The call came in the afternoon.
Ha-rin stared at her phone for a full three seconds before answering it.
"…Hello."
I didn't ask who it was.
I already knew.
Her posture changed almost immediately. Shoulders straight. Expression neutral. The version of her the world knew slipping back into place.
"Yes.""…I understand.""…No, I'm resting.""…Yes, doctor said it's fine."
She turned slightly away from me, lowering her voice.
"…I told you already. I need more time."
Silence.
I could hear a faint voice through the phone, sharp but controlled.
Ha-rin's fingers tightened around the device.
"…I'm not disappearing," she said. "I'm just… taking care of something."
Another pause.
"…I know how it looks."
She closed her eyes briefly.
"…Please."
That word was quiet.
The call ended shortly after.
She didn't move.
Didn't sit.
Didn't look at me.
"…That was your agency," I said.
"Yes."
"…They're worried."
"Yes."
I waited.
She finally exhaled and sat down slowly.
"…They asked if I was seeing someone."
I didn't react.
"…I didn't answer."
"That was appropriate," I said.
She laughed once, without humor.
"…They also asked if I was sick."
"…And."
"I said I was resting."
She leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
"…They want me to come in next week."
"That is soon," I replied.
"…They said it's just a meeting."
I didn't say anything.
"…It's never just a meeting."
Silence filled the room again.
This one was heavier than before.
"…If I go," she said quietly, "…things will start moving."
"Yes."
"…If I don't, they'll push harder."
"Yes."
She turned her head to look at me.
"…You're not going to tell me what to do."
"No."
"…You always say things like that."
"Because it's your decision," I replied.
She stared at me for a moment, then nodded.
"…Stay with me tonight."
It wasn't a request.
"Yes," I said.
She relaxed slightly.
"…Thank you."
"For what."
"For not panicking."
"…I will later," I replied. "Privately."
She smiled faintly.
"…Figures."
The phone buzzed again on the table.
She didn't look at it.
Not yet.
And neither did I.