The soft morning light spilled into the kitchen, painting everything in a golden calm. The clock ticked quietly, but to Hauen, each tick sounded like a countdown. The end of her stay. The end of this… strange, beautiful chapter she never wanted to close.
She stood by the counter, flipping through Suho's medical chart one last time. "Bora, make sure he takes this vitamin after lunch," she said, handing her the sheet. "And this tonic, only before bedtime. It helps with nerve relaxation."
Bora nodded attentively, but her eyes were heavy, her expression distant.
"Also, if the doctor calls, remind him to stretch before every session. He tends to skip the warm-up if no one reminds him," Hauen added, forcing a small smile, pretending this was just another ordinary day.
Bora nodded as Hauen spoke, but her mind was elsewhere. She was already missing her. Over time, Hauen had become more like a friend than a boss. She never treated Bora like a servant; she treated her like an equal, with warmth and respect.
And now, as Hauen prepared to leave, Bora couldn't help but feel sad. Deep down, she had always wished that Suho and Hauen would end up together for real. They had been through so much trauma, heartbreak, pain, and countless struggles, yet somehow, they always held on to each other. Especially Hauen… she had been the heart of this home, the reason the house felt alive again.
Bora had been working in the penthouse for three years, but this last year was the most memorable. Before Hauen came, Suho was quiet, distant, polite but robotic, like a man carrying too much responsibility. But after Hauen came, Bora saw him change. She saw him smile more, laugh, tease, and become human again.
And now, as the thought of Hauen leaving became real, Bora's chest tightened. The house wouldn't feel the same without her.
"Bora... are you even listening to me?" Hauen's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
"Yes, ma'am!" Bora flinched, straightening immediately.
"What happened?" Hauen asked, watching her carefully.
Bora hesitated, then looked straight into Hauen's eyes, her voice soft but trembling."Do you really have to go, ma'am?"
Hauen froze for a second before answering quietly, "Yes, Bora…"
Bora's voice wavered, "Can't you two… just stay together?"
"Bora…" Hauen sighed, trying to keep her tone calm.
"I've been watching you both for the past year," Bora continued, her eyes soft with emotion, "going through everything, yet never letting go of each other. You've been his strength, ma'am. You cheered him up when he was broken, took risks for him, made him smile again, and helped him stand on his own feet. After all that, how can you both not feel anything?"
Hauen's heart raced, her throat tightening. "What are you saying, Bora…" she whispered.
But Bora didn't stop. "I've known Mr. Kim for years. He's kind but quiet, never opens up to anyone easily. He used to move around this house like a ghost. Only with Ms. Yerin did he ever smile or talk freely. I used to think she was perfect for him. But after you came, he changed differently. He's happier now, more open, more human. The man I see today… I've never seen before."
Her voice softened, tears glinting in her eyes. "Even Ms. Yerin, whom he loved for years, left him when he was at his lowest. Even you could have ended the contract too, when things got difficult and walked away... But you stayed. You risked your life to protect him. And you're still here, caring for him. Why, ma'am?" she asked softly.
Hauen's eyes blurred with tears. She opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out, because Bora was right.
"Because somewhere… You feel what I'm thinking, don't you?" Bora said softly.
Hauen blinked. "Bora… you're mistaken. We're just friends, we—"
Bora interrupted gently but firmly, "Don't you feel something more than friendship for him, ma'am?"
Hauen's eyes lowered, her silence speaking louder than any words.
"You've always treated me like a friend, ma'am," Bora continued quietly. "So, as your friend, I'm asking you. honestly, don't you love him?"
Hauen swallowed hard. "Bora… you are—" she tried to speak, but her voice trembled. The emotions she'd been holding in for so long were now rising like a wave, choking her.
"Why are you afraid to tell him, ma'am?" Bora asked again, her tone tender but steady.
Tears gathered in Hauen's eyes as she finally whispered, "Because I'm scared, Bora… I'm scared I might lose him. I don't know if he feels the same way. He's already been through so much pain, and He's still healing, inside and out. I don't want to burden him with my feelings." Her breath came uneven, her voice trembling.
Bora stepped closer, her expression soft. "But if you don't tell him, how will you ever know what's in his heart?"
Hauen shook her head slowly, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I don't know, Bora… he's barely healed from Everything. He's just starting to smile again. I can't risk taking that away if he doesn't feel the same. Maybe he still loves Yerin. Maybe he's not ready for something new. Maybe I'm just someone who helped him survive. And if I confess now… he might get scared, or pull away. I can't risk that. I'd rather hurt alone than lose his friendship."
Her voice cracked at the end, quiet, raw, and full of the love she had tried so hard to hide.
"But ma'am—"
"No, Bora," Hauen cut her off gently but firmly. "If destiny has written us together, then we'll find our way back. Let's leave it here."
Bora lowered her gaze sadly. "I just… really want you two together. You're perfect for each other," she murmured.
Hauen smiled faintly. "You're shipping us too much, Bora. Forget it."
Bora pouted, muttering under her breath, "Still true though..."
"Alright, enough nonsense," Hauen chuckled softly, brushing the moment aside. "Let's get back to work."
And just like that, they returned to their tasks, but Bora's words lingered quietly in Hauen's chest.
Suho was in his study room, pretending to go through some office work. But the laptop screen blurred as his thoughts drifted to her again.Every corner of this house reminded him of her, the way she used to scold him for skipping his medicine, her laughter echoing in the hallway, her soft humming in the kitchen every morning.
Even now, she was somewhere in the kitchen, and he could hear her voice faintly, calm, steady, explaining something to Bora. He couldn't make out the words, but her tone… it always had that soft warmth that somehow reached his heart.
For the last few months, that voice had become his comfort.His peace.His home.
And now, it was about to leave. Without her, this house would go silent again.Just like before.
He stared at the screen, lost in thought, until Bora entered quietly to bring him lunch."Sir," she said softly, placing the tray. "Lunch is ready."
He nodded absently, not looking up. "Is she… done with the kitchen?"
"Yes, sir. She's just finishing the instructions for me."
He nodded again, his throat dry. "I see."
Bora hesitated for a moment, then said quietly, "She'll really miss you, sir."
That made him look up.
Bora smiled faintly. And left the room quickly before he could ask again.
He sat there for a long moment, staring at the empty doorway.She'll miss you.The words echoed in his head like a heartbeat.
Would she? Would she miss him the way he already missed her, even before she was gone?
He leaned back, closing his eyes.
The thought of her leaving tore something inside him.He wanted to ask her to stay again and again, just one more week, one more month, or forever, maybe.But how could he?
He didn't even know what to call this feeling.
He thought about the way his hands shook when he fixed the necklace around her neck last night. The way his heart raced just by brushing her hair aside. The way he wanted to hold her a little longer, to tell her she made him feel alive again.
He took a shaky breath. "What are you doing, Suho…" he whispered to himself.He was scared of ruining what they already had. Scared that if he confessed, she'd pull away, that he'd lose the only person who truly understood him.
He had lost once before. He barely survived that pain. And he doesn't have the courage to go through it again.
So he decided to stay quiet. To pretend he was fine.
But deep inside, something told him he wouldn't be. Not after she left.