ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏɴᴅ ᴏғ ʟᴏᴠᴇ || ʟᴇᴇ ʜᴇᴇsᴇᴜɴɢ [✔️]

🪻 Hundred Broken Hearts

◤──•~❉᯽❉~•──◥

"I've spent years burying the pieces of us, only to find them unearthed by a single touch, a single word. I can forgive him for his absence... but how do I forgive the part of myself that still longs for him?"

~ Kim Nina

◣──•~❉᯽❉~•──◢

Standing outside Rowoon's door, Nina took a deep breath, pressing her hand to her chest in an attempt to steady her heart. It was pounding too fast, the rawness of Heeseung's words still lingering like a haunting echo in her mind. Finally, after composing herself, Nina knocked lightly before opening the door.

Nina gently closed Rowoon's bedroom door, finding him curled up at the edge of his bed, his small face buried in his knees. He looked up at her approach, eyes slightly red-rimmed, clearly holding back tears. Her heart ached at the sight, and she slowly sat beside him, resting a comforting hand on his back.

"Hey, Rowoon," she said softly, her voice soothing. "I know things were a bit rough earlier. Do you want to talk about it?"

Rowoon sniffled, wiping his eyes before speaking, his voice a soft mumble. "Papa didn't mean to be mean, right ? Is he mad at me ? I am sorry, I didn't mean to make him angry..."

Nina nodded, understanding the unspoken weight Rowoon was carrying. Even at his young age, he was perceptive and could sense when his father was struggling. "He was just... Tired. Sometimes, when we're tired or not feeling well, we can say things we don't mean. He is not mad at you. Your dad loves you very much, Rowoon."

He looked down, fidgeting with his fingers. "I know... but sometimes it feels like he's far away, even when he's right here."

She put a gentle hand on his, her voice tender. "It's okay to feel that way. He's been through a lot lately, and so have you. And you're very brave, Rowoon, to love him and understand him so much."

Rowoon's gaze softened, his small hand reaching out to hold hers. "Miss Nina...when you're here, it feels...safe. Like everything will be okay."

Her heart warmed at his words. She'd always sensed a special connection between them, an unspoken bond that felt deeper than most therapist-client relationships. "Thank you, Rowoon. I'm glad you feel that way because I'm here for you, no matter what."

After a quiet pause, Rowoon's eyes darted up, a glimmer of hope in them. "Miss Nina... do you ever... want to stay? Like, not just for Papa's sessions?"

Nina's heart skipped at the innocence in his question, and she gave him a warm, reassuring smile. "I'll always be here when you need me, Rowoon. And I think your dad would like that too."

Rowoon's face lit up with a shy smile as he hugged her. For a moment, she felt his small frame relax in her arms, like he'd finally found a sense of peace. As she held him close, Nina made a silent promise to herself to be there for both Rowoon and Heeseung, however they needed her-though she hadn't yet fully realized just how much they both hoped she would stay.