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I leaned back against the swing set pole, folding my arms. “So, let me get this straight. Even if I’m the nicest guy in the world—if I hold doors open, treat you right, do everything I can to make a good impression—it still wouldn’t change anything?”

She didn’t answer. But she also didn’t meet my eyes.

That silence was enough.

I exhaled through my nose and nodded slowly.Alright. Got it.

It stung, but I couldn’t let it get to me. I’m not going to spend my life trying to prove myself to people who might never see me the way she does. What mattered isn’t them. What mattered is her.

I reached for her hand again, lacing my fingers through hers. “Look, I know the way we met was crazy and... not exactly conventional. But that’s just how it happened. I like to think it was fate—that we met in Paris by chance and…”

I caught myself just in time before blurting out,and I fell in love with you, knowing it would probably freak her out even more. “We… shared something real,” I said instead.

As I said it, I felt a certainty rising within me, one that couldn’t be ignored.

I’m not letting her go.

“We don’t have to follow the usual steps just because that’s what everyone else does. I did that before, and my relationshipstill failed. And you…” I trailed off, realizing I don’t need to finish that sentence.

She finally seemed to consider my words, resting her chin on her hand as she thought it over. “Let’s say I agree,” Seo-yeon started, hesitation lacing her tone. “My family will disown me this time.”

I stared at her, not having an answer to that—but a slow grin tugged at the corners of my mouth anyway. “Then let’s make it worth it.”

Before I could say anything else, she threw her usual punch at my arm. I caught it mid-swing, grinning, and pulled her into a hug, her warmth pressing against me.

“When are you leaving?” Seo-yeon muttered, her voice muffled against my chest.

“In two weeks,” I said, pulling away just enough to look at her—but not letting go. I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering a second longer than necessary before pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.

“If you want this… will you at least think about it?” I whispered near her ear.

She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she just stared at me in silence, her eyes searching mine, like she was weighing something only she knew.

I didn’t want to press her further, so I shifted my tone, still holding onto her hands. “So… you said you have something to tell me?”

She blinked, caught off guard, like she’d completely forgotten about it. But then, I noticed something else in her eyes. Was it guilt?

She huffed, nibbling on her lip awkwardly. “Well yes, but… promise you won’t get mad?”

I raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly. “It depends,” I said, my curiosity piqued. “Is this going in the direction of ‘Isigned us up for a cooking class’ or ‘I just murdered someone and need your help to dispose of the body?’”

She gave a nervous chuckle, but something in her eyes made me realize this wasn’t going to be as light as I’d hoped.

“I could’ve found your dad.”

I froze, staring at her for a solid ten seconds, unsure if I’d heard her right. “What?” The word came out low, disbelief creeping into my voice.

She fidgeted with her hands, clearly uncomfortable. “When I saw your dad’s name on that photo, I… I asked Ji-yong for help. He has connections, and—”

“Seo-yeon.” My voice was quieter than I intended, a chill creeping into it.

She bit her lip, her gaze dropping. “He lives nearby. He changed his name, but… he’s here.”

She reached for my hand, her fingers brushing mine, careful and hesitant. “I just thought… maybe you’d want to know. To tie up loose ends.” She glanced at me, her eyes searching for any sign of anger. “But… it’s up to you.”

I exhaled slowly, my grip tightening around the metal bar in front of me.

I had so many questions for her. Why did she try to find my dad? How did she and Ji-yong manage to track him down? And why would he change his name…?