stretching with a satisfied sigh as she glanced out the window.
"Wow, it's already dark... where did the time go?"
She pushed back her chair and stood, clutching her project folder with renewed excitement.
"Xan, I hope you're ready—this is gonna blow your socks off."
But she froze mid-step.
Xan stood near the window, silhouetted against the night. Tall—6'2—with a smooth light brown complexion and thick, curly hair, he had that effortless kind of smolder. His hazel eyes, thoughtful and unreadable, reflected the city lights. Slim, but defined—his frame quieted the room before he even spoke.
He glanced over his shoulder.
"Still here, huh?"
His eyes skimmed her figure, noting her half-off-the-shoulder lavender crop top, black leggings, and white fur-lined Crocs. Her thick, wavy brown hair was a beautiful mess, framing her tired but determined face. Dimples like craters. Eyes hazel-green, shining even under fatigue.
"Why don't you just head back to the hotel?" he said, voice low. "No point stressing over this project now. It's done."
Nicole blinked. Was that dismissal?
She scoffed softly, her voice cool.
"Fine. Just make sure Mr. Saunders sees it first thing in the morning."
I built this project. He got the promotion I stepped down from. And yet he still doubts me?
⸻
The next morning – Jeju Island
Nicole stepped off the plane, breathing in the salt-kissed air. The wind danced around her, tangling in her hair like it remembered her.
"It feels so good to be home," she murmured with a soft smile.
As she made her way through the familiar streets, neighbors paused—smiles blooming as they recognized her. Two years had passed since she left for the U.S., where she'd been developing her research. In the meantime, her older brother had been living in their childhood home.
He was supposed to be studying for the civil servant exam.
But something felt... off.
Laundry flapped on the line ahead. Not unusual—until she spotted something unexpected: lacy bras and delicate panties fluttering between her brother's shirts.
"He knew I was coming?" she frowned. "I wanted it to be a surprise..."
She climbed the porch steps and opened the door, only to be met with chaos. The living room looked like a bachelor cave—his PlayStation layed across the coffee table, two glasses of half-drunk wine beside a bowl of half-eaten fruit.
"TIM!" Nicole shouted, already picking up discarded controllers and dishes.
"How many times do I have to tell you—don't leave food out, it attracts—"
She flung open his bedroom door—
—and immediately froze.
"OH MY GOD!"
Tim, very much in the act, scrambled to cover himself. A blonde woman gasped, hiding under the sheets. On the nightstand: framed couple photos... and an ultrasound.
Nicole slammed the door shut, red-faced and stunned.
Later, sitting stiffly on the couch, Nicole crossed her arms as Tim emerged with the woman, who hovered quietly behind him.
"Hey, sis... long time no see." Tim adjusted his glasses, rubbing the back of his neck. "This is my wife, Samantha."
Nicole blinked.
"Wife?"
"Yeah. We got married six months ago. I meant to tell you, but... you know how busy you get."
Samantha gave a shy smile.
"It's so nice to finally meet you. Tim's told me so much. And thank you for letting us have the house—it's such a meaningful wedding gift."
Nicole raised a brow.
"Gift?"
Tim chuckled nervously.
"Yeah... about that. I figured you'd want us newlyweds to have some space. I packed your things for you."
Nicole's smile faded.
"You packed me out of my own house? I pay the rent. I replaced the water heater last week."
Tim held up a hand.
"Come on, Sam's pregnant. You wouldn't want your nephew out on the streets."
"You make good money now. You can afford somewhere else," he added casually.
"Dad agrees. It's best for us to have the house."
Before she could react, he pushed her suitcase into her arms and opened the door.
"Oh—and happy 26th birthday, little sis."
Click. The door shut behind her.
Rain poured down.
Soaked, humiliated, and dragging her suitcase through the storm, Nicole made her way to the one place she could go—Ash's.
She banged on the door, tears hot in her eyes despite the cold.
Moments later, the door burst open.
Ash stood there in grey sweatpants and a pink t-shirt, hair tousled, eyes wide.
"Nicole?! What are you doing out here—on your birthday?!"
Nicole didn't say a word. She just stood there, dripping, eyes glassy.
Ash opened her arms.
"Get in here. Now."