The morning arrived softly, wrapped in pale light and quiet excitement.
Hauen woke up early, her heart already halfway to Jeju Island. For the first time since their marriage, they are going on a trip, as a couple, spending some private time. Just the two of them, five days of stolen peace.
She packed carefully, moving around the room on light feet, afraid her happiness might be loud enough to wake him. Clothes folded neatly, essentials checked twice, everything placed with a little smile tugging at her lips. When the trolley bag finally zipped shut, she set it beside the wall, satisfied.
Then her gaze drifted to the bed.
Suho was still asleep.
He looked tired, deeply so. His face was faintly flushed, hair messy from the night, lips swollen, arms wrapped around the pillow. He had slept late, lost somewhere inside his thoughts after holding her, loving her, breaking and rebuilding himself quietly beside her.
Her heart fluttered.
She checked the time, then walked closer, mischief blooming gently in her eyes. Carefully, she climbed onto the bed and leaned into the curve of his arm. Her lips brushed his cheek, soft and teasing.
"Teddy…" she whispered near his ear.
No response.
"Yeobo…" she tried again, her voice warmer now.
His breathing shifted, heavier, but he didn't open his eyes.
"We need to leave after lunch, Mr. Kim," she murmured, fingers sliding through his hair. "It's almost eleven."
He groaned, tugging the blanket higher with a lazy pull. "Five minutes…" he mumbled, half-asleep.
She smiled, resting her cheek against his shoulder, "You're wasting our honeymoon by sleeping, husband," she teased, her voice light and playful.
One of his eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the morning light. The moment he saw her smiling face hovering so close, his heart kicked hard against his ribs. Before she could react, he tugged her under him and rolled, flipping her beneath him in one smooth, lazy motion. His arms caged her in, his weight warm and familiar.
"Yaa, Suho," she laughed, squirming under him. "Wake up. What are you doing?"
"Let me rest a little," he mumbled, already closing his eyes again, cheek brushing her shoulder.
She stared at him, amused. "Men don't sleep during their honeymoon," she whispered, teasing deliberately now.
The corner of his lips curved instantly. Even with his eyes shut, color bloomed across his cheeks and nose, betraying him completely. She chuckled, pleased with herself.
"I did my job last night," he muttered, pulling her closer. "Now let me sleep."
She tilted her head, grinning. "That's it? Is that all your energy?"
His eyes flew open, sharp and offended.
She grinned victoriously. "What happened, Teddy?"
He didn't answer with words. His hands did all the talking, sliding inside her top with intent, familiar and dangerous in the way only he could be. She yelped, laughing and squealing, immediately grabbing his wrists to stop him.
He chuckled, finally giving in when he saw her wiggling beneath him, laughter spilling out of her like sunlight. He leaned closer, their faces barely inches apart, breath warm, eyes soft but dangerous in that familiar way.
"Don't provoke me, jagi," he murmured. "I know exactly how to undo you."
She smiled, fearless. "Then why are you wasting time sleeping?" she challenged softly. "Show me."
His laugh came low, amused by her shameless courage. He searched her eyes for a long second, then the intensity melted into something gentler.
"Let's go to Jeju first," he said quietly. "Let's make the most beautiful moments of our life."
Her teasing stilled. She met his gaze, steady and warm. "Let's go," she replied.
That finally did it.
He finally sat up, stretching like a drowsy, adorable storm, scratching his head, rubbing his face as if shaking sleep and thoughts away. She watched him with a fond smile, then sat up, leaned in, lips brushing his ear.
"Want me to help you wash up, husband?"
A burst of laughter escaped him. He turned toward her, still rubbing his eyes, hair a complete mess."Aren't you done teasing me already?"
"No," she said innocently, arms looping around his neck from behind as she leaned on his back. "Not even close."
He laughed again, softer this time. "I don't think I have enough confidence to survive your teasing, Mrs. Kim."
They laughed together, easy and warm. She pressed a kiss to his cheek and finally relented.
"Alright, I'll spare you. Go get fresh quickly. I've packed everything. Bora's making lunch, I'll help her."
He looked at her, really looked. The excitement in her eyes, the way she moved, like this life was something to be enjoyed fully.
In that moment, the thought settled quietly in his chest. She is so right for him. So perfect in the way that mattered. As if the world had shaped her edges just to fit his.
"What are you thinking, Teddy?" she asked, nudging him. "Get out of bed already."
She pushed him gently, rubbing his back, deliberately messing his hair even more. He smiled at her, helpless against her wifey energy.
He stood up, stretching fully now. She draped a towel over his shoulder and nudged him toward the bathroom. "Go...."
He chuckled, glancing back at her once before disappearing inside.
And she walked out toward the kitchen, light on her feet, excitement humming in her chest, ready to start the day that would take them to Jeju, unaware of the storm still waiting inside his chest, while he stood under running water, trying to hold onto this morning, this warmth, this moment with her.
After the shower, he stepped out slowly, towel slung around his neck, hair still damp as he wiped it absentmindedly. His eyes drifted to the packed suitcases resting near the corner, neat and hopeful.
Something twisted inside him. He walked toward the closet, footsteps slow. And then his gaze fell on her side.
Her space.
Neatly hung dresses, soft colors, gentle fabrics. He reached out without thinking, his fingers brushing over them, feeling the texture. Soft. Feminine. Beautiful. So her. He pulled out one of her scarves and brought it to his face, breathing in deeply.
Her scent. Clean, familiar, comforting. Exactly like her.
His eyes shifted and stopped at one particular dress. The one he had bought for her for that elite party. His expression softened instantly, lips curving into a faint, aching smile. She had looked breathtaking that night. Confident. Radiant. Standing beside him as she belonged there… as she belonged with him.
Then his gaze wandered lower.
Her little things. Jewelry is carefully placed. Hair ties she used for simple styles. Small accessories she loved without realizing how endearing they were. And then he noticed the section where she had arranged the matching wristwatches. Couple watches. Side by side.
His smile faltered. A bitter, quiet sadness crept in.
Will I be able to live without her? Will I really be able to forget her? Will she survive when she learns the truth?
The questions swirled relentlessly, each one cutting deeper than the last. His chest tightened, pain rising until it felt unbearable. He closed his eyes, took a long breath, trying to force the emotions back down, trying to be steady.
Blinking rapidly, he pulled himself together. Slowly, he reached for his phone.
His fingers hovered for a second before dialing a number, heart heavy, mind trembling, knowing that whatever he was about to do could change everything.
"Yes, Mr. Kim." The voice on the other end was professional, neutral.
"I need some legal papers prepared within this week," Suho said, his tone steady, almost too calm for the storm raging inside him.
There was a brief pause. "What kind of papers, Mr. Kim?"
"I'll send you the details via email," he replied.
"Understood."
"And one more thing," Suho added, his fingers tightening around the phone. "This must remain completely confidential. Do not disclose it to anyone. Not my family. Not my wife."
His voice softened on the last word, but the resolve underneath did not waver.
"Yes, Mr. Kim."
"I'll be traveling to Jeju with my wife for five days," he continued. "Have everything ready by then. If you need any clarification or additional information, call me. I'll be available."
"Okay, Mr. Kim."
The line disconnected.
Suho stared at the dark screen of his phone, his reflection faintly visible in it. His heart was racing, pounding hard against his ribs, each beat echoing the weight of the decision he had just set in motion.
This was it. Something irreversible. Something that would hurt. Deeply. Brutally.
But he convinced himself of the same thought again, the one he had been clinging to since last night.
This is for our future. For her future.
No matter how cruel it feels. No matter how much it breaks him first.
He inhaled slowly, forcing his breath to steady, even as his heart continued to ache in quiet protest.