That evening, like every other Tuesday, the Hwan family gathered around the dining table. The usual clatter filled the room, yet tonight felt… heavier. Even Ji-uk, normally a whirlwind of jokes and antics, seemed subdued.
Mrs. Hwan, suffocating under the silence, cleared her throat.
"Min-jae!" Her voice rang sharp enough to make everyone freeze mid-bite.
Min-jae looked up from his plate, calm as ever.
"What happened to your arm? Why are you wearing a soft brace?" she asked, curiosity cutting through the tension.
"Occupational injury," Min-jae replied smoothly, eyes flicking briefly to the ceiling.
No elaboration offered.
"I heard you visited the villa recently," Mr. Hwan interjected, voice deliberate.
"Yes," Min-jae replied evenly.
"And the preparations? How far along are they?" Mr. Hwan's tone left no room for evasion.
"More impressive than I expected," Min-jae said, cool, measured.
"The production team… I heard you put them under pressure too," Mr. Hwan pressed.
"They seemed… a little lax. We can't afford to disappoint after all the progress made," Min-jae responded, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Ji-uk piped up, curiosity winning over formality. "I heard Madam Ok Sun is involved with the project?"
"Rumors spread fast," Min-jae muttered with a quiet exhale, almost amused.
"Which is why the show should happen sooner, before the stories spiral further," Mr. Hwan said, and turned to Ji-uk.
"And your tasting event? When will that be?"
"Friday," Ji-uk replied confidently.
"Friday? So soon?" Mrs. Hwan raised an eyebrow.
Ji-uk, without missing a beat, replied.
"Min-jae's fashion show is coming up soon. I can't let him host his before I do, it would be unbearable, the comparisons would be endless."
Min-jae's smirk deepened internally.
Mrs. Hwan turned her attention to Ye-seul, noting her unusual quietness.
"Ye-seul, you're oddly quiet tonight… How's Kira?"
"She's still sleeping. I didn't want to wake her," Ye-seul admitted, slumping in her chair. "Honestly, I don't even know what to say to her. I feel… lost."
Mr. Hwan's gaze shifted to Nam-joon. "What's your plan now?"
"I'm still planning, Father," Nam-joon said, voice carrying a rare note of uncertainty.
"An average man should always know his next move," Mr. Hwan said, sharp as a knife. "And you are meant to be more than average. Fix it and—"
Nam-joon interrupted, calm but firm. "I will handle things. And I'll make sure my personal issues don't interfere with work."
"Oppa—" Ye-seul started, but Nam-joon rose, bowed, and walked out without another word.
The dining room fell silent, the clinking of cutlery the only sound. Ye-seul stood, following him.
"Nam-joon oppa," she called softly.
He paused, expression guarded yet betraying a flicker of uncertainty.
"I don't know what's going on with you right now," she said, voice steady. "We've never exactly gotten along, but… let me help. At least for once."
"And why would you do that?" he asked, skepticism in his tone.
"Because I can't watch her suffer. I can't stand to see Kira break. She's the closest thing I have to a little sister. Let me take care of her… even if it's just until you get yourself together," Ye-seul explained gently.
"Ye-seul…" His voice firm, but he didn't respond immediately.
"She's barely seven. She needs someone by her side. You're always busy. This is the best we can do for her right now," Ye-seul continued, unwavering.
Nam-joon exhaled, a weight visibly lifting off his shoulders. "You also think I'm the worst dad," he muttered.
"I'm not saying that," Ye-seul replied. "I'm only asking you to be logical."
He nodded slowly. "Thank you… for taking care of Kira. She'd be happy with you," he said quietly, then walked out.
Ye-seul lingered by the doorway for a moment, watching him go, before turning back toward the dining room.
A soft creak behind her made her glance back, Kira had woken up quietly, rubbing her eyes. She looked at Ye-seul, yawned, and smiled faintly. Ye-seul crouched down, brushing a strand of hair from the little girl's face.
"How are you doing princess?" She questioned smiling.
Kira smiled "how do I look?"
"Pretty, like the prettiest princess I've met" Ye-seul replied.
"What about father, is he alright?" She questioned concern lacing her tone quietly.
Ye-seul patted her head softly "of course he is, he has his little princess who loves him a lot, I don't think he could ever be better."
"Hmm.... Unnie, I'm starving." Kira said rubbing her tummy.
"Come on I'd serve you dinner" she whispered leading her to the dining room.
And in that small moment, the weight in the Hwan family dining room seemed to lift just a little, like a quiet promise of order returning to chaos.