Three months later…
Yuna took one last deep breath inside Hwan's apartment. This place had been a safe haven for her for the past three months. And Hwan… He had been good to her. More than good. But this fake marriage had reached its end. Even though a heavy feeling settled in her chest, she knew she had to leave.
As she was lost in thought, her phone vibrated. She looked at the screen: Eunwoo.
Her eyes shut for a brief moment as she inhaled deeply. After all these months, he had finally gathered the courage to call her.
— "Yuna..."
His voice was hoarse but deep.
— "I miss you so much. I want to see you. Please come to the address I'll send you."
Yuna's fingers trembled, but her voice remained calm.
— "Okay."
The call ended, but Yuna still felt shaken. She was about to see Eunwoo for the first time in three months. And she had missed him too. But before that, there was something she had to do.
She knocked on Hwan's bedroom door and stepped inside. He was buttoning up his shirt when he turned to look at her, his eyes filled with something unreadable. The somber expression on Yuna's face made something crack inside him.
"We need to talk," Yuna said, her voice softer than usual.
Hwan slightly tilted his head, his voice calm yet stormy underneath. "I know. Today is the last day."
Yuna averted her gaze and nodded. "I'm going back to my own place."
Hwan clenched his fists before forcing himself to relax. He tried to smile, but his eyes betrayed him. "I know… But I don't want you to leave, Yuna."
Yuna could see something breaking inside him. But she had to go. "Hwan, we made this deal from the start. You… You've been good to me. Truly. But…"
Hwan took a step forward. Then another. "Give me a chance. I don't want to lose you."
Yuna stepped back. "Hwan, please…"
But Hwan had no intention of letting go. He grasped her hand, his fingers gently holding hers. "Just once… Try to see me differently. These past three months, I memorized everything about you. Your laughter, the way you roll your eyes when you're annoyed, your sleepy face in the morning… Yuna, I love you. I did everything to not lose you, and I'm ready to do more."
Yuna's breath hitched. "Hwan… Don't make this harder."
Hwan's eyes darkened. "Please, don't go."
Her heart pounded. Seeing the determination in his gaze made her hesitate for a second, but then…
"If you love me, let me go."
Hwan's jaw clenched. He wasn't going to let her leave. He placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her closer. "Is this really what you want? If you walk out that door now… don't come back."
Yuna closed her eyes. "I'm sorry."
Hwan inhaled sharply. Then, without hesitation, he pulled her into him.
And he tried to kiss her.
Yuna's eyes widened. Hwan's emotions had spiraled out of control. She knew he loved her, but this—this wasn't right.
Without thinking, she raised her hand and slapped him.
The sharp sound echoed in the room, freezing them both in place for a moment.
Hwan's head snapped to the side. He raised his hand to his stinging cheek, but his gaze remained locked on Yuna. He wasn't angry. He was hurt.
Yuna stepped back, heading for the door. But just as she reached for the handle, she felt something behind her.
A pair of strong arms suddenly wrapped around her waist.
"Hwan, let go," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Hwan shut his eyes. "I can't. I don't want to let you go. Stay with me."
Yuna took a shaky breath. His embrace sent a shiver through her, but… her heart belonged to someone else.
"Hwan... please let go."
Hwan's arms loosened. "Do you really want to leave?"
Yuna closed her eyes, then nodded slightly. "Yes."
Hwan's hands dropped completely. When Yuna opened the door and stepped out, he remained standing still.
And at that moment, a feeling stronger than the sting on his cheek overwhelmed him.
A single tear rolled down his face.
---
Yuna walked through the streets, leaving behind the heavy doors of Hwan's apartment. The silence of the night contrasted with the storm inside her. Her mind echoed with the events that had just unfolded—the way Hwan had fought to keep her, his desperate pleas…
Under the dim glow of the streetlights, she felt the cool breeze brush against her skin. But it couldn't soothe the turmoil in her heart. She had left Hwan behind. It was over.
Her phone vibrated. A message.
Eunwoo: "Come to the address. Room 1407."
Her fingers hovered over the screen for a moment. Her heartbeat quickened. She hadn't been able to call him for months, hadn't even heard his voice. But now… now, was she ready to face him?
She inhaled deeply. She had to go.
With newfound determination, she changed direction. She finally knew where she was headed.
The city lights shimmered as she walked. Her steps quickened. There was only one path ahead—one where she would face her past, her emotions, and perhaps, her fate.
When she arrived at the hotel, she hesitated for a moment. The grand lobby was adorned with sparkling chandeliers and lavish furniture. But her mind focused only on one number: 1407.
The elevator doors opened. She paused before pressing the button, realizing her fingers were trembling. Whether it was excitement or fear, she couldn't tell. But there was no turning back now.
The doors opened.
She stepped forward, walking down the dimly lit corridor. Her heart pounded in her ears as she finally reached the door.
She took a deep breath.
Her hand reached for the surface of the door.
And then, she rang the bell.