EPISODE 17

Chapter 17: The Moment of Truth

The morning sunlight poured through the window, casting a warm glow over Nabi’s apartment. She sat at her small dining table, staring at her phone. Her heart was pounding as she waited for responses from Jung Hwan and Taeyang.

She had messaged them both earlier, asking to meet them separately to talk. It was time to lay everything on the table and let them know where her heart truly stood.

Jung Hwan replied first, his message simple:

“I’ll see you at the café near your place. Noon.”

Taeyang’s response came shortly after:

“Come to the practice studio later this afternoon. I’ll be there.”

Nabi exhaled deeply, her resolve firm. She dressed carefully, wanting to feel confident but comfortable. Today, she would face them both, and she hoped they would understand.

Meeting with Jung Hwan

The café was quiet, the soft hum of conversation and clinking cups filling the air. Nabi arrived early, her nerves making her fidget with her necklace.

Jung Hwan walked in a few minutes later, his presence commanding yet familiar. He wore a simple black coat and jeans, but his natural elegance made him stand out.

“Hey,” he greeted, his tone warm but cautious as he slid into the seat across from her.

“Hey,” Nabi replied, offering a small smile.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of the situation hanging between them. Finally, Nabi broke the silence.

“Thank you for meeting me,” she said, her voice steady.

“Of course,” Jung Hwan replied, his eyes softening. “What’s on your mind?”

Nabi took a deep breath, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about everything—about us, about Taeyang. And I’ve realized something important.”

He didn’t say anything, waiting for her to continue.

“You mean so much to me, Jung Hwan,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “You’ve been my anchor through so much, and I’ll always cherish that. But…”

Her voice wavered, and she forced herself to look him in the eyes. “I don’t think I can give you the love you deserve right now. My heart is confused, and it wouldn’t be fair to you to keep pretending that I’m certain.”

Jung Hwan’s expression was unreadable, but she could see the faint flicker of pain in his eyes. He nodded slowly, leaning back in his chair.

“I appreciate your honesty, Nabi,” he said after a long pause. “It’s not what I wanted to hear, but I respect your feelings. More than anything, I just want you to be happy.”

Tears welled in her eyes, and she reached across the table to take his hand. “Thank you for understanding. You’ll always be important to me.”

“And you to me,” he said, managing a faint smile.

They sat in silence for a while, the unspoken words between them serving as both a goodbye and a promise to remain in each other’s lives.

Meeting with Taeyang

By the time Nabi arrived at the practice studio, her emotions were a whirlwind. She found Taeyang in the main room, sprawled on the floor with a water bottle in hand.

He looked up as she entered, his face lighting up with a grin. “There you are! I was starting to think you’d bail on me.”

Nabi smiled faintly, walking over to sit beside him. “I wouldn’t do that.”

Taeyang’s grin softened as he studied her face. “You’ve got that serious look again. What’s going on?”

Nabi hesitated, searching for the right words. “Taeyang, I need to talk to you about something important.”

“Uh-oh,” he teased lightly. “That doesn’t sound good.”

“It’s not bad,” she assured him. “But it’s not easy, either.”

She took a deep breath, meeting his gaze. “I’ve been trying to sort out my feelings, and it’s been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But through all of it, I realized something about you.”

He raised an eyebrow, his usual playfulness tempered by curiosity. “What’s that?”

“You make me feel alive,” Nabi said, her voice trembling. “You challenge me, make me laugh, and see me in a way that no one else does. I never expected it, but somewhere along the way, I realized that I care about you deeply.”

Taeyang blinked, stunned. “Are you… are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

Nabi nodded, her cheeks flushing. “Yes. I want to give this a chance—us a chance. If you still want that.”

For a moment, Taeyang was silent, his expression unreadable. Then, a wide, genuine smile spread across his face.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to hear that,” he said, pulling her into a tight hug.

Nabi laughed, the weight on her chest finally lifting. “I’m sorry it took me so long.”

“Don’t be,” he said, his voice muffled against her hair. “You’re worth the wait.”

That evening, as Nabi walked home, she felt a sense of clarity and peace she hadn’t felt in months. The road ahead wouldn’t be easy—there were still challenges to face, feelings to navigate, and hearts to mend. But for now, she had taken the first step toward following her heart.

And she was ready for whatever came next.

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