Chapter Sixty-six: The Ties that Bind.

The decision had been made, and for the first time in weeks, Lee Soo Jeon felt a sense of calm wash over her. The weight of her career no longer suffocated her thoughts. Instead, she was consumed by the warmth of Kang Min Jun's embrace, the steady beat of his heart as they held each other in the quiet café.

But as the next few days passed, Soo Jeon couldn't ignore the growing anxiety beneath the surface. Her phone buzzed constantly with messages from her ballet company, from colleagues confused and disappointed by her sudden decision. She hadn't expected it to be easy, but the reality of her choice was starting to set in.

One evening, as she sat on the couch, her legs curled up underneath her, Min Jun walked in from the kitchen, two mugs of tea in hand. He sat down beside her, offering her one, and she accepted it with a small smile.

"You've been quiet lately," he said gently, his eyes searching hers. "Is everything okay?"

Soo Jeon sighed, setting her tea down on the table. "I just… I didn't realize how much it would affect me," she admitted. "Ballet has been my life for so long. I know I made the right decision, but now that everything's settled, it's like I'm... lost."

Min Jun set his own cup aside, shifting closer to her. He took her hand in his, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "It's only natural to feel this way, Soo Jeon. You've been dedicated to your craft for so many years, and it's not easy to step away from that. But just because you're prioritizing us doesn't mean you're giving up on your dreams."

She looked at him, confusion knitting her brows. "But it feels like I am. If I'm not performing, then what's left for me? Who am I without ballet?"

Min Jun smiled softly, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You're more than just a dancer, Soo Jeon. You're kind, creative, passionate… you have so much to offer, both on and off the stage. Just because you've chosen to focus on us doesn't mean you have to stop being who you are."

Soo Jeon leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. His words were comforting, but the doubts still lingered in the back of her mind. She had spent so much of her life shaping herself into the perfect ballerina, and now, without that identity, she was unsure of where she fit in.

"Do you ever feel like that?" she asked quietly. "Like you're losing yourself to your work?"

Min Jun was silent for a moment, his hand absently tracing patterns along her arm. "Sometimes," he admitted. "There are days when I get so caught up in a project, I forget about everything else. But then I remember what really matters — the people in my life, the relationships I've built. Work can come and go, but the bonds we share… those are the things that stay with us."

Soo Jeon closed her eyes, listening to the steady rise and fall of his breath. She had made the choice to focus on their relationship, but the process of redefining her life beyond ballet was going to take time. And Min Jun was right — their relationship, the love they shared, was something far more enduring than any career.

"I guess it'll take some time," she whispered. "But I'm glad I'm not doing it alone."

Min Jun kissed the top of her head, holding her a little tighter. "You'll never be alone, Soo Jeon. We're in this together."

---

The Next Morning

The sun filtered through the curtains as Soo Jeon woke to the soft sound of Min Jun humming in the kitchen. She stretched, feeling a sense of contentment she hadn't felt in a long time. For the first time in weeks, she wasn't rushing off to rehearsal or worrying about her next performance.

She wandered into the kitchen to find Min Jun flipping pancakes, a concentrated look on his face as he tried not to burn them. She smiled, leaning against the doorway. "You're getting better at this."

Min Jun glanced up, his face lighting up at the sight of her. "Practice makes perfect," he said, placing a perfectly golden pancake onto a plate. "Breakfast is almost ready. Have a seat."

As they sat down to eat, the conversation flowed easily, but beneath the surface, Soo Jeon couldn't help but feel a tinge of uncertainty. She had stepped away from ballet, but what was next for her? What would she fill her days with now?

After breakfast, as they sipped their coffee, Min Jun seemed to sense her thoughts. "Have you thought about what you'd like to do next?" he asked, his tone gentle but curious.

Soo Jeon shrugged, staring down into her cup. "I'm not sure. Ballet was everything for so long, I didn't really have time to think about anything else."

Min Jun leaned back in his chair, studying her for a moment. "What if you didn't have to choose between ballet and us? What if you found a way to keep dancing, but on your terms?"

She looked up at him, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you could teach. Or choreograph. Or even start your own dance company, one that gives you the flexibility to balance your life and your passion," Min Jun suggested, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "You don't have to give up ballet, Soo Jeon. You can shape it to fit the life you want."

The idea planted itself in her mind, and for the first time since she had made her decision, Soo Jeon felt a sense of possibility. Maybe she didn't have to leave ballet behind entirely. Maybe there was a way to have both — her love for dance and her love for Min Jun.