"My cake! I forgot about the final layer!"
Calista jumped up. Actually jumped like the house was on fire.
Grabbed Soorin's hand. "Come help me! You know how temperamental buttercream gets!"
"Mom, I don't think—"
"Come ON!"
She dragged Soorin toward the kitchen.
Leaving Haejin alone with Joonwoo.
Silence.
Thick. Heavy silence.
Joonwoo sipped his tea. Calm. Composed.
Then leaned back slightly.
Studied Haejin with those sharp eyes.
The eyes that had built an empire.
Smiled.
"So. Now that we're alone. Let's have a real conversation."
Haejin's stomach dropped straight through the expensive floor.
'Here it is. The talk. The threat. The "you hurt my daughter and I'll destroy you" speech.'
"I want to thank you," Joonwoo said.
'Wait. What?'
"Thank me?"
"For what you wrote. That song. It was beautiful. Genuine." He set his tea down. "You clearly put your heart into it."
"I did."
"And I want to tell you something my daughter said to me. Before the press conference."
