CHAPTER SEVEN POINT ONE

Khynny sat on the edge of the windowsill, her legs tucked under her, staring out at the Seoul skyline. The city sprawled beneath her, a sea of glowing lights that stretched into the horizon. It was a view she used to find comforting, but tonight, the shimmering city felt distant—like something she couldn't quite touch. The weight of everything that had happened, both with Oner and Ji Won, hung over her, making the room feel stifling despite its quiet. She leaned her head against the cool glass, feeling its chill press against her skin as her mind replayed the confrontation with Oner.

The words they had exchanged kept circling in her thoughts, each replay revealing a new layer of frustration and confusion. The look in his eyes when he walked away still lingered, a mix of anger and hurt that unsettled her. She could understand his jealousy, even the protectiveness that often flickered in his actions. But his refusal to help Ji Won, even when it was clear she was in danger, gnawed at her.

Was it pride? Fear? Khynny wondered, rubbing her thumb against her palm absently. Or was it something deeper, something she couldn't yet see?

In the bed across from her, Ji Won was curled up, asleep, her breathing soft and steady. Exhaustion had claimed both Ji Won and Hye Jin earlier, their bodies giving in after the long, tension-filled day. The room was otherwise silent, but to Khynny, the silence felt too heavy, pressing in on her thoughts until she could barely breathe.

Ji Won's face, even in sleep, was etched with traces of worry, and Khynny couldn't help but wonder what would happen if they failed to protect her. What if the people after her found them? What if helping her had only made things worse? She tried to shake the thoughts away, but they clung to her like shadows. What if I can't keep her safe?

Khynny needed to hear a familiar voice, someone who could offer her clarity—someone who could remind her she wasn't alone in this. Careful not to disturb the others, she tiptoed out of the room, phone in hand, and found a small corner in the hallway. She dialed her mother, half-hoping she was still awake despite the time difference between Korea and the Philippines.

After a few rings, her mother's warm voice crackled through the line, her tone soft but alert. "Khy? Palangga, is everything okay? Hilarom naman adi it kagab-ihon."

Khynny exhaled slowly, the knot in her chest loosening at the sound of her mother's voice. Her mother was the type who could read between the lines even over the phone. A retired opera singer, she had a powerful, yet soothing presence, always knowing when her children needed her, especially her only daughter, Khynny.

"Ma, I... I needed to talk. It's been a long day."

There was a brief pause on the other end, the kind that only mothers knew how to fill with concern and patience. "Tell me, what happened? Is it about the boy you like? That Oner?"

Khynny smiled faintly at how her mother always seemed to keep up with her life despite the miles between them. "Yeah. We had an argument. A bad one. It's... complicated." She filled her mother in, explaining the events of the day, the run-in with Oner's ex, and how she had decided to help her, much to his frustration.

Her mother listened quietly, only offering the occasional hum of understanding. When Khynny finished, there was another pause, the kind that seemed to hang in the air, filled with unsaid thoughts.

"You know," her mother began, "when your father and I first started dating, he had a bit of a temper too. Stubborn as a goat, that man. I remember one time, we argued about something so silly I can't even recall it now. But at that moment, I thought, how are we going to make this work if he won't even listen?"

Khynny smiled, picturing her father's familiar stubbornness. "What did you do?"

"Gintagan ko hiya hin oras," her mother replied simply. "Men like that, Langga, they don't change overnight. It took your father a while to understand that sometimes being right isn't as important as being kind. Oner reminds me a little of him—strong, but still learning when to bend."

Khynny felt a wave of emotion surge in her chest. "Pero Ma, I don't know if he can handle all of this. He's dealing with so much... and then his ex shows up, and... I don't want to be someone who waits around for him to figure out what he wants."

Her mother's voice softened. "It's not about waiting, Baby. It's about knowing what you deserve. You've always been strong, Langga, and you don't need to settle for someone who can't meet you halfway. But... if you believe he's worth it, give him the space to grow. Some people just need a little more time to catch up to the people who inspire them."

Khynny nodded, the tension in her chest easing slightly. "You think he's worth it?"

There was a smile in her mother's voice. "I think you already know the answer to that."

Khynny smiled, though her mind drifted to Ji Won. Even as her mother's advice calmed her, a new worry settled in her chest. Was helping Ji Won the right decision? What if Oner had been right? What if this situation spiraled out of control?

They talked a little longer, the conversation drifting to lighter topics—her parents' plans to visit Korea to attend a wedding, her brothers' antics back home, and the chaotic state of the family group chat. By the time they hung up, Khynny felt a bit lighter, though her mind was still clouded with thoughts of both Oner and Ji Won.

She padded back into the room, careful not to wake Hye Jin or Ji Won, and quietly poured herself a cup of tea. The warmth of the mug seeped into her hands as she settled back by the window, but the anxiety still buzzed beneath her skin.

What if Khylyb's contact didn't come through? What if Ji Won wasn't safe, even here? What if I made the wrong call?

The night air outside was crisp, the sky now a deep velvet. She sipped her tea slowly, her thoughts returning to Oner. She knew that helping Ji Won was the right thing to do—her gut told her that. But the weight of Oner's reaction, his defensiveness, made her wonder if he was ready for a relationship with the kind of complexity they were facing.

Was he capable of growing past his possessiveness? Could he untangle the hurt from his past? Could she, herself, carry the weight of this situation without letting her own fear consume her? I can't protect everyone...

A part of her had seen glimpses of the man Oner could be—kind, thoughtful, protective in a way that made her feel safe. But there were still so many layers of him she hadn't quite reached. It wasn't just about the jealousy. It was the way he retreated into himself when things got hard, the way he let his fear of vulnerability push people away.

And now, she wondered if she was starting to do the same—overthinking, letting her fear of making the wrong choice gnaw at her.

Yet, despite all of it, she remained hopeful. Hopeful, because she saw something in him—a potential, a spark. And maybe that was enough, for now. Maybe with time, he would grow into the man she saw hidden behind those walls he built.

And as for Ji Won... Khynny sighed, feeling the weight of her responsibility settle again. All I can do is protect her the best I can. The tea's warmth spread through her body, but her mind remained restless. She knew she couldn't force Oner to change, nor could she control everything about Ji Won's situation. All she could do was give them both the space they needed—Oner, to grow, and Ji Won, to find safety.

For now, that had to be enough. But waiting didn't mean standing still. It meant moving forward with her own life, trusting that if Oner wanted to be a part of it, he would find his way back to her. And as for Ji Won, it meant doing everything in her power to keep her safe.

With that thought, Khynny finally allowed herself to settle into bed, her mind still buzzing but her heart a little lighter. As she drifted off to sleep, she couldn't help but wonder what the morning would bring—whether it would offer them another chance to bridge the distance between them, or if it would reveal just how far apart they truly were.