chapter 12: The Altitude of Loneliness
Jae-won's Car – Midnight.
The rain has slowed to a rhythmic hum against the roof as JAE-WON pulls up to HYUNA's house. The warm glow from the dashboard lights softens the features of his face as he looks over at her.
Hyuna: (Smiling, her heart feeling lighter than it has in years) "Thanks for today, Jae-won. Goodbye."
Jae-won: "Goodnight, Hyuna. Sleep well."
Hyuna: "I wish you had a good night every night."
Jae-won: (Laughing, that playful sparkle returning to his eyes) "With you or without you?"
Hyuna's breath hitches. She doesn't answer—she just blushes a deep, rosy pink and quickly ducks out of the car, heading inside. Jae-won watches her front door close before shifting into gear. He drives home with a strange, lingering smile, but the moment he enters his apartment, his "Captain" mode kicks in. He has a 5:00 AM flight to London. He heads straight to bed, disciplined as always.
Haeyoung's Penthouse.
HAEYOUNG is standing in her dark kitchen, downing a glass of ice water. Her mind is a mess. How did he find that account? Why does he follow it? She sits on her velvet sofa and finally pulls up her "Hong_Way" profile. She scrolls through her thousands of followers until she sees a minimalist profile picture of a camera lens. @JK_Art. She clicks it.
Only three posts.
A macro shot of a white rose—the same one she gave Hyuna? No, this was posted months ago.
A sprawling, wide-angle shot of a violet-tinted sunset sky.
A candid photo of JUNGHAN. He's wearing a simple black turtleneck and trousers, no suit jacket. He's looking away from the camera, his profile sharp and lonely.
Haeyoung stares at the candid photo for a long time. She lets out a short, dry laugh and tosses her phone onto the cushions. "Artistic types," she mutters, closing her eyes. She forces herself to sleep, though the image of Jae-won holding Hyuna still flickers behind her eyelids.
Junghan's Penthouse.
JUNGHAN is drying his hair with a towel, his skin still cool from the rain. He walks to his desk and pulls open a locked drawer. He takes out the sketch he made of Haeyoung—the one where she's looking out at the tarmac.
Junghan: "Why am I so attracted to you? What is it about you that I've never found in anyone else?"
He traces the line of her jaw in the drawing. There's a fierce independence in her that mirrors his own, but with a fire he's always lacked. He puts the sketch back, his heart heavy with a strange combination of longing and respect.
Incheon Airport – 09:00 AM.
The morning is bright and cold. JAE-WON is already 30,000 feet in the air, heading across the ocean toward London. HYUNA is back at the airport, her energy renewed. She's working efficiently alongside SUNG-MIN, the black dress from yesterday replaced by her professional office attire.
HAEYOUNG walks into the terminal. She looks perfect, but her eyes are scanning the room for one person. She sees Hyuna and Sung-min near the flight logs. The curiosity is eating her alive. Why did he hug her? Is there something I don't know?
When Sung-min heads to the office to print reports, Haeyoung seizes the moment. She walks up to Hyuna, her expression unreadable.
Haeyoung: "Need any help with the logs?"
Hyuna: "No, Captain. Everything is fine. We're on schedule."
Haeyoung: (Leaning against the table, trying to sound casual) "You stayed at the airport late last night, didn't you?"
Hyuna: "Ah... yes. I had some things to finish."
Haeyoung: (A sharp, cold laugh escapes her) "Work? Or were you just spending time with Jae-won?"
Hyuna freezes, her eyes widening in confusion. "What? I... I don't understand."
Haeyoung: "Nothing. Forget it." Haeyoung turns on her heel, her heart hammering. "I have a flight to Busan. Keep the logs updated."
She walks toward the gates, leaving a bewildered Hyuna staring after her. Why does she sound so... jealous? Hyuna wonders.
The Kim Estate – Breakfast.
JUNGHAN is sitting across from his mother in a house that feels more like a museum than a home. It's the first time they've eaten together in years, and the atmosphere is suffocating.
Mother: "Junghan... I wanted to tell you in person. I'm thinking about remarrying. It's been so long since the divorce, and I've met someone who understands me."
Junghan doesn't look up from his coffee. His face is a mask of stone.
Junghan: "That's your life. Do what you want. But don't expect me to attend your wedding. I'm not interested in being a prop for your 'new beginning'."
He stands up and walks out, leaving his breakfast untouched.
The Drive to Incheon.
Junghan is behind the wheel, his knuckles white. Every time he visits a parent, the old wounds reopen. The separation, the coldness, the way they both moved on as if he were just a piece of furniture they left behind in the old house. His eyes are slightly red, fueled by a mixture of hurt and exhaustion.
He arrives at the airport and dives straight into work, hoping the numbers and sketches will drown out his thoughts. Hyuna notices the tension in his shoulders—the "Family Trouble" look she knows all too well—but she stays back, remembering her own realization from the night before.
Junghan: "Where is Captain Hong? I need to verify the cockpit lighting specs."
Sung-min: "All the senior pilots are in the air today, sir. Captain Hong just left for Busan. Captain Seo is halfway to London."
Junghan nods, a wave of disappointment hitting him. He wanted to see her. He wanted to see the woman who treated him like a driver and posted photos of the sky. He sighs and buries himself in his files, the silence of the airport reflecting the silence in his heart.