THE BITCH CEO (Im Nayeon)

61

NO ONE'S POV

An hour had passed, but to Nayeon, it felt like days. The jazz music that once calmed her nerves now felt oppressive.

She'd tried burying herself to the movie she's  watching to shake off the lingering tension from Hans's earlier visit, but her thoughts kept drifting back to her, and to that article about Tuba.

Her eyes focused uselessly on the tv, her mind racing with a mix of frustration, jealousy, and unwelcome nostalgia.

As if the universe had a cruel sense of humor, her thoughts were interrupted by the unmistakable sound of Haven's laughter echoing down the hallway.

Nayeon's heart softened slightly, her mood momentarily lifting as she imagined her little girl's happy face.

Then, the door to her office burst open.

"Mommy! Look! Look who I'm with!" Haven called out, her voice high with excitement.

Nayeon's stomach dropped as she looked up.

There was Haven, her tiny hand wrapped tightly around Hans' much larger one, practically dragging Hans into the office. Her blonde curls bounced as she skipped forward, her bright red sneakers lighting up with each step. Hans followed closely behind, a bemused smile on her face, her free hand shoved casually into her pocket.

"Mommy, ta-daa! It's Hans!" Haven dramatically announced, her tiny hands gesturing theatrically at Hans, who stood leaning against the doorframe.

Nayeon stifled a laugh, amused by her daughter's flair for the dramatic. She always had a way of making even the simplest things feel like grand events.

"I saw her outside talking to Aunt Yeji." Haven continued, her voice bubbling with excitement as she grabbed Hans' hand and pulled her into the office.

For a moment, Nayeon just stared at Hans. The sight of her ex standing there, so at ease, brought a swirl of emotions she couldn't fully untangle.

Haven's joy clashed painfully with the turmoil simmering inside her. Hans' presence, mixed with her unresolved feelings and the shadow of Tüba's name still lurking in her mind, only made things worse.

But she couldn't let any of it show. Not in front of Haven.

"I was about to leave this floor when I heard her shouting my name." Hans said, her tone casual, though there was a glint of amusement in her eyes.

"I told her to come here!" Haven chimed in, entirely unaware of the tension brewing between her mothers.

Nayeon swallowed hard, knowing full well she couldn't push Hans away. Not when Haven was there. Not when, despite everything, Haven had been growing closer to Hans. That was all that mattered—Haven's happiness.

"I didn't know you brought her here. But I'm beyond happy to see my daughter here." Hans murmured, her voice dropping low enough for only Nayeon to hear.

Nayeon's throat tightened at the words. Hans' gaze softened as she looked at Haven, but Nayeon quickly turned away, unable to meet it.

Before she could dwell on it, Haven tugged Hans toward the couch where Nayeon was seated.

"Sit here besides Mommy, okay? She instructed confidently.

Then, as if remembering something important, she added,

"Oh! I forgot Nanny Jeong is still in Grandpa's office. I'll go get her!" She said giggling as she dashed for the door, leaving her mothers alone.

"Okay, sweetie. Don't run too much."  Nayeon called after her, watching her little blonde curls bounce out of sight.