Suho opened the door for Hauen, said nothing, and drove away from the mansion without a single glance back.
Inside the car, silence stretched heavy.
Hauen turned to look at him, quietly reading his face. His eyes were fixed on the road, jaw clenched, hands gripping the steering wheel. Anger simmered beneath his calm, mixed with something deeper, something wounded. His breathing was slightly uneven.
She didn't say a word.
Instead, she leaned closer, slipped her arms around his left arm, and hugged him gently. Resting her head against him, she stayed there, grounding him with her warmth.
He stilled.
Gradually, his grip loosened. His shoulders relaxed. The storm in his eyes softened, turning glassy. The memory of how she had been ignored replayed against his will. He slowed the car, leaned down, and pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head before continuing at an easier pace.
Then he drove on, calmer now, steady again, while she remained tucked against him as she belonged there.
A few minutes later, the car came to a stop. It was the same street. The same familiar stall.
Hauen looked up, confused. It was the same street. The same spot.
Suho smiled gently. "Come, let's have tteokbokki again."
She looked at the familiar stall, then back at him.
He reached out and brushed her hair behind her ear. "You didn't eat properly," he said softly, voice low and coaxing. "And you wanted to eat more here, right? Come… let's have another round of haraboji's special tteokbokki."
He smiled as he said it, a gentle, deliberate smile meant only for her. Trying to lift her mood, even when his own heart was still bruised.
Her eyes filled at his effort to lift her spirits when he himself was still hurting. Without a word, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight embrace. Her grip was firm, desperate, emotions spilling over all at once. He held her back, careful, protective, steady.
"I'm sorry, Hauena," he whispered. "I'm sorry on behalf of them."
She pulled back slightly and looked at him. "Don't be sorry. It wasn't your fault." Her voice trembled. "If anything, I feel bad. Because you got hurt because of me."
His gaze softened completely. "I'm hurt, yes. But not because of you." He cupped her face gently. "But for you. Nobody gets to hurt my Hauenie. Nobody gets to make her feel invisible. I won't tolerate it."
Her lips trembled, eyes shining with unshed tears, yet a small smile curved through the emotion."I love you," she blurted out, the words escaping before she could stop them.
He smiled, soft and knowing, lifting a hand to cup her cheek. "I know."
She laughed softly through her tears. He pecked her nose softly, then lifted his thumb to wipe away the tears clinging to her lashes.
"Uljima… not again," he murmured. "You cried so much today."
She sniffed, quickly wiping her cheeks as if she'd been caught red-handed. He chuckled at her effort, the sound light, fond.
"Come," he said, already stepping back. "Let me feed you more tteokbokki."
She smiled and nodded, still dabbing at her eyes, and together they walked back to the same familiar stall. The air smelled warm and spicy, comfort wrapped in steam.
"Annyeong, halmoni," Suho greeted politely.
The old woman squinted at him for a moment, studying his face. Then recognition bloomed, followed by a fond smile. "Ohh… you two again."
Suho smiled back, gentle and proud. "Yes, halmoni. My wife already missed your tteokbokki," he said, pulling out bills from his wallet. "Two servings, please."
Halmoni wagged a finger playfully. "Okay. But only if you pay the right amount. No extra money," she warned, her voice adorably stern.
Suho and Hauen exchanged a smile. "Okay, halmoni. No extra bills," Suho agreed, then added softly, "But… make sure my wife is happy again, like you did earlier."
The old woman chuckled, warmth settling into her wrinkles. "That's what my husband's tteokbokki does," she said confidently. "Don't worry."
"Yeobo… two tteokbokki for the same young couple." She turned toward the small kitchen, calling out fondly,
"Algesseoyo… five minutes." A voice answered from inside, warm and steady, carrying years of habit and love.
Hauen smiled, instinctively leaning closer, looping her arm around Suho's again. He let her, as always, his body easing the moment she settled against him.
Within minutes, Haraboji emerged with two plates. Same aroma curling into the air, same deep red sheen, same quiet smile that felt like a blessing. It was comfort served on porcelain.
Hauen's eyes lit up instantly. She took her plate with both hands and bowed softly. "Thank you, haraboji."
"Hm… hm," he hummed, pleased.
They began eating, feeding each other without thinking, the way they always did. Suho watched her carefully, the way her face brightened with every bite, excitement spilling through her small smiles. Eyes following every small reaction on her face.
And somewhere in his chest, something ached. Just a few minutes ago, his own family had stolen her appetite when she had been this hungry, this eager. The thought stung more than he expected.
He blinked, forcing the burn away before tears could surface, and gently fed her another bite.
She smiled before accepting it. "You also eat, teddy," she said, cheeks full, voice slightly muffled.
He smiled, eyes soft. "I feel full when my hauenie eats well."
She paused mid-chew and shot him an unimpressed look, clearly judging his cheesy line.
He chuckled at her expression and fed her another bite anyway. She shook her head, amused, and fed him in return, their quiet exchange wrapped in familiarity and comfort.
When they were finally done, she let out a satisfied little sound, placing her empty plate back on the counter.
"Oh God… I ate too much," she said, placing the empty plate back on the counter while rubbing her belly with her free hand.
Suho chuckled, returning his plate as well. He reached for a tissue and gently wiped her lips, even though it wasn't necessary. Still, he did, and she let him.
"You want something else?" he asked softly.
"Nooo," she replied immediately, already uninterested in food. "There's literally no space left in my stomach."
He smiled, then turned to the stall owners and bowed slightly. "Thank you, halmoni. Thank you, haraboji… for making my wife smile again."
The old couple smiled warmly at his words.
Suho took Hauen back to the car and opened the door for her. "Sit here. I'll be back," he said casually, leaving her slightly confused as she settled into the seat.
To be continued....