"Honey, we're here to pick you up."
The voice cut through the air like an unwelcome blade.
Joonwoo frowned instantly, his brows knitting together as his gaze snapped toward the source. The word honey echoed inside his head—soft, intimate, possessive. Too intimate. His jaw tightened without him realizing.
"Who is he, Ah-rin?" Joonwoo asked, his voice low but edged with tension.
Ah-rin didn't even look at him properly. She adjusted her bag strap on her shoulder, her expression unreadable, distant.
"None of your business, Mr. Kim."
The formality stung more than he expected.
"Ah-rin—! Why are you behaving like this?" Joonwoo stepped closer, his patience thinning. "I'm just trying to make sure you're safe."
She let out a soft, humorless laugh.
"Thanks for your concern, Mr. Kim, but I don't need it." Her eyes finally met his—cold, sharp. "Otherwise your so-called best friend… or maybe your present girlfriend… might say I'm the home wrecker."
His chest tightened.
"Can you stop bringing her into every single conversation between us? She have nothing to do with it." he snapped.
Ah-rin tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a bitter smile.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Kim, but I don't bring her into our 'so-called' conversations everytime." Her voice hardened. "She is the one who is—and always was—between us."
Before he could respond, the same voice interrupted again from the car.
"Honey! We're hungry. Come fast."
Joonwoo's hands curled into fists. He stared at the man sitting inside the car, his eyes burning. The man was smiling—but it wasn't a welcoming smile. It was a smile that silently said, "You lost her. She doesn't belong to you anymore."
It provoked him without a single word.
Ah-rin exhaled slowly, as if bracing herself, then turned back to him.
"I need to go, Mr. Kim." Her tone was businesslike, distant. "Please tell me quickly—what did you decide about my offer? Thanks for your time."
He turned to her, words catching in his throat, desperate to say something—anything—but she shut him out before he could.
She walked straight past him, opened the passenger door, and got into the car.
The engine started.
Before the car pulled away, the man in the driver's seat turned his head and smirked at Joonwoo—slow, deliberate, victorious.
It wasn't loud.
It didn't need to be.
It screamed You already lost.
Joonwoo stood frozen for half a second… then snapped back to reality.
"Damn it."
He rushed to his car, started the engine, and followed them—keeping a careful distance, his eyes locked onto the taillights ahead.
Who the hell are you?
Why are you with her?
Why does she smile so easily with you?
The road stretched longer as they drove away from the city. Streetlights thinned. Buildings faded. Finally, the car stopped in front of a medium-sized house—quiet, slightly secluded, wrapped in a strange warmth.
Joonwoo parked a little distance away.
He watched them silently.
A man and a woman entered the house together, laughing, with two little babies of almost the same age in tow.
Giggling.
Like a family.
Something dark and twisted coiled in his chest.
She… laughs like that now?
With him?
With the kids?
But why doesn't she ever smile like that with me?
The question screamed inside his mind, but no answer came. Only the cold weight of helplessness.
He waited.
Ten minutes.
Twenty.
Thirty.
It was almost ten at night.
But the man still didn't come out.
His phone buzzed.
"Joonwoo." Ri-na's voice filled the car. "Where are you? You didn't reply to my messages."
He answered mechanically, his own voice barely registering in his ears. When the call ended, he tossed the phone onto the passenger seat, frustration radiating from him in sharp, silent bursts.
He looked at the house one last time.
Lights glowing.
Curtains drawn.
Her world—closed to him.
His fingers clenched around the steering wheel, knuckles white.
You think this is over, Ah-rin?
You really believe you can walk away from me so easily?
No.
Once you left me drowning in unanswered questions.
And this time—whether you like it or not—I'm not letting you go again, never.
With a burning heart and storming thoughts, Joonwoo drove away.
Inside the House -
Ah-rin stood still, her gaze fixed on the male figure in front of her.
Bohyuk.
He was sitting on the floor, completely unaware of her stare, laughing as he played with Noah and Naomi. The twins clung to him, their laughter filling the room.
Something inside Ah-rin snapped.
"Noah, Naomi—go to your room."
Her voice was calm. Too calm.
The twins froze, then nodded obediently.
"Okay, Mom."
They walked away—but curiosity got the better of them. They peeked through the slightly open bedroom door, eyes wide.
Now, only Ah-rin and Bohyuk remained in the living room.
Bohyuk shifted awkwardly on the couch.
"Uh… Noona?" He smiled nervously. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
In one swift movement, Ah-rin grabbed his left ear and twisted it hard.
"AHH—!!" Bohyuk yelped. "Noonaaa!"
"What 'Noona'?" she snapped. "What were you calling me outside, huh? 'Honey'? I am your 'honey'?"
"Ayoo!" Bohyuk winced. "Noona, I was just trying to make him realize you're doing fine without him! Let go! It hurts like hell!"
He looked at her with exaggerated puppy eyes.
She rolled her eyes and finally released his ear.
He rubbed it gently, hissing under his breath.
Ah-rin's anger melted the moment she saw how red his ear had turned.
"…Is it hurting that much?" she asked softly.
Bohyuk nodded, pouting dramatically.
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. He froze, panic surging as he saw them, a sharp twist of guilt and fear knotting his chest.
"Ayoo! Don't cry, Noona!" He panicked. "I was just acting! Look at you—it feels like you're the kid here."
He moved closer and hugged her tightly.
Ah-rin hugged him back, burying her face into his shoulder.
"You know you guys mean a lot to me, right?" her voice trembled. "You were there when no one else was. When everyone left me alone… when I needed them the most… they—"
"Ayoo! Stop." Bohyuk cut her off gently. "No emotional speeches. I'm starving. I want your handmade food."
She chuckled softly.
"What do you want to eat?"
"Anything—as long as it's made by my beautiful Noona."
"Wait here. I'll cook."
She headed toward the kitchen.
Bohyuk followed her without hesitation, small steps hurried, like a child clinging to the safety of his mother.
"Didn't I tell you to wait?" she sighed. "It's hot and greasy here. Go out."
"Noona, I want to watch you cook." His voice softened. "I won't disturb you. I promise. I just want to be near you. I missed you so much."
Her heart warmed.
"I missed you too, my bunny boy."
She smiled as she washed the vegetables.
"How are you? How's Uncle Jeon's health?"
"He's good. And I'm great—as you know. After all, I'm—"
They looked at each other and spoke together.
"'Jeon Bohyuk, the international playboy.'"
Bohyuk winked and struck a pose.
They burst into laughter.
Time slipped by easily—words flowing, memories shared. After dinner, the twins insisted on staying the night. Their laughter filled the house again.
Later, after putting them to bed, Ah-rin returned to her room.
Bohyuk was already there.
Two glasses.
A bottle of red wine.
"Sit." He patted the space beside him.
They clinked glasses.
They talked.
They laughed.
They healed.
Around four in the morning, exhaustion finally claimed them. Bohyuk glanced to his side and saw Ah-rin fast asleep, her features peaceful and soft like a sleeping child. A small, fond chuckle escaped him.
Carefully, so as not to wake her, he scooped her into his arms and laid her gently on the bed. He adjusted the quilt around her, tucking her in with quiet care, lingering for a moment to admire her serene face.
Satisfied, he turned and slipped quietly into his own room, letting sleep finally take him too.
To Be Continued…