POV: Female Lead (Jung Ha-neul)
Ha-neul held Min-jae's hand tightly, afraid that if she let go, he would retreat into his loneliness again. His confession had shaken her—not because of fear, but because of how much pain he had carried alone.
The rooftop wind was cold, but the warmth between them was undeniable.
"You should have told me sooner," she whispered.
Min-jae looked away. "Would it have changed anything?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "I would have been there for you. Like I am now."
Min-jae let out a quiet breath. "I didn't want to burden you."
Ha-neul frowned. "Loving someone isn't a burden, Min-jae."
His fingers twitched in hers. "Who said anything about love?"
Her heart pounded. "Did I?"
A flicker of something passed through his eyes, but before he could respond, she pulled him toward the railing.
"Come here," she said.
Min-jae hesitated but followed her. The city lights sparkled below, stretching far beyond the horizon.
Ha-neul took a deep breath. "I'm making a promise right now, under these stars." She turned to him. "No matter what happens, I won't leave you."
Min-jae's throat tightened.
She didn't understand.
Didn't she realize that he might be the one to leave first?
"Ha-neul…" His voice was rough, almost pleading. "Don't do this."
"Do what?" she challenged.
"Give me hope."
She smiled softly. "Too late."
And then, she did something that completely shattered the walls he had built.
She leaned in and kissed him.
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Min-jae's Resolve
POV: Male Lead (Ahn Min-jae)
The moment Ha-neul's lips touched his, Min-jae felt his carefully controlled world crumble.
For so long, he had convinced himself that he couldn't afford love. That it was too dangerous, too painful.
But this—this—was undeniable.
His hands found her waist, pulling her closer. The kiss was soft, hesitant—like she was giving him a choice.
To push her away.
Or to hold on.
Min-jae deepened the kiss.
He was tired of running.
But even as he lost himself in her warmth, a thought gnawed at the back of his mind.
How long would he have before fate took her away?
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