18

Namjoon moved quietly in the kitchen, gathering the ingredients he needed to make breakfast. The scent of coffee filled the air as he brewed Hana’s favorite caramel macchiato, something he’d observed she enjoyed every morning. Though he wasn’t a gourmet chef, he could manage French toast well enough, and he hoped the simple meal would bring a smile to her face. His thoughts were still lingering from the clarity he’d gained during his run, and now more than ever, he was determined to make small efforts to connect with her.

The bread sizzled in the pan as he dipped it in the egg mixture and flipped each slice, the golden brown hue just right. He added fresh fruit on the side—strawberries, blueberries, and a few slices of banana. As the coffee machine hummed softly, Namjoon set two steaming cups of the caramel macchiato on the table, carefully arranging the plates.

His mind drifted to their conversation last night. Hana had mentioned returning to work, and though he hadn’t asked more at the time, he realized now that he didn’t know much about her career. She’d been so patient with him, never pushing for more than he was willing to share, but he wanted to change that. He wanted to know her.

Just as he finished setting the table, he glanced up to see Hana walking down the stairs. She was still in her pajamas—cotton shorts and a soft t-shirt, her hair slightly tousled from sleep. Her bare feet padded softly on the wooden floor, and despite the casualness of her attire, Namjoon couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly beautiful she looked.

He didn’t say anything at first, feeling a bit awkward. Instead, he silently plated her breakfast, carefully placing the toast, fruit, and coffee in front of her. When she reached the table, Hana smiled softly, her eyes lighting up as she saw the caramel macchiato.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice still a little raspy from just waking up. She pulled out her chair and sat down, cradling the warm cup in her hands before taking a small sip.

Namjoon watched her for a moment, something unspoken passing between them. There was a quiet comfort in the morning, the sunlight streaming through the windows casting a warm glow over the room. It wasn’t perfect, but it was something—something closer to normal than they had ever been.

As he sat down across from her, Namjoon decided to break the silence. His curiosity had been building, and he realized it was time to start asking questions, to start understanding her world.

“So,” he began, his voice calm but slightly hesitant, “you mentioned last night that you’d be going back to work tomorrow. What is it that you do, exactly?”

Hana blinked, clearly surprised. Her fork paused mid-air, and for a brief moment, her eyes widened as if she wasn’t sure she’d heard him correctly. In all the time they had been together, Namjoon had never asked her anything personal like this. He had kept his distance, and though she had never complained, Hana had likely grown used to his aloofness.

“This is... the first time you’ve asked me something like that,” she said softly, her tone almost teasing but with a hint of genuine surprise.

Namjoon’s lips twitched, almost smiling but not quite. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “Yeah... I guess I should’ve asked sooner.”

She set her fork down, her eyes softening as she looked at him. “It’s okay. I’m just... a little surprised, that’s all. But I’m glad you asked.”

He nodded, feeling a bit relieved that she didn’t seem upset. “So, what do you do?” he asked again, this time with more intention, wanting to know the details.

Hana took a deep breath, her eyes lighting up with something close to excitement as she began to explain. “I work as a lab technician. I’m part of a medical research lab. We analyze samples, run tests, and help with diagnostic research. A lot of it involves working with blood, tissue, and other biological samples. It can be a bit technical, but I really enjoy it. There’s something fulfilling about being part of a team that’s working to find answers to medical problems.”

Namjoon found himself intrigued, though he didn’t know much about the field. The passion in her voice was evident as she spoke, and it was the first time he had seen this side of her—so confident, so knowledgeable.

“Wow, that sounds... really important,” he said, genuinely impressed. “I had no idea you were involved in something like that.”

Hana smiled, taking another sip of her coffee. “It’s not glamorous, but it’s rewarding. I’ve always liked science, and being able to contribute to healthcare, even in a small way, makes me feel like I’m doing something meaningful.”

Namjoon nodded thoughtfully, realizing just how little he knew about her and how much he had been missing by keeping his walls up. This was Hana—someone who had quietly been passionate about her work, dedicated to something bigger than herself. And he had been too preoccupied with his own emotional baggage to notice.

As they ate, he found himself asking more questions—what her typical day was like, what kind of tests she ran, and whether or not she enjoyed the work environment. Hana answered each one, her voice animated and full of life. She seemed genuinely happy to share this part of herself with him, and Namjoon felt a pang of guilt for not having asked sooner.

“It must be pretty demanding,” he commented between bites of toast. “Lab work sounds like it could get pretty stressful.”

Hana nodded. “It can be, especially when we’re dealing with time-sensitive samples or trying to meet research deadlines. But I’m used to it. And honestly, I don’t mind the pressure. It keeps things interesting.”

Namjoon studied her for a moment, feeling a sense of admiration that surprised him. Here was someone who handled stress and responsibility with grace, who had her own life and ambitions outside of their marriage. He realized he had underestimated her—seeing her only as the warm, quiet woman who tried to make their marriage work. But there was so much more to her than that.

As they finished breakfast, Hana stood up to clear the plates, but Namjoon stopped her.

“I’ll take care of it,” he said, rising from his seat. “You cooked yesterday. It’s only fair.”

Hana raised an eyebrow, but she didn’t argue, stepping back as Namjoon collected the dishes and brought them to the sink. He rinsed them off, glancing over his shoulder at her as she leaned against the kitchen island, her arms crossed loosely in front of her.

“Thanks for breakfast,” she said, her voice gentle. “It was really nice.”

Namjoon nodded, feeling a warmth spread through him. “You’re welcome. I’ll have to get used to this whole... cooking and sharing thing.”

Hana laughed softly, the sound like a soft melody in the quiet morning. “You’re doing great so far,” she teased, and Namjoon couldn’t help but smile.

As he washed the dishes, Namjoon’s mind wandered back to their conversation. He had taken the first step today—asking about her life, showing interest. And it hadn’t been as difficult as he thought. In fact, it felt good to know more about Hana, to understand her world even a little.

There was still a long way to go, and he wasn’t sure how open he could be with his own feelings just yet, but this was progress. And for now, that was enough.

After he finished the dishes, Namjoon turned to see Hana finishing her coffee, still standing at the island. For the first time in what felt like forever, he didn’t feel the need to retreat behind his cold facade. Maybe it was because he had seen how patient and understanding she had been all along, or maybe it was because he was finally starting to let go of the past.

“Hey,” he called softly, and Hana looked up from her mug. “Thanks for telling me about your job.”

Her eyes softened, and she nodded. “Anytime.”

And with that, a quiet understanding settled between them, a small but significant step toward something more. Something better.

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