The tension in the café was unbearable. Han Su sat rigidly in his chair, staring at Tae Yong—Jin ho, as he used to know him. His heart pounded in his chest, not from sadness but from the sheer weight of the moment. Tae Yong’s cold expression felt foreign, far removed from the man Han Su had once adored.
Tae Yong leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed, his words slicing through the silence like a blade.
“I think it’s time we end this.”
Han Su blinked, his stomach tightening. “What?”
“I’m getting married,” Tae Yong said bluntly, his tone devoid of any emotion. “It’s better if we break up now.”
The words hung in the air, heavy and sharp. Han Su felt a strange mix of disbelief and resignation. Part of him had seen this coming—Tae Yong’s growing distance, his curt replies, the excuses for not meeting. Yet, hearing it spoken aloud was still jarring.
“You’re getting married?” Han Su echoed, his voice steadier than he expected.
“Yes,” Tae Yong replied, his gaze unwavering. “And before you start begging or crying, let’s just accept it and move on.”
Han Su’s lips twitched into a humorless smile. “Begging? Crying?” He shook his head, a surprising calm washing over him. “No, Tae Yong. I’m not doing that anymore.”
Tae Yong frowned, visibly taken aback. “What?”
“I just needed to know where we stood,” Han Su said, his voice soft but firm, “so I wouldn’t make the mistake of two-timing someone.”
Tae Yong’s eyes narrowed, his calm exterior cracking ever so slightly. “Two-timing?” he repeated, his voice laced with jealousy. “Is there someone else?”
Han Su met his gaze, unflinching. “Does it matter?”
Tae Yong leaned forward, his tone sharpening. “Of course it matters. You—” He stopped himself, frustration flashing across his face.
Han Su didn’t flinch. For the first time in their relationship, he felt like he had the upper hand. “You’ve made your decision, Tae Yong,” he said, standing up. “And now I’ve made mine. Goodbye.”
He turned and walked out of the café, his steps purposeful but heavy. Once he was far enough away, his calm façade shattered. He stumbled to the side of the street, his breath hitching as the tears came. The reality of it all hit him at once—years of love, trust, and longing crumbling into nothing.
Yet even as he cried, there was a strange sense of relief. Tae Yong’s indifference had been eating away at him for so long. And now, it was over.
In the middle of his breakdown, a thought surfaced, unbidden. Seo Jun.
He sniffed, wiping his face with the sleeve of his jacket. The image of Seo Jun’s warm smile and steady presence calmed the storm in his chest, even if just a little. For the first time in a long while, Han Su felt like he was stepping out of a shadow, leaving behind the remnants of a love that no longer served him.
With one last deep breath, he straightened up and began the walk back to the mansion, unsure of what the future held but determined to face it.
Seo Jun paced the grand living room, his frustration mounting with every passing minute. The rhythmic clicking of his shoes against the polished floor echoed through the mansion—a sharp contrast to Butler Choi’s calm voice attempting to soothe him.
“Sir, I’m sure he’ll be back soon,” Butler Choi said gently.
“That’s not the point,” Seo Jun snapped, running a hand through his hair. “It’s late, and he should’ve been home hours ago.”
Butler Choi wisely stepped back, allowing Seo Jun to stew in his worry. When the sound of the front door opening reached his ears, Seo Jun whirled around, his relief quickly overshadowed by irritation.
Han Su shuffled in, his shoulders hunched, his face pale.
“Where have you been?” Seo Jun started, his voice sharp. “Do you have any idea—”
But his words caught in his throat when he saw Han Su’s expression. The young man’s eyes were red-rimmed, his face drawn with exhaustion and something heavier—hurt.
Seo Jun’s frustration melted into concern. He swallowed his anger and instead gestured toward the staircase.
“Go to your room,” he said softly. “Get some rest.”
Han Su nodded wordlessly, trudging up the stairs, leaving Seo Jun standing there, wrestling with the urge to press for answers.
The following morning, Seo Jun was up early, his usual routine falling into place. But as he sat at the breakfast table sipping his coffee, Butler Choi approached, his face uncharacteristically worried.
“Sir, Han Su hasn’t come down yet,” Butler Choi said.
Seo Jun frowned. “He’s usually up before me.”
“That’s what’s strange,” Butler Choi added. “I knocked on his door earlier, but there was no response.”
Seo Jun shot up from his seat, a cold knot forming in his stomach. He strode briskly to Han Su’s room, knocking firmly on the door.
“Han Su, are you in there?”
Silence.
The knot tightened.
He turned to Butler Choi, his voice urgent. “Give me the spare key.”
Butler Choi hesitated briefly before retrieving the key from his pocket and handing it over. Seo Jun wasted no time unlocking the door and pushing it open.
The sight before him froze him in place.
Han Su lay curled up on the bed, his body trembling beneath the blanket. His face was flushed, his breathing shallow, and his usually bright eyes fluttered weakly as he tried to look up.
“Han Su!”
Seo Jun rushed to his side, his heart pounding.
“Seo Jun...” Han Su mumbled, barely audible.
Without a second thought, Seo Jun scooped him up, ignoring how limp Han Su felt in his arms.
“We’re going to the hospital,” he said firmly, glancing at Butler Choi, who followed closely behind.
At the hospital, Seo Jun paced the waiting area, his earlier impatience replaced with helpless worry. When the doctor finally approached, Seo Jun was at his side in an instant.
“How is he?” Seo Jun asked, his voice low but filled with urgency.
“He’s suffering from emotional and physical exhaustion,” the doctor explained. “His body simply couldn’t handle the stress. He needs complete rest—no work, no stress, just time to recover.”
Seo Jun nodded, relief mingling with concern.
The doctor hesitated before adding, “Forgive me for asking, but what’s your relationship with him?”
Seo Jun’s chest tightened. He opened his mouth, and the truth came out like a bitter pill. “He’s my housekeeper.”
The doctor raised an eyebrow but said nothing, simply offering a reassuring nod.
Seo Jun sighed, running a hand over his face.Housekeeper.It felt wrong to reduce Han Su to such a title after everything.
“I’ll make sure he’s taken care of,” Seo Jun said firmly.
He returned to Han Su’s room, where the young man lay on the hospital bed looking small and fragile. Sitting beside him, Seo Jun reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from Han Su’s forehead.
“You’re going to be okay,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
A strand of hair fell from Han Su’s forehead.
“You’re going to be okay,” Seo Jun murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “You have to be.”
The hospital room was quiet, save for the steady hum of machines monitoring Han Su’s vitals. Han Su lay propped up in bed, the faint smell of antiseptic lingering in the air.
Across the room, Seo Jun was perched on a chair, typing furiously on his laptop, his phone balanced precariously on his shoulder as he spoke to his secretary.
“Yun, I apologize for missing the meeting in person,” Seo Jun said, his tone curt but polite. “I had an urgent matter to attend to.”
Yun’s voice crackled on the other end, confirming that the video meeting with the board had been set up. Seo Jun ended the call and quickly logged into the virtual conference, his expression shifting to one of calm authority.
On the screen, his aunt Mina’s sharp features appeared, followed by Ted Yong’s smug smirk. Their coldness was palpable even through the monitor.
“Seo Jun, you’ve missed quite a few important discussions lately,” Mina said, her voice dripping with condensation.
Tong chimed in, “Yes, cousin. Perhaps someone else should take the reins if you’re too distracted.”
Seo Jun met their veiled jabs with an unwavering gaze.
“I assure you I’m fully capable of handling my responsibilities,” he said firmly.
After the meeting concluded, Seo Jun called Yun again.
“Keep an eye on my aunt and Tong. I don’t trust them not to make a move while I’m away.”
“Yes, sir,” Yun replied, his tone crisp.
Meanwhile, Han Su couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. He glanced at Seo Jun, who had shifted back to his chair after the call.
“You didn’t have to miss work for me,” he said quietly, fiddling with the edge of his blanket.
Seo Jun glanced up, a small smile playing on his lips. “It’s not a big deal. I always miss work. Now’s not the first time, nor will it be the last.”
Han Su opened his mouth to argue but was cut off when Seo Jun stood and extended a hand.
“Come on. Let’s get you moving a bit. Doctor’s orders, right?”
With Seo Jun’s help, Han Su managed to take a few wobbly steps. They stumbled together when Han Su nearly lost his balance, both laughing at their awkward coordination.
“Not bad for someone who couldn’t even sit up this morning,” Seo Jun teased, his grin wide.
“Thanks to you,” Han Su replied, his voice tinged with gratitude.
Their camaraderie didn’t go unnoticed by the nurses, who exchanged knowing smiles as they passed by.
“Such a cute couple,” one of them whispered, loud enough for both of them to hear.
Han Su’s cheeks flushed, and Seo Jun cleared his throat, feigning nonchalance.
That evening, Seo Jun returned with a tray of food, setting it down in front of Han Su.
“Eat,” he commanded gently.
As they ate, Seo Jun leaned back in his chair, his expression softening.
“Han Su, you need to talk to me. What’s really been going on?”
Han Su hesitated, the weight of his emotions pressing on him.
“I... I broke up with my boyfriend. Or rather, he broke up with me,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “It’s been hard, but I know I have to move on.”
Seo Jun’s face lit up with a smile he quickly tried to suppress. Han Su caught it and couldn’t help but tease.
“You’re happy, aren’t you? That I broke up with Jin ho?”
Seo Jun’s ears turned red as he shook his head vigorously.
“I’m not happy about your pain,” he insisted, “but I won’t deny it gives me some hope.”
Han Su arched a brow, surprised, but Seo Jun continued, his voice steady.
“I won’t take advantage of your vulnerability. I’ve decided to give up. I can’t keep putting you in an awkward position.”
Han Su’s heart sank, the ache in his chest catching him off guard.
“Oh,” was all he managed to say.
That night, Seo Jun dozed off in the chair beside Han Su’s bed, his head tilted at an uncomfortable angle. Han Su watched him, the soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminating his features. He sighed, his thoughts swirling.
How do I tell him? How do I explain that I might feel the same... without him thinking I’m just choosing him because I have no one else?
Han Su turned onto his side, staring out the window at the city lights. His resolve hardened. He needed to be sure of his feelings—not just for Seo Jun’s sake, but for his own.
The morning sunlight streamed through the hospital room window, casting a soft glow on the neatly arranged space. Han Su was sipping on a lukewarm cup of tea when the door creaked open and his mother walked in. Her familiar presence brought both comfort and a pang of guilt to his chest.
“You’re here,” Seo Jun greeted her.
“Mom,” Han Su said, setting the cup down. “What are you doing here?”
She approached with a gentle smile, placing her handbag on the chair beside his bed.
“Seo Jun called me,” she said simply, her eyes briefly darting to where Seo Jun stood by the window, scrolling through his phone.
Han Su’s cheeks tinged pink as he glanced over at Seo Jun.
“He didn’t have to do that,” he murmured, fiddling with his blanket.
“Don’t be mad,” his mother said, taking a seat beside him. “He was just worried about you—as any normal person would be.”
There was a knowing tone to her voice that Han Su chose to ignore as they settled into conversation. Han Su hesitated before revealing the news.
“Mom, I broke up with Jin ho,” he said quietly.
His mother’s brows lifted in surprise, but the relief in her expression was unmistakable.
“Finally,” she said with a small laugh. “I was wondering how long it would take for you to see what I’ve always known.”
Han Su looked up at her, confused.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, Jin ho was never good enough for you,” she said, her voice firm. “You deserve someone who values you, who lifts you up—not someone who constantly pulls you down.”
Han Su swallowed hard, her words hitting closer to home than he cared to admit. It didn’t take long for his mother to notice the way Han Su’s eyes kept drifting toward Seo Jun. Every time Seo Jun moved, Han Su’s gaze followed, and the faintest flicker of a smile would play on his lips before he quickly masked it.
“Han Su,” his mother said, her voice tinged with amusement, “are you going to tell me what’s really going on between you and him?”
Han Su froze, his cheeks burning.
“What? Nothing’s going on,” he stammered, looking anywhere but at her.
She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice.
“You may be able to fool yourself, but you can’t fool me. It’s obvious how you feel about him.”
Han Su sighed, his shoulders slumping.
“I don’t know, Mom. I rejected him when he confessed, and now I don’t think I can just turn around and say I feel the same. It’ll seem fake.”
His mother reached over, placing a comforting hand on his.
“Han Su, you don’t have to rush anything—but don’t lie to yourself either. Be honest about your feelings, and the rest will fall into place.”
He nodded slowly, though the embarrassment lingered.
“I’ll handle it,” he said softly.
A faint cough escaped his mother, and she covered her mouth with a tissue. Han Su’s concern immediately spiked.
“Mom, are you okay?”
She waved him off with a small smile.
“I’m fine. Just a little tired. I should get going anyway. Eun ji has school, and I need to rest.”
Han Su frowned but didn’t push.
“Let me know if you feel worse, okay?”
She nodded, leaning down to press a kiss to his forehead.
“Take care of yourself, and think about what I said.”
As she left, Han Su leaned back against his pillows, his mind swirling with her words. Across the room, Seo Jun glanced up from his phone. Their eyes met briefly. Han Su’s heart skipped a beat, and he couldn’t help but wonder if his mother was right.
The warm afternoon sun filtered through the car windows as Seo Jun drove Han Su home from the hospital. The atmosphere between them was lighter than it had been in days, though an undercurrent of unspoken words lingered.
“We’ll stop by the mall,” Seo Jun said casually, breaking the silence. “I need to pick up a few things. Anything you want?”
Han Su hesitated, glancing out the window.
“Uh... ice cream,” he mumbled shyly, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.
Seo Jun glanced at him with a soft smile.
“Ice cream it is. Stay here—I’ll be quick.”
When they arrived at the mall, Seo Jun parked and strolled toward the entrance, leaving Han Su in the car. Han Su leaned back against the seat, watching him through the windshield as Seo Jun disappeared into the crowd.
Han Su’s gaze wandered idly until he spotted a young woman approaching Seo Jun near the entrance just as he was coming out. She was strikingly beautiful, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, and she wore a radiant smile as she called out to him.
To Han Su’s dismay, Seo Jun’s entire demeanor changed the moment he saw her. His eyes lit up, and an easy grin spread across his face. He greeted her warmly, their exchange brimming with familiarity and fondness.
Han Su’s stomach tightened as he watched them talk—the way Seo Jun laughed, the way his posture relaxed. Han Su had never seen him like that before.
Jealousy bloomed uninvited, tugging at his chest. His fingers gripped the edge of his seat as he tried to look away, but his eyes betrayed him, darting back to Seo Jun outside.
“Who is she?” Han Su wondered, biting his lip.
He hated the way the question consumed him, the way his emotions spiraled. Inside the car, the air felt heavier, and Han Su’s mind raced with unspoken thoughts.
“Why do I care so much?”
As Seo Jun and the woman continued their conversation, Han Su sank lower in his seat, unable to shake the sinking feeling in his heart.
Thanks for reading. You can buy the full print version here and have a copy of the novel in your hands. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF4VNQP5
Enjoy watching my Bl Animated stories on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/@Blstories4u
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