The rain had stopped.
For the first time in days, sunlight filled the halls of Seo Yoon's mansion.
She was feeling better.
Not completely.
But enough to return to work.
"You should rest for another day."
Sang-Hyun stood near the doorway, his hands in his pockets.
Seo Yoon didn't even look up from the documents on her desk.
"I've rested."
"You slept for one night."
"I've rested."
He sighed quietly.
"You really are stubborn."
She signed another page.
"I've heard that before."
"...From me."
"I know."
A small silence settled between them.
Sang-Hyun watched her.
Every movement was precise.
Every signature perfectly aligned.
Every expression carefully controlled.
Even after everything that had happened...
She refused to let anyone see weakness.
"Seo Yoon."
She finally looked up.
"What?"
"You don't have to carry everything alone."
"I do."
"No."
"Yes."
Her answer came without hesitation.
"As long as I depend on someone..."
She closed the file.
"...I give them the chance to leave."
Sang-Hyun's eyes softened almost imperceptibly.
"So that's what you believe."
"It's what I've experienced."
He walked closer.
Stopping a respectful distance away.
"I won't leave."
Seo Yoon let out a quiet laugh.
It wasn't mocking.
It was...sad.
"You say that now."
"I mean it."
She looked at him for a long moment.
Then slowly shook her head.
"No."
Sang-Hyun frowned slightly.
"No?"
"No."
Her voice remained calm.
Collected.
"I know where this is going."
"..."
"And I'm stopping it now."
He stayed silent.
Allowing her to continue.
"You're interested in me."
It wasn't a question.
It was an observation.
"You admire that I fight back."
"You understand what it means to be the eldest."
"And somewhere along the way..."
She met his eyes.
"...you started caring."
For the first time...
Sang-Hyun didn't deny it.
"Perhaps."
Seo Yoon smiled faintly.
A gentle smile.
One that didn't reach her eyes.
"I'm rejecting you."
The words hung in the air.
Simple.
Direct.
Final.
"I don't have room in my life for feelings."
She looked away toward the window.
"I spent thirteen years learning how to survive."
"Then six years building everything I have."
"I won't risk losing myself because someone walks into my life."
Sang-Hyun listened quietly.
Without interrupting.
"My heart..."
She placed a hand over her chest.
"...isn't available."
Silence.
"I don't believe in forever."
She continued softly.
"I don't believe promises."
"I don't believe people stay."
She looked back at him.
"And I won't become emotionally dependent on anyone."
Another long silence.
Finally...
Sang-Hyun spoke.
"I'm not asking you to."
Seo Yoon blinked.
"I'm not asking for an answer today."
His voice remained steady.
"Or tomorrow."
He smiled very faintly.
"I'm patient."
She sighed.
"You really don't know how to take rejection."
"I accepted it."
He replied calmly.
"I simply don't intend to disappear because of it."
Seo Yoon couldn't help rolling her eyes.
"You're impossible."
"So you've said."
She picked up another document.
Clearly ending the conversation.
"I have work."
Sang-Hyun nodded once.
Then turned toward the door.
Just before leaving...
He spoke one last time.
"I'll wait."
Without waiting for a reply...
He walked out.
The door closed quietly behind him.
Seo Yoon remained still.
Her eyes stayed on the papers before her...
But she hadn't read a single word.
She let out a slow breath.
"...What a troublesome man."
She whispered to herself.
Then she picked up her pen again.
Determined to focus on work.
Yet, despite herself...
His final words lingered in the back of her mind.
"I'll wait."