Inferno Hearts | Xu Minghao

68. Ink & Hearts

︑︒⚬∙︓·⠄

A week had passed since Minghao and Nabi made their relationship official. The members welcomed the news and accepted their relationship, including Jeonghan and Seungcheol.

Both of them warmly embraced this new chapter in their lives. Even though Nabi was still a bit shy in Minghao's presence, he vowed to be patient and give her all the time she needed.

His love for her was genuine and unwavering, and he was determined to make this relationship work perfectly.

For the entire week, Jeonghan grappled with the difficult task of apologizing to Nabi. It proved to be far more challenging than he had initially anticipated—not due to reluctance or embarrassment, but primarily because Nabi intentionally avoided any encounters with him.

He was acutely aware of the gravity of his past actions and the hurt he had inflicted upon her, making this reconciliation a deeply delicate matter.

This time, determination coursed through him as he readied himself to address the issue. Jeonghan took a deep breath, knowing it was time to face the consequences of his past actions.

He navigated through the corridors with purpose, heading straight to Minghao's room, the place where he knew Nabi would likely be.

As he stood before the door, he hesitated for a moment, grappling with a mix of nervousness and resolve. But he knew he had to do this—he had to try to mend what was broken.

Knocking on the door, he patiently awaited an invitation before gently turning the knob and stepping inside. His eyes met Nabi's, and he could see the fear etched across her features, leaving him with a pang of regret for the unease he had caused.

Jeonghan, sensing her apprehension, let out a soft sigh, realizing the weight of his presence in that moment.

"Hey," he uttered, his voice gentle and filled with a sense of remorse. Nabi, unsure of what to expect, responded in a timid whisper, barely audible: "Hey."

He took tentative steps toward her, watching as she gently patted Ginger, nestled contentedly on her chest, peacefully asleep.

The sight tugged at his heart, a subtle reminder of the kind soul he had wronged. The room seemed to soften, the weight of the unspoken apology hanging in the air.

He lowered himself onto the edge of the bed, careful not to disturb Ginger's peaceful slumber. Nabi's gaze remained fixed on him, a mix of apprehension and curiosity in her eyes.

She desperately tried to decipher his next moves, but his expression was an enigma, revealing nothing. The uncertainty gnawed at her, leaving her to wonder if he had come with genuine intentions or if there was another undercurrent of malice lurking beneath the surface.

"Don't worry, my intention is just to talk, Nabi, to have an honest conversation with you." He could sense the internal struggle she grappled with—the conflict between her fears and the faint glimmer of hope that perhaps, amidst the turmoil, genuine understanding and healing could be found.

The choice lay with her, and he patiently waited, allowing her the space to decide whether to open up or remain guarded.

She held his gaze for a moment, her eyes searching for sincerity within his. After a beat, she responded in a soft voice, her vulnerability showing through the simplicity of her words, "Okay."

Clearing his throat, he started, trying to keep a neutral tone. "First of all, I want to apologize for my past actions towards you. I don't have any excuses for my behavior, and I know it was wrong, especially since it's out of character for me to raise a hand against a woman."