They stepped into the room quietly.
Nisa lay propped up against white pillows, an IV at her arm, bruises blooming faintly along her skin like shadows she hadn't earned.
She looked smaller somehow, but her eyes were open. Alive. Sharp.
Do-Hyun reached her first.
He took her hand carefully, like she might disappear if he held her too tightly.
"I'm here," he said, voice breaking again. "I'm not going anywhere."
Nisa smiled weakly.
"You're crying again," she murmured. "You'll dehydrate yourself."
That did it.
He laughed and cried at the same time, lowering his forehead to her hand. "You scared me."
"I know," she said softly. "I'm sorry."
Ji-Ah stood near the foot of the bed, hands clasped together, relief and worry tangled across her face.
"You look… awful," she said gently.
Nisa glanced at her. "Wow. Thank you. Such comforting words."
Ji-Ah smiled, eyes glossy. "You're not allowed to joke. You were in an accident."
"And yet," Nisa replied, "here I am. Still bossing people around."
Ha-Joon had been quiet the entire time.
He observed the monitors, the bandages, the steadiness of Nisa's breathing.
Then he spoke. "You were lucky."
Nisa blinked at him.
"And stubborn," he added. "Both helped."
Do-Hyun looked up. "I'm staying."
Ha-Joon met his gaze. "I expected that."
He turned to Ji-Ah. "Your ankle is injured. You should rest."
She shook her head immediately. "I'm fine. I can stay."
"We'll come back in the morning," he said evenly. "You'll have all the time to take care of her."
She opened her mouth to argue.
"And you don't work tomorrow," he added.
She stopped. Exhaled. Ran a hand through her hair. "…Fine."
Nisa looked at her. "Go rest," she said quietly. "You look worse than I do."
Ji-Ah smiled despite herself. "That's impossible."
"Rest well," Nisa repeated.
Ji-Ah nodded, then followed Ha-Joon out of the room.
The door closed softly behind them, leaving the hospital quieter, calmer, and just a little less heavy than before.
--
The drive back home was quieter than the one before, but heavier in a different way.
City lights slid past the windows in long, blurred streaks.
Ji-Ah broke the silence first, voice low. "I was really scared back there."
Ha-Joon didn't take his eyes off the road.
"The way Do-Hyun cried…" she continued, fingers twisting together. "It almost broke me. I've never seen him like that."
He nodded once.
"You didn't cry," he said.
She gave a small, tired smile.
"I know. I don't really… let myself." A pause. "Sometimes I want to. I just don't show it."
The car hummed steadily.
She leaned back, exhaustion finally winning. Her head tipped to the side, eyelids fluttering before closing completely.
Minutes passed.
Ha-Joon glanced over.
Her neck was bent at an awkward angle, hair slipping loose, a few strands brushing against his hand on the console. If he left her like that, she'd wake up sore. Complaining. Loudly.
He sighed quietly.
At the next red light, he reached over and adjusted her gently, supporting her head until it rested properly. Slow. Careful. Like this mattered more than it should.
She didn't wake.
As he pulled back onto the road, his jaw tightened.
The accident replayed in his mind.
Too sudden. Too convenient.
He would find out who caused it. That much was certain.
Then he glanced at Ji-Ah again.
Asleep. Vulnerable.
Trusting in a way he hated noticing.
A problem.
One he didn't want.
One he already knew he wasn't ignoring anymore.
They got home long past exhaustion.
Ji-Ah trudged down the hallway, every step heavy, head throbbing like it was keeping time with her heartbeat.
She turned toward her room, already imagining collapsing into the nearest corner.
"Ji-Ah."
She stopped.
Ha-Joon stood behind her, jacket already off, voice calm but firm. "Bring your pillow."
She blinked. "Sir…?"
"That's it," he said. "Nothing else. Just bring your pillow."
She nodded, too tired to argue.
Inside her room, she changed into her pajamas. Soft cotton. A loose top with tiny stars printed on it, sleeves slightly too long.
Comfortable.
Very Ji-Ah.
She grabbed her pillow, hugged it once without thinking, then padded back out.
She entered Ha-Joon's room hesitantly and sat on the edge of his bed, posture straight, like she'd been summoned for questioning.
"Why did you call me," she asked.
"Rest," he replied.
She frowned.
"After you go back to Nisa? Come to the office." He started.
"Tomorrow," he said evenly, "is going to be a big day."
She looked up at him. "Why?"
"You'll see."
She scowled. "I hate it when you talk like that."
He didn't react.
She sighed, sinking slightly into the mattress.
Tomorrow. A big day.
The only big thing she could imagine was winning the lottery and finally escaping this cold, intimidating house.
She glanced at him quietly.
Cold, yes. Mysterious, definitely. Still annoying.
But… a nice man.
Sometimes.
She hugged her pillow tighter and lay back, eyes already drooping, while Ha-Joon stood by the window, keeping watch over a night that wasn't quite done with them yet.
The next morning moved fast.
Ji-Ah was already dressed in her office clothes, bag slung over her shoulder, hair neatly tied like she was bracing herself for something important… or something suspicious.
In the kitchen, she placed a plate of breakfast on the counter for Ha-Joon.
It looked decent.
Smelled decent.
That alone felt like an achievement.
She added a small note beside it.
If it tastes like cardboard or regret, it's not my fault, sir.
She nodded at her own handwriting, satisfied, and left before he could comment.
The hospital room felt brighter than the night before.
Do-Hyun was at Nisa's side, carefully helping her sit up, fussing over pillows like it was his full-time job now.
Ji-Ah walked in carrying a food bag.
"Delivery," she announced.
Nisa smiled. "You came early."
Do-Hyun practically beamed. "She's getting discharged today."
Ji-Ah froze. "Today?"
Nisa nodded. "Doctor approved it this morning."
Relief washed over Ji-Ah's face instantly. "That's amazing."
She handed the food over. "You have to eat. No excuses."
"Yes, boss," Nisa teased.
Ji-Ah turned to Do-Hyun. "So… what's happening today?"
He glanced at Nisa, then back at Ji-Ah, lowering his voice. "Just play along."
She narrowed her eyes. "I hate when people say that."
"I learned it from someone," he said with a grin.
She sighed. "Fine."
"I'll get going," she said, backing toward the door. "Eat properly. Both of you."
Nisa smiled softly. "Drive safe."
Do-Hyun added casually, "I'm coming to Hanryeon Tech today. We'll meet you there."
Ji-Ah paused. "You are?"
He just smiled.
She shook her head, already tired. "Great. Mystery Day."
With that, she walked out, unaware that "playing along" was about to mean much more than she expected.