POV: Female Lead (Ha-neul)
Min-jae's fingers tightened around hers.
Warm. Alive.
Relief crashed into her.
"You're awake," she whispered.
His lips curved weakly.
"Disappointed?"
She let out a soft laugh.
"Shut up."
His eyes softened.
For the first time in hours, she could breathe.
---
Days passed.
Min-jae's recovery was slow but steady.
She was there for every second.
Jin-ho teased her about acting like a nurse.
She ignored him.
She only cared about one thing.
Min-jae.
One night, as she adjusted his blanket, he grabbed her wrist.
"Sit."
She did.
His eyes—serious.
"You haven't left my side."
Her breath caught.
"Of course not," she murmured.
His thumb brushed over her fingers.
"What if I never woke up?"
A shudder ran through her.
"Don't say that."
"But it was possible."
Her chest tightened.
"I don't want to think about that," she admitted.
His eyes searched hers.
"Ha-neul."
Her name sounded different when he said it.
Like something precious.
She swallowed hard.
"You scared me, Min-jae," she whispered. "I thought I'd lose you."
He exhaled softly.
"That makes two of us."
Silence settled.
Then—
"I love you, Ha-neul."
Her heart stopped.
He didn't look away.
Didn't hesitate.
Didn't waver.
Three words.
And suddenly, everything felt right.
She smiled.
"I love you too, Min-jae."
His grip tightened.
His eyes shined.
"Good," he whispered.
Then, with all the strength he had—
He pulled her closer.
And finally, after all the chaos, all the pain—
Their lips met.
Soft. Warm. Home.
---