The airport never truly slept.
Even at this late hour, the arrival hall of Incheon International Airport buzzed with restless energy—wheels of suitcases rolling endlessly, announcement voices echoing overhead, languages overlapping into an unintelligible hum. Neon signboards blinked softly, guiding lost travelers toward exits, baggage claims, and connecting gates.
Amid that sea of strangers, two small figures stood close to each other.
Noah held Naomi's hand tightly, his fingers curled as if afraid she might disappear again if he loosened his grip. Naomi leaned into her twin, her eyes darting around nervously, watching every passing adult with anxious curiosity.
They had stopped crying, but fear still clung to them like a second skin.
Not far away, a tall man stood beside them, one hand holding his phone, the other casually resting inside his coat pocket. His eyes, however, never left the twins. He was waiting patiently for the mother of the twin to come back soon and take them with her safely so that he can leave for his office. He was looking around casually when something or someone caught his eyes in the crowd.
Joon-woo's heartbeat slowed.
For just a second, his eyes caught a familiar silhouette—a woman standing slightly apart, her posture tense, one arm held protectively against her body.
He turned his head fully look at the familiar figure again to be sure.
The crowd shifted.
Another group of passengers crossed between them.
When the view cleared, she was gone.
Joon-woo frowned. His heart skipped.
"Did I just… imagine that?"
He thought in his mind. His chest felt tight.
He shook his head and continued standing beside the twin, waiting for their mother to arrive. But no matter how hard he tried, the image replayed in his mind—again and again.
"Thank you so much for staying with my children till now."
The woman's voice was polite, slightly breathless, as if she had been running before she arrived.
The man turned toward her, offering a calm smile.
"It's nothing really," he replied. "They were lost, and it was my responsibility to make sure they didn't get into any bad hands."
"That's so sweet of you, mister."
He chuckled lightly.
"By the way, are you alone?"
"Of course not," she said quickly, then paused. "Wait—why do you want to know?"
"No, no… don't take me wrong," he said, raising both hands slightly. "I just wanted to know if you're alone with these two little cuties or not." He pinched both of their cheeks slightly while giving them a soft smile, careful not to hurt them.
"And what would you do if I am alone with my children?"
There was a hint of challenge in her tone.
He laughed again, this time more openly. "If you have no problem, my driver can drop you at your destination."
"And why would I trust a stranger?"
That made him laugh even harder.
Seeing her wary expression—and Noah's identical suspicious glare—he shook his head in amusement.
"Like mother, like son!"
He thought in his mind.
"I mean, it's pretty late," he continued gently. "And if you have trouble getting a cab… well, till now this stranger only kept your children safe with him."
"Aaaah… true though," she admitted after a pause. "But it's okay. My company's car will arrive soon for us."
"Okay then. I am leaving."
"Sure. Thanks again."
"I told you already," he said softly. "I did that because I felt like doing so at that moment. I felt a connection seeing them standing here alone, looking so lost. So you don't have to be so polite with me."
She smiled. "Really? That's so sweet of you. Then don't blame me later. You should probably leave now. Your girlfriend is watching us as if she'll burn me alive once you leave."
Joon-woo turned back.
A woman stood a short distance away, arms crossed, eyes narrowed sharply in their direction.
He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as if trying to control his frustration.
He looked back at the twins, bent slightly, and waved at them. "Bye."
"Bye, uncle," Naomi said softly.
He smiled at her, then straightened up and walked away.
"Who was she?"
The woman—Ri-na asked the moment he entered inside the car and took his seat, her tone sharp.
"Why were you talking to her while smiling so much?"
"Ri-na!!!" he snapped. "Not again, please. Just give me a break. I am really fed up with all your nonsense."
He closed his eyes and sighed loudly.
Ri-na fell silent.
Her fingers tightened over her bag as she stared out of the window, looking at the two little body and a woman maybe younger than her, all standing close to each other and looking at their car.
"Joonie… why can't you see my love for you?
Do you really see me as just a friend?
Why are you still stuck in your past?
Just give me a chance…"
Ri-na thought in her mind and looked at Joon-woo. Seeing no emotion in his face she looked infront and asked the driver to drive. She swallowed hard.
The car moved forward, disappearing into the airport traffic.
After Joon-woo left…
Noah tugged lightly at Maggie's sleeve.
"Where is Mommy?" he asked. "Why did you come to get us, aunty?"
Maggie smiled, though exhaustion and worry lingered in her eyes.
"You will know soon."
Naomi tilted her head. "Is she too angry?"
"Maybe."
Naomi's lips trembled. "Aunty, please help…"
Maggie sighed and crouched down in front of them.
"Sorry, babies. Even I can't help you this time. I'm angry too," she said honestly. "You don't even know what you did. You didn't see how she reacted when she found out you two were missing."
Noah swallowed. "Did she cry?"
Maggie didn't answer directly. She only said, "Guess yourself."
Noah lowered his head. "I should have known… after how she reacted last time when—"
He stopped himself.
Maggie gently held both of their shoulders. Though she said she was angry with them but seeing their sad faces her heart softened. She couldn't bring herself to stay mad at them.
"It's okay," she said softly. "Just give her some time. She was really scared. Try to understand, hmm?"
"We are sorry," both twins whispered together.
"I know you are," Maggie said, smiling sadly. "And your mommy knows it too. Just give her some time to cool down. Everything will be okay."
Noah nodded. "Hmmm."
Flashback...
"There—they are."
Maggie pointed ahead.
The twins stood near a glass railing, their small figures swallowed by the vastness of the terminal.
Ah-rin's breath hitched.
Relief washed over her so fast that her knees almost gave out. Without thinking, she took a step forward.
But Maggie grabbed her wrist.
"Wait."
Ah-rin turned sharply. "What happened? Why did you stop me? They are waiting for me!"
"Look at yourself, Rinie," Maggie said firmly. "Your arm has swollen even more."
Ah-rin looked down.
Only then did she notice how tight the skin around her injured arm looked, how the dull ache had turned into a sharp, persistent pain. In her panic, she hadn't even felt it properly.
"You should rest," Maggie continued. "Go to the car and wait. I'll bring them back to the gate."
"No," Ah-rin protested. "I can manage."
"Ah-rin," Maggie said seriously. "Please."
Ah-rin hesitated.
In that moment, some people brushed past them.
"Ok then. I am waiting for you guys in the car at the gate. Come soon with them." Finally Ah-rin agreed to Maggie and left from there to their car was parked.
Back to present -
A company car arrived at the curb.
Ah-rin sat inside, her face pale, her injured arm resting stiffly against her side.
Maggie placed the twins beside her and took the seat next to the driver.
Noah and Naomi looked at their mother eagerly.
She didn't look back.
Not even once.
Naomi's eyes filled with tears. "Mommy…"
Silence.
"Mommy…"
Still nothing.
Noah sniffed. "Mommy… Noah is sorry. It was Noah's fault. Please don't punish Naomi."
Both twins broke down.
Ah-rin's heart shattered.
But she stayed silent.
"Maggie," she said coldly, "tell the driver I'm getting down at the company. You take them home and settle everything. I'll come later."
Maggie turned sharply. "Ah-rin—"
"I didn't ask for your opinion."
The car stopped.
Ah-rin stepped out, her injured arm trembling slightly as she closed the door.
She walked away without looking back.
The Park
She collapsed onto a bench, finally allowing herself to cry.
A hand appeared in front of her, holding a handkerchief.
She looked up.
Her eyes brimmed instantly. She engulfed that person in a tight hug.
"I missed you…"
To Be Continued...