“Fine. I’m quitting. I’m done.”
I pounded my fist against the edge of the bed.
“No, you’re not. You signed a ten-year contract.”
“What? Oh, for the love of God, can someone please bring me justice?”
My emotions flared so violently that a sudden rush of dizziness hit me, and I collapsed backward.
Kian, who was rigid and composed just seconds ago, moved in an instant.
His arms caught my shoulders, pulling me into his embrace.
…
A sharp headache tore through my skull, my vision went dark, and cold sweat drenched my skin.
Kian’s hands trembled as he held me.
And just like that, my mind flashed back to that desperate embrace at the airport and his pale feet on the cold concrete.
“Kian… why weren’t you wearing shoes back then?”
I finally voiced the question that had been nagging at me.
He kept quiet, as if struggling with himself.
Then, his low voice broke through the quiet.
“You said you liked me. Was that a lie?”
“Of course,” I answered without hesitation.
Beside me, I heard a soft exhale.
He sounded relief.
A sharp ache spread through my heart.
So that was it.
He had been afraid I was serious.
No one knew the truth.
I really did like him.
I had spent so long convincing myself otherwise.
No one knew that my so-called “joke” on the plane was the only way I could say what I truly felt.
Whether he believed it or not, at least I said it.
I had no regrets.
But I never expected it to end like this.
My secret crush had been doomed from the start.
Kian gently lowered me back onto the bed.
I shut my eyes, wanting to escape the unbearable awkwardness hanging in the air.
He left not long after.
