THE BITCH CEO (Im Nayeon)

47

NO ONE'S POV

Hans sat quietly in the car, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her coat as the vehicle approached the gates of Nayeon's parents' mansion.

Her sisters, Lisa, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu had insisted on coming along, hoping their presence would soften the tension.

They had seen how much Hans had suffered these past years and were determined to support her, even if it meant facing the icy reception they expected.

The gates loomed ahead, tall and unyielding, much like the invisible barrier Nayeon had erected around her heart.

Hans took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, her cerulean blue eyes filled with both determination and trepidation.

As the car slowed to a stop in front of the gate, a uniformed guard approached. Lisa rolled down the window, her usual confident demeanor faltering as she spoke.

"We're here to see Nayeon unnie. Please let her know that Hans DeBourbon and her family are here." Lisa said politely.

The guard, however, didn't move to open the gate. Instead, his expression remained professional but firm.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I have strict orders from Miss Im not to allow Ms. DeBourbon or any members of the family to enter the premises."

The words hung in the air like a dagger, slicing through Hans's fragile hope.

Hans's breath hitched, and she swallowed hard, trying to keep her composure.

"Could you at least tell her we're here? My sisters just want to welcome her." Hans said, her voice trembling slightly despite her best efforts.

"I understand, ma'am, but my orders are clear. I'm not allowed to relay any messages either." The guard said and shook his head, his tone apologetic but resolute.

Inside the car, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu exchanged uneasy glances, their hearts aching for their eldest sister.

Lisa, seated behind the wheel, clenched her jaw and looked over at Hans, who was staring out the window in silence, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"It's okay. Let's go." Hans whispered, her voice barely audible.

Lisa hesitated for a moment, her hands tightening on the steering wheel. She hated seeing Hans unnie like this, defeated, broken.

But she knew there was no point in arguing.

With a heavy sigh, she nodded and shifted the car into reverse.

As they began to pull away, Dahyun placed a comforting hand on Hans's shoulder.

"You tried, unnie. That's all you can do for now." She said softly.

"It's not fair. Nayeon unnie doesn't even know how much you've changed, how much you've regretted everything. She should at least hear you out." Chaeyoung said as she leaned forward from the back seat, her voice tinged with frustration.

"She doesn't want to hear me. And maybe... maybe she never will." Hans let out a bitter chuckle, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery.

"She's hurting, unnie. But that doesn't mean she'll hate you forever. Just...give it time." Tzuyu, the quietest of them all, reached out and took Hans's hand, squeezing it gently.

Lisa glanced at her sister through the rearview mirror, her heart aching at the raw pain on her Hans unnie's face.

Hans nodded silently, tears slipping down her cheeks as she stared out at the retreating mansion gates.