our crossed paths | jww.

thirty one.

Most relationships begin with hope, love, and excitement. But they often break apart, not due to grand betrayals or earth-shattering events, but because of small misunderstandings and miscommunications.

Slowly, cracks form—unseen at first, but steadily widening. Words left unsaid, doubts unaddressed, and insecurities buried too deep eventually rise to the surface, pushing people apart.

Without realizing it, this was happening to Wonwoo and Jiwoo too.

Despite the love between them, there were blurry lines neither of them had dared to cross. Neither of them had fully shared their fears or confronted the growing distance.

After the tense family breakfast, Jiwoo excused herself. The silence stretched as she slipped away, hoping to let the awkwardness fade, but Wonwoo was already waiting for her just outside.

"Jiwoo," he started, his tone unusually direct. "Can we talk?"

She froze, knowing where this was heading. She turned, nodding for him to go ahead.

He took a breath, steadying himself before asking. "Am I not in your plans for the future?"

Jiwoo's heart dropped, the words hitting her with surprising force. "Wonwoo, that's not fair," she replied, her voice rising defensively. "Why would you even think that?"

"The way you brushed off the marriage question in there... it felt like you couldn't picture it with me. Like I'm just... here. A replacement. Someone to fill in for what you lost with Haejoon."

"It's not that--"

"Because," he said, running a frustrated hand through his hair, "I feel it, Jiwoo. Ever since last night, you've been distant. And after everything Haein said, I don't know... did she actually make you question how you feel about me?"

"Are you doubting me right now?"

Jiwoo looked away, gathering her thoughts. "Wonwoo, I'm allowed to have moments of uncertainty. Everyone has a past, things they can't just leave behind." Her voice grew tense, almost challenging.

"And frankly, I could say the same to you. Do you think I don't see that shadow in your eyes every time Seolhee comes up?? She's there, Wonwoo. Just like Haejoon is there for me."

"It isn't easy to erase our pasts, Wonwoo. Don't tell me you don't know that because we both know damn fucking well how the past haunts us." Jiwoo snapped.

His jaw tightened, and his voice dropped to a whisper. "I know she's part of my life, but I've done everything I can to show you that my future is with you. Have you done the same?"

Her words slipped out sharper than she'd intended. "Maybe if you stopped questioning my commitment at every turn, you'd see that I'm trying. You're not the only one with scars, Wonwoo. Why can't you understand that?"

The silence between them felt as if it could shatter with a single breath. Both stood there, the weight of their insecurities laid bare, unable to look each other in the eye. The air crackled with tension, words still unspoken, hurts still raw.

Finally, they both whispered, almost at the same time, "I'm sorry."

But neither of them reached out, neither willing to cross the fragile line drawn between them. 

Jiwoo still carried the weight of her past, and Wonwoo, despite his steady affection, began to feel like he wasn't enough, that he wasn't Jiwoo's true choice.

The deeper emotions—the worries, the uncertainties—were left unspoken. They both sensed something was wrong, but neither was willing to take the first step to address it.

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