Unspoken Desire JenLisa AU

Chapter 17

I forced myself to swallow the lump in my throat as I walked back into the dining room, a trembling smile plastered on my face. Lisa looked up at me, her eyes soft, warm, and—God help me—those familiar doe eyes. I couldn't lose this, I thought. I couldn't lose her.

"Who was it?" she asked casually, her fork clinking against her plate as she took another bite.

"Oh, just Somi," I said, keeping my tone light as I took my seat again. My hands trembled slightly, so I tucked them under the table. "She's... going through something, I guess. Drama, as usual."

Lisa chuckled, a low, familiar sound that sent a pang through my chest. "Somi and her drama, huh? That girl's always finding something to stir up."

I nodded, biting my lip. My mind screamed to say something, to confront her, to shove the photo in her face and demand an explanation. But I couldn't. Not yet.

I needed to be sure.

"Lisa," I began softly, watching her carefully. "Can we talk about us?"

Lisa looked up, her brows furrowing slightly. "What do you mean? Are you okay?"

I nodded quickly, too quickly. "Yeah, of course. I've just... I've been feeling like we don't have much time for each other lately. You've been so busy with work, and I—I miss you."

Her expression softened instantly. She reached across the table, taking my hand in hers. "Chae, I know. And I'm so sorry. I hate that work is taking so much of my time, but it's for us. For our future."

Our future. The words twisted something inside me, a cruel irony I couldn't escape.

"I know," I murmured, forcing a smile. "I just feel like we're... distant, you know? Like I barely see you anymore. I've been thinking about it a lot lately."

Lisa squeezed my hand, her thumb brushing over my knuckles. "I hate that you feel that way. I really do. You mean everything to me, Chae. You know that, right?"

I swallowed hard. Did I?

"Of course," I lied, nodding. "I just... I need to feel it sometimes. Like now."

Lisa stood from her seat, moving to kneel in front of me. She cupped my face in her hands, looking up at me with those deep, familiar eyes. "I'm sorry if I've made you feel neglected. I never want you to think for a second that you're not my number one priority. I love you, Chae. More than anything."

I bit the inside of my cheek hard, willing myself not to cry. I couldn't let her see the cracks in my facade, couldn't let her know that I knew—or at least suspected. If she was telling the truth, if this was all just a misunderstanding, I couldn't ruin us over it.

But if she was lying...

I pulled her into an embrace, clinging to her as if holding her tighter would make her mine again. "I love you too," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Lisa held me just as tightly, and for a moment, I let myself pretend that everything was okay. That we were okay.

But the image from the photo flashed in my mind—the blanket, the intimacy, the undeniable betrayal.

I pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes. "Promise me," I said quietly. "Promise me that there's nothing I should worry about."

Her brows furrowed again, confusion flickering across her face. "Chae, what's this about?"

"Just... promise me," I insisted, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to steady it.

Lisa frowned but nodded. "I promise. There's nothing to worry about. I would never hurt you, Chae. Never."