EPISODE 15

Chapter 15: A Heart Divided

The next morning, Nabi tried to shake off the lingering fear from the mysterious rose and note. Jung Hwan had stayed with her late into the night, offering comfort and making sure she felt safe before he left. Still, sleep had been elusive, her mind replaying the unsettling events over and over.

By mid-morning, Nabi was feeling restless. A knock at her door jolted her out of her thoughts. She opened it to find Taeyang standing there, his signature grin in place.

"Good morning, neighbor," he said, holding up a bag of pastries. "Thought you could use a pick-me-up."

Nabi couldn’t help but smile. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Of course I did,” he replied, stepping inside. “You’ve had a rough week. Besides, I figured you could use some company.”

They sat at her small kitchen table, nibbling on pastries and sipping coffee. Taeyang’s lighthearted banter was a welcome distraction, and for the first time in days, Nabi felt herself genuinely laughing.

“See? I knew I could make you smile,” Taeyang said, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied look.

“You’re impossible,” Nabi replied, rolling her eyes but still smiling.

As the weeks passed, Taeyang’s presence in Nabi’s life grew more frequent. He had a way of showing up just when she needed him, whether it was with a joke to lighten her mood or a quiet moment of support when things felt overwhelming.

One evening, he invited her to one of his K-pop group’s rehearsals.

“Come on,” he urged. “You’ve never seen me perform. It’s about time you experience my true greatness.”

Nabi laughed but agreed, curious to see this side of him.

Watching Taeyang on stage was a revelation. His energy was electric, his charisma undeniable. He moved with a confidence that was both mesmerizing and infectious. As the rehearsal ended, he caught her eye and flashed her a boyish grin that made her heart skip a beat.

Over time, Nabi began to notice a change in Taeyang. His usual playful teasing took on a softer tone, and his lingering glances held an intensity she hadn’t seen before. She brushed it off at first, thinking she was imagining things. But one evening, as they sat on the rooftop of their building, he finally spoke.

“Nabi,” he began, his voice uncharacteristically serious.

She turned to him, surprised by his tone. “What is it?”

He hesitated for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts. Then, he looked her directly in the eyes.

“I think I’m falling for you.”

The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Nabi stared at him, her heart racing.

“Taeyang, I…” She trailed off, unsure of what to say.

“I know,” he said quickly, holding up a hand. “I know this is complicated. I know about you and Jung Hwan. But I can’t pretend I don’t feel this way anymore.”

Nabi looked away, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She cared deeply for Jung Hwan, but Taeyang’s confession stirred something in her that she couldn’t quite name.

“Taeyang,” she said finally, her voice soft. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You’re not,” he said firmly. “I just needed to be honest with you. Whatever you decide, I’ll respect it.”

The days that followed were fraught with tension. Nabi found herself avoiding Taeyang and Jung Hwan, unsure of how to navigate her conflicted feelings.

One evening, Jung Hwan invited her to dinner at a quiet restaurant. Over the course of the meal, she could sense that something was bothering him.

“Nabi,” he said, setting down his fork. “Is something going on? You’ve seemed… distant lately.”

She hesitated, debating whether to tell him about Taeyang’s confession. But before she could speak, Jung Hwan continued.

“If it’s the threats, you don’t have to deal with them alone. I’m here for you, no matter what.”

“It’s not that,” she said quickly. “I mean, it’s part of it, but…” She took a deep breath. “There’s something else.”

Jung Hwan waited, his gaze steady.

“Taeyang,” she said finally. “He told me he has feelings for me.”

For a moment, Jung Hwan didn’t respond. Then, his jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened. “He what?”

“He didn’t mean to cause trouble,” Nabi said hurriedly. “He just wanted to be honest.”

Jung Hwan leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “And how do you feel about him?”

Nabi looked down at her hands, unable to meet his gaze. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I care about you, Jung Hwan. But I can’t ignore what I’m feeling.”

His silence was deafening, and when she finally looked up, she saw the hurt in his eyes.

“I need some time to think,” he said finally, his voice quiet.

As the evening ended, Nabi felt the weight of the love triangle pressing down on her. She cared deeply for Jung Hwan, but Taeyang’s sincerity had awakened emotions she hadn’t anticipated.

Standing on her balcony later that night, she stared out at the city lights, her mind racing. She didn’t know how to choose between the steady warmth of Jung Hwan’s love and the thrilling spark she felt with Taeyang.

All she knew was that no matter what she decided, someone was bound to get hurt.

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