Eunwoo returned home, Minji's words echoing in his mind. His steps felt heavy, as if the weight of the world was pressing down on him. Yuna was gone. He hadn't been able to stop her.
He sat on his bed, his hands trembling. The room was silent, but his mind was a raging storm. Yuna's departure hadn't just taken her away—it had taken a piece of his soul with it. But Minji's final words kept replaying in his head:
"Yuna left because she cared about you and your career."
He couldn't be angry at her. He knew Yuna never intended to hurt him, but that didn't make it any easier to accept. The fact that she had given up because of the pressure from his fans made his chest ache. But maybe she was right. Maybe, for now, he had to put his emotions aside for Nova's future. He had to move on.
The next morning, a fan meeting awaited. Despite his exhaustion and heartbreak, he stood in front of the mirror. His reflection stared back at him, dark circles beneath his eyes. But he had to be professional. He had to look strong for his fans. No one could see the turmoil within him.
When the event started, the venue roared with cheers. Stepping onto the stage with the other Nova members, he felt the love from the fans, yet his heart remained empty. Yuna was still in his thoughts. But he couldn't let this moment be ruined. He forced a smile, answered questions, and cracked jokes. No matter how broken he felt, on stage, he had to be Eunwoo.
---
Hwan swirled the drink in his glass, his sharp gaze resting on Yuna. She looked lost, her thoughts tangled in a web of uncertainty. She thought she had escaped, but he could see it clearly—she was still a prisoner of her own emotions.
"The first few days are always the hardest," Hwan said in a calm voice. "But don't worry. You're safe here."
Yuna lifted her head, her eyes meeting his. "Am I really safe?"
Hwan stepped closer to her, his expression unreadable. "I know what you mean, Yuna. But those days are over." He cleared his throat slightly before adding, "And… I owe you an apology. For everything. I kidnapped you back then just to get revenge on Eunwoo. And later, I—"
Yuna cut him off before he could finish. "I… I think I should sleep now, Hwan."
Hwan chuckled softly, taking a step back. "I see. You don't want to hear this right now. That's fine. Whatever you want, princess."
He watched as Yuna quickly walked away, disappearing into her room. The door clicked shut behind her, and she leaned against it, exhaling a shaky breath. She wanted to believe that Hwan had changed, but something about him still felt dangerous.
She sat on the edge of her bed, resting her hands on her lap as the rain outside tapped against the window. The real storm, however, was within her.
On one side, her heart still yearned for Eunwoo. On the other, Hwan continued to draw closer, taking every opportunity to break down the walls she had built around herself.
Back in the living room, Hwan took another sip of his drink, a faint smirk on his lips. He had seen the hesitation in Yuna's eyes, the way she wavered. But he wasn't in a hurry. This wasn't a game, nor was it a battle.
It was just a matter of time.
He placed his glass on the table, leaned his head back, and stared at the ceiling.
"Sooner or later, you'll love me too, Yuna."
That was the only thought in his mind.