Ara thought the distance would make things easier.
It didn't.
At the office, she felt Jae-min's presence even when he wasn't looking at her. The way meetings went quieter when he entered. The way his voice softened just slightly when he addressed her directly—never personal, never cold.
Controlled.
She focused on her work, reminding herself not to expect anything more.
By evening, the office had thinned out. Ara gathered her files, ready to leave, when she noticed his cabin light was still on.
She hesitated.
Then knocked.
"Come in."
He looked up, surprised. "You're still here?"
"I needed your signature," she said, placing the file on his desk.
He signed without comment, then paused.
"Ara."
"Yes?"
"There's a company dinner tonight," he said.
"You should come."
She stiffened. "As what?"
His pen stopped moving.
"My wife," he said evenly.
The word landed heavier than she expected.
"I don't think that's a good idea," she replied.
He looked up at her fully now. "Why?"
"Because people will assume things that aren't true."
His gaze darkened. "Let them."
For a moment, she almost believed he meant it.
Almost.
Before she could answer, the door opened.
Yura stepped in, smiling brightly. "Jae-min, I didn't know you were still—"
Her eyes flicked to Ara. The smile sharpened. "Oh. You're here too."
Ara stepped back instinctively.
"We were just leaving," Jae-min said.
Yura's eyes lingered on Ara. "Together?"
Silence.
Jae-min didn't answer.
Ara felt something inside her settle painfully into place.
"I'll go ahead," she said quietly.
She turned toward the door—
And froze when Jae-min's voice followed her.
"Ara," he said, firm for the first time that day,
"Don't walk away."
She stopped.
But she didn't turn around.