THE BITCH CEO (Im Nayeon)

55

NO ONE'S POV

One evening, as Nayeon prepared Haven for bed, her daughter's innocent question pierced through the stillness again.

"Mommy, why don't you like Hans?"

Nayeon froze mid-motion, her hands pausing over Haven's blanket. She looked at her daughter, who was watching her with curious, wide eyes, her innocence both endearing and heart-wrenching.

"It's not that I don't like her, baby. It's... complicated. Sometimes adults have problems they don't know how to fix." Nayeon said softly, tucking the blanket around Haven.

"But Hans is nice. She made me laugh, and she said I was really smart. I like her, Mommy." Haven frowned, her small fingers clutching her favorite stuffed animal.

"I know, sweetheart. And it's okay to like her. But sometimes... Mommy just needs time to figure things out, okay?" Nayeon bit the inside of her cheek, forcing herself to stay composed.

"Okay. But I think you should talk to her. That's what Aunt Mina says we should do when we're mad at someone." Haven said and nodded slowly, though her expression remained thoughtful.

Nayeon's heart clenched at her daughter's words. Even at her young age, Haven unknowingly held a wisdom that was both simple and profound.

Later that night, after Haven had fallen asleep, Nayeon sat alone in the living room, staring at her phone.

Her fingers hovered over the screen, hesitating as she debated whether to make a call she had been dreading.

She scrolled through her contacts, her thumb pausing over Hans' name. For a moment, she just stared at it, memories flooding her mind.

The way Hans used to make her laugh until her sides hurt, the way she always knew how to calm her fears, the way they had planned a future together before it all fell apart.

And then the memory of that day, the betrayal that had shattered everything. The image of Hans in someone else's arms, her excuses drowned out by the deafening sound of Nayeon's heartbreak.

Nayeon squeezed her eyes shut, as if trying to block out the memories. But her mother's voice returned, firm and persistent: 'You don't have to forgive her, but you need to hear her out.'

Taking a deep breath, Nayeon pressed the call button before she could change her mind.

The phone rang twice before Hans answered. Her voice came through the line, soft and uncertain.

"Nayeon?"

Nayeon swallowed hard, her grip tightening on the phone.

"Hans... we need to talk."

There was a pause on the other end, and when Hans spoke again, her tone was laced with hope.

"Okay. When?"

"Tomorrow. Come to the café near the park at noon. Don't be late," Nayeon said quickly, wanting to end the conversation before she second-guessed herself.

"I'll be there." Hans promised.

Nayeon hung up without another word, her heart racing as she set the phone down. She leaned back on the couch, staring at the ceiling as a mixture of dread and anticipation washed over her.

The next day, Nayeon arrived at the café a few minutes early, her nerves threatening to get the better of her.

She had barely touched the coffee she ordered, her hands fidgeting with the cup as she waited.

When Hans walked in, Nayeon felt her breath hitch. Hans looked different, stress, perhaps more tired, but her presence still carried that same quiet strength that used to make Nayeon feel safe.