Back in the car
Ji Eun's phone suddenly buzzed again.
She grabbed it instantly.
This time, it was Mo Han.
Her heart leapt.
"Pick up," she whispered urgently.
She answered the call immediately.
"Mo Han..."
"Ji Eun," his voice came, but something was off.
Too restrained.
Too tense.
"I was just going to call you," he added.
Her brows furrowed.
"Are you okay? I've been trying to reach you..."
"I know," he cut in gently. "Something came up."
Her grip tightened.
"What do you mean?"
A brief pause.
"I… can't see you right now."
Silence.
Ji Eun blinked, as though she hadn't heard correctly.
"…What?"
"There's an issue with the Next Group deal," he continued. "It's urgent. I have to handle it."
Her heart sank slightly, but she shook her head.
"No, listen," she said quickly. "This is important too. I need to see you. Now."
Another pause.
Longer this time.
"Ji Eun…" his voice softened, but it carried hesitation.
"We can meet later."
That hesitation...
It struck her harder than any words.
In the back seat, Park Hyun Woo said nothing.
He didn't need to.
Ji Eun's chest tightened painfully.
"No," she said, her voice quieter now. "It has to be now."
Mo Han exhaled slowly.
"I can't leave," he said.
Three simple words.
But they shattered something.