Chapter 18

Kim was quieter than usual the next morning—and considering how quiet he normally was, that said a lot.

Ray watched him move around the kitchen, rinsing dishes he’d already washed, wiping a counter that was perfectly clean. A little too focused. A little too careful.

Like he was avoiding someing.

Or avoiding her.

Ray stood by the table, hands wrapped around a warm mug, trying to decide whether to say something… or pretend like she wanted the normal Kim he was trying to act like.

“Did you sleep well?” Kim asked without looking up.

“Not really,” Ray said honestly.

Kim paused, fingers still on the faucet handle.

Then he nodded once and went back to cleaning.

Just like that.

Detached.

Safe.

Distant.

Ray pressed her lips together. “You’re doing it again.”

Kim stopped. “…Doing what?”

“Avoiding everything uncomfortable.”

Kim let out a small exhale, still not turning around. “I’m not avoiding.”

“Yes, you are.” Ray said.

Kim’s shoulders tightened.

Ray took a step forward. “You can’t act like nothing happened forever.”

Kim finally turned, but his expression was unreadable. “I’m just trying to make things easier for you.”

“By ignoring me?” Ray said quietly. “By pretending it didn’t mean anything?”

Kim’s jaw clenched. “I never said it didn’t mean anything.”

Ray froze.

Kim looked startled at his own words, like they escaped before he could stop them.

An electric silence filled the space.

Ray took another small step toward him. “Then why are you acting like this?”

Kim looked down, breathing slowly as if choosing each word with painful precision.

“Because if I don’t act normal,” he said quietly, “I won’t know how to stop.”

Ray’s heart flipped.

She didn’t even know what that meant—but she felt it.

All of it.

Before she could ask—

A sudden knock rattled the front door.

Both of them jumped slightly.

Kim turned away immediately, stepping back from her. The moment broke like thin glass.

Ray frowned. “Who is it?”

Kim opened the door a crack.

A deliveryman stood with a small box. Kim signed for it, murmured a quiet thank you, then brought it inside.

He set the box on the table.

“It’s yours,” he said, pushing it toward her.

Ray opened it—and blinked.

Inside was the cardigan she had been eyeing online for weeks but never bought because she wasn’t sure about spending the money.

“Did you… order this?” she asked slowly.

Kim froze. “No.”

Ray frowned. “Then who—”

Before she could finish, Yan’s name popped up in a message on her phone.

Ray sighed. Kim’s eyes sharpened instantly.

“What did he send?” Kim asked too quickly.

Ray lifted the phone. “A text. He said, ‘Saw this and thought of you. Don’t tell Kim.’”

Kim’s entire expression shifted—tightening, darkening, softening, all at once.

He didn’t say anything.

Ray swallowed. “It’s just a gift—”

“He shouldn’t send you things like that,” Kim said quietly.

Ray blinked. “Why?”

Kim didn’t have an answer.

Or maybe he had one but didn’t want to say it.

Ray pushed gently. “Why does it bother you?”

Kim looked away. “Forget it.”

“No,” Ray said, stepping closer again. “I won’t forget it. You can’t keep avoiding how you feel and then get jealous like this.”

Kim’s breath caught—and that tiny slip in his expression told her she was right.

Ray took another brave step. “Just tell me. What am I supposed to think when you pull back, then act like—”

Kim reached out suddenly.

Not grabbing her.

Just… stopping her.

His hand hovered near her elbow, not touching, just close enough for her to feel warmth radiating from him.

“Ray,” he said softly. “Please.”

His voice cracked on the last word.

Ray felt her chest tighten.

Kim took a small breath, lifting his hand like he was about to brush something off her shoulder… then hesitated.

But Ray didn’t move.

Kim’s fingers finally touched the edge of her collar—barely. Soft enough to be innocent, but slow enough to mean something.

“You were going to go outside like this,” he murmured, gently straightening the slipped collar of her shirt.

Ray’s breath stilled.

Kim’s fingers were warm.

Careful.

Steady.

Too steady.

He swallowed hard, eyes flicking up to meet hers.

There—there it was again.

The moment he always stepped away from.

Before either of them could say a word—

Ethan’s voice called from outside.

“Kim!”

Kim dropped his hand instantly, stepping back like he’d been burned.

Ray blinked, the sudden emptiness on her shoulder making her stomach twist.

Kim cleared his throat. “I should go help him.”

Ray whispered, “Kim—”

He paused at the doorway, but didn’t turn around.

“…Later,” he said softly.

And then he left.

Ray stood alone in the kitchen, touching the collar he had fixed.

Her heart felt too loud.

Her confusion felt too sharp.

And she knew—

Kim wasn’t pulling away because he didn’t feel anything.

He was pulling away because he felt too much.