A Billionaire For Hanni

Chapter 42

As Minji and Hanni continued to live under the same roof, the tension in the luxurious villa grew more palpable with each passing day. The vastness of the home, with its expansive halls and grand rooms, felt like a constant reminder of the emotional distance between them. The villa, once a symbol of comfort and success, now seemed cold and uninviting, its beauty only highlighting the cracks in their relationship.

Hanni, retreating further into herself, spent most of her days in the study or her private quarters, avoiding Minji as much as possible. She still hadn't fully processed the kiss Minji had shared with Sakura, but the hurt was undeniable. It felt like a betrayal, and despite everything, Hanni couldn't shake the feeling of being left behind.

Meanwhile, Minji was caught in a cycle of regret and longing. She loved Hanni, and every corner of the villa reminded her of the life they could have had together. Yet, there was a painful truth she couldn't ignore: Hanni had never truly loved her in the way she needed. Minji had always given, always supported, but it had never been enough. She had loved someone who couldn't meet her halfway.

One evening, as they both found themselves in the living room at the same time, the air was thick with unspoken words. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting soft shadows on the high ceilings. Minji hesitated, standing in the doorway, unsure whether to approach or retreat.

"Hanni..." she started, her voice faltering.

Hanni looked up from the book she was pretending to read, her expression unreadable. "What is it, Minji?"

Minji stepped closer, her heart pounding in her chest. "I need to know where we stand. I need you to be honest with me. I can't keep living like this, not knowing if we have any future or if we're just... existing together."

Hanni closed her book slowly, her eyes darkening. "You want honesty, Minji? You already have it. I don't love you the way you want me to. I never did."

The words hit Minji like a physical blow. She felt the weight of them settle in her chest, squeezing the air from her lungs. But she couldn't stop now. "Then what are we doing? Why are we still living like this, pretending everything is okay when it's not?"

Hanni stood up, her posture tense. "I don't know. Maybe because it's easier. Because it's comfortable. I didn't want to hurt you, Minji, but I've been lying to both of us."

Minji blinked back tears. "I've been lying too. I've been holding on to a dream, hoping things would change, hoping you'd feel something you never felt."

Hanni's gaze softened, and for a brief moment, Minji thought she saw a flicker of regret. But then it was gone, replaced by the familiar sadness. "I'm sorry, Minji. I really am. But I can't change who I am. And I don't think you can keep waiting for something that might never come."

The silence between them stretched, thick and heavy. Minji looked around at the opulence of their surroundings—the sleek furniture, the expansive windows overlooking the garden—but it all felt empty. This beautiful home, this life they had built, was nothing without love, and Minji realized that the life she thought she wanted was slipping through her fingers.

"I'm not asking you to change," Minji said quietly. "I just want the truth. I want to move forward, even if it means letting go."

Hanni nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Then maybe it's time for both of us to let go."

The finality of her words stung, but Minji knew it was the only way. With one last, lingering look at the woman she had once loved, Minji turned and walked away. As she ascended the stairs to her room, she felt the weight of the decision settle on her shoulders, but also a strange sense of relief. The villa, once a prison of silence and unspoken emotions, would soon be a place where both of them could begin to heal, separately.