Areum didn't even realise where she was walking until she saw the mahogany sign of her own cafe. Her legs had brought her back to the only place she felt safe.

She burst through the door, the bell clanging violently. Jin was in the middle of restocking the milk fridge, but he dropped a carton when he saw her. Her face was pale, and her eyes were wide and glossy.

"Areum? What happened?" He was over the counter in a second, grabbing her shoulders. "Was it a weirdo? Did he do something?"

Areum couldn't speak for a second. She just shook her head, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "It was him, Jin."

Jin frowned, his grip on her shoulders tightening. "Who? Jungkook came back?"

"No," she choked out, finally looking at him. "Jimin. J.M. was Jimin."

Jin went completely still. The name hung in the air like a curse. He knew exactly what that name did to her. He was the one who had stayed up with her for weeks during their final year of university when she couldn't eat or sleep because of that "immature" heartbreak.

"He's back," she whispered, her voice breaking. "He said he's 'settled' now. He looked me in the eye like he didn't leave me when I needed him most."

Jin's expression shifted from worry to a cold, hard anger that Areum rarely saw on him. He pulled her into a tight hug, his chin resting on top of her head.

"He's got a lot of nerve," Jin muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "Using a dating app to trick you? That's not 'settled.' That's pathetic."

Areum leaned into him, her forehead resting against his chest. For a moment, the steady beat of his heart was the only thing keeping her grounded.

"I'm deleting it," she said into his shirt. "I'm deleting the app. I'm done with all of them."

Jin didn't let go. He just held her tighter. "Maybe that's a good idea. You don't need an app to find someone who actually stays."

He pulled back just enough to look at her, his hands still on her arms. "Go upstairs and wash your face. I'll lock the door and make some food. No more dates, Ari. Just us tonight."

Areum nodded, feeling a small sense of relief. But as she turned to go to the back room, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

Unknown Number: I know you're angry. But I'm not giving up that easily. We're adults now, Areum. Let me show you who I've become.

Areum stared at the screen, a chill running down her spine. He still had her number.