EPISODE 11

Chapter 11: Ripples of the Past

The drive back to Seoul was quieter, but it was a silence that felt warm, not awkward. Nabi glanced at Jung Hwan, who had one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting on the console between them. The calm lake retreat lingered in her mind like a pleasant dream, but as the towering buildings of Seoul came back into view, reality began to creep in again.

Nabi sighed, leaning her head against the window. “Back to the chaos,” she murmured.

Jung Hwan glanced at her, concern flashing in his eyes. “If it gets too much, tell me, okay? We’ll figure it out together.”

She smiled softly. “I will.”

But deep down, she wondered if her presence in Jung Hwan’s life was doing more harm than good. The thought stayed with her as they pulled up in front of her apartment building. Jung Hwan walked her to her door, his usual easy smile dimmed by a shadow of worry.

“Rest up,” he said, his voice gentle. “Call me if you need anything.”

Nabi nodded, watching as he lingered for a moment before turning to leave. As the door clicked shut behind her, she let out a long breath. The peace from their trip felt fragile now, like it might shatter under the weight of the world they were returning to.

The next morning, Nabi woke to the sound of her phone buzzing incessantly. Groggy, she reached for it and frowned at the screen. Her social media accounts were flooded—comments, mentions, and messages piling up faster than she could read them.

Curiosity mixed with unease as she opened one of the notifications. A blurry photo of her and Jung Hwan at the lake was plastered across a fan forum, accompanied by speculative comments and heated debates. Some fans were supportive, but others… not so much.

Nabi’s stomach twisted as she scrolled through the harsher remarks.

“Who does she think she is? He’s way out of her league.”

“She’s ruining his career!”

“Can’t believe Jung Hwan would date someone so plain.”

She dropped the phone on the couch, her chest tightening. It didn’t matter how many times she told herself not to read the comments—they still stung. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to get up and start her day.

As she made her way to the café where she was meeting Minji and Jisoo, her thoughts were clouded with doubt. Maybe she wasn’t cut out for this life. Maybe Jung Hwan deserved someone who could handle the pressure better.

“Okay, spill it,” Minji demanded the moment Nabi sat down. Her sharp eyes zeroed in on Nabi’s face. “You’ve got that ‘something’s wrong’ look.”

Nabi hesitated, but Jisoo nudged her encouragingly. “Come on. We’re your best friends. You don’t have to keep it bottled up.”

With a sigh, Nabi told them about the latest round of social media chaos. Minji’s expression darkened as she listened, and Jisoo’s usually cheerful demeanor turned somber.

“People can be so cruel,” Jisoo said, shaking her head. “Why do they care so much about someone else’s life?”

“Because they’re jealous,” Minji said bluntly. “You’re living their fantasy, and they hate that they can’t control it.”

Nabi fiddled with her coffee cup. “But what if they’re right? What if I’m just… not good enough for him?”

Minji reached across the table, gripping Nabi’s hand tightly. “Don’t you dare think that. Jung Hwan clearly cares about you. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be putting up with all this nonsense.”

Jisoo nodded emphatically. “Exactly. And you’re not alone in this. You have us. And him.”

Nabi’s eyes welled with tears, but she quickly blinked them away. “Thanks, guys. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Lucky for you, you’ll never have to find out,” Minji said with a smirk, her tone lightening the mood.

That evening, Nabi found herself pacing in her apartment, her mind restless. She debated whether to call Jung Hwan, but she didn’t want to add to his stress. Instead, she decided to go for a walk.

The cool night air helped clear her head as she strolled through the neighborhood. She found herself at the park near her apartment, the same one where she’d often gone as a child. The playground equipment was newer now, but the memories came rushing back nonetheless.

As she sat on a bench, lost in thought, she heard a familiar voice behind her. “Couldn’t sleep?”

She turned to see Seo Joon standing a few steps away, his hands in his coat pockets. His usual stoic expression softened as he approached.

“Seo Joon,” she said, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“I live nearby,” he said simply, sitting down beside her. “You looked like you needed someone to talk to.”

Nabi hesitated, but there was something about Seo Joon’s quiet presence that felt comforting. She told him about the photo, the comments, and her doubts. He listened without interrupting, his gaze steady.

When she finished, he spoke. “People are always going to talk. Especially when it comes to someone like Jung Hwan. But you can’t let their opinions define your worth.”

“That’s easier said than done,” Nabi admitted.

Seo Joon nodded. “True. But think about this—if you let them scare you away, they win. Is that what you want?”

Nabi thought about it for a moment before shaking her head. “No. I don’t want to give up on him.”

“Then don’t,” Seo Joon said simply. “Focus on what’s real. The rest is just noise.”

His words stayed with her long after he walked her back to her building. As she lay in bed that night, Nabi felt a renewed determination. The road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but she wasn’t alone—and that made all the difference.

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