Mah-e-Tanha 

Between Two Hearts

Sherri was never meant to be part of the story.

At 31, she leaves behind a life of routines and expectations, boarding a one-way flight to Seoul with nothing but a suitcase and a dream — not of stardom, but of proximity. To the stages, the music, the voices that once lifted her through the darkest seasons of her life. Seoul, she believes, will be her sanctuary. A quiet chapter where she can finally breathe, finally feel, finally live.

But fate, as always, has other plans.

It begins with a chance internship at SKY Entertainment, the powerhouse behind global sensation Slay Kids — eight young idols lighting up the world with synchronized perfection and smiles that hide more than they reveal. Sherri keeps her head down, grateful just to be close to the music. Until a late night in the practice room changes everything.

There, beneath flickering fluorescent lights and trembling breaths, she meets Hyunjin — the group’s most magnetic performer. Beautiful, intense, unknowable. He sees her, really sees her, in a way that startles them both. And behind Hyunjin stands YoungBok, steady and observant. A soft-spoken soul who watches every move Hyunjin makes like it could be their last.

As days turn to weeks, the truth begins to shimmer at the edges of her reality. There’s something between Hyunjin and YoungBok — something old, something sacred, something the world isn’t meant to see. A touch too lingering. A gaze too charged. Sherri feels the weight of it long before she understands it. And when Hyunjin starts looking at her the same way… she knows she's stepped into something dangerous.

She never meant to be the reason Hyunjin hesitates.

She never meant to stir the still waters between two people bound by more than just music.



Between the hearts

The apartment was bathed in the soft, golden glow of fairy lights. After the cake was eaten and the laughter faded into tender smiles, Sherri stood, her hand brushing Hyunjin’s softly. 


“Tonight is yours,” she whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. “I’ll stay in my room… just hold me after the wedding, okay?” 


Hyunjin’s eyes softened as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I promise.” 


She offered a knowing smile before slipping into her room, the door clicking shut with quiet finality. 


Hyunjin turned slowly to find YoungBok by the window, his silhouette outlined by the glowing cityscape. His hand was resting lightly on the silver band around his finger, his expression unreadable. 


Hyunjin stepped up behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist and pressing his lips to the back of YoungBok’s neck. 


“Can’t believe it took us eight years for this,” he murmured. 


Chapter 23: The Night Our Souls Toasted