A week later, Jae-wook lay settled in bed, the television casting a dull glow across the room.
Though the volume was low, the tension in the air was anything but calm.
"Back to the latest developments in the Kim Na-eun case—former CEO of Tech.com. Authorities have announced a temporary closure of the investigation, though efforts are ongoing..."
Click.
Jae-wook switched off the TV with a weary sigh, dragging his hand through his hair in frustration.
A soft knock interrupted the silence.
"Come in," he said, voice low and tired.
The door creaked open, and Carrie appeared with a gentle smile.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her tone light with curiosity.
Jae-wook wordlessly patted the empty space beside him.
Carrie crossed the room and settled next to him on the bed.
"You still can't let it go?" she asked quietly.
He shook his head and laid his head in her lap, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"No matter how much I think about it... it just doesn't add up."
Carrie gently combed her fingers through his hair. "I get it. Na-eun wasn't a good person... but she wasn't careless enough to overdose. Not unless..." she paused, thinking aloud, "...unless she meant to."
Jae-wook closed his eyes, letting her words sink into the fog of his mind.
"I keep thinking there's more to it," he murmured.
"You think Ava's involved?" Carrie asked carefully.
"I could never believe that," he said, voice firm but filled with doubt. "But... the pieces don't fit. No matter how hard I try, something's missing."
Carrie hesitated, then asked softly, "Is there anything you want to do about it?"
"For now... I'll wait. At least until Ava recovers," Jae-wook answered.
She nodded, stroking his hair again.
"What kind of trauma do you think she's been through? Do you... do you think she took the drugs too?" Carrie asked, her voice hesitant.
"My brain's not working enough to even guess," Jae-wook muttered.
Carrie smiled faintly. "Maybe we should get out of here. Clear your head."
He shook his head, snuggling closer to her lap.
"Nope. You being here... that's enough. It's peaceful."
Carrie's heart softened. She watched him as he rested, her fingers moving rhythmically through his hair. His face, even burdened with exhaustion, looked so beautiful to her.
Then, with his eyes still closed, he whispered, "No matter how much I think about it... I'm the lucky one. It's not proportional—I'm luckier to have you."
Before she could respond, he drifted into a deep sleep.
Carrie's chest tightened. Tears welled at the corners of her eyes as she cradled his sleeping form, overwhelmed by the simple, raw honesty of his words.
---
Meanwhile
Ava sat curled on her bed, her mind spinning with chaotic thoughts.
"What do I do now?" she whispered to herself, panic rising in her throat. "He already suspects... I can't afford any mistakes."
Frustrated, she threw herself backward onto the bed, fists clenching the sheets.
The door swung open with a loud thud. Leo bounced onto the mattress with careless energy.
"What are you doing?" he asked, peering down at her.
"Leo..." Ava groaned, pressing her palms to her temples. "Not now. Please."
"You've been so weird lately," Leo said, frowning. "What's going on?"
"I'm exhausted, Leo. Tired... more than you know. I just need some time to process everything," Ava whispered, her voice frayed at the edges.
Leo studied her face, searching for answers. "Is this about Na-eun's case?" he asked gently.
"Leo, please," Ava said, firmer this time, her hand retreating from his.
But Leo caught her fingers and held them tight, anchoring her. "Ava," he said, voice low and steady, "you can tell me anything. Anything. Did you get involved with her?"
Ava recoiled slightly, shock flashing across her eyes. "You think I killed her?" she asked, her voice small, almost breaking.
"No," Leo said, almost desperately, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Never. I could never believe that."
At those words, Ava leaned into him, pressing her cheek against his chest as if trying to disappear into him. His arms circled her protectively.
"I think Jae-wook suspects me," she murmured. "Carrie too. And for a second... I thought you did."
Leo pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, fierce and tender. "No one suspects you, Ava. It's just... everything's strange right now. They only think Na-eun drugged your drink — that's why you were out of it that night. That's all."
"I can't remember," Ava said, her voice breaking like glass dropped from a height.
Leo hesitated, then asked, "But... did you meet her? That night?"
Ava stared into his soul for a long, heavy moment before slowly shaking her head. "No. I didn't."
Leo smiled, relief flickering across his face. He cupped her cheek, brushing his thumb along her skin as if to erase her doubts. "Then I believe you. We all believe you. Okay?"
"Thank you," Ava whispered, the words muffled as she buried herself deeper into his embrace, like a ship seeking safe harbor from a storm.