Mina’s brow furrowed, curiosity and concern battling in her eyes. “What is it?” 
Ji Eun bit her lip, then looked at Mina with a mix of excitement and nerves. “I’m... getting married,” she blurted out, her cheeks flushing with happiness. “To my boyfriend.”
The announcement was like a splash of cold water. Mina’s smile froze, and for a moment, it was as if all the air had been sucked out of the room. 
The pretty lace dress she had been holding slipped from her grasp, drifting to the floor like a forgotten thought.
Ji Eun tilted her head, her brows knitting in concern. “Mina? Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Mina blinked, forcing herself to recover. “Oh, it’s just... wow,” she stammered, quickly bending down to retrieve the dress, though her fingers trembled slightly. “I didn’t expect that. I mean, I’m... so happy for you, Ji Eun.” She plastered on a smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Really, I am. It’s just... so sudden.”
Ji Eun studied her closely, not quite buying the sudden enthusiasm. “Are you sure you’re okay? You seemed... I don’t know, surprised.”
Mina’s laughter was a touch too high-pitched as she brushed off the concern. “I’m just... processing, that’s all. I never thought you’d be the first one to tie the knot.” She tried to inject some levity into her tone, but it came out flat, lacking her usual spark.
The room felt colder now, the lighthearted energy from before fading like the last rays of sunset. Beneath the forced cheerfulness, Mina’s thoughts raced. 
Ji Eun was moving forward with her life, building something new, while Mina remained stuck, her own life tangled in the mess her father had made. 
The weight of that realization settled heavily on her, and for the first time in a long while, Mina felt utterly, achingly alone.
*
Mina finally mustered the courage to ask something she had long wished for but never dared to voice. Gathering her resolve, she approached Leo one evening. 
"Can you... come with me to Ji Eun’s wedding?" Her eyes shimmered with a hopeful glint, even though she knew how demanding Leo's schedule was.
Leo didn't even hesitate before responding in his usual curt tone. "I can’t. I’ve got work to do." 
The words struck like a blow, and Mina’s hopeful smile faded. She tried to mask her disappointment with a slight nod, even as an empty feeling gnawed at her chest. 
Without another word, Leo turned and walked away, leaving Mina alone in the vast, silent living room that suddenly felt too cold and hollow.
The day of Ji Eun's wedding finally arrived, draped in all the luxury and elegance one could imagine. 
The grand ballroom had been transformed into a floral wonderland, with glistening crystal chandeliers casting a soft glow over the room filled with laughter and the gentle notes of classical music. 
Mina, dressed in a deep wine-colored satin gown that hugged her figure gracefully, did her best to conceal her loneliness behind polite smiles.
When it was her turn to congratulate Ji Eun and her new husband, the joyous atmosphere took an uncomfortable turn. Ji Eun’s husband, a tall man with an overly confident grin, extended his hand to shake Mina’s but held onto it far longer than necessary. 
“Wow, Ji Eun never mentioned she had such a stunning friend,” he whispered suggestively, his eyes brazenly scanning her from head to toe. “Oh, no, it’s you, Mina, you look… different.”
Mina’s breath hitched, feeling a wave of discomfort wash over her as she tried to pull her hand free. The man's grip only tightened, leaving her on the verge of panic. 
But before she could figure out how to extricate herself, she felt a familiar presence behind her.
Leo had appeared out of nowhere, like a shadow emerging from the darkness. In an instant, his arm was around Mina’s shoulders, pulling her protectively into his side. 
The sudden warmth and security of his embrace sent a shiver down her spine—this time, not from fear, but relief. 
“Is there a problem here?” Leo’s voice was low, almost a growl, filled with a quiet menace like that of a predator whose territory had been invaded.
Ji Eun’s husband’s eyes widened in shock, and he quickly released Mina’s hand as if it had burned him. Leo’s gaze remained cold and unblinking, a small, almost imperceptible smile playing at his lips, though his eyes were as sharp as daggers.
 “I suggest you keep your hands to yourself. Otherwise…” Leo didn’t finish the sentence, but the edge in his tone was enough to make the man swallow hard and step back.
Mina's chest tightened with a rush of conflicting emotions. She couldn’t believe Leo had actually shown up. Amidst the bustling luxury of the wedding, it felt as if the world had shrunk to just the two of them. 
Leo didn’t say anything more, but his grip on her shoulder tightened, sending a clear message to everyone around that the woman beside him was off-limits.
Mina looked up at him, their eyes meeting for a moment, and this time, Leo didn’t look away. There was something in his gaze—something softer, perhaps tinged with regret—that made Mina’s heart race.
“I thought you were busy,” she murmured softly, her voice barely audible over the music that continued to play.
Leo leaned down, his breath warm against her ear. “I am busy,” he said, his voice quieter than usual. “But for you... I can make an exception.”
The moment Mina's words reached Leo, a tense silence filled the air between them. The ballroom noise and the chatter of guests seemed to fade into the background, leaving just the two of them standing in a small, intimate bubble. 
Ji Eun’s husband had retreated swiftly, fear evident in his eyes, but Mina's own concerns lingered heavily in the space between her and Leo.
Mina turned away slightly, as if the weight of what she was about to say was too much to face him head-on. 
"Leo... I’m worried about Ji Eun," she confessed, her voice soft, almost trembling. 
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