Alexandra sat across from Hana, fidgeting uncomfortably, unsure of where to rest her hands. She had been preparing for the worst. Being a messenger was never easy. Somehow even those with good intentions end up being blamed for the scars caused by others.

“Hana,” she started calmy. “I love you to death. You know that right?”

“Yesssss,” she said in a manner that almost sounded like a question.

“And you know I would never do anything to harm you?”

Hana sat there confused. She glanced between Alexandra and Seo, who stood nearby, arms crossed, expression– odd. His awkward and sternness only made the situation that much more intense. 

Matteo stood near the window. He wasn’t the best at dealing with crying women and thought it might be best to keep his distance.

“Okay…?” Hana said slowly, looking unsettled. “Is this an interrogation? It feels like something is wrong. Plus there’s no way you three would be together unless it was serious. Did someone die?”

Alexandra took a deep breath, then pulled out her phone and slid it across the table. The screen showed a crystal-clear photo of Min-Soo kissing another woman. 

Hana froze. Her breath hitched as the silence in the room rang loudly. Seo looked frightened to say anything and Alexandra was hurting at the sight of her friend's heart breaking right in front of her.

“He said…” she finally whispered, trying to make sense of what she was seeing, “that was his sister.”

Alexandra reached for her hand, “But they’re kissing.”

It was obvious that it was not his sister. No one would kiss their sister like that. 

Her shoulders trembled. Her lips quivered as she stared at the image. She couldn’t seem to peel her eyes from it. It was like watching a train wreck. 

“Why would he—?” She started, but her voice cracked the more she tried to talk. 

Words seemed to fail her. 

“I’m so sorry,” Alexandra said, squeezing Hana’s hand. “Really I am, you are the most amazing person I know and you deserve the world.”

“Do you need anything?” Seo finally spoke, his voice soft. 

He wanted to help but didn’t know what to do in this situation. 

“Some tea or… something?” he asked.

Hana continued to stare at the photo. She thought the longer she stared at it, maybe, just maybe, the outcome would change. But this was reality. She shook her head as disbelief sank in. 

Silence filled the room. Everyone around her was too scared to break the silence. Hana opened her mouth to dispute it but it seemed Matteo read her mind.

Matteo, who had been silent the entire time, cleared his throat uncomfortably, “I followed them for confirmation. He’s seeing several women.”

A fresh wave of pain flickered across Hana’s face. 

Several women? 

10 minutes had passed by. Not a word left her mouth. She didn’t cry or move. Just silence. 

“Why does this keep happening to me?” she finally whispered, her voice small, broken.

Seo, who had been standing stiffly nearby, finally spoke up.

“Hey,” His voice was steady and certain. “It’s not you. It’s them.”

Hana looked at him, tears brimming in her eyes. This was the first time Alexandra saw a sweet side of Seo. Maybe the rough exterior was all an act. Without hesitation, unable to take that her friend was so hurt, she pulled her into a hug. 

Hana made note of how warm it was before she broke down and cried uncontrollably. 

Alexandra rubbed her back, “You’re too good for that idiot.”

Hana sniffled, “I—I thought he really—,” she trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

Seo shifted on his feet, looking distinctly uncomfortable. Without a word, he turned and disappeared out the door.

Twenty minutes later, the door swung open again.

Seo walked in, arms full of bags.

Alexandra blinked amazed,  “Where did you—”

He wordlessly dropped them on the table. Inside were snacks, food, chocolate, and two tubs of ice cream.

Hana sniffled, “What is this?”

Seo shoved his hands in his pockets and with a blank face said, “Stuff to cheer you up.”

Hana stared at the spread, then at him. “You… went out and got all this?”

Seo looked away, awkward. “What? You were crying. It was annoying.”

Alexandra raised an eyebrow, observing his awkwardness “You’re actually a big sweetheart aren’t you?”

“Don’t start,” he said almost as if pleaing. 

Hana let out a shaky laugh, wiping her tears. “Why would you—”

Seo knelt down and finally met her gaze, “You’re practically my sister. And that guy hurt you.”

He hesitated, then added, “Plus… my mom said to cheer women up, get them stuff like this.”

Hana blinked. Then, for the first time that night, she smiled.