When Han reached home, he didn't even want to be there. He just needed to drop his things and get out. But the moment he stepped into the corridor, Jiwoo was standing there — like a ghost waiting for him.
Han froze. "Noona… I'm not in the mood. Just leave. We'll talk some other day."
She cut him off instantly. "Han, I'm just here to meet you. Let's go inside."
He didn't want another fight. He didn't even have the energy to raise his voice. So he stepped aside.
Inside, he said flatly, "If you want to drink something, entertain yourself."
He was already walking to his room.
"Han," she called, "can I stay the night?"
He turned back, irritated. "Suit yourself."
Then he shut his door behind him.
He lay on his bed staring at the ceiling, replaying every second of what happened earlier at the gate. His breath kept catching, chest tightening. The silence in the room felt like it was pressing on his skull.
He shot up. Furious.
Ripped the door open.
Jiwoo was right there.
"I… I'm going to sleep here," she said softly.
Han's jaw clenched. "Noona, you know I'm already going through a lot. Why are you making it worse?"
She didn't argue. She just walked inside and lay down on the bed like she had the right.
Han stared, speechless. For a moment he felt his mind crack open — the pressure, the exhaustion, the betrayal, the fear. He almost yelled. Instead, he inhaled shakily and lay on the edge of the bed, shoving a pillow between them like a wall.
Neither of them slept. Both just stared into the dark.
"Han," Jiwoo whispered, "do you hate me? Because Jihyee died because of me."
Han didn't turn. "No. I don't. I don't know what really happened then, but I know it must've been hard for you too. People usually lose the ability to think when they're in life and death situations... Noona! It's the time you understand It wasn't your fault and Move on"
He paused. Then his voice cracked, not loud — just sharp.
"But you know when I did hate you? When you left me here. With father. Just the day after , we went to that business dinner… and that incident happened. You knew what this world was like. You knew how they treated others. You knew everything — and you still left me here alone."
Jiwoo didn't move. Didn't even blink.
Han swallowed, bitterness rising. "Even if you ask forgiveness a thousand times, I would never forgive you. Why did you do that to me.Did you really hate me so much that you left me here to suffer.?"
Jiwoo finally spoke — but her tone didn't shift at all. "No Han.I never hated you. How could I? Because of you, I felt like a human. I didn't turn out to become someone like Christian, or Father, or Mr. Choi. You were the only thing in my life that wasn't rotten."
Han turned his head slightly, just enough to see her silhouette.
"Jiwoo… when we were little, you never let me go anywhere alone. You fought for me. You cared. Even when you never show it and always try to hide it. I still saw it. But when I needed you the most— when everything was falling apart — I thought you'd come for me. But you didn't. And when I tried to kill myself. You never came or even called me."
Jiwoo whispered, "Hana,I know. It's too late, but I promise I'll take you out of here."
Han didn't respond. He rolled to the far side of the bed and shut his eyes.
Jiwoo did the same.
Eventually, exhaustion swallowed both of them.