Yoo-Na rounded the corner still wearing that ridiculous little grin on her face.
"Lovesick," she muttered to herself, shaking her head. "CEO Kim Ha-Joon, defeated by one ankle injury. What a historic event."
She had barely taken another step when her phone began ringing. Her smile disappeared. She looked at the screen.
Mom.
Yoo-Na stared at it as though the phone had personally offended her. "Of course."
She exhaled through her nose and answered. "Hello, Mother."
Mrs. Han's voice came through immediately, smooth and composed. "Yoo-Na. Your father has returned."
Yoo-Na's eyebrows lifted. "He has?"
"Yes. And we need you back in Korea."
The amusement vanished from her face. "Now?"
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"We have already arranged everything. Your flight will be booked tonight. Money will be sent to you. You only need to pack."
Yoo-Na leaned against the wall, rubbing her forehead. "Mother, I'm in Canada."
"I know."
"I didn't come here to turn around and leave the next morning."
"I know that too."
"Then why are you saying it like I'm ordering fried chicken?"
There was a brief silence. "Yoo-Na."
She sighed. "Fine. I'll come."
"Good. Be ready."
The call ended.
Yoo-Na lowered the phone slowly. "I swear, this family treats international travel like changing bedrooms."
She pushed herself away from the wall and continued down the hallway.
Meanwhile, inside Ji-Ah's room, Ha-Joon had already placed the tray of food on the small table beside the bed.
Ji-Ah watched him from her pillows.
He looked far too serious for someone holding a bowl of soup.
"You haven't eaten since the afternoon," he said.
Ji-Ah looked down. "I noticed."
His eyes lifted toward her. "Where did you go?"
She hesitated.
Ha-Joon folded his arms. "When I told you to stay in the room."
Ji-Ah's fingers tightened slightly around the blanket.
Should I tell him?
She had barely opened her mouth when he spoke again. "Let me guess."
His voice remained calm, but there was the faintest trace of amusement underneath it. "You felt suffocated in the room and decided you needed fresh air for your character development."
Ji-Ah stared at him.
Then a small laugh escaped her. "You're exaggerating."
One eyebrow rose. "Am I?"
She looked away, trying not to smile. "Maybe."
Ha-Joon pulled the tray closer. "Eat."
Ji-Ah glanced at the food. Then at him. "Maybe I've found something that could change your life."
His hand paused. "What?"
She looked at him carefully. "You just have to give me some time."
Ha-Joon studied her face.
There was something different about her tonight. She looked tired, but underneath that exhaustion was something else. Something she wasn't telling him.
He didn't press. Instead, he picked up the spoon.
Ji-Ah immediately noticed. "Ha-Joon."
He scooped up some food. "Open your mouth."
Her eyes widened. "I sprained my ankle, not my hand."
He held the spoon there patiently. "You're taking care of me as though I have a fever."
"Your ankle is injured."
"My hands work perfectly."
"I know."
"So I can eat."
"I know."
"Then why are you feeding me?"
His expression remained completely serious. "Because I want to."
Ji-Ah stared at him. "That doesn't answer my question."
"It does."
She groaned softly. "Ha-Joon, you're being ridiculous."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "It's your ankle, Ji-Ah. You can walk, but that doesn't mean you should be pretending nothing happened."
He brought the spoon toward her again.
She caught his wrist gently. "Stop."
He looked at her hand around his wrist, then back at her. "Why?"
She swallowed.
Because suddenly he was too close.
His dark eyes were only inches away, and the quiet concern in them made her chest feel strangely tight.
"Because you're doing too much," she whispered.
Ha-Joon's expression softened.
Ji-Ah looked into his eyes for a moment too long. "You're making me feel…"
She stopped.
"Feel what?"
She quickly looked away. "Nothing."
Ha-Joon leaned slightly closer.
Ji-Ah's heart stumbled.
Then he gently placed one finger against her lips. "Shh."
Her eyes widened. "You talk too much."
Before she could protest, he calmly brought the spoon to her mouth.
Ji-Ah reluctantly opened it.
She glared at him while chewing.
Ha-Joon leaned back, satisfied. "Good."
She swallowed. "You're impossible."
"And you're stubborn."
"I'm perfectly capable of feeding myself."
"Then tomorrow, prove it by staying in bed and letting your ankle heal."
She opened her mouth.
He pointed the spoon at her. "Don't argue."
Ji-Ah closed it again.
He almost smiled.
Then his voice became quieter.
"It's my duty to make sure you're okay while you're under my care."
Ji-Ah looked at him.
Your duty?
Somehow, she wasn't convinced that was the whole reason.
Before she could say anything, his phone began ringing.
Ha-Joon reached for it.
His eyes dropped to the screen.
Mom.
The faint warmth disappeared from his face. He answered.
"Yes, Mother?"
Ji-Ah watched his expression change as he listened.
His eyebrows slowly drew together.
Then his eyes widened slightly. "What?"
Silence. "Tomorrow?"
Another pause.
"But everyone is already—"
The call ended.
Ha-Joon stared at the phone.
Ji-Ah immediately sat a little straighter. "What happened?"
He looked at her. "My mother wants everyone back in Korea tomorrow."
Ji-Ah blinked. "Tomorrow?"
He nodded slowly. "She said everyone should return."
"What's so urgent?"
"I don't know."
That answer clearly bothered him.
Ji-Ah's mind immediately went to the documents inside her bag.
Seo-Rin.
Ji-Hoo.
Tae-Hyun.
She suddenly reached for Ha-Joon's hand.
He looked down at their hands. "Ha-Joon…"
"What?"
"If we leave tomorrow…"
Her voice faltered.
He waited.
Ji-Ah swallowed. "I can't leave yet."
His expression became serious. "Why?"
"There are two people here."
"Who?"
She hesitated. "They're important."
Ha-Joon watched her carefully.
Ji-Ah looked down. "They don't have enough money to just get on a plane and return to Korea."
He gently squeezed her hand. "Don't worry."
She looked up.
"I'll help."
Her eyes widened. "No, I didn't mean—"
"I know."
He spoke quietly. "You don't have to explain everything tonight."
Ji-Ah's expression softened.
He stood and adjusted the blanket around her legs. "Sleep."
"But—"
"Sleep."
She nodded reluctantly.
Ha-Joon moved toward the chair.
Ji-Ah watched him. "You're leaving?"
"No."
He sat down. "I'll stay until you fall asleep."
She blinked. "You don't have to."
"I know."
He leaned back. "I want to."
Ji-Ah stared at him for a few seconds before slowly lying back against the pillow.
Her eyes remained on him."You're strange."
"So I've been told."
She smiled faintly.
Then her eyelids began to grow heavier.
Ha-Joon stayed where he was.
He watched her breathing gradually become slower and calmer.
Only after she finally closed her eyes did his expression change.
The concern returned.
His mother's sudden call kept replaying in his mind.
Everyone back tomorrow.
No explanation.
No warning.
Nothing.
Ha-Joon looked toward the window, his jaw tightening slightly.
"What happened, Mother…?"
And for the first time that night, he had a feeling that their unexpected return to Korea had very little to do with a simple family gathering.