Minra woke up with a headache.
Her entire body felt heavy, warm, strange.
Like she had slept through something important.
Something that should have mattered.
But no matter how much she tried to recall…
She couldn’t.
It was hazy, foggy, missing.
The last thing she remembered?
Drinking at the party.
HyunSeong bringing her back.
And then—
Then what?
Something had happened.
She knew something had happened.
But what?
She rubbed her temples, frustrated.
And for some reason—
For some stupid, unexplainable reason—
She felt like she had lost something important.
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.
HyunSeong had spent all night thinking.
Thinking.
Overthinking.
Questioning everything.
Because.
Because this was dangerous.
Minra had been so close to realizing the truth.
Too close.
And for the first time—
For the first time since this all started—
HyunSeong felt genuine fear.
Because.
Because what if she didn’t understand?
What if she felt deceived?
What if she hated him for it?
No.
No, he couldn’t tell her.
Not yet.
Not until he was sure.
So.
So for now—
He would create distance.
Just a little.
Just enough to protect himself.
Just until he figured out what to do.
And maybe—
Maybe until she realized her feelings on her own.
Without Shuun.
Without HyunSeong.
Without any name attached to it at all.
.
The moment Minra stepped into the office, she knew she was doomed.
Because the teasing?
It started immediately.
"Minra, you’re glowing."
"Had a good night?"
"How was the boss?"
Minra, still struggling to remember, panicked.
"NOTHING HAPPENED!"
Reyne grinned.
"You always say that."
"BECAUSE IT’S TRUE!"
"Uh-huh."
Minra groaned.
"Can we just focus on work—"
But then.
Then.
Then HyunSeong walked in.
And everything stopped.
Because today—
Today, something was off.
He wasn’t just his usual unreadable self.
He was colder.
Distant.
More indifferent than ever.
And then—
Then, in the most casual, dismissive tone, he said—
"Nothing happened."
The room went silent.
"I just dropped her off at her place, that’s all."
Minra froze.
Reyne’s grin dropped.
Even Suan, who was always entertained by gossip, looked genuinely surprised.
Because—
Because HyunSeong never explained himself.
Never clarified rumors.
Never gave people answers.
So for him to say this now?
For him to cut the conversation short like this?
It was like—
Like he was putting an end to something before it even began.
And Minra?
Minra felt her stomach sink.
Because why.
Why did that hurt?
Why did that feel like rejection?
Why did that feel like the confirmation she never wanted?
And worst of all—
Why did she feel like she had just lost something important all over again?
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Chapter 43: "The Distance That Shouldn’t Have Hurt"
