Jade and Joshua were once the quintessential high school sweethearts, their young love blooming in the hallways of their school, filled with laughter and shared dreams. However, an unforeseen event shattered their once unbreakable bond, sending them...
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Jiwon's feet throbbed painfully in her sandals, and the weight of her dress felt increasingly burdensome as she and Jeonghan ascended the final flight of stairs. With a soft push, they opened the door to their apartment, and a wave of silence enveloped them. The stillness indicated that Jayoung, Joshua, and Eric had stepped out, and Jiwon felt a rush of relief. In moments like this, she cherished the quietude that offered her a brief respite from the world.
As she shrugged off Jeonghan's coat, holding it protectively in her arms, he glanced at her with concern. "Do you need help with your dress, Jiwon?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine care. A faint smile graced her lips as she replied, "I'll be fine, Jeonghan. Let's get changed first, and then we can enjoy some cup noodles." He nodded in agreement, disappearing behind the door of his room.
Jiwon climbed the stairs to her bedroom, where she found the space empty and the bed neatly made. Suddenly, memories of the morning flooded her mind—the way Joshua had held her close, their bodies pressed together in a moment that was both intimate and confusingly charged.
She closed her eyes, feeling the turmoil of her emotions swirling within her. It was maddening how Joshua could invoke such feelings in her. He had wronged her in ways that still stung, yet here he was again, treating her with kindness. Was it genuine, or simply for appearances? The uncertainty gnawed at her.
Shaking off those thoughts like leaves in the wind, Jiwon made her way to the walk-in closet. In swift, practised motions, she peeled off the evening gloves, slipped out of her heels, and laid down the heavy jewellery that adorned her. With a sigh of relief, she unzipped her dress and let it slide off her body, leaving her in only her black undergarments.
Hanging the dress carefully, she noticed that most of her clothes had already been packed for their early departure to Bordeaux the next morning. The dress would remain here for now, perhaps to be worn again in the future. A sense of urgency propelled her towards the bathroom; the makeup still clinging to her face felt suffocating.
She rummaged through the small cabinet, retrieving makeup remover and cotton pads. As she diligently wiped away the remnants of the evening, she felt a wave of comfort wash over her. With a final splash of water to cleanse her face, she stepped into the shower. The cold droplets cascading down her back were invigorating, rejuvenating her senses after the long night. After a refreshing fifteen minutes, she emerged, opting for comfy shorts and an oversized black hoodie.
However, the familiar cramps returned, a relentless reminder of her discomfort. With each passing moment, the pain intensified, making her clutch her lower belly tightly. Turning off the lights in both the bathroom and her bedroom, she descended the stairs.
Jeonghan had already settled onto the couch, scrolling through his phone. He had changed into a pair of black trousers and a crisp white shirt, his hair slightly tousled. Jiwon couldn't help but find him incredibly endearing in that moment.
