Taewon stepped out of the study, his thoughts still tangled from the conversation with his father.
In the lounge, Harin sat curled on the sofa, phone in hand, scrolling aimlessly. The second she noticed him, her eyes lit up.
"Ah, Taewon," she called, standing up fast. "You're finally out. I was waiting."
He gave a small nod, barely acknowledging her.
She took a step closer, smiling like it was second nature.
"You always end up in those serious talks with Uncle. Like you're the only businessman left. A hot one, too."
Taewon said nothing. He walked to the lounge and sank into a single armchair across from where she'd been lying earlier.
Harin dropped beside him without waiting for permission, her shoulder nearly brushing his.
"You've lost weight. Or maybe it's just your face. Looks slimmer than before."
"Harin," he said, voice polite but distant, "Not tonight."
"Why not?" she asked. "You look exhausted. I thought maybe I could help talk, distract you."
"I'm fine."
She smiled, unfazed.
"Let's catch a movie? Like old times? You need a break, Taewon-ah."
"No." His answer was flat. "I'm busy."
Her lips pouted, just slightly.
"Dinner, then? I know a quiet place nearby. The food's good."
"I said I'm busy, Harin."
The rejection cut clean. Still, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You're always busy these days. It's like Jihyun turned you into a servant."
She said his name like it was something laughable. Like Jihyun didn't belong.
Taewon's jaw clenched, but he didn't respond.
"I was thinking of visiting your house soon," she added, her voice light. "I haven't seen the place since your wedding. Should stop by. Say hi to your dear wifey."
"As you wish," he said simply.
He leaned back in the chair, closing his eyes.
Harin let out a soft laugh.
"There was a time I thought I'd end up marrying you. The perfect chaebol couple, remember? Our parents never shut up about it."
"We were sixteen only then"
She studied his face.
"And now look at us. You're married. And I'm still here waiting."
He opened his eyes.
"Harin," his voice was colder now, "You need to stop."
"Stop what?" she said, smiling. "Saying what everyone else thinks but you never admit?"
"I'm not interested in whatever you're trying to do."
He stood, running a hand through his hair.
"Don't confuse my silence for interest," he said. "I'm loyal. Even when it's hard. Especially then."
Before he could walk away, the front door opened.
"Oppa!"
Yumi rushed in, holding up a small paper bag. "Look what I bought! It's a keyring tiny bear in a suit. Doesn't it look like you?"
Taewon's expression softened immediately. He took the keyring, smiling faintly. "It's cute. Thank you."
Yumi clambered onto the seat beside him, excitedly rambling about the shops.
Harin sat back, her smile tightening as she watched the way his whole demeanor changed around his sister so soft, so effortless. Nothing like how he treated her.
Mrs. Kang entered, setting her purse on the side table. "Dinner will be ready soon. Harin, stay and eat with us."
"Of course," Harin replied sweetly. "Would love to."
But Taewon stood.
"I'll pass. I'm not hungry."
Mrs. Kang frowned. "You've barely eaten since you came."
"I'm going to my room."
"What about Jihyun?" she asked gently. "Aren't you going home tonight?"
"He's out with friends." He didn't look back as he headed toward the stairs.
Mrs. Kang's brow furrowed. Harin turned her face away, but the tiny flicker of satisfaction in her eyes didn't go unnoticed.
(Later That Night)
The rain poured heavier as night deepened. In his childhood room, Taewon sat alone, one arm draped over the couch, eyes fixed on the rain sliding down the windowpane.
A soft knock echoed.
He didn't answer.
Mrs. Kang stepped inside, a folded blanket in her arms. She draped it gently over the back of the couch and sat beside him.
"You'll catch a cold sitting like this," she said.
Taewon didn't look at her. "It's fine."
"I heard the rain from the hallway," she murmured. "Your room's always been the quietest in the house."
"Mmh."
She paused for a moment before speaking again. "Taewon-ah is something wrong?"
"It's nothing serious, Mom Just a small argument."
"With Jihyun?"
He nodded once.
"You're trying very hard. I can see that. But you don't have to carry everything alone."
"He doesn't want to be there. I know that. But I'm trying to make it livable for both of us."
She reached for his hand, resting hers lightly on top. "He's not angry at you. He's angry at the situation the one both of you were forced into."
Taewon turned to face her.
"You've always been the one who stays silent and endures. That's why I worry about you the most."
"This marriage it wasn't what you wanted either, was it?"
"No," he admitted.
"I should've spoken up,"
she whispered, tears glistening in her eyes. "When your father made those decisions, when he drove Taesung and Taemi away I stayed quiet. What kind of mother does that?"
"Mom"
"I've always been afraid to stand up to him. Even now," she said, wiping her cheek.
"I wanted to protect you, but I ended up leaving everything on your shoulders."
Taewon moved closer and gently wiped her tears. "You were never weak to me."
She shook her head. "I couldn't protect any of you."
"You did, in your own way. We were never unloved."
He wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
(At Taewon's Condo)
The door creaked open at ten.
Jihyun stepped inside, tossing his bag to the floor without a glance. The lights flicked on automatically. No voices. No footsteps. Just silence.
He frowned and kicked off his shoes.
"hana?" he called. "Taewon?"
Silence.
"Yah seriously?"
His gaze flicked to the dining table. Empty.
He headed into the kitchen, opened the fridge. Neat containers lined the shelves untouched.
He slammed it shut. "Of course."
Grabbing a pan, he cracked two eggs into a bowl and beat them with a fork. The oil hissed loud and hot, the flame too high. He poured in the eggs, distracted.
A sudden pop of oil hit his hand.
"Ah!" He jerked back, burning his finger on the edge of the pan.
"Shit, ah ,Taewon"
He stood still for a moment, staring at his reddening finger. The sting blurred his eyes with tears.
He turned off the stove. The eggs lay half cooked, the faint smell of burnt lingering.
The house felt too quiet. No shoes by the door. No scent of Taewon upstairs.
He grabbed his phone and called the driver.
"Where's the cook?"
"Ah, sir, she didn't come today."
"And Taewon?"
"He went to his parents' house this afternoon."
Jihyun didn't respond.
The driver hesitated. "Should I send someone with dinner?"
"No. I'm not hungry," he said, voice low.
He hung up and set the phone down, face down on the counter.
Opening a drawer, he pulled out a Band-Aid, fingers trembling. He didn't bother turning off the kitchen light as he walked out.
On his way to his room, he passed by Taewon's door.
It was open. Empty.
He stopped, just for a second.
Then kept walking.