It had been days since the night Solji made another drunken mistake and Jeno was still in shock. If Jaemin were to burn Jeno's house down, he probably wouldn't react.

Right now, they were at the hospital lobby, drinking coffee. Jaemin was fussing about the situations in the emergency room and blabbered about what it would be like once he's finally finished with all his studies. Getting medicine-related course meant you're bound to your job for the rest of your life, signing your youth away.

He didn't mind, though. But he surely knew that his friend needed help.

"Jeno, are you even listening to me?" Jaemin asked. He pinched Jeno's thigh which woke the latter from his reverie.

"She confessed... oh my God... yes? Are you saying something?" Jeno asked. He seemed to be really out of it.

"Saying something? Dude, I have been talking for almost half an hour now and you didn't even listen to any of it?" Jaemin sighed, disappointed. "I probably need to find a new best friend."

Jeno threw him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. There's just a lot of things going on in my mind right now."

"By a lot of things, you meant Solji confessing to you that night?"

Jeno was flustered but he didn't deny it. He covered his face that now turned beet red. How could he forget the night when the girl he liked finally confessed to him? He should be happy that they were feeling the same way but his situation was far too complicated to even entertain romantic feelings.

His parents were getting a divorce and his mother was still recovering. There was no time for him to even celebrate.

"How did that confession make you feel?" Jaemin asked.

Jeno sighed. "I was elated at first but then I realized... she deserved better. If there's someone out there who deserved her, it's Mark. Not me."

"If there's one thing you're good at, it's self-loathing," Jaemin replied. "You don't get to decide who deserves her or not. If she tells you she likes you, you can't do anything about it."

"But I don't think I deserve that kind of love. Look at me? I grew up in a toxic household. I grew up watching my Dad hurt my Mom and I... I don't think I deserve love."

Jaemin scooted closer to Jeno and looked into his eyes. "Have you forgotten what I said? If there's anyone here who deserves the world, it's you. Growing up in that kind of household isn't you fault. What you did back there at your house was such a brave thing to do. You saved your mom. And you grew up quite well. Jeno, don't hurt yourself anymore."

Jeno let Jaemin's words sink in. It was still too much. Everything was too overwhelming. He knew he deserved love but he was afraid that they would end up like his parents. Two people who rushed into love, caged by marriage, and ended up failing it.

But Jaemin was right. Whatever happened to his parents wasn't his fault. If anything, he knew just what to avoid. Still, there was lingering fear in his heart.

If he were given the opportunity to pursue Solji, he might just give it up.

***

Solji found Irene in the kitchen putting fresh fruits in a basket. There was also a bouquet of pink flowers on the counter tied with a pink ribbon.

"Where are you going?" Solji asked.

Irene was surprised when she saw her daughter leaning on the wall before walking to her.

"I'm going to visit Tiffany at the hospital," Irene replied. "Do you want to come with me?"

Solji's heart raced at the question. Irene was going to talk to Tiffany, the woman that Jeno's father loved unconditionally and also his mother's best friend. Visiting Tiffany meant potentially seeing Jeno. Was she ready to face him?

Unfortunately, Solji couldn't remember what happened to her the night they went out. She couldn't remember that she confessed to Jeno and repeatedly begged him to come back. They had to call Doyoung to drive her home since she didn't want to let Jeno go.

When Doyoung saw Solji clinging on Jeno, he snatched her away instantly, glaring at Jeno in the process. He didn't speak. He didn't curse him. But he was so mad when he found his sister crying on the ground that night. Jeno couldn't meet Doyoung's eyes. While driving back home, Solji kept calling Jeno's name and all Doyoung could do was watch his sister sympathetically.

The next day she woke up, her head was buzzing.

"Will you be okay?" Solji asked her mother.

"Of course," Irene replied.

"I'll go with you," Solji said and then went up to her room to change her clothes. She was only going to visit the hospital but she was dressed to kill. She made herself believe that she only dressed up because she wanted to look presentable.

Of course, that's the only reason! It's not like I'm dressing up for him just in case he sees me or anything!

After a few minutes, they were ready to go.

Solji drove them to the hospital. This was also the first time she was going to visit since she wasn't brave enough to face whatever was waiting there. She felt guilty for thinking about Jeno instead of his mother that was injured. Now that she's with her mother, she felt braver. But it seemed like her mother was the one who was more nervous now.

She kept tugging the hem of her blouse while looking outside. She was humming too, something that she would only do to distract herself.

Finally, they reached to the hospital. As they stepped out, a cold harsh wind blew their hair to their face and Solji had to spit a fee strands out of her mouth.

"Are you ready?" Irene asked Solji but it seemed that she was also asking herself.

"You'll be fine, Mom," Solji said and wrapped her arm around her mother's shoulder. Irene gave her a tight-lipped smile before frowning.

"Since when did you become taller than me?" Irene asked and Solji only rolled her eyes before walking to the entrance of the hospital.

They arrived at the floor where Tiffany was admitted and Irene's heart was hammering inside her chest. Meanwhile, Solji was discreetly looking around, searching for a certain tall man with sharp nose and defined jaw.

She didn't know what to feel when they reached in front of the door. She squeezed her mother's hand tightly.

"Ready?" Solji asked.

"Ready," Irene replied.

Irene knocked on the door and they heard a muffled voice inside. They took that as an answer and slid the door open. Tiffany was lying in the hospital bed. Her arms were wrapped in a bandage and she looked paler and thinner the last time Solji saw her.

She looked beautiful nonetheless.

Tiffany was surprised at the visitors who came unannounced. Solji was anxiously looking at her, waiting for a negative reaction. But it didn't come. Instead, she smiled.

The smile that painfully reminded her of someone.

"Irene..." Tiffany called her best friend's name. "You brought your daughter with you. Come sit down," she said and gestured at the chairs beside her bed.

Irene smiled at her. "I brought you your favorite flowers."

"In my favorite color," Tiffany said and giggled. "Thank you."

Irene and Solji sat beside Tiffany. Up close, her lips were chapped and there were bruises on her neck down to her body in varying shades of purple and green. She would wince every time she moved but she managed to conceal it. Solji was internally horrified about how she was treated so badly to receive such injuries.

"How are you feeling?" Irene asked.

"Like shit," Tiffany answered then her gaze settled on Solji. "Oh sorry for cursing."

Solji instantly shook her head. "No worries! It's fine!"

Tiffany nodded before turning to Irene again. "I'm so glad you came here. I'm so bored to death. I thought I might talk to a wall if things go on like this."

"Where's Jeno?" Irene asked.

"He's at school right now. He submitted his plates to his professor."

Solji didn't know if she should feel relieved or disappointed.

"He hasn't slept since the day I was brought here. I doubt he's eating well. He's looking after me while doing his studies. I told him to just send one of our housemaids but he insisted on looking after me himself."

Solji gulped as she remembered Jeno's exhausted face the last night she saw him. Perhaps, him leaving her was the best. It meant more time for himself. But was it really necessary? He could've shared his burden with her. She would willingly take some of it.

Why was I thinking about him now?

"The thing you told about me on the phone call... I'm sorry..." Irene said before she heaved a deep sigh. Tiffany's brows furrowed before she realized what Irene meant.

"Irene... we both know it's not your fault," Tiffany said.

This time, Irene couldn't hold back the tears. "I can't. I... I ruined your marriage. It's because of me that's why you're here."

Tiffany scooted closer to Irene even though every movement was agonizing for her. Her hands were wrapped in bandage so she couldn't hold Irene's hands.

"Did you intend it to happen? Did it bring you happiness that our marriage failed? Did you seduce my husband? You didn't, Irene. It's not you fault that he still hadn't moved on from you. I know how much he loved you but I still pushed it, thinking that I could make him change his heart but I was wrong.

"Whatever happened to me was partly my fault and none of yours. Irene, I'm so thankful to have you as my friend. Please don't blame yourself anymore. I'm sorry I can't give you a hug right now."

Irene only laughed and wiped her tears away. Tiffany was crying, too. It felt so heartwarming to watch the two of them talk about the things that bothered them without judgment. Both of them were mature enough to talk things out.

If only we had more time, Jeno.

"What are your plans now?" Irene asked. "Are you going to sue Donghae?"

"The divorce papers are already being processed. He has to sign it as soon as possible. I don't think I have the heart and strength to sue him but I will make sure he will not be stepping in all of my properties. He's not allowed to get near me or our son. I'm also planning to go to New York," Tiffany replied.

The last sentence caught Solji's attention.

"What are you going to do in New York? You're too weak to work, Tiffany. You should prioritize your health."

"I know. I'm not going to work. I'm going to continue my medication there and probably process a few important stuff. I don't want to stay here, Irene. Being in South Korea is suffocating."

Irene nodded understandingly. "Tell me when is your flight so I can see you off."

Tiffany nodded and then turned to Solji who was still shocked. "Thank you for being with Jeno. I know that everything was happening too fast when you got engaged. He told me that he broke off the engagement. I just want to let you know that during the time he was with you, he was happy. Probably the happiest he had been. I owe you so much, Solji. Thank you for making my son happy."

Solji couldn't speak. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't find her voice and the right things to say.

Irene glanced at her daughter worriedly.

She wanted to leave the room. It was suffocating her. So when Mark entered the room, it was the perfect excuse to escape.

"Where are you taking me?" Mark asked. When Solji didn't speak, he forced her to stop by holding her arm firmly and then he saw her crying. It was enough for him to move on his own and find a place where they could stay. Irene and Tiffany were left in the hospital, probably to talk more. Irene told Solji that she would just call their driver so she could hang out for while.

They found a cozy cafe near the hospital and occupied the stools facing the glass window. Mark ordered capuccino for Solji and latte for him. His eyes didn't leave Solji who seemed to be traumatized.

When he got their order, he placed the cup of cappuccino in front of her. She still didn't utter a word. Mark was beginning to get worried.

"Nice weather," Mark commented half-heartedly, trying to start a casual conversation.

"The sky is literally black, Mark," Solji replied. When Mark glanced at the sky outside, he just wanted to be swallowed by the ground.

"You know what I mean," Mark simply said. He didn't know what he meant.

"Jeno's mother said they're going back to New York..." Solji finally said which made Mark's head turn.

"Oh... that's why..."

"That's why what?"

"I've been to Jeno's house before I visited his mom. He was packing his things when I arrived. He didn't tell me what for. I just brought him food then I went to the hospital."

Solji nodded gravely before focusing her gaze outside. She tried to numb herself. Tried not to feel anything. Still, her tears fell down.

"I'm so tired of crying," Solji hissed and wiped her cheeks.

"Solji..."

"I knew it. Maybe we're really not just meant to be. Fate is pulling as apart. Maybe trying to save us from an impending heartbreak."

"But what if this is just a challenge you needed to overcome before you reconcile?"

Solji let out a humorless laugh. "Don't give me false hope. He's going to start a new life in New York and I'll be left here. That's good for him. You can't heal from the same environment that was toxic for you. That's good. I'll support him."

Mark pained to see Solji lose hope.

"Where's the determined girl I met before?" Mark asked.

"Gone. She's gone. She embraced her pathetic side."

"Or maybe you're just trying to block her the same way you're blocking the possibility that your situation could be saved."

Solji gave Mark an incredulous look. "Saved? How? Jeno literally told me that our engagement was broken. If we still had a chance, he would've been here."

"What if you're the one who needs to make a move now?" Mark asked. "Jeno is facing his own battles and if you want to be there for him, if you want to fix this, you need to swallow your own pride. Jeno had done a lot of things for you. You said it yourself. Maybe this time, you're the one who needs to move."

Solji looked at the sky. Rain started pouring heavily and they watched as people ran for cover. Her eyes caught a couple who leisurely walked under the pouring rain with big smiles on their face. People might think they're weird but none of it mattered. Nobody knew how happy they were.

"I love Jeno so much... but I don't think there's something left to fight for."

Mark knew damn well that he had no hope yet he stayed. This was his last shot. He would do it, not because he wanted to take a chance but because Solji needed a light push.

"I like you, Solji," Mark said all of a sudden.

Solji looked at Mark as if asking him if she heard it right. When he didn't reply, Solji gave him a betrayed look.

"Mark," Solji warned. "Stop fucking around."

Mark chuckled without humor. "I'm not kidding, Solji. I like you the moment that I saw you and I thought it was just pure admiration, but I fell. Solji, I couldn't help it. I tried to fight it but I couldn't. I like you so damn much that I will not hesitate to snatch you away from Jeno if you tell me you like me."

Solji was dumbfounded as she stared at Mark. Sincerity was written all over his face, but she felt nothing. Deep inside, she was waiting for Mark to tell her that it was just a joke because he was crazy like that, but it didn't come.

"Mark... I'm sorry."

Mark nodded. He expected the answer, but that didn't mean it didn't sting. Perhaps, he indeed lied. He didn't just like her. He loved her.

"Do you love Jeno enough to fight for him?"

That question caught Solji off-guard. "I... I don't know. Why are you asking me that?"

"Is there a chance that you'll like me?"

"Mark, stop. Please. Stop making the situation complicated."

"I'm making it simple for you, Solji. It's a yes or no question."

"No, I'm sorry. I couldn't. I can't change how I feel."

"Okay. I understand. Do you love Jeno enough to fight for him?"

"What?"

"You love him, don't you? Why don't you go to him and tell him that?"

"Why are you deciding for me?"

"Because you're running out of time! You're wasting your chance running around in circles when you could've just be honest with yourself. Jeno is slipping away, do you understand me?"

It was the first time that Mark lost his patience. It was the first time that Solji saw him so frustrated.

"Solji, you're smart but I'm sorry to tell this to you. Stop being fucking stubborn and be honest with yourself. If you are not so sure that you love Jeno then are you willing to lose without putting up a fight?"

The rain was pouring harder and they had to practically shout to hear each other.

"No!" Solji yelled. "I... I can't lose him. I don't wanna lose him! I like Jeno! No, I love him. I love him and I will fight for him!"

Mark's expression softened as he stared at Solji's determined face. Her hands were shaking but she put on a tough face. Mark smiled, grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a hug.

"Go get your man. Stop him from going to New York. He's in his house. Go!"

There was sadness in his voice and Solji knew it was for her. He was breaking deep inside and she couldn't do anything aside from returning his hug before pulling away.

Mark watched as Solji run away, the distance between them growing bigger until she disappeared. He was left there standing while smiling to himself.

"I will never regret loving you," he whispered to himself.

Meanwhile, Solji ran to the hospital's parking lot where she left her car. She was practically drenched in rain and didn't even turn on the heater. Her mother would kill her for drenching the car but none of it mattered. She drove to Jeno's apartment.

She silently prayed to catch him there. The guard was surprised when he saw her and she flashed the card without waiting. She entered the elevator and pressed the twenty-third button multiple times.

"Jeno, please. Please," she chanted to herself. It was agonizing to wait and when the elevator finally arrived to her destination, she sprinted out of the elevator.

Standing in front of Jeno's door doubled her anxiety. Her ears were ringing and her whole body was shaking from the cold. Solji pressed the doorbell and waited.

She closed her eyes, waiting for the owner to open.

To say that Jeno was flabbergasted when he saw Solji at the monitor was an understatement. She was drenched from the pouring rain and there was a determined look in her face.

Jeno immediately opened the door and tell Solji to come in when the latter threw herself in his arms.

"Jeno! Please! Jeno, please don't go. Don't leave. Please!"

Solji attached herself to Jeno like a glue and wrapped her arms around his neck. Jeno held Solji's waist, trying to pry her away from him but she only hugged him tighter.

"Solji, I'm not going anywhere."

"No! You're leaving. I know you're leaving soon. Please, Jeno don't go."

Jeno finally succeeded to untangle Solji's arms and he was surprised to see her crying.

"I love you, Jeno. I love you so much. I'm sorry for all the things I did. Just please, hear me out. Let's talk, please. Don't go!"

Solji was sobbing harder and Jeno didn't know what to do. He cradled Solji in his arms, his warmth enveloping her body.

"We'll talk, Solji. Just take a shower and change your clothes first. You'll get sick."

"Don't go..."

"I'm not going to go anywhere. I'll wait for you."

Thankfully, Solji was reassured enough so she nodded and Jeno guided her to his room. Solji saw the suitcase beside Jeno's bed and she tried not to breakdown again while Jeno picked clothes for her.

"Here. Take a shower and get changed and then we'll talk."

Jeno handed her a pair of boxers and oversized shirt and gestured at the bathroom. Solji took the clothes and disappeared to take a bath. Jeno changed his wet clothes and sat comfortably on the edge of his bed.

It only took Solji ten minutes to finish her bath and now she's towel drying her hair. The shirt reached her mid-thigh, the boxers being covered by the hem.

Jeno gulped at the sight in front of him. Without hesitation, he stood up and pinned Solji againt the wall, her arms pinned above her head using one hand.

"Jeno..." Solji called him nervously. His eyes dropped down her lips that were slightly agape.

"Will you hate me if I kiss you?" Jeno asked.

Solji was silent for a moment, unable to process the statement right away. "No... why would I hate you? I love you Jeno..."

Her voice was music to his ears. Especially those three words that made his heart skip a beat.

"Can I kiss you?" Jeno asked. "I promise we'll talk later. I'm going to go crazy if I won't kiss you right now."

Solji took a deep breath before nodding. "Go ahead."

That was enough for Jeno to crash his lips against Solji's. Her lips were smooth and soft under his. His other hand lifted her chin and deepened the kiss.

They would talk later.

But for now, Jeno had other stuff he needed to do.