By Monday morning, something had changed.
Not dramatically.
No announcement had been made. No meeting had been called. Nobody had gathered around Kyrah's desk to discuss her pregnancy.
But she noticed.
Xiumin stopped carrying equipment past her without asking if she needed help.
Youning started making sure she had a chair nearby whenever the team was working on something that required them to stand for long periods.
Flora had already been doing it for weeks.
And now all three of them seemed to have developed an unspoken understanding.
Kyrah noticed the way Xiumin reached for a box before she could.
"I can carry that."
"I know," he replied.
"Then why are you carrying it?"
"Because I got here first."
Kyrah narrowed her eyes.
"You are becoming annoying."
"Good. That means I'm doing my job."
Youning laughed from across the room.
"Don't argue with him. We've already agreed on the new rule."
Kyrah turned.
"What new rule?"
Youning exchanged a look with Xiumin.
"No heavy lifting."
"Fine."
"No skipping lunch."
"I don't skip lunch."
All three stared at her.
Kyrah sighed.
"Fine. Occasionally."
"Exactly," Xiumin said.
"And no staying late alone," Youning added.
Kyrah folded her arms.
"Is this a workplace or a kindergarten?"
"A very expensive kindergarten," Youning replied.
Flora laughed.
Kyrah tried to look annoyed, but she couldn't stop herself from smiling.
They weren't treating her like she was fragile.
They weren't questioning whether she could still lead HANEUL HOME.
They weren't taking responsibilities away from her.
They were simply making sure she didn't have to carry everything alone.
And somehow, that meant more to her than she expected.
For so long, Kyrah had felt as if every person who entered her life eventually wanted something from her.
Love.
Loyalty.
Success.
A decision.
An explanation.
Something.
But these people?
They just wanted her to eat lunch.
To sit down.
To get home safely.
It was such a small thing.
Yet it touched a part of her she had almost forgotten existed.
She looked around the room and smiled.
Maybe she really had built something here.
Not just a project.
A team.
A little family she hadn't expected to find.
Across the office, Seojun watched her laughing with them.
He didn't interrupt.
He simply stood there for a moment, watching the woman who had somehow become part of his everyday thoughts.
He had always admired her determination.
Her intelligence.
Her ability to stand in a room full of people and make herself heard.
But lately, he had begun noticing something else.
The way she smiled when she forgot she was being watched.
The way she touched her stomach whenever Peppa moved.
The way her entire expression changed when she talked about the future.
And now, watching her laugh with the team, he realized something that frightened him slightly.
His feelings weren't fading.
They were becoming deeper.
Much deeper.
He finally walked toward them.
"What's funny?"
Youning immediately pointed at Xiumin.
"He thinks he's Kyrah's personal bodyguard."
"I'm protecting the project," Xiumin defended.
Seojun looked at Kyrah.
"Are you being difficult?"
Kyrah raised an eyebrow.
"Apparently."
Seojun smiled.
"Sounds like you."
She laughed.
And for some reason, that simple sound stayed with him for the rest of the day.
---
That evening, Seojun stopped by Kyrah's office.
She was packing her things.
"You're leaving on time," he observed.
"I'm learning."
"Good."
She looked at him.
"Why do I feel like you're proud of yourself?"
"Because I am."
She shook her head, smiling.
Then Seojun hesitated.
"There is something I'd like to ask you."
Kyrah looked up.
"My mother would like you to come for dinner."
Kyrah froze.
"Your mother?"
"Yes."
"Me?"
Seojun smiled.
"Unless you know another Kyrah Kim."
Her stomach suddenly tightened.
Not because of Peppa.
Because of nerves.
"Why?"
"Because she wants to meet you properly."
Kyrah stared at him.
"Seojun..."
"You don't have to come if you don't want to."
She studied his face.
There was no pressure there.
No expectation.
Just an invitation.
"I'll come."
His expression softened.
"Good."
Then he left.
Kyrah sat there for a moment.
She looked down at her stomach.
"Well, Peppa," she whispered, "apparently we're going to meet the Park family."
---
The Park residence was unlike anything Kyrah had expected.
The moment the gates opened, she understood that Seojun's family lived differently.
The property was expansive without being gaudy.
The driveway curved through perfectly maintained gardens, with soft outdoor lighting illuminating the path.
The house itself was breathtaking.
Modern architecture blended with warmth—large glass windows, natural stone, dark wood, and warm golden lights glowing from inside.
There was something elegant about the entire place.
Not flashy.
Established.
Like it had been there long enough to become part of the family itself.
Kyrah looked out the window.
"Your family lives here?"
Seojun glanced at her.
"Yes."
She looked back at the house.
"I suddenly feel underdressed."
He laughed.
"You look beautiful."
Kyrah turned toward him.
He said it so naturally that she didn't know what to do with the compliment.
She looked away.
"Thank you."
Seojun opened her door when they arrived.
Again.
That small gesture.
That ridiculous little gesture.
Why did it affect her so much?
She stepped out.
And Seojun's hand briefly hovered behind her back as they walked toward the entrance.
Not touching.
Just there.
Protective without being possessive.
Kyrah swallowed.
She was beginning to understand why being around him was becoming dangerous.
Not because he was doing anything wrong.
Because she was starting to feel something she had promised herself she would never feel again.
---
Mrs. Park welcomed them personally.
"Kyrah."
She smiled warmly and took both of Kyrah's hands.
"I've been looking forward to meeting you properly."
Kyrah smiled nervously.
"It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Park."
"Please, call me Mrs. Park for now."
Seojun laughed.
"Mother."
"What?"
"You're making her nervous."
"I'm not making her nervous."
Kyrah smiled.
"Just a little."
Mrs. Park laughed.
"Come. Dinner is ready."
Kyrah followed them inside.
The dining room was beautiful.
A long wooden table sat beneath a modern chandelier, surrounded by elegant chairs. Soft lighting reflected against the glass cabinets along the wall. Family photographs were displayed throughout the room—Seojun as a child, Seojun graduating, family vacations, birthdays.
Kyrah paused when she saw one particular photograph.
Seojun looked about eight years old.
His hair was slightly messy, and he was missing one front tooth.
She couldn't stop herself from smiling.
Mrs. Park noticed.
"Oh, that one."
Kyrah laughed.
"He was adorable."
Seojun looked embarrassed.
"Mother."
"What? You were."
Kyrah looked at him.
"I agree."
He gave her a look.
She laughed.
For the first time since arriving, her nerves began to disappear.
During dinner, Mrs. Park asked about HANEUL HOME.
Kyrah immediately became animated.
She talked about the technology, the challenges, the launch, and the team.
Mrs. Park listened carefully.
"You really love your work."
"I do."
"I can tell."
Seojun watched Kyrah while she spoke.
There was a light in her eyes whenever she talked about something she believed in.
Mrs. Park noticed that too.
And then, as dinner continued, her gaze briefly moved to Kyrah's stomach.
She didn't stare.
She didn't ask an uncomfortable question.
She simply smiled.
"I heard there is a little boy coming."
Kyrah's hand instinctively moved toward her stomach.
"Yes."
"What's his name?"
"His nickname is Peppa."
Mrs. Park smiled.
"Peppa."
She repeated it fondly.
Kyrah expected the next question.
Instead, Mrs. Park simply said,
"He must be very loved already."
Kyrah looked at her.
"Yes."
Her voice softened.
"He is."
Mrs. Park reached across the table and gently touched Kyrah's hand.
"That's what matters."
Kyrah's eyes stung slightly.
She wasn't sure why those three words affected her so much.
Mrs. Park continued eating as though she hadn't just touched something very deep inside her.
Later, while Seojun stepped away to take a phone call, Mrs. Park leaned slightly closer.
"My son has always been careful about people."
Kyrah looked toward Seojun.
"He doesn't bring just anyone home."
Kyrah's heart skipped.
"I hope I'm not intruding."
Mrs. Park smiled.
"You aren't."
Kyrah didn't know what to say.
Mrs. Park continued,
"I know the baby isn't Seojun's."
Kyrah's fingers tightened around her glass.
Mrs. Park noticed.
"But that doesn't change how I see you."
Kyrah looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because what matters to me is whether my son is happy."
Kyrah couldn't speak.
Mrs. Park smiled gently.
"And he is."
Kyrah looked toward Seojun.
He had finished his call and was walking back toward them.
Mrs. Park lowered her voice.
"He's happier around you."
Kyrah swallowed.
"I don't want to misunderstand anything."
"You aren't responsible for what my son feels," Mrs. Park said. "You only need to be honest with him."
Kyrah looked down.
That was exactly what frightened her.
Because she wasn't sure she could be honest with herself anymore.
---
After dinner, Seojun walked Kyrah outside.
The night air was cool.
The gardens were illuminated by soft lights, and the entire property seemed almost dreamlike under the night sky.
Kyrah walked beside him.
"Thank you for inviting me."
"I'm glad you came."
"Your mother is wonderful."
"I know."
They reached the car.
Seojun opened the passenger door for her.
Kyrah stopped.
For a second, she simply looked at him.
The lights from the house fell across his face.
His sleeves were rolled slightly up his arms.
His hair was a little tousled from the evening.
And that calm, confident expression was still there.
He looked unfairly good.
Ridiculously good.
Like a walking thirst trap.
Kyrah mentally scolded herself.
Get a grip.
She got into the car.
Seojun closed the door.
As he walked around to the driver's side, Kyrah stared straight ahead.
She had to stop this.
She couldn't start feeling things again.
Not after Jinyoung.
Not after everything she had survived.
She couldn't afford another mistake.
But during the drive home, she kept catching herself looking at Seojun.
His hands on the steering wheel.
The way he glanced at the road before checking on her.
The small smile when she said something funny.
The way he drove carefully, especially around corners.
Everything felt different.
And she hated that she noticed.
Then—
A black Mercedes suddenly cut across their lane.
Seojun slammed on the brakes.
Kyrah gasped.
Her hands immediately flew to her stomach.
"Peppa—"
But before she could even process what had happened, Seojun's right hand was already there.
Over her stomach.
Protecting her.
His left hand remained firmly on the steering wheel.
His face had lost all its color.
"Are you okay?"
Kyrah stared at him.
He wasn't looking at the road anymore.
He was looking at her.
At her stomach.
At Peppa.
The panic in his eyes was impossible to miss.
"I'm okay," she whispered.
He exhaled slowly.
His hand remained where it was for another second before he finally pulled it away.
Kyrah looked down.
Then back at him.
Something inside her broke open.
Not painfully.
Something else.
Something she had been trying desperately not to name.
She swallowed.
I'm in love with this man.
The thought arrived so suddenly that she almost stopped breathing.
How could I?
She turned toward the window.
How could I possibly love again?
Her heart raced.
Kyrah, haven't you learned your lesson?
She closed her eyes.
Jinyoung had taught her what it felt like to give someone your whole heart and discover that they could still choose to destroy it.
She had promised herself she would never put her heart in someone's hands again.
But Seojun had never asked for it.
He had simply been there.
Every day.
Every little moment.
Every time she needed help.
Every time she needed someone to remind her that she didn't have to carry everything alone.
And somehow, without asking for anything in return, he had made his way into the part of her heart she had locked away.
Kyrah opened her eyes.
She looked at him again.
Seojun had returned his attention to the road.
But his jaw was still tense.
He was still worried about her.
And she knew then that she was in trouble.
Real trouble.
---
By the time Seojun dropped her off, Kyrah had barely said anything.
He walked her to the entrance of her apartment building.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine."
"You scared me."
She looked at him.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize."
His expression softened.
"Just be careful."
Kyrah nodded.
"Goodnight, Seojun."
"Goodnight, Kyrah."
He waited until she was safely inside before leaving.
Kyrah watched through the window as his car disappeared.
Then she turned around.
Linda was calling...
Kyrah dropped her bag and got her phone out she answered immediately.
"Linda..."
"Talk."
Kyrah sighed.
She told her everything.
Dinner.
Mrs. Park.
The conversation.
The drive.
The Mercedes.
Seojun's hand protecting Peppa.
And finally, the thought she had been terrified to admit.
Linda listened quietly...
Then slowly uttered O.M.G
"Oh my God."
Kyrah groaned.
"Don't."
"I knew it!"
"You knew nothing."
"I knew!"
Linda jumped to her feet straight out of her sofa.
"I wish I had been there!"
Kyrah laughed despite herself.
"Why?"
"Because why did this have to happen when I wasn't in Hong Kong?"
She paced around the room dramatically.
"I leave you alone for five minutes and suddenly you're falling in love with a handsome billionaire?"
"Linda!"
"What?"
"I'm not falling in love."
Linda stopped.
"Kyrah."
Kyrah sighed.
Linda
"You're falling."
"I'm confused."
"That's worse."
Kyrah covered her face.
Linda called out her name again.
"Listen to me."
Kyrah paused.
"I have been Team Seojun from the beginning."
"You've been Team Chaos from the beginning."
"No. I have standards."
She snapped her fingers at her phone.
"That man is patient. He's kind. He respects you. He cares about Peppa. He doesn't treat you like you're broken."
Kyrah's eyes softened.
Well that's what scares me.
Exactly everything in life is scary if you think about it but we live anyway.
"So you better act right."
Kyrah laughed.
"Linda!"
"I'm serious!"
Linda added...
"You already lost one good thing because you were busy surviving. Don't go losing another because you're scared."
Kyrah became still.
Linda's voice softened.
"You don't have to marry him tomorrow. You don't have to tell him anything tomorrow. But don't lie to yourself."
Kyrah looked down at her hands.
For the first time, she didn't have an answer.
Because somewhere between the Park family dinner, Seojun opening her car door, and his hand instinctively protecting Peppa—
something had changed.
And Kyrah was beginning to realize that the most frightening thing wasn't falling in love again.
It was realizing that, this time, she might actually be safe enough to let herself fall.