ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏɴᴅ ᴏғ ʟᴏᴠᴇ || ʟᴇᴇ ʜᴇᴇsᴇᴜɴɢ [✔️]

Special Chapter 02 - Kim Nina

Kim Nina's POV

Heeseung has always been a workaholic. I knew it from the beginning—he puts his everything into whatever he does. It’s one of the things I admire most about him, but sometimes, it’s also what frustrates me the most. We’ve had arguments about it before, but lately, it feels like we’re living in separate worlds. He’s barely home anymore. Our kids ask for him, and when he does come home, he’s so exhausted that he retreats to his home office or collapses into bed.

I know he’s doing his best. I know being the CEO of a multi-million dollar company and pursuing his music career is demanding. I understand; I always do. But lately, my patience feels like it’s wearing thin. When he’s home, he’s working. At the dinner table, he’s working. Even when we sleep side by side, I feel like he’s not truly with me. He forgets meals, loses sleep, and worst of all, he doesn’t notice the growing distance between us.

Tonight is no different.

I came home from work, stressed and tired. Rowoon, our eldest, is now in middle school, and Jaehyun, our youngest, is growing so fast it feels like I blink and miss it. I spent the evening with them, tucking them into bed after breastfeeding Jaehyun and ruffling Rowoon’s hair until he fell asleep in my lap. Once they were settled, I stepped out of their room, careful not to make a sound, and headed to the kitchen.

The sight of the untouched food on the dining table made my heart ache. I hadn’t eaten yet because I was waiting for him, hoping he’d come home and we could share a meal like we used to. It’s past ten now, and it’s the same routine—he’s late again. I sighed and sat on the sofa, scrolling through my phone to pass the time.

His messages popped up on the screen, all sent hours ago.

“I’ll be late tonight. Don’t wait up for me.”
“Take care of yourself.”
“I love you.”

I read them, shutting off my phone with a heavy heart. The words felt hollow, like a ritual rather than a genuine connection.

The soft click of the front door startled me. I looked up to see him stepping inside, looking drained. His tie was loose, his coat slung over his arm, and his hair was slightly disheveled.

He didn’t notice me at first, his mind clearly elsewhere, until I stood in front of him.

“Oh… you’re awake, honey,” he said softly, his voice tinged with guilt. “Why? You should’ve slept. You must be tired from work.”

He cupped my face gently, his warm hands trying to soothe the frustration simmering inside me. Before I could say anything, he pulled me into a hug, his arms tightening around me like he was holding onto his anchor.

I hugged him back, my fingers absently playing with his hair. “Go and freshen up. I’ll heat up the food,” I murmured, my voice quiet, devoid of emotion.

He pulled back slightly, studying my face. “Is something wrong? Have you eaten?” His eyes darted to the untouched food on the table before he looked back at me. “I’m sorry, I am late—”