Back home, Winter is trying to settle back into her routine, hoping for some peace after her recent adventures. However, the arrival of Karina Yoo, the beautiful VIP investor, stirs up unresolved emotions and echoes from her past. Karina's presence...
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The launch event was a polished affair, with camera flashes illuminating the stage where Karina, Minji, and their aunt Tiffany stood, poised and graceful beneath a large banner announcing the release of the new sleeping medicine. Reporters furiously scribbled notes while Tiffany's bright, supportive smile anchored the moment, her presence both commanding and reassuring as she stood beside her nieces.
Winter sat quietly in the audience, her gaze naturally drawn to Karina. In the midst of her speech, Karina's eyes found Winter's, and for a fleeting moment, her smile softened, becoming something more personal. That brief exchange sent a wave of warmth through Winter, grounding her amidst the flurry of media and chatter, as if it were just the two of them in the room.
Minji, however, was another matter. When her sharp eyes caught sight of Winter, she rolled them with that familiar coldness, a gesture Winter had grown accustomed to. What could have stung once no longer did. Instead, Winter responded with a soft, knowing smile, a gesture meant for someone she still cherished deep down, even if Minji could no longer see it. The memory of the kind, gentle Minji she once knew lingered in her heart, making it easier to bear the distance between them now.
For now, Winter sat quietly, supporting them from the shadows, watching as the two women she cared for shone brightly under the spotlight.
"And today, I want to thank someone very special. Someone I love dearly—" Karina's voice rang clear, steady yet tender. Her eyes once again sought out Winter in the crowd, lingering just a second longer, her gaze full of meaning. In that instant, the bustling conference room seemed to fade away, the flashing cameras and murmuring crowd dissolving into the background. It was as if the world shrank down to just the two of them, connected by an unspoken bond that went beyond the words Karina was about to say.
"My girlfriend, who created this medicine for both me and my younger sister, and for millions of people suffering from sleep deprivation," Karina continued, her voice unwavering as she looked at Winter once more.
The room went still, and Winter felt a rush of emotion hit her all at once. My girlfriend. The words hung in the air, carrying a weight that Winter hadn't expected. Karina's public acknowledgment was a moment that felt too surreal to grasp, as though the world had tilted slightly. Her heart swelled, a mixture of pride and disbelief swirling inside her. For a moment, the noise, the cameras, and the audience vanished, leaving only Karina's heartfelt words echoing in Winter's ears.
Her heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushing as she became aware of the eyes now on her. Winter managed a soft, bashful smile, dipping her head slightly in acknowledgment of Karina's words without drawing too much attention. Inside, her emotions threatened to spill over, the love and affection she had tried to contain rushing forward with an intensity she hadn't anticipated. She had never expected Karina to make such a public declaration, yet hearing those words—girlfriend—felt like everything she had quietly hoped for but never dared to ask.
