Love warning; Miss Park

The sound of crying was what finally made Jihyo open her eyes. She sighed, grumbling a bit as she tried to turn to her side, only to be stopped by a weight on her stomach.

Seungwan groaned, burying her head deeper into Jihyo's back, moving a leg to effectively trap her.

“Wan,” Jihyo said, taking hold of the arm that the girl had wrapped around her to wake her up. She could still hear Tzuyu crying in the distance. “Wan, I need to get up.”

“Why?” Seungwan whispered, her voice raspy from sleep. Jihyo rolled her eyes a little.

“Tzuyu is crying. I need to go get her,” she replied, patting the girl's arm to free herself.

“No,” Seungwan said, clinging to Jihyo as if her life depended on it. “No.”

“Baby, I really need—”

“No. Stay, I'll go,” the girl responded, finally letting go of Jihyo and lying on her back, her eyes still closed. Jihyo looked at her, raising an eyebrow.

“You can't even open your eyes,” Jihyo teased.

Seungwan furrowed her brow. “I—I can,” she said. “Sleep, you need to rest.”

Jihyo let out an exasperated sigh as she watched Seungwan attempt to move and simply fail. Laughter escaped her lips. “I’ve rested enough. Sleep.”

Tenderly, Jihyo leaned down to place a kiss on Seungwan's forehead, noticing how the girl was already falling back asleep. With a gentle movement, she turned and got out of bed. She slipped on Seungwan's shirt that she found on the floor and headed toward Tzuyu’s room.

Upon entering, she noticed the little one was crying, and Jihyo smiled, carefully picking Tzuyu up in her arms. “Good morning, little one,” she said, rocking her gently. “Are you hungry?”

Tzuyu continued to cry, and Jihyo sighed, swaying her a bit side to side. She looked at the clock; it was early, barely 9 AM. She hummed a soft melody, noticing that Tzuyu had slept a little longer than usual today. Patiently, she tried to soothe her until the baby finally began to calm down. Jihyo smiled, watching her big eyes.

She was so distracted that she didn’t notice the small footsteps on the floor or the door opening. She only registered what was happening when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist and Seungwan leaned against her back, sighing.

Jihyo smiled even wider at the feeling of her warmth. “What’s wrong?” Seungwan asked in a hoarse voice.

“What’s wrong?” Jihyo scoffed, because of course, the girl had no idea what was going on. She turned in Seungwan’s arms and said, “Tzuyu woke up.”

Seungwan nodded, her tired eyes brightening as a smile spread across her face when she looked at Tzuyu. She leaned down to kiss the baby’s forehead. “Hi, beautiful,” she murmured, causing the little one to startle a bit before smiling back at her.

“See?” Jihyo said, feeling a bit more relieved as she watched Tzuyu calm down. “She’s already better.”

Seungwan smiled as she stroked Tzuyu's head. “How about we make her something to eat before she decides it’s time to make a fuss again?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Jihyo replied.

Seungwan nodded, smiling, and stretched a bit, trying to wipe the traces of tiredness from her face. “I’m going to change quickly. I’ll be back in a moment,” she murmured.

Jihyo nodded, but before Seungwan could walk away, she quickly grabbed the girl’s shirt and stole a kiss on the lips.

Seungwan, a bit surprised and clumsy, kissed back, smiling as they parted. “Hey, that’s not fair!” she joked before turning around and leaving the room, leaving Jihyo with a smile on her lips.

Jihyo watched her go, feeling a bubble of happiness in her chest. Then she turned her attention to Tzuyu, who was staring intently at the spot where Seungwan had disappeared. Jihyo chuckled softly, “Looks like you really love Seungwan, huh?” Tzuyu made a sound, babbling in an attempt to communicate, and Jihyo couldn’t help but laugh. “I love her too, a lot,” she said, scrunching her nose playfully. With Tzuyu still in her arms, she walked over to the closet to find some clothes for the little one.

“Let’s see what we can find for you,” Jihyo said, opening the closet doors and rummaging through the clothes. “Maybe something adorable, what do you think, Tzuyunnie?”

Tzuyu responded with a babble that sounded like a “yes,” which made Jihyo smile even more. In the end, she chose a bright-colored little dress and a pair of soft tights. “This is perfect,” Jihyo said, holding the clothes up in front of Tzuyu, who seemed excited at the sight of the colors.

She started dressing the baby, and just as Jihyo was finishing up, Seungwan walked back into the room, looking fresh in jeans and a loose shirt. Jihyo turned to look at her, smiling, as she lifted Tzuyu in her arms and approached Seungwan.

“See how she looks!” Jihyo exclaimed, showing off Tzuyu, who was smiling with her big, bright eyes.

Seungwan took Tzuyu in her arms, smiling instantly. “She’s adorable!” she said, then sighed, looking at Jihyo. “I almost forgot we were supposed to go grocery shopping.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Jihyo replied calmly. “We can improvise something. Tzuyu has everything she needs, and we could just order something.”

Seungwan smiled at her, but her expression turned thoughtful. “We can’t just stay home all weekend again without doing anything.”

Jihyo frowned, holding Tzuyu close. “It’s not doing nothing. It’s spending time as a family. Tzuyu loves it.”

Seungwan laughed, stroking Tzuyu’s back. “Yeah, but Tzuyu loves everything,” she said, looking at her fondly.

“Exactly,” Jihyo responded, smiling. “And she loves spending time with… with her mom even more.”

Seungwan looked up to see Jihyo, her eyes sparkling and her heart racing. Jihyo smiled back, feeling a soft blush rise to her cheeks. It wasn’t the first time she referred to Seungwan as Tzuyu’s mom, but it always had that effect on her.

It was magical and a bit strange—not in a bad way, just… it sounded different coming from Jihyo’s lips. The first time it had slipped from her mouth had been a few weeks ago, and Seungwan, true to form, had cried. Jihyo had panicked, almost freaking out at the sight of the girl crying like that. But Seungwan had assured her that everything was fine, that she was actually happy… and consequently, Jihyo was too.

“Do you think so?” Seungwan asked, her voice full of sweetness.

“I know so,” Jihyo affirmed, letting the moment fill with warmth.

Seungwan smiled, squinting her eyes in that way Jihyo loved and adorably puffing out her cheeks. “Alright then.”

Jihyo grinned at that and, moving closer, wrapped her arms around Seungwan, burying her head in her neck. “Then you stay with Tzuyu. If you really want to go shopping, I’ll do it. You two can stay together.”

Seungwan bit her lip, looking at Jihyo with a mix of adoration and concern. “I thought you were going to finish the report,” she said, her tone turning a bit more serious. “It’s important; you have to turn it in on Monday.”

Jihyo lifted herself to Seungwan’s level, smiling as she gently kissed her. “It can wait,” she murmured.

“But I don’t think you should put it off,” Seungwan replied, trying to keep her tone firm. “I know it’s important, and I won’t be long. I’ll just go for the essentials and come back. That way, you can spend the rest of the afternoon doing nothing.”

Jihyo sighed, knowing there was no convincing Seungwan. “Fine, go,” she finally accepted, feeling the inevitable defeat.

At hearing that, Seungwan smiled and kissed her, squeezing her waist affectionately. Jihyo felt a tingle run through her body as Seungwan pulled away. Meanwhile, Tzuyu babbled at her side, and Jihyo couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’m going to change then,” Jihyo said, pulling away from Seungwan. “I can’t spend all day at home in just a t-shirt.”

“I don’t mind,” Seungwan replied with a mischievous smile, her eyes sparkling. “In fact, I love it when you’re like this.”

Jihyo rolled her eyes and playfully nudged her on the shoulder. “I know, but for now, I won’t. You’ll have to wait.”

Seungwan laughed, leaning forward in a playful gesture. “Will there be a round two?”

Jihyo frowned, trying to maintain a serious expression. “Don’t be ridiculous. There wasn’t even a round one.”

“Then we’ll talk about that later,” Seungwan replied with a cheeky smile, and with a loving gesture, she kissed Tzuyu on the cheek before handing her back to Jihyo. “I won’t be long.”

Jihyo nodded, feeling a wave of affection, and leaned in to kiss her again. It was as if she could never get tired of her. Seungwansmiled during the kiss, and as they pulled apart, she said, “Go now. I love you.”

“I love you too,” Jihyo replied, smiling warmly. With one last look, she left the room to head to hers and change.

Seungwan watched her go, feeling a mix of happiness and longing. She sighed, and shortly after, she stepped out as well, closing the door behind her. She walked down the stairs with determination in her steps.

Once downstairs, she walked into the living room and grabbed the car keys that lay on the entry table. She put on her jacket and stepped out the door, heading toward the car. Once inside, she quickly started the engine and began to drive.

The journey was quick and smooth, as always. About ten minutes later, her phone rang. Seungwan sighed, answering the call on the car's speaker.

“Hey Wanwan,” Joohyun’s voice echoed from the other end. “How’s life in your fairy tale?”

Seungwan rolled her eyes, smiling. “Very good, actually. I’m out for some shopping.”

Joohyun laughed. “Is Jihyo making you do chores already? You should just get married if you’re going to act like an old couple.”

"Laugh all you want!" Seungwan replied, also laughing. "But honestly, I enjoy doing it."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Joohyun huffed playfully. "By the way, we're going to visit you soon. Seulgi can't stand being away from her niece for more than a week."

"Great, I think we could use the company," Seungwan said, feeling excited about the idea.

Joohyun started to hum. "I'll do it then. I'll talk to the girls too."

"Yeah, that would be nice," Seungwan nodded. Just then, she noticed a black car behind her. She couldn't see exactly who was driving, but she really didn't pay much attention to it.

"How's your trip going, by the way?" Seungwan asked, trying to change the subject.

"Boring," Joohyun replied. "I've been here for three days and I can't help but want to go back home already."

Seungwan chuckled a bit. "Being married to you must be wonderful."

"Seulgi has never complained," Joohyun said with a smile, and Seungwan laughed again.

As she turned the car, she noticed that the black car behind her had also made the turn. She frowned, feeling it was probably just a coincidence. She cleared her throat and continued talking to Joohyun.

"Well, she has never had very good judgment when it comes to relationships," she joked, trying to distract her mind from the strange feeling the black car gave her. "But at least she chose well when it comes to you."

Joohyun laughed. "Thanks, I think. I hope she doesn't start complaining now that I'm away."

"She'll never do that!" Seungwan exclaimed, feeling the atmosphere lighten. "In the end, you'll end up being the best and only wife she's ever had."

"I hope so," Joohyun said, and the two continued laughing and chatting as Seungwan drove, unaware that the black car was still beside her, maintaining a disturbing distance.

However, when Seungwan made what seemed like the tenth turn, she began to feel nervous, almost uncomfortable. She frowned, trying to get a better look at the car, but she couldn't distinguish anything. A sigh escaped her lips just as Joohyun called her.

"Wan!" Joohyun's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

"Sorry," Seungwan said, feeling a bit embarrassed. "It's just that... I'm almost there and I got distracted."

"You should be careful then," Joohyun advised her. "I'll call you later when you have some time."

"That would be best," Seungwan replied, nodding even though she knew Joohyun couldn't see it. "Take care too. I love you."

"I love you too," Joohyun said before hanging up.

Seungwan tightened her grip on the steering wheel, feeling the tension rise. She drove to the supermarket and parked, noticing again how that damn black car was still there. She sighed, trying to calm her nerves, and got out, looking around cautiously. She walked a bit faster than usual to reach the entrance, feeling relieved to be near others, until a voice behind her froze her in place.

"You can't be serious," she thought, knowing deep down who it was. She felt foolish for not having thought of it sooner, foolish for believing he was really gone for good. Finally, she turned around, and there stood Sungbin, facing her.

"Hello, Seungwan," he said, with a smile that didn't quite hide the tension in the air.

"Sungbin," Seungwan replied, feeling a knot form in her stomach. She didn't know why she felt so nervous looking at the man in front of her; after all, they had always maintained a cordial relationship for Jihyo's sake. But now, after months, it felt... different.

She cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. "What are you doing here?"

Sungbin shrugged, as if that could downplay his presence. "I’m back in the city."

Seungwan nodded, uncomfortable but too alert to just walk away. Sungbin examined her, as if assessing her reaction.

"Are you here to do some shopping?" he asked, breaking the silence.

"Yes, I need it," Seungwan said, feeling her voice harden.

"Jihyo usually handles that," Sungbin commented, not taking his eyes off her.

Seungwan glared at him, frowning. "Jihyo has a small baby to take care of on her own. It's the least I can do."

Sungbin stared back at her, snorting lightly. "I don't think that's the only thing you're doing."

Seungwan furrowed her brow even more, clenching her jaw. "What do you mean by that?"

"I should have guessed you would run to Jihyo the moment you had the chance," Sungbin said, his tone laced with disdain. "As if you were her damn savior or something."

"I was just there for her when you abandoned her," Seungwan shot back, feeling anger bubbling inside her. "And after all, Jihyo isn't to blame for marrying a coward."

The air between them grew tense, as if Seungwan's words floated in the space, challenging Sungbin to react. He clenched his jaw, looking at her with disdain.

"What the hell are you expecting now?" Sungbin asked, his voice heavy with sarcasm. "To keep sleeping with her, playing happy family with my wife and my daughter?"

Seungwan scoffed, feeling her frustration rise. "You left, you abandoned her, like the useless person you are. Why did you do it? You weren’t ready? Did you need to 'explore'?"

Sungbin's expression darkened, and Seungwan couldn't help but feel contempt for him. "You're an idiot, an idiot who doesn't even deserve to say Jihyo's name. Not at all. You don't deserve to call her your wife."

"And yet, I do," Sungbin retorted, his voice steady. "Your delusion of wanting to be someone again isn't going to be fulfilled now that I'm here."

Seungwan stared at him, feeling her heart race. "Do you really think Jihyo will love you again? Do you think she's going to let you get close to her and Tzuyu? You're even more of an idiot than I thought."

Sungbin clenched his fists, anger building inside him. "I came back. Jihyo will never be able to tell me no. Do you really think you can compete with that? I'm not going to let you have Jihyo, not ever. I've separated you once."

Seungwan stared at him in disbelief, a mix of sadness and anger flooding her expression. Sungbin's mocking laughter echoed in her ears as he said, "It seems you’ve forgotten that."

"This time is different. We're not in college anymore; we've grown up," Seungwan replied, her voice firm and resolute. "I'm not going to let you take Jihyo away from me so easily. Not when you deserve nothing but to rot for what you did."

Sungbin looked at her with anger, disdain evident on his face. However, he took a step closer to her, trying to intimidate her.

Seungwan, feeling her space shrink, stopped him with a hand on his chest. "Don't come near me ever again," she said, with a defiant look. "Don't get close to Jihyo. Just get lost again or you'll regret it."

Without another word, she turned and began to walk away, her fury and determination guiding her. Sungbin watched her leave, fists clenched and breathing heavily. "You will be the one to regret it," he murmured to himself, feeling rage consume him as Seungwan walked away.

—

Jihyo glanced at her phone for the fifth time; it was nearly 2 PM. Tzuyu was busy, distractedly playing with some blocks and letters, and Jihyo was worried.

The supermarket wasn’t that far; Seungwan should have already arrived. Hours had passed, and Jihyo's stomach dropped because the girl would never just disappear like this. She bit her lip, feeling her leg bounce up and down, trapped in anxiety. Her chest felt tight, an uncomfortable sensation she couldn't ignore.

She considered calling again, but the six missed calls she had already made indicated that Seungwan wouldn't answer. Jihyo sighed, running a hand through her hair, trying to clear her mind. She adjusted herself better on the couch, watching Tzuyu play and laugh on the floor, attempting to distract her thoughts.

Probably nothing had happened. Seungwan was forgetful; maybe she had gone somewhere farther away. Maybe she was already on her way back, maybe the traffic was terrible, or any excuse Jihyo could think of. She tried not to overthink, even as her chest burned, even with that little voice in the back of her mind telling her no, this wasn't normal, that something had happened.

She leaned over a bit, picking up a toy and giving it to Tzuyu. The baby took it, playing and babbling, and Jihyo sighed, chuckling a little at her daughter’s joy. However, the laughter couldn’t calm her growing unease.

"Where are you, Wan?" she murmured to herself, feeling anxiety take hold of her. But she couldn't move, couldn't do anything, other than grip her phone tighter and wait, more than just watching Tzuyu play and simply...

Finally, the phone vibrated in her hand. Jihyo answered so quickly that she surprised herself with the speed. Her heart raced a thousand beats per minute, and she was truly grateful to be sitting down because she didn't think she could have stood up when she heard an unfamiliar voice on the other end of the line.

"Hello, this is Asan Medical Center calling. We need to inform you about an emergency concerning a certain Son Seungwan..."

—

“Alright, we’re here,” Jihyo sighed, unbuckling her seatbelt and turning off the car. Sana nodded, reaching for the door handle, but Jihyo was quicker. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Sana looked at her with a confused expression. “To get out of the car?” she replied as if it were obvious.

“You’re still weak; the doctor said you need complete rest,” Jihyo retorted, frowning.

“I think I can open a door just fine, babe—”

“No, none of that,” Jihyo said, shifting to exit the car, but Sana stopped her.

“I won’t let you make any effort; you need to rest.”

“Jihyo, don’t you think it’s a bit excessive to not even let me—” Sana started, but Jihyo interrupted her.

“I’m just taking care of you. Besides, you’re not going to feel better if you don’t follow the rules; it’s basic.”

“Yes, but—”

“Please, Sana, just let her open the damn door for you,” Mina chimed in. “Or we’re going to be here for another 20 minutes, and I’m not reliving what happened at the hospital.”

Jihyo smiled with satisfaction and leaned in to place a kiss on Sana’s cheek before stepping out of the car and walking to the passenger side. She opened the door with a big smile and extended her hand, causing Sana to sigh and take it, making her way out of the car with some effort.

“I have to admit, those two are really cute together,” Momo smiled, glancing at Dahyun and Mina beside her.

“Only because you just figured it out,” Mina replied, quickly jumping out of the car, and Dahyun smiled in response.

“Yeah, they’re actually extremely gross. Jihyo always looks at Sana like she wants to fuc—”

“Dahyun!” Sana interrupted, glaring at her from outside.

“Oops,” Dahyun grinned. “I think I said too much.” Momo huffed and rolled her eyes as she opened the door and stepped out, with Dahyun following, sighing and stretching a bit.

Jihyo stayed next to Sana, wrapping an arm around her waist to help her walk. Sana sighed but didn’t say anything else, allowing Jihyo to support her as they moved towards the entrance.

They entered and took the elevator, a bit cramped. Sana could see Mina leaning against the elevator wall, her eyes closed; she clearly looked tired. Momo looked a bit better but equally exhausted, moving her neck in a strange way; Sana guessed it was because of the position she had slept in. And Dahyun… Sana didn’t even know why she was surprised, but Dahyun had a big smile on her face, resting her chin on Mina’s shoulder and sighing a little.

Sana looked down, feeling Jihyo's fingers tighten around her. She didn’t say anything, and when the door finally opened, she stepped out with Jihyo’s careful support. She thought Jihyo was exaggerating a bit, yes, but she wasn’t going to take away Jihyo’s satisfaction in caring for her. She felt that whatever was going on with Jihyo had to do with… that protective attitude towards her, and she also had to admit that it didn’t bother her.

They walked down the hallway to Sana’s apartment. Mina, who was in front, took out her key and opened the door, letting Dahyun go in first, making Momo follow suit, and finally entering herself. Sana and Jihyo were the last to enter. Jihyo closed the door behind her, and Sana could see Momo admiring the place.

“Wow, it’s even better than Jihyo’s mansion!” Momo exclaimed, looking around with bright eyes.

Jihyo glared at her with a furrowed brow while Dahyun turned to her with wide eyes, “You live in a mansion?!”

Jihyo sighed, “I do not.”

Without even turning to look at them, Momo chimed in, “They used to have a hot tub and everything!” Dahyun gasped in astonishment, and Jihyo shook her head, letting out an exasperated sigh as she started to explain again that she didn’t have a mansion. But Momo interrupted when she saw Mina turning to her with a big ball of fur in her arms.

“Is that Ray?” Momo nearly squealed, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

Sana smiled, nodding and saying, “Yes!”

Momo rushed over to Mina, gently reaching out to pet the puppy. “He’s so cute!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with adoration.

Mina grinned and asked, “Do you want to hold him?”

Momo nodded eagerly, her enthusiasm contagious. Mina handed Ray over, and the puppy squirmed happily in Momo's arms, wagging his tiny tail.

Sana watched the interaction, feeling a warm sense of joy as Momo cooed at Ray. “Just be careful, or you’ll end up stealing him,” she joked, but Momo was too enchanted by the puppy to notice.

“He’s such a sweetheart!” Momo said, cradling Ray close.

Sana huffed lightly and began to walk, leaning against the wall for support. Dahyun noticed her and said, “You should really go rest.”

“I’m fine!” Sana protested, but Jihyo chimed in, “Dahyun is right. I’ll go with you to your room so you can lay down.”

Sana finally nodded, conceding to their concern, and began to head up the stairs with Jihyo following closely behind her. Once they reached the top, they walked to Sana's room. She opened the door and let out a sigh of relief, walking over to the bed and sitting down. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, feeling more grateful than ever to be back in her own space.

Jihyo watched her for a moment, then approached and sat down beside her, examining her closely. “How do you feel?” she asked gently.

Sana finally turned to look at her and smiled, saying, “I’m good. You know that already.”

Jihyo nodded, saying, “I just want to make sure.” Sana smiled back and nodded, sighing again as she took Jihyo’s hand to play with her fingers. Jihyo let her do it, laughing a little, and after a moment, she asked, “What are you thinking about?”

Sana took her time to think, then said, “I was thinking about how awkward it’s going to be to go back to work on Monday.”

Jihyo tensed at that, looking at her with a frown. “You’re not going back to work on Monday,” she stated firmly.

Sana looked at her, furrowing her brow. “What do you mean?” she asked, surprised by Jihyo's sudden seriousness.

“Did you really think you’d just go back like nothing happened? You just got out of the hospital. You need to rest at home for at least four more days!” Jihyo replied, her tone unwavering.

Sana opened her mouth to protest, saying, “I can’t just skip work! Especially not for that long. The doctor said I should be fine by Monday, so what’s the problem?”

Jihyo looked at her seriously and said, “I know what the doctor said, but I want to make sure you don’t collapse or experience any secondary symptoms.”

Sana huffed, “I won’t! I know you’re worried, but I really can’t just—”

Jihyo interrupted her, “I’m the boss, Sana.”

Sana shot her a glare. “Don’t use that title with me. I don’t want to feel like I have an advantage over everyone else just because you and I are… whatever this is.”

Jihyo didn’t correct her about the term. Instead, she replied, “You do have an advantage, because I care for you and I don’t want you to get hurt even more. It’s better this way”

“Why?” Sana asked, crossing her arms. “Why do you want to keep me cooped up? I’m not made of glass; I won’t break easily.”

Jihyo sighed, looking frustrated. “You don’t understand…”

“Then explain it to me,” Sana insisted.

Jihyo took a deep breath, her expression softening. “I don’t want you to set foot in the company until Donghae is behind bars. I’ve already told you, I won’t let him get close to you for any reason.”

Sana frowned and asked, “Then what’s the plan? The police are already aware, and I don’t think Donghae is stupid enough to… go after me again after what happened.”

Jihyo sighed, turning to look at Sana and saying, “As much as the police know what happened, they’re not going to act that quickly. They need evidence—footage from the gala, witnesses if there are any, your blood tests. When they get that, they’ll issue a warrant for Donghae’s arrest. Besides, the company won’t stay silent. I know that when everything comes to light, Mr. Kim will be on my neck, trying to make sure no articles come out about what happened.”

Sana looked at Jihyo with a furrowed brow. Jihyo sighed, cupping Sana’s cheeks in her hands and saying, “I know you’re not weak. I would never think that you are. But everything that comes with justice… I want to protect you from it. It’s too much, and you’re the one affected.”

Sana shook her head gently, saying, “I know I’m the affected one. I understand what’s going to happen. But is it really so wrong to want to be there? Is it really so wrong to want to be by your side instead of stepping back and letting you deal with everything on your own? This involves me directly, and even though I don’t want to see Donghae again, I need to have the choice, not have you decide for me.”

Jihyo looked at her, biting her lip, and said, “I… I can’t.”

Sana stepped back slightly, causing Jihyo's hands to fall away from her cheeks. “You can do it,” she insisted. “Sooner or later, I will have to do something. I will have to speak up. You can’t control everything.”

Jihyo shook her head, saying, “I have to try.”

Sana huffed a little and then took Jihyo by the cheeks, looking at her firmly. “Are we a couple?” she asked.

”Huh?”

“Are we a couple?” Sana repeated

Jihyo looked confused, unsure how to respond. “I… I think so?” she stammered.

Sana nodded and said, “Then we have to work together. You need to let me help you.”

Jihyo opened her mouth to say something, but Sana interrupted, “I’m not going to pressure you at all. Whatever is going on with you, I may not understand it completely, but I will wait. I will wait until you tell me everything, and I will support you because that’s what couples do. But right now, I need you to support me. I need you to not try to lock me away in a box because I can’t be like that. I also need you to let me get close to you. You don’t have to protect yourself. You don’t need to put up that weird emotional shield with me. I told you once, and I will say it again: you’re not alone anymore.”

Sana's words resonated in Jihyo's heart, but the truth was that Jihyo felt lost. "Sana, please, n-no—" she protested, shaking her head, her voice trembling. "I-I can't..."

"Park Jihyo," Sana said, her gaze fixed on Jihyo's eyes, "You are not alone."

Jihyo looked at her, examining her sincere eyes, and in that moment, she couldn't hold back any longer. She threw herself into Sana's arms, barely giving her time to react. She buried her face in Sana's neck, and tears began to flow rapidly, unstoppable. The pressure of her emotions overwhelmed her, and she could no longer contain herself.

Sana reacted instantly, wrapping her arms around Jihyo's back. Her eyes were wide, surprised because she certainly hadn't expected this reaction from Jihyo. But she said nothing, simply sighed, running her hand through Jihyo's hair, pulling her closer, and closing her eyes to avoid letting her own tears spill.

"It's okay, it's okay," Sana whispered, her voice breaking slightly.

Jihyo cried, her whole body trembling as the tears soaked Sana's shirt. Her fists curled tightly, trying not to break down further, attempting to stop crying, but she couldn't. It was as if Sana had unlocked that option within her, as if now Jihyo couldn't stop.

Sana sighed, whispering comforting words to Jihyo, trying to help her breathe properly. But she didn’t want to make Jihyo stop, because as she suspected, Jihyo needed it. She needed to vent, to let out all those things she couldn't say directly.

Before she realized it, Sana was crying too. At first, it was a single salty tear rolling down her cheek, then another, landing in Jihyo's hair. And before she could stop it, a floodgate opened. She didn’t even know why she was crying, maybe it was because Jihyo was crying in her neck like she never imagined she would.

The helplessness overwhelmed her. She couldn't understand why Jihyo was in so much pain, so exhausted. It was too much for her, knowing that she couldn’t do anything but hold the girl close. The desperation of knowing she hadn't been there before to try to protect Jihyo from all the bad things that had happened consumed her.

"I'm sorry," Sana murmured through sobs, her voice barely audible. "I'm so sorry, Jihyo."

Jihyo continued to cry, each sob tearing at her heart a little more. Sana closed her eyes, gently stroking Jihyo's hair, trying to convey some calmness. "I'm sorry," she repeated, her voice trembling. "I couldn't help you before... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Please..."

At that point, Sana didn’t know why she was apologizing for everything. It didn’t matter anymore; she just kept saying it, over and over, until her voice broke again. Jihyo, still buried in her neck, tried to speak, but only more sobs came out.

Sana shook her head, saying, "You don't have to talk. You don't have to do anything." But Jihyo didn't listen. On an impulse, she pulled away from Sana, still crying, and looked at her with red eyes.

"Why are you apologizing to me?" she asked, her voice broken.

"I don't know..." Sana replied, feeling her heart break a little more. "I just... want to help you. I want to help so much. I'm sorry."

For Jihyo, that declaration hit her like a wave, and the tears flowed again. "You already do enough, love," she said, her tone filled with pain. "God, you do more than enough and—"

Jihyo sighed, looking Sana in the eyes. "Since you came into my life, you've done nothing but help me."

Sana looked at her, trying to smile, but the expression faded and she looked down, wiping her face with her hands. "I'm sorry, I'm a mess," she said in a strained voice.

Jihyo shook her head, her heart tightening. "No, no, you're not the mess. I am. I was supposed to make sure you rested, and now... look at us, crying like little girls."

Sana looked at her tenderly, a small smile appearing despite the tears. "You can cry like a little girl as much as you want, always," she said firmly. "I will hold you when you do."

Jihyo looked at her, a spark of curiosity appearing in her eyes. "Will you do that even if we both end up crying?"

"Yes," Sana replied without hesitation.

"Even if I cry ugly?" Jihyo asked, a small smile creeping onto her lips.

"Yes," Sana said with a wider smile. "Even though you are the most beautiful person in the world, even when you cry."

Jihyo let out a broken laugh at first, a mix of disbelief and relief. She nodded and wiped her face, smiling slightly. Sana hugged her again, tightly, almost taking her breath away. Jihyo returned the embrace, feeling the warmth of the girl, something she desperately needed.

When they finally pulled apart, Jihyo examined Sana. "I’ll support you... too," she said, her voice soft but determined.

Sana looked at her with a small smile, and Jihyo sighed, gently running her fingers over Sana's face, tracing her cheeks, her nose, and stopping at her lips. "I’ll support you, always. I won’t force you into anything," she promised, her eyes reflecting sincerity.

"I know," Sana replied, feeling her heart fill with gratitude. Jihyo stared at her intently, and in a tender gesture, Sana placed a delicate kiss on the finger Jihyo was holding over her lips.

"Thank you," Sana whispered, her voice soft and full of emotion. She sighed, and as she did, she pulled Jihyo closer until they were almost nose to nose. "Thank you," she repeated, her gaze deep and meaningful.

Jihyo, feeling the warmth of that moment, said, "I’ll also... open up to you. Maybe not now, but I’ll try. Just, please, give me time."

Sana nodded in understanding, her heart brimming with support. "Whenever you need," she assured her sincerely.

Jihyo nodded, closing her eyes and resting her forehead against Sana's. She sighed, feeling the connection they shared in that moment. After a moment of comforting silence, Jihyo said, "It's best if you lie down and get some rest... You have work on Monday, and you need to recharge."

Sana smiled broadly, "You're right," she replied, and on a surge of affection, she placed a gentle kiss on Jihyo's lips.

The kiss was soft, a light touch that left a warm feeling in the air. Jihyo blushed slightly but smiled, feeling that each little gesture of affection filled her heart with hope.

"Rest, Sana," Jihyo said tenderly, feeling that everything was right in that moment.

Sana looked at her with a soft expression and said, "Why don't you lie down with me, just until I fall asleep?"

Jihyo nodded, finding the idea comforting. They both settled into the bed, with Sana taking her position of holding Jihyo tightly in her arms.

Jihyo sighed, feeling safe and protected in that embrace. She closed her eyes, allowing the calm to envelop her. In a gentle gesture, she placed a soft kiss on Sana's collarbone, feeling the warmth of her skin and the closeness of the girl.

—

Jihyo would be lying if she said that crying so much hadn't left her exhausted. The journey home was mainly the hardest and most bothersome because Jihyo wanted nothing more than to throw herself onto her bed and sleep... a lot.

Fortunately, Momo had stayed with Sana, and Dahyun had offered to give her a ride. Jihyo had wanted to hug the girl right there in gratitude because she couldn't bear the thought of making two trips. She sighed, turning off the car and getting out with a heavy body. She had done her best to hide her red eyes and puffy face, and she just hoped no one would ask about it. She walked toward the door and carefully opened it, although it didn't help much since Joohyun and Tzuyu turned to look at her from their spot in the living room.

Tzuyu ran toward her, and Jihyo caught her in her arms. "I missed you so much, mommy!" Tzuyu exclaimed, beaming.

"I missed you too, Tzuyunnie," Jihyo replied, feeling her tiredness ease a little with the warmth of the hug.

"How is Miss Sana?"

"She's good, very well now," Jihyo said, smiling. "She's resting at home with her friends."

"That's great!" Tzuyu bounced excitedly. "I made her a drawing!"

Jihyo smiled, feeling a spark of joy. "I'm sure it's very cute, sweetheart. You'll give it to her later, okay?" she said, and Tzuyu nodded enthusiastically.

Afterward, Jihyo looked at Joohyun, a tired smile on her face. "Thank you for being here," she said, feeling a deep sense of gratitude.

Joohyun smiled back, standing up and reaching out to take Jihyo's hand, gently caressing her knuckles. "How did everything go?" she asked, her voice soft.

Jihyo took a deep breath, feeling her heart tighten a little. "It went well, no side effects, she just needs to rest."

Joohyun nodded happily. "What great news then!" she said, and Jihyo smiled faintly.

She was about to open her mouth to speak again when her mother interrupted from the entrance. "I didn't hear you come in," she said, causing Jihyo to turn quickly to look at her.

She noticed her mother's cold gaze fixated on the joined hands of Jihyo and Joohyun, and she felt a sigh escape her lips at the look of disgust on her mother's face. Joohyun noticed it too, and with a slight hesitation, she gently let go of Jihyo's hand, stepping back a little.

"Hello, Mother," Jihyo greeted, trying to keep her composure.

Her mother frowned. "Is everything alright?" she asked, her tone filled with false concern. "Sungbin told me what happened. It's terrible. I hope that young lady is okay."

"She is, fortunately," Jihyo replied, trying to hide the discomfort she felt.

Her mother nodded, but her gaze remained fixed on Joohyun, as if she were assessing the situation. Then, she looked at Jihyo for a moment before calling out to Tzuyu. "It's time for bed, Tzuyu," she said in a firm tone.

Tzuyu nodded, and on impulse, she lunged to hug Joohyun. "Thank you for today, Auntie!" she exclaimed, her voice full of gratitude.

Joohyun smiled at her, feeling the warmth of the hug. "It's nothing, Tzu. I'll see you soon," she replied, gently stroking her hair.

Tzuyu pulled away and walked toward her grandmother, taking her hand before heading up the stairs. Jihyo watched them go, feeling a mix of warmth and tension in the air.

Once Tzuyu was out of earshot, Jihyo sighed and asked, "Where is Sungbin?"

Joohyun replied, "He left; he didn't say where he was going."

Jihyo rolled her eyes. "Great," she murmured as she walked over to sit on the couch. "I'm dead tired."

Joohyun smiled in understanding. "You should get some sleep. I’ll head out and come back later."

Jihyo nodded, sighing. "That’s a great idea," she admitted, feeling exhaustion envelop her.

Joohyun smiled and leaned in to hug her. "Everything will be alright. Let me handle things," she said softly.

"Thank you, Hyun," Jihyo replied.

Joohyun stepped back, saying, "Call me if you need anything," and without another word, she gathered her things and left.

Jihyo sighed, staring straight ahead, taking a few moments to collect her thoughts. Then, she got up from the couch and headed upstairs.

She entered her room, deciding it was time to freshen up. She headed to the bathroom, noticing that the room was just as she had left it: the dress thrown in one corner, her slippers scattered on the floor. Sungbin hadn't bothered to do anything, but Jihyo huffed and brushed it off.

She walked into the bathroom and quickly undressed, stepping into the shower without a second thought. She took her time there, finally feeling the hot water soothe her aching muscles. When she finally emerged, she sighed in relief; she felt better, clean, and relaxed.

With a towel wrapped around her, she stepped out of the bathroom only to be surprised by Sungbin, sitting on the bed. Jihyo frowned and cleared her throat, saying, "I didn't hear you come in."

"I just got here," Sungbin replied, in an indifferent tone.

Jihyo nodded and walked toward her closet, pulling out her underwear and quickly putting it on, followed by her pajamas. Sungbin didn't look at her until he finally cleared his throat, asking, "How did everything go?"

Jihyo looked at him, puzzled. "Very well, Sana is home."

Sungbin nodded, then asked, "How was everything with the police?"

"I don't really know," Jihyo replied, feeling a knot in her stomach. "but I know how that goes; it takes time, unfortunately."

Sungbin nodded again and stood up. "I need to go to the bathroom," he said, and Jihyo looked at him, puzzled, because Sungbin was usually... less compliant. But she didn’t think much of it; she simply sighed and took her towel to dry her hair. Then she brushed it slowly, letting out a sigh of relief. Once she was done, she left the room.

The hallway was dark; she assumed her mother was already in her room. With careful steps, she walked to Tzuyu's room, opening the door slowly, trying not to wake her. The room was silent, and Jihyo smiled upon seeing her daughter. She approached, walking softly, and leaned down to kiss her forehead, whispering, "Good night, Tzuyu."

Just as she turned to leave, Tzuyu stopped her. "Wait!" she called, and Jihyo turned back, feeling a mix of curiosity and concern.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, I didn't mean to wake you," she said, trying to smile at her. "Go back to sleep."

"I wasn't sleeping! I was pretending," Tzuyu replied with a mischievous tone.

Jihyo chuckled softly. "Well, it's time to sleep. You heard Grandma," she reminded her, feeling the calm of the night envelop the room.

Tzuyu nodded, settling into her bed. Jihyo looked at her with a gentle smile, but Tzuyu exaggeratedly closed her eyes, wriggling a bit. Finally, she sighed and said, "I can't sleep, Mommy."

Jihyo walked over and sat on her bed. "You have to try a little harder," she advised, feeling the worry beginning to grow in her chest.

Tzuyu frowned and started to play with the hem of her pajamas, her little hands moving nervously. Jihyo frowned too, asking, "What's wrong?"

Tzuyu looked at her, her small eyes wide open, and confessed, "I can't sleep because I'm thinking."

"Ah, yes," Jihyo replied, feeling curious. "What are you thinking about?"

Tzuyu looked at her little hands, moving her mouth from side to side as if she were pondering something important. Jihyo laughed, enjoying the sweetness of her daughter, but then Tzuyu looked at her again and innocently asked, "Is Aunt Joohyun bad?"

Jihyo froze, because of all the things she expected Tzuyu to say, that wasn’t one of them. She frowned, shaking her head firmly. "No, Tzuyu, she’s not bad. She’s amazing. She loves me a lot, and she loves you a lot too."

Tzuyu began to play with her little hands again, but Jihyo leaned closer, concerned. "Why do you think that?" she asked. "Did she scold you or something?" She tried to say it as a joke to cheer the little one up, but Tzuyu didn’t laugh.

"No," Tzuyu shook her head. "Aunt Joohyun never scolds me. She’s very nice."

"Then why do you think she’s bad?" Jihyo asked, feeling confusion starting to grow inside her.

Tzuyu looked at her, nervous, and Jihyo nodded, encouraging her to continue. "Grandma told me she’s bad, that she can hurt me," Tzuyu confessed, her voice barely a whisper. "But I don’t think that’s true because I love my aunt a lot."

Jihyo felt the air leave her lungs. The world spun around her, and suddenly, she felt as if she had no control over her body. She felt like a teenager again, sitting at the dining table of her home, being scolded, her mother yelling at her, throwing religious verses at her as if that could help, as if all that could make Jihyo different, that she could change. But it never worked; it never would. No matter how many shouts Jihyo had to endure or how many blows she had to cover when her mother went a little too far beyond what was usual.

She felt her hands trembling again, but this time she didn’t shed any tears. She looked at Tzuyu, who continued to gaze at her with her big eyes, and Jihyo tried to swallow the lump in her throat. Doing her best to hide her anger, she asked Tzuyu, "When did Grandma say that?"

Tzuyu answered innocently, "When she tucked me in for bed, she said it was better if Aunt Joohyun didn’t visit anymore because she was bad."

Jihyo looked at her daughter, so innocent, asking curiously without understanding the implications of what her grandmother had said. But Jihyo knew Tzuyu was smart. She knew that if this continued, eventually the girl would understand what it meant. She couldn’t allow Tzuyu to grow up like that; she couldn’t let her be hurt like they had hurt her.

"Tzuyu," Jihyo said, her voice trembling slightly. "Sometimes, people say things that aren’t true. Aunt Joohyun is a good person. She cares about us. Don’t let what Grandma says make you doubt that, okay?"

Tzuyu frowned, clearly confused. "But, Mommy, she’s Grandma. Why would she say that if it’s not true?"

"People sometimes fear what they don’t understand, sweetheart," Jihyo explained, feeling the weight of the conversation becoming heavier. "But you should always follow your heart. If you know that Aunt Joohyun loves you, then that’s what matters."

Tzuyu nodded slowly, but Jihyo could see that her mother’s words were resonating in her mind. "Do you promise she won’t hurt me?"

"I promise you," Jihyo replied, "I will always be here to protect you. And Joohyun will be too. Never let the words of others make you feel insecure about the people you love."

Tzuyu nodded, playing with her little hands again. "Aunt Joohyun isn’t bad. Grandma lied," she said, and Jihyo smiled a bit, feeling a ray of hope.

"Exactly, sweetheart," Jihyo encouraged.

"I won’t stop loving Aunt Joohyun, and I won’t stop loving Aunt Wan either," Tzuyu continued with childlike sincerity.

Jihyo looked at her... perplexed. "Wan?" she repeated, surprised.

"Yes, Mommy. Neither of them is bad. They both love me," Tzuyu declared with a conviction that made Jihyo's heart ache. If she had managed to stay calm in that moment, it was because she knew she didn’t want Tzuyu to see anything wrong. However, that was enough to break her, because Tzuyu looked relieved, as if she had been afraid they were bad.

"How much had her grandmother been filling her mind with?" Jihyo wondered, feeling her stomach churn. "What ideas...?"

She couldn’t take it anymore. She got up from the bed, trying to maintain her composure, and told Tzuyu, "Please don’t leave your room." Without waiting for a response, she left and closed the door behind her.

She walked quickly to the guest room and knocked, her heart pounding. She could feel her body tingling, her mind processing nothing but what had just happened. When her mother finally opened the door with a confused look, Jihyo didn’t waste any time.

"Leave," she said, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and pain. "I don’t want you talking to Tzuyu anymore. I don’t want you telling her lies about the girls. You’re hurting her."

Her mother’s expression turned to surprise, but Jihyo didn’t stop to listen to her. Her heart was filled with a mix of frustration and desperation. "You had no right to say that to her. You had no right to put those ideas in her head," she continued, feeling the rage engulfing her.

"Jihyo..." her mother began, but Jihyo didn’t want to hear any more. She knew this conversation would lead to nothing good.

"Get out! I don’t want to see you here. I’m fed up. I’m tired," Jihyo repeated, her voice resonating with an intensity she could barely contain.

Her mother frowned, crossing her arms. "Do you think I'm not tired? I’m tired of watching my daughter ruin her life again because of that degenerate!" she said, her tone laced with disdain.

Jihyo felt the anger boiling inside her. "Don't talk like that! You have no right to speak like that about anyone. This is my house, and you’re just a fucki—"

Before she could finish the sentence, Jihyo's mother raised a hand, and in an instant, the sound of the slap echoed in the room. Jihyo froze, processing what had just happened, feeling the sting on her cheek. Surprise filled her, and she stood there, stunned.

At that moment, she heard Sungbin opening the door. "What happened?" he began to ask, but Jihyo's mother wouldn't let him continue.

"This is none of your business!" she shouted at him before turning back to Jihyo. "I am your mother. I raised you. Do you think you have the right to speak to me like that after everything I’ve done for you, for Tzuyu?"

Jihyo remained shocked by the slap, feeling her mind struggle to process the physical and emotional pain. "Why..." she murmured, feeling tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "Why can’t you understand that I want what’s best for Tzuyu?"

"No, what you want is to keep ruining your life and hers!" her mother replied, her voice filled with contempt. "I can’t allow that woman to enter her life. She’s not a good influence."

"And what do you know about what’s good for her?!" Jihyo shot back, feeling her heart race.

Sungbin, still standing in the doorway, looked confused and concerned. "Jihyo, what's going on?" he asked, his voice low but firm.

"Stay out of this, Sungbin!" Jihyo yelled, feeling the situation spiral out of control. Then she turned to her mother, her voice trembling with rage. "I won’t say it again. I want you to leave. I don’t care what you do, I don’t need you. I never had a mother to lose anyway. Cut me off! Just leave me alone."

Jihyo's mother frowned, offended. "Is that how you talk to me? Who do you think you are?"

Sungbin stepped in again, moving closer. "She’s not going anywhere, Jihyo. You need to listen to her."

"You don’t decide anything here!" Jihyo shot back, looking at him with a mix of frustration and sadness. "This is my house, and I don’t want her here. Get her out! Just leave already!"

Just then, a small voice interrupted the tension. "Mommy?" Tzuyu appeared in the doorway, looking scared. "What’s happening?"

Jihyo sighed, letting the tears fall but quickly drying them. "It’s nothing, sweetheart. Please wait in your room, okay?"

Tzuyu nodded, closing the door softly, and Jihyo felt a weight in her chest thinking about her daughter. She turned back to her mother, the anger still burning inside her. "Get out once and for all. I don’t care where you go. You’ve already caused enough damage here. I let you in my house, I put up with all your comments, your weird looks, but I’m done. What are we doing here, Mother?"

"Why do you really go out of your way to pretend that you care about me in the slightest?" Jihyo continued, her voice trembling with emotion. "When you’ve never truly cared. When I’ve never been anything but a disappointment to you, no matter my choices."

Jihyo's mother looked at her, opening her mouth to respond, but she stopped, her eyes filling with hatred. Without saying a word, she turned on her heels and began packing her suitcase.

Jihyo exhaled a sigh of relief, feeling a part of the weight she had been carrying on her chest beginning to lift. Without looking back, she turned and wiped her tears with her hand, walking past Sungbin, who tried to speak to her.

"Don’t say anything," Jihyo warned him, her voice firm. "Or you’ll be next." Without another word, she hurried to Tzuyu's room, entering and closing the door behind her.

She looked at her daughter sitting on the bed, nervously swinging her feet and hugging the small lion plush toy that she loved so much. Jihyo sighed as she saw her; clearly, Tzuyu was scared. She walked over to her, sat down beside her, and hugged her tightly.

"I'm sorry, Tzuyu," she said, feeling her voice break. "I’m so sorry." The words came out of her mouth with sincerity, and she felt the love for her daughter filling the void that the earlier tension had created.

Tzuyu looked at her with her big eyes, still a bit frightened, but feeling the warm and comforting embrace of her mother. "Are you okay, Mommy?" she asked, her voice soft and fearful.

"Yes, sweetheart," Jihyo replied, trying to sound calm. "Everything will be alright. I just... don’t want you to worry about any of this."

Tzuyu nodded, clinging tighter to the plush toy as she snuggled against Jihyo.