Hearts in chaos: Hearts Entwined book 4

20

Jin’s heart raced as he pushed open the door to his restaurant, the familiar scent of fried rice and sizzling meat greeting him. He was still reeling from the confrontation with Mina the previous night, but he needed to focus on the day ahead.

As he made his way to the back office, he caught sight of her—Mina—sitting at one of the tables with a man, her laughter ringing out like an annoying bell. Jin clenched his fists, the anger bubbling up inside him as memories of their life together flashed before his eyes.

“Jin!” she called out, spotting him. “Come join us!”

He felt his blood boil. “No, thanks. I’m busy,” he snapped, forcing himself to turn away and head to his office.

“Busy ignoring your responsibilities?” she shot back, a smirk playing on her lips.

He gritted his teeth and pushed through the door to his office, slamming it behind him. The last thing he needed was her taunting voice haunting him while he tried to run his business.

Moments later, she followed him in, her heels clicking against the floor as she entered with a swagger that made him want to scream. “Why so angry, Jin? You’ve got everything you wanted—full custody of Jiwoon and a successful restaurant,” she said, leaning against the desk, a mocking smile on her face.

“Is this why you came here? To rub it in my face?” Jin asked, his voice low and controlled, but he could feel his temper flaring.

Mina rolled her eyes. “I came to see our son, but I guess you’re too busy sulking. I’d be bored too if I had to stay home all day with a toddler.”

“Don’t you dare talk about Jiwoon like that!” he spat, stepping closer to her. “You said you didn’t want contact. You said you didn’t want anything to do with us, so why are you here?”

“I just wanted to see how you’re managing without me,” she taunted, crossing her arms. “You seem so... content with your little life. But I guess it’s easy when you have a nanny to help you out, right?”

“Leave Mia out of this,” Jin warned, his voice cold. “She’s doing a great job with Jiwoon, and she actually cares about him.”

Mina laughed, a high-pitched sound that grated on his nerves. “Cares? Is that what you call it? Just because she’s playing house with you doesn’t mean she’s invested. Don’t get too comfortable. You’re still just a single dad to a kid who won’t remember you when he grows up.”

Jin felt the sting of her words. “You don’t get to say that. You made your choice to walk away. You’re the one who doesn’t care!”

“Maybe I didn’t care enough,” she said, shrugging casually. “But you should really get used to being a failure. Just like you were when we were together.”

Fury coursed through him as he took a step closer, every ounce of restraint slipping away. “Get out. Now,” he growled.

Mina’s smile faded as she sensed the seriousness in his tone. “Or what? You’ll call the cops on me? You’re pathetic, Jin. You think you can keep me away forever? I’ll always be a part of your life.”

“Not if I have anything to do with it,” he shot back. “You’ve lost your right to be in our lives. You don’t get to come here and act like you care after abandoning us!”

The tension in the room was thick, and for a moment, Jin thought she might finally leave. But then, with an infuriating calmness, she smirked and said, “You can’t just wish me away. You’ll have to deal with me one way or another, Jin.”

With that, she turned on her heel and strode out of his office, her laughter ringing in his ears like an echo of all the pain she had caused him. Jin slammed his fist against the wall, the frustration boiling over.