Hearts in chaos: Hearts Entwined book 4

30

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains as Jin quietly opened Mia’s door. She was still resting, her fever finally gone but her body still weak from the exhaustion of fighting off the illness. Jiwoon was already awake, playing in the living room, but Jin wanted to make sure Mia was comfortable.

He approached the bed cautiously, not wanting to startle her. “Mia,” he whispered gently, his voice soft.

Mia’s eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at him, her expression still sleepy but more alert than the day before. “Morning,” she whispered, her voice scratchy but steady.

“How are you feeling?” Jin asked, crouching beside the bed to meet her eye level.

“A little better,” Mia said, offering a small smile. “Still tired, though.”

Jin nodded, relieved to see her improving but knowing she needed more time to fully recover. “You should stay on the sofa today. It’ll be more comfortable than staying in bed all day, and I’ll be here working so I can keep an eye on you.”

Mia started to protest, but Jin silenced her with a look. “No arguing. You’re still not fully better, and I don’t want you overexerting yourself.”

Mia’s heart warmed at his concern, but she also felt a little flutter of anxiety in her chest. His care was genuine, and while she appreciated it deeply, she couldn’t help but notice the growing feelings stirring inside her. Every small gesture, every thoughtful action, was slowly breaking down the walls she had built to keep her emotions in check. It was getting complicated, and the more time she spent around Jin, the more natural it felt to care for him—not just as her employer, but as something more.

She nodded, too tired to argue with him, and Jin carefully helped her out of bed. His hands were gentle but firm as he supported her weight, leading her downstairs and settling her onto the plush sofa in the living room. He draped a warm blanket over her, making sure she was comfortable before stepping back.

Jiwoon immediately ran over, his face lighting up when he saw Mia. “Mia! You’re downstairs!” he exclaimed, bouncing up to her side and sitting on the floor next to the sofa.

Mia smiled down at him, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the face of his excitement. “Hey, little one. I’m feeling much better today.”

Jiwoon grinned, clearly pleased with her progress. “I told Daddy we had to take care of you!”

Jin smiled softly from his place by the desk, where he had set up his laptop for the day. “And you did a great job, buddy.”

Jiwoon beamed, then turned back to Mia. “Do you want me to bring you something? Like water or a snack?”

Mia laughed quietly, the sound still a little hoarse but full of warmth. “I think I’m okay for now, Jiwoon, but thank you. You’re such a good helper.”

Jiwoon puffed out his chest with pride, then went back to playing with his toys on the floor, content now that Mia was nearby.

Jin settled into his work, but his eyes drifted to Mia often. He couldn’t help but notice the small things—the way she gently encouraged Jiwoon, the way she smiled despite her clear fatigue. He had always respected and admired her for how naturally she fit into their lives, but now, seeing her vulnerable like this, it stirred something deeper within him.

Mia, on the other hand, was struggling to keep her emotions in check. She lay back on the sofa, watching Jiwoon play, but her mind kept wandering to Jin. The way he had taken care of her over the past few days, the soft touches, the concern in his eyes—it was making it harder and harder for her to ignore her feelings.

This was supposed to be simple. She was hired to be Jiwoon’s nanny, to take care of him and help around the house. But as time passed, it became so much more than that. Jin wasn’t just a distant employer—he was kind, thoughtful, and devoted to his son. And Mia found herself wanting to be part of that devotion.

But it terrified her.

Her heart and mind were at odds. One part of her wanted to let herself fall, to embrace the growing connection between her and Jin. But the other part—the more rational part—knew how dangerous it could be. She had a job to do. She couldn’t let her emotions complicate things, especially when she wasn’t sure how Jin felt. For all she knew, he still saw her only as Jiwoon’s nanny, and nothing more.

The day passed slowly. Jin worked in quiet concentration, only pausing to check on Mia or play with Jiwoon when he needed a break. Every time he brought her water or asked if she needed anything, Mia felt a little more conflicted. She was grateful, of course, but it was becoming harder to keep her feelings from bubbling up to the surface.

By late afternoon, Mia’s strength had returned enough that she felt restless lying on the sofa all day. She sat up slowly, careful not to push herself too hard, and glanced over at Jin, who was still working.

“I think I might try to get up and move around a bit,” she said softly.

Jin immediately looked over, his brow furrowing. “Are you sure? You don’t want to push yourself.”

Mia nodded. “I’m feeling better. I’ll just take it slow.”

He hesitated, clearly torn between letting her be independent and wanting to take care of her. Eventually, he sighed and nodded. “Okay, but take it easy. I’ll be right here if you need anything.”

Mia smiled, touched by his concern. She slowly stood up, her legs a little shaky but steady enough. She wandered into the kitchen, needing to feel a little more useful after being cared for so much over the last few days. As she filled a glass of water, she found herself reflecting on how natural everything had begun to feel between them.

She wasn’t just Jiwoon’s nanny anymore. At least, it didn’t feel that way. And that scared her.

Later that evening, as Jin wrapped up his work for the day, he came into the kitchen to find Mia quietly preparing a small snack. He leaned against the counter, watching her for a moment before speaking.

“You’ve been quiet today,” he observed.

Mia paused, her hands stilling for a moment before she turned to face him. “Just tired, I guess,” she replied, her voice softer than usual.

Jin studied her, his eyes searching hers. He could sense something was bothering her, but he didn’t want to push. “I know this hasn’t been easy on you,” he said gently. “And I know things have been… complicated lately.”

Mia’s heart skipped a beat. Was he referring to what had happened between them—the moments of intimacy they’d shared? She wasn’t sure, but her mind raced with possibilities.

Jin continued, his voice low. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to take on too much. You’ve done so much for Jiwoon, for me. I just… I want to make sure you’re okay.”

Mia met his gaze, her chest tightening with the weight of everything she wanted to say. But instead of confessing her feelings, she simply nodded. “I’m okay, Jin. Really.”

He didn’t look entirely convinced, but he let it go, offering her a small smile before walking back into the living room to check on Jiwoon.

As Mia stood alone in the kitchen, she took a deep breath, feeling the tension in her chest. Things were changing, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready for it. But one thing was certain—her feelings for Jin weren’t going away. And sooner or later, she would have to face them, no matter how complicated it made everything.