Chapter 45: Let It Happen

Ji-hye stirred beneath the soft linen sheets, her body slow to rise but her thoughts already racing. The villa’s morning light crept in through the sheer curtains, dappling her bare shoulders. Every inch of her felt lighter—less tense, less guarded—but her mind... her mind was anything but clear. She sat up, clutching the blanket to her chest, as if it could hide the memory of how Joon-ho’s hands had traced down the curve of her hip, the way he’d murmured for her to breathe through the pain. His fingers had worked deep into the tightness, but it wasn’t just her muscles he’d been loosening. Her thighs pressed together unconsciously. She caught herself, face flushing, and swung her legs off the bed. Get it together, Ji-hye. She dressed quickly and made her way to the villa’s cozy kitchen, where Harin was already sitting at the island, barefoot in an oversized hoodie, sipping iced coffee like it was the most casual thing in the world. "Morning, sleepyhead," Harin grinned, eyes flicking up and down Ji-hye with teasing interest. "Sleep well?" Ji-hye rubbed her temple. "I guess..." "Oh, come on. You guess?" Harin chuckled, leaning forward. "You looked blissed out when you came out of that room last night. Girl, the moaning—" Ji-hye’s face went beet red. "I did not moan." "You did. Like, three times. It echoed." Ji-hye tried to stammer a response, but Harin just laughed, holding her hands up. "Hey, no judgment. That’s what Joon-ho’s therapy does. He doesn’t just knead your knots. He unwinds your mind too." Ji-hye sat down stiffly, grabbing a slice of toast, avoiding eye contact. "It’s just... different. I wasn’t expecting it to feel... that good." Harin’s voice softened. "You’re allowed to enjoy it, Ji-hye. That’s the whole point. This isn’t just about fixing your body. You’ve been wound tight for months. Maybe longer." Ji-hye stared at the butter knife. "I don’t know how to let go." "That’s why you’re here," Harin said, sipping again. "Let it happen. Little by little." The sound of footsteps made Ji-hye glance up. Joon-ho entered the room, casual in a white tee and grey joggers, hair still slightly damp from a shower. He greeted them with an easy smile. "Morning." Ji-hye tried not to squirm. His voice had that same calm warmth it had last night—but now she couldn’t hear it without remembering how it sounded when he told her to breathe through the stretch of her thigh, his hand resting so close to her— "Morning," she said quickly, looking away. "Sleep well?" he asked, but it was more to fill the silence than anything. He already knew the answer. Harin glanced at Ji-hye and smirked, then slid off her stool. "I’ll leave you two to chat. I’ve got a call to take." Ji-hye shot her a panicked look, but Harin just winked and disappeared down the hall. Joon-ho stepped toward the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and leaned against the counter. "How’s the hip this morning?" Ji-hye nodded slowly. "It’s... actually better. No stiffness." "I’m glad. The tissue was knotted deep. Took some pressure to get through." Ji-hye’s cheeks turned red again. "Yeah... I noticed." He chuckled under his breath, opening the bottle. "You handled it well." There was a beat of silence before she mumbled, "Thanks... for taking care of me." His eyes met hers across the room. "Anytime." Something in the way he said it made her pulse quicken. She stood abruptly. "I should get going. Practice at the center." "Take it easy today," he said. "You don’t need to overtrain." "I won’t," she promised, already grabbing her bag and heading toward the door. As soon as the door clicked shut behind her, Harin peeked back around the corner. "She’s cracking." Joon-ho gave a small smile. "She’s close." "You didn’t push her," Harin noted, crossing back into the kitchen, arms folded beneath her chest. "She’s not ready to be pushed. She needs permission—from herself." Harin leaned against the counter beside him. "She’s too polite to admit she wants you. That moan last night? She was soaking the towel. I felt the heat when I stepped in." Joon-ho didn’t respond, just sipped his water. "I want you," Harin said, blunt and hungry now, stepping close enough that her hip brushed his. "I’ve been patient. But I need you, Joon-ho. You’ve been so focused on her, I feel like I’m losing my edge." He turned toward her. "You want her to see." Harin smiled. "I want her to feel. I want her to realize there’s no shame in wanting. Not when you surrender to it." He tilted his head. "So this is therapy, too?" "For both of us." Joon-ho placed the bottle down. "Then let’s go out for a bit. Get out of the villa. Walk the town, build the tension." Harin’s grin widened. "Build it until she can’t stand it." He stepped forward and took her hand, lacing their fingers. They didn’t need to say more. They both knew what was coming—and who would be watching soon.