Chapter Twenty-eight: Doubts and Distraction.

Kang Min Jun could sense a change in his mother. She had been more distant lately, her usually warm demeanor replaced with something more reserved. It wasn't long before he found out why.

 Mrs. Kang invited Min Jun over for dinner, and although everything seemed normal at first, the conversation soon took an unexpected turn. She began to question him about Soo Jeon, her voice laced with subtle doubts that hadn't been there before.

 "Min Jun," she started carefully, "Are you sure Soo Jeon is the right person for you? I mean, she's lovely, but... sometimes I wonder if she truly understands you, your needs, and the future you want."

 Min Jun frowned, caught off guard by his mother's sudden concern. "Of course she does, Mom. What brought this on?"

 Mrs. Kang hesitated for a moment before continuing. "It's just... Ji-Eun was always so attentive to your needs, so in sync with our family. I can't help but notice the difference."

 Min Jun felt a knot tighten in his chest. Ji-Eun again. Ever since she re-entered his life, nothing had been the same. He wanted to believe that his relationship with Soo Jeon was solid, but his mother's words planted seeds of doubt in his mind. What if she was right? What if Soo Jeon wasn't the right person for him?

 The dinner ended with an uneasy silence, and Min Jun left his parents' house feeling more conflicted than ever. As he drove home, his thoughts were a jumbled mess of memories and uncertainties. He didn't want to question his feelings for Soo Jeon, but now, doubts had crept in, and they were hard to shake.

 Meanwhile, Soo Jeon noticed the shift in Min Jun's behavior. He seemed distracted, distant, and less engaged when they were together. She couldn't understand what was happening and feared that something was wrong.

 One evening, as they sat together on the couch, Soo Jeon finally gathered the courage to ask, "Min Jun, is everything okay? You've seemed... different lately."

 Min Jun looked at her, his eyes reflecting the turmoil inside him. He wanted to tell her everything, to open up about the doubts that were plaguing him, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Instead, he forced a smile and lied, "Everything's fine, Soo Jeon. I've just been a bit stressed with work."

 Soo Jeon wasn't convinced, but she didn't press further. A sense of unease settled over her as she wondered what could have caused this sudden change.