Chapter 49: Tension in the Air

Ji-Ah wasn't the type to wait for answers. Yet, here she was—standing in the kitchen, pretending to be busy, while Evelyn showered in the next room.

Her mind wouldn't shut up.

She left without a word. Now she's back, and I'm supposed to act like nothing happened?

She stirred her coffee, even though it didn't need stirring.

Footsteps approached. Evelyn entered the kitchen, towel-drying her hair. She looked more like herself now—calm, unreadable.

Ji-Ah turned, leaning against the counter. "So… where were you?"

Evelyn paused mid-motion. "Out."

"That's not an answer."

Evelyn sighed, tossing the towel aside. "It's all you're getting."

Ji-Ah clenched her jaw. She wasn't sure what irritated her more—the vague response or the fact that Evelyn acted like nothing had changed.

"You disappeared," Ji-Ah said, crossing her arms. "No calls. No messages."

Evelyn met her gaze. "You're keeping track now?"

Ji-Ah scoffed. "You live here."

Evelyn stepped closer, her expression unreadable. "And?"

Ji-Ah didn't back down. "And maybe I thought—" She stopped herself.

Evelyn tilted her head. "Thought what?"

Ji-Ah looked away, grabbing her cup. "Forget it."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Evelyn smirked. "Did you miss me?"

Ji-Ah's grip tightened on the cup. "Don't start."

Evelyn leaned in slightly, voice soft. "You're bad at lying."

Ji-Ah exhaled, forcing herself to stay calm. "And you're good at disappearing."

Evelyn's smirk faded. She studied Ji-Ah, as if debating whether to say something. But then, she just shook her head.

"You should get some sleep."

Ji-Ah watched her walk away, her stomach twisting with something she refused to name.

Ji-Ah stared at the empty space Evelyn had just occupied, frustration simmering beneath her calm exterior.

Evelyn always had a way of shutting things down before they even began—of leaving Ji-Ah hanging in the middle of conversations that felt too close to the truth.

She took a slow sip of her now-cold coffee, her mind still tangled in the exchange. Did you miss me? The words echoed, teasing her.

She shook her head, setting the cup down with more force than necessary.

Her feet moved before she could think twice, leading her toward Evelyn's room. The door was slightly ajar, as if left that way on purpose. Ji-Ah hesitated for a second before pushing it open.

Evelyn was sitting on the edge of her bed, scrolling through her phone. She barely looked up when Ji-Ah entered.

"You should be sleeping," Evelyn said, her tone light but distant.

Ji-Ah leaned against the doorframe. "So should you."

Evelyn smirked but didn't argue.

Silence settled between them, thick with everything unsaid. Ji-Ah should have turned around and left. She should have ignored the way her chest tightened at Evelyn's presence.

But she didn't.

"Why did you leave?" Ji-Ah finally asked.

Evelyn exhaled, setting her phone aside. "I needed space."

Ji-Ah narrowed her eyes. "From what?"

Evelyn met her gaze, something unreadable flickering in her expression. "You."

The single word hit harder than Ji-Ah expected.

She scoffed, trying to mask the sting. "Well, that makes two of us."

Evelyn tilted her head. "Then why are you here?"

Ji-Ah hated how easily Evelyn could turn things back on her. How she could make Ji-Ah question her own actions.

"I don't know," Ji-Ah admitted, her voice quieter than she intended.

Evelyn studied her for a moment before nodding, as if she understood something Ji-Ah didn't.

"Go to sleep, Ji-Ah," she murmured.

This time, Ji-Ah didn't argue. But as she turned to leave, she knew one thing for sure—this conversation wasn't over.