Chapter 39 — The Little Things
By the following week, Flora had become very good at pretending she knew nothing.
At least, that was what she told herself.
In reality, she had started noticing everything.
The way Kyrah avoided certain foods during lunch.
The way she sometimes pressed a hand against her lower back after long meetings.
The way she became exhausted after walking up a few flights of stairs.
The way she would pause for a few seconds whenever Peppa moved.
And most importantly, the way Kyrah refused to admit when she needed help.
She was still the same stubborn woman.
Flora smiled to herself one morning as she watched Kyrah carry three folders, a laptop, and a cup of juice at the same time.
"You know," Flora said, "you have hands for a reason."
Kyrah looked at her.
"What does that mean?"
"You don't have to carry everything yourself."
"I can manage."
"I know you can."
Flora took two of the folders from her.
"But you don't always have to."
Kyrah smiled.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it."
They continued walking toward the conference room.
Neither noticed Seojun standing at the other end of the hallway.
He had seen the exchange.
He watched Flora walk away with the folders while Kyrah followed.
There was something different about Kyrah lately.
She still worked just as hard.
Perhaps too hard.
Seojun had noticed her staying later than she should.
He had noticed the small moments when she looked tired.
He had noticed the way she sometimes rubbed her back when she thought no one was looking.
But he hadn't said anything.
Not yet.
He didn't want to make her feel watched.
---
The HANEUL HOME team had another long day ahead of them.
The project was performing well after the launch, but the post-launch stage was proving just as demanding.
There were technical reports.
Client feedback.
System updates.
New partnerships.
And countless small problems that required Kyrah's attention.
By lunchtime, Kyrah was already exhausted.
She sat at her desk and opened the container Flora had brought for her.
"Eat."
Kyrah looked up.
"You're becoming very bossy."
"I'm learning from you."
Kyrah laughed.
She took a bite.
Then another.
Flora smiled.
"See? You survived."
"I wasn't going to die."
"You looked like you were considering it."
Kyrah rolled her eyes.
Before she could respond, Xiumin walked into the office.
"Kyrah, do you have a minute?"
Kyrah looked up.
"Of course."
Xiumin placed a tablet on her desk.
"There is a client request I want you to look at."
Kyrah wiped her hands and took the tablet.
She read through the information carefully.
"This is fine."
"You're sure?"
"Yes. But change the implementation timeline."
"Why?"
"Because they're asking for too much too quickly."
Xiumin nodded.
"I thought the same thing."
"Then we agree."
He smiled.
"Good."
He picked up the tablet.
Then he looked at the food on her desk.
"You're eating?"
Kyrah stared at him.
"Yes."
Xiumin laughed.
"I've never seen you stop working long enough to eat."
Flora immediately looked away.
Kyrah gave Xiumin a playful glare.
"I'm changing."
"Clearly."
He walked away.
Flora waited until he was gone.
"See?"
"See what?"
"He's starting to notice."
Kyrah sighed.
"I know."
"You can't hide forever."
"I know."
Kyrah looked down at her stomach.
"I just need more time."
Flora nodded.
"You'll have it."
---
That afternoon, Leo Yunin entered the conference room carrying several documents.
"Kyrah, I need your approval on these."
She reached for them.
He placed them in front of her.
She began reading.
Then suddenly, her eyes became heavy.
She blinked.
Once.
Twice.
She looked at the page again.
The words seemed to blur.
She quietly closed her eyes for a moment.
Leo noticed.
"You okay?"
Kyrah opened her eyes.
"Yes."
"You look tired."
"I am."
"Then take a break."
Kyrah smiled.
"I'll rest when the project is finished."
Leo laughed.
"At this rate, the project will finish you first."
Kyrah smiled.
"Probably."
He shook his head.
"You work too much."
Then he walked away.
Kyrah leaned back in her chair.
She placed one hand over her stomach.
"I know," she whispered.
A small movement answered her.
Her eyes widened.
Then she smiled.
"Peppa."
Flora, sitting nearby, noticed.
She smiled but said nothing.
---
By the end of the workday, Kyrah was still at her desk.
Most of the office had emptied.
She looked at the clock.
8:17 p.m.
She sighed.
"One more report."
She opened the document.
Five minutes later, her phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Seojun.
She answered.
"Hello?"
"Are you still in the office?"
Kyrah glanced around.
"Yes."
There was a pause.
"It's eight seventeen."
"I know."
"You should be home."
"I'll leave soon."
"Kyrah."
She smiled.
"What?"
"Are you trying to finish the entire company by yourself?"
She laughed.
"No."
"Because you're doing a very convincing impression of someone who is."
Kyrah leaned back.
"I just have one more report."
"Send it to me."
"What?"
"Send me the report."
"Seojun, I can finish it."
"I know."
"Then why—"
"Because I want you to go home."
Kyrah became quiet.
His voice wasn't commanding.
It wasn't even particularly stern.
He simply sounded concerned.
"I'll finish it tomorrow."
"You promise?"
"Yes."
"Good."
She began closing her laptop.
"Happy?"
"Very."
Kyrah smiled.
"Good night, Seojun."
"Good night, Kyrah."
She ended the call.
For a moment, she sat there.
Then she looked down at her stomach.
"You have a very protective uncle."
She laughed softly.
Then she stopped.
She had said it without thinking.
Uncle.
The thought made her smile.
She packed her things.
---
Outside the building, Seojun was waiting.
Kyrah stopped when she saw him.
"What are you doing here?"
"I knew you wouldn't actually leave unless someone made sure you did."
Kyrah laughed.
"You came all the way down here to supervise me?"
"Yes."
"I'm capable of getting home by myself."
"I know."
"Then why?"
He looked at her.
"Because I wanted to make sure you got home safely."
Kyrah's expression softened.
"Thank you."
They walked toward the car together.
Seojun opened the passenger door for her.
Kyrah paused before getting in.
"Seojun."
"Yes?"
"You don't have to keep doing things like this."
He looked at her.
"I know."
"Then why do you?"
He smiled faintly.
"Because I want to."
Kyrah didn't know what to say.
So she simply got into the car.
Seojun closed the door.
Neither of them noticed Flora watching from the building entrance.
She smiled to herself.
Maybe Linda wasn't completely wrong after all.
---
As the car pulled away, Kyrah rested her head against the seat.
She was exhausted.
But she was happy.
Her career was moving forward.
Her baby was growing.
Her best friend was nearby.
She had people around her who cared.
For the first time in a long time, she didn't feel like she was carrying everything alone.
But there was one thing she hadn't realized yet.
Her pregnancy was no longer something she could simply hide beneath oversized clothes and careful excuses.
Soon, even Kyrah would have to admit it.
Her little secret was becoming impossible to miss.