Days passed, and Jihyun's body slowly recovered.
Minjoon stayed by his side through most of it, and little by little, he told Jihyun everything the truth about Mina, Minji, the case, and the chain of events that had led to their father's death.
But even as his brother's words settled into his mind,
one question kept circling in Jihyun's chest like a storm he couldn't escape.
What am I going to do now?
Which path should I take?
Each passing day only made him more restless.
His guilt grew heavier, his mind buzzing with the same thought"Taewon"
The more Jihyun thought about Taewon, the more his heart sank.
Why had he treated him like that?
Why had he left him as if he was nothing? Taewon had done everything for him, quietly, without asking for anything in return.
Yet Jihyun had closed his eyes to all of it, too blinded by anger and pain to see clearly.
And every night, the same dream came back. his divorce with Taewon, that final moment where he walked away.
Each time, he would wake in a cold sweat, breathless, as though the dream itself was punishing him.
"Why do you keep haunting me, Taewon?" Jihyun whispered into the silence of his room, his voice breaking.
"If you're this angry, this sad with me then just kill me alive."
He dragged himself to the bathroom, turned on the light, and stared at the reflection in the mirror.
"All I've got is this face, this body. Nothing else. Nothing good inside,"
He muttered bitterly. He splashed water onto his face, gripping the edge of the sink.
"Should I go to him?
Would he even forgive me?
Or should I just disappear from this world, so at least he'll be free and maybe forgive me then?"
A knock startled him.
"Jihyun?" Minjoon's voice called gently from outside.
Jihyun straightened, wiping his face quickly before stepping out. Minjoon entered with a small smile.
"You're awake already?"
Jihyun only nodded.
"You're leaving for the airport?"
"Yes. But don't worry, it's only two weeks. I'll come back soon."
Minjoon reached out, patting his younger brother's shoulder.
Jihyun suddenly hugged him tightly.
"Come back soon, hyung. I'll be waiting."
Minjoon softened, rubbing his head.
"I will. Just promise me a few things take your medicine and meals on time, go for a hospital checkup at least once, and don't drive.
If anything happens, call me straight away. Nani will be here, and try to go out with friends too. Don't lock yourself in."
"Okay, okay,"
Jihyun nodded quickly, as though repeating the words could make his brother worry less.
When Minjoon finally left, Jihyun stood at the main door, watching the car disappear.
Then he turned back inside.
The house felt unbearably empty. As he set on breakfast table,
The silence pressed on him, heavy and suffocating.
Memories flashed in every corner the times his father would scoop him up off the floor when he sulked, the meals his mother forced him to eat, the way he got everything he wanted when he pouted to his parents or Minjoon.
Now, there was nothing but walls and shadows.
Nani placed breakfast in front of him, but he couldn't eat.
He stood abruptly, went upstairs, and started packing his clothes.
"I can't live here anymore,"
He muttered to himself.
Dragging his luggage downstairs, he called the driver.
"Take me to Itaewon. Now."
Nani's voice trembled.
"But Jihyun, Minjoon said"
"I can take care of myself. Just for two weeks. Please."
After some hesitation, the driver obeyed.
[ An hour later, they reached Nine One Hannam in Itaewon.]
Jihyun's apartment. The driver helped carry the luggage up, bowed, and left.
Inside, Jihyun opened the curtains wide. Sunlight poured in, chasing away some of the emptiness.
He sank onto the couch, breathing deeply, almost relieved.
He texted Minjoon:
Hyung, I came to my apartment in Itaewon. Home felt too empty. Don't worry, I'll be fine here.
The reply came quickly:
Jihyun-ah, are you okay?
I haven't even left the country yet, and you already left the house. If something's wrong, I'll come back.
He called at once.
"Hyung, don't worry. I just missed this place. It's more comfortable here."
"You're still alone, Jihyun,"
Minjoon scolded lightly.
"Don't play with me."
"I know. But it feels different here. Please trust me."
After more convincing,
Minjoon finally relented. Jihyun cut the call and ordered food.
When the doorbell rang, he went to answer, expecting the delivery.
But the moment he opened the door, he froze.
Taewon stood there, holding a small bag in his hand. He kept his eyes lowered as he spoke.
"I think you're new here. You forgot this outside while moving in."
Then Taewon lifted his gaze, and both of them froze.
For one long heartbeat, neither spoke. Jihyun felt a rush of relief so strong it scared him, as if his loneliness had shattered in that instant.
Taewon's expression flickered surprise, hesitation but he quickly bowed and stepped away.
Without another word, he walked into the apartment next door, leaving Jihyun standing speechless at his own doorway, heart pounding.