Scene 1 – The Unexpected Visitor
Jiho and Kiara had just returned from their date.
The smile on Kiara's face hadn't disappeared all day.
As they entered Jiho's apartment building, Manager Hyun approached carefully.
"Jiho," he said quietly, "your father is here."
Jiho froze.
The warmth in his expression disappeared instantly.
Kiara noticed the change.
"Jiho...?"
He forced a smile.
"It's okay. Can you wait for me for a little while?"
Kiara nodded.
"I'll be here."
Jiho took a deep breath and walked toward the living room.
Scene 2 – Father and Son
His father stood near the window.
Older.
Tired.
The distance between them felt heavier than ever.
Jiho spoke first.
"Why are you here?"
His father turned around.
"Jiho, I wanted to—"
"Did you think I don't know anything?" Jiho interrupted sharply.
His father's expression changed.
"What are you talking about?"
Jiho's voice shook with anger.
"Because of you, Kiara's family fell apart!"
His father stared at him.
"You cheated on Mom too. You're a liar... the biggest liar."
"Jiho—"
"I hate you!" Jiho shouted.
"I hated you for years!"
His father remained silent.
"That was why I couldn't face Kiara," Jiho continued.
"I was scared. Scared that if she knew the truth, she would hate me too."
His voice broke.
"So tell me... what do you want now?"
His father looked at him sadly.
"What you're saying isn't true."
Jiho laughed bitterly.
"Then why were you meeting Kiara's mother privately?"
His father sighed.
"...I think you've misunderstood everything."
Scene 3 – The Truth Begins
"Yes," his father admitted softly.
"When we were young... I had a crush on Kiara's mother."
Jiho looked shocked.
"But everyone did," his father continued.
"Your mother knew about it too."
"I never betrayed your mother."
His eyes became teary.
"I loved her very much."
Jiho remained silent.
His father sat down.
"Let me tell you everything."
Flashback – Years Ago
"We were all classmates," his father began.
"Kiara's father and I were best friends."
"Both of us admired Kiara's mother."
"But she wasn't interested in either of us."
Jiho listened quietly.
"Then your mother transferred into our school."
Young Jiho's Mother:
"Excuse me, is this seat taken?"
Young Lee Minseok:
"No."
Little by little, they became friends.
Friendship became affection.
Affection became love.
"We created countless memories together," his father said.
"You can't judge our entire relationship based on one misunderstanding."
Another Memory
Kiara's Mother:
"I want to build my own empire."
Jiho's Mother smiled.
"Then let's build our dreams together."
Kiara's Mother laughed.
"How are things going with Minseok?"
Jiho's Mother blushed.
"You know?"
"Everyone knows," Kiara's mother teased.
Then Jiho's mother asked carefully,
"What about Kiara's father? He really likes you."
Kiara's mother looked away.
"I don't know..."
The Accident That Changed Everything
His father's expression darkened.
"We all went on a graduation trip."
"That night..."
An accident happened.
Because of a misunderstanding, Kiara's parents became trapped in the same room overnight.
Nothing happened.
But rumors spread quickly.
To protect Kiara's mother's reputation, Kiara's father took responsibility.
Soon after...
They got married.
"They cared for each other," Jiho's father said.
"But Kiara's mother never wanted to marry so early."
"She had dreams."
"She wanted to live life on her own terms."
Years Later
"At first, they were happy."
"They built a business empire together."
"But as Kiara's mother's success grew..."
Kiara's father began to struggle.
Arguments became frequent.
Resentment slowly replaced understanding.
Eventually...
Kiara's mother asked for a divorce.
"That's when she contacted me."
Jiho looked up.
"I helped her find a lawyer."
"Nothing more."
"Your mother knew everything."
The Hidden Guilt
His father lowered his head.
"There is something else."
"Your mother..."
"She was the one who arranged the room assignments during that graduation trip."
Jiho frowned.
"What?"
"She thought it would be a harmless prank."
"She never imagined what would happen afterward."
"After Kiara's parents divorced, she blamed herself."
"She believed she had ruined Kiara's mother's future."
"She carried that guilt for years."
Why Jiho Had to Leave
Tears filled Jiho's eyes.
"Then why?"
"Why did you tell me to stay away from Kiara?"
His father looked heartbroken.
"Because I was afraid."
"Your mother was already blaming herself."
"If Kiara discovered everything..."
"You would be hurt."
"Kiara would be hurt."
"I wanted to protect both of you."
Jiho clenched his fists.
"So you sent me abroad?"
His father nodded slowly.
"You were young."
"You were in love."
"And I made the wrong choice."
"I thought distance would make things easier."
"But I was wrong."
Jiho closed his eyes.
All those years.
The silence.
The unanswered messages.
The goodbye he never gave.
The Truth About His Mother
Jiho opened his eyes.
"Mom..."
"How is she?"
His father's expression softened.
"The surgery was successful."
Jiho's breath caught.
"We still have to wait..."
"But she's stable."
"She's awake occasionally."
Jiho's eyes widened.
"Really?"
His father nodded.
"She arrived this morning."
"You can go see her."
Jiho's voice trembled.
"I..."
His father smiled weakly.
"She misses you."
Silence filled the room.
Then Jiho whispered,
"I'll go."
Scene 4 – The Distance Between Them
Jiho stepped out of the apartment building.
The conversation with his father still echoed in his mind.
His mother's surgery.
The truth about Kiara's parents.
The years he had spent running away.
Everything felt too heavy.
He looked around instinctively.
Kiara was gone.
For a brief second, disappointment crossed his face.
Then he noticed Manager Hyun standing nearby.
Hyun handed him his phone.
"She left."
Jiho looked down.
A message from Kiara.
Kiara:Something came up at home. I'll head back first. Take care of yourself, Jiho.
Simple.
Short.
Very Kiara.
Jiho stared at the screen.
His fingers hovered over the keyboard before typing:
Jiho:Okay. Get home safely.
He hesitated.
Then added:
Jiho:I'm sorry.
After a few moments, his phone vibrated.
Kiara:You don't have to apologize for everything.
Another message appeared.
Kiara:When you're ready to talk, I'll listen.
Jiho felt his chest tighten.
No pressure.
No questions.
Just... understanding.
Manager Hyun glanced at him.
"You should go see your mother."
Jiho looked at the message again.
A small smile appeared despite the heaviness in his eyes.
"Yeah."
Meanwhile – Kiara's Car
The city lights blurred past the window.
Secretary Ryu sat in the front seat, stealing occasional glances at Kiara through the rearview mirror.
Kiara stared outside silently.
Secretary Ryu finally spoke.
"You left without saying goodbye."
Kiara lowered her gaze.
"He needed time."
Secretary Ryu turned slightly.
"And what about you?"
Kiara remained quiet for a moment.
Then she answered softly,
"I think... if I had stayed, I would've asked him to tell me everything."
Secretary Ryu nodded.
"But you didn't."
Kiara looked down at her hands.
"He just found out something that changed his world."
Her voice softened.
"I don't want him to feel like he has to take care of my feelings too."
Secretary Ryu smiled faintly.
"You've changed."
Kiara raised an eyebrow.
"Excuse me?"
"A few months ago, you would've demanded answers immediately."
Kiara looked back out the window.
The reflection staring back at her looked calmer somehow.
"I'll get my answers eventually."
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"Right now... I think he needs his family."
Secretary Ryu blinked in surprise.
Then smiled to herself.
The CEO who never waited for anyone...
Had decided to wait.
Jiho's Side
Jiho got into the car with Manager Hyun.
He looked down at Kiara's last message again.
When you're ready to talk, I'll listen.
He read it twice.
Three times.
Then carefully locked his phone.
Manager Hyun glanced at him.
"You know..."
Jiho looked over.
"You're smiling."
Jiho touched the corner of his lips unconsciously.
"...Am I?"
Hyun shook his head with a quiet laugh.
"Go see your mother."
Jiho looked ahead.
Toward the hospital.
Toward the truth.
Toward the people he had spent years avoiding.
And for the first time in a long while...
He wasn't afraid that Kiara would disappear while he dealt with it.
Because she had stayed.
Even if it was from a distance.
Jiho looked out the window and whispered softly,
"Thank you, Kiara."
Meanwhile, in her car heading home, Kiara leaned against the seat and closed her eyes.
Her phone rested in her hand.
The chat window with Jiho still open.
For once...
Neither of them was running.
They were simply giving each other the space to heal.
And somehow...
That felt more intimate than holding hands.
To Be Continued...