Home Sweet Heartache || Jo In-Sung x Han Hyo-Joo

V

Back in the present, In-Sung and Hyo-Joo found themselves in a complex and emotionally charged situation. Their time apart had left a mark on their relationship, and now, as they shared the same house again, they were struggling to bridge the gap that had formed between them.

In-Sung sat on the couch, his gaze fixed on the raindrops tracing erratic patterns on the windowpane. The soft tapping of the rain provided a soothing backdrop to the turmoil in his heart. He knew he couldn't continue avoiding the inevitable—he had to talk to Hyo-Joo.

With a determined exhale, he reached for his phone, his fingers trembling ever so slightly as he dialed her number. As the call went through, his heart quickened, each ring amplifying his anticipation. He had played this conversation in his head a hundred times, hoping that the words he had rehearsed would be enough to thaw the frosty silence that had enveloped their relationship.

But as the ringing persisted, In-Sung's hope began to wane. He glanced at his phone's screen, his eyes fixated on the name that held so much meaning to him. It seemed, however, that Hyo-Joo was intentionally avoiding his call. With a resigned sigh, he ended the call, his disappointment and frustration weighing heavily on his shoulders.

In-Sung knew that their distance had become more than just physical; it had become an emotional chasm, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could bear the silence that had become a constant presence in their shared home.

In-Sung had been trying to reach Hyo-Joo's heart with heartfelt conversations and gestures, but it seemed as though he had become invisible to her. One evening, he decided to make one last effort to bridge the gap between them.

As Hyo-Joo sat in the living room, engrossed in her work, In-Sung quietly approached her. He held out a cup of her favorite tea, a small but meaningful gesture of his love and concern.

"Hyo-Joo," he said softly, "I made your favorite tea..."

Hyo-Joo glanced at the cup of tea, her expression softening for a brief moment before she turned her attention back to her work. It was as if she didn't even register his presence or the gesture he had made.

In-Sung sighed inwardly, feeling the weight of their unresolved issues pressing down on him. He placed the tea on the table next to her and retreated to his own corner of the room, the silence between them stretching like an unbridgeable chasm. It was clear that their attempts to communicate had hit a dead end, leaving them both in a state of emotional limbo.

Days turned into weeks, and In-Sung's attempts to engage Hyo-Joo in conversation continued to be met with silence. One evening, he decided to make a small but meaningful gesture, hoping it would break the invisible wall between them.

In-Sung had carefully prepared Hyo-Joo's favorite meal, arranging the dining table thoughtfully and lighting a few candles to set a warm and inviting atmosphere. As he waited for Hyo-Joo's return, a glimmer of hope flickered within him, hoping that this gesture would serve as a bridge to reopen the lines of communication.

When Hyo-Joo stepped through the door and caught sight of the meticulously prepared meal, a brief moment of softness crossed her eyes. It was as if the familiar aroma and the effort In-Sung had put in had momentarily thawed the ice that had settled between them. However, she quickly averted her gaze, sidestepping both the table and In-Sung, as if she hadn't noticed the heartfelt gesture at all.

In-Sung's heart sank as he watched her pass by, leaving the untouched table behind. It was a painful reminder of the distance that had grown between them, and the realization that mending their fractured relationship would require more than a simple meal.

In-Sung made several attempts to rebuild a friendship with Hyo-Joo, understanding that rushing back into a romantic relationship might not be the right approach. However, Hyo-Joo remained firm in her stance, insisting that they should maintain a professional and homeowner relationship.

One evening, as they both sat in the living room, In-Sung attempted to engage her in a casual conversation. "Hyo-Joo, do you remember that time we went hiking up in the mountains during our first year together?" he asked, hoping to evoke a shared memory.

Hyo-Joo, her gaze focused on a legal document in her hands, responded without looking up, "Yes, I remember, but that was a long time ago, In-Sung."

Undeterred, In-Sung tried another approach, "I thought maybe we could go hiking again sometime. Just as friends, you know, to catch up."

Hyo-Joo finally set the document aside and met his gaze. "In-Sung," she began, her tone serious, "we've both changed a lot since then. We're not the same people we used to be. It's important that we maintain boundaries and focus on selling this house."

In-Sung nodded, accepting her words, though a trace of disappointment lingered in his eyes. Deep down, he knew that regaining her trust and friendship would take time, and he was willing to be patient.