had clicked shut behind her with a soft finality that echoed in her ears. Her heart beat erratically as her fo

hands, the edges slightly crinkled from the anxiety she hadn't realized she was holding. She wanted to take it back-to change her mind and retreat into the comfort of her familiar wor

red a tight smile in return but didn't stop to chat. She had no time for pleasantries, not now. The a

ed space

in her lap. She had reviewed the offer while still in the office, but it wasn't enough. She needed time to process

led, a constant hum that matched the turbulence in her mind. She wanted to be excited about the job-after all, who wouldn't? Jang Woo'

self in the process? Would she be sacrificing her happiness f

the silence. She reached for it with a sense of

I can't stop thinking about it. Let me know ho

ed with her daily struggles-someone who could see the opportunity from the outside. It was nice, in a way, to see things from that perspective.

," she typed back quickly

d make everything fall into place. The job itself was straightforward enough: assistant to Jang Woo, which would include everything from managing his schedule to overseei

tic, a man who didn't easily let anyone into his personal life. Was she ready to work for someone like him? Could s

e was him. Ja

t. His quiet authority, the way he carried himself, the way his dark eyes seemed to see right through her. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was an intensity in him that unse

d she

sun had started to dip below the horizon, the sky painted with streaks of pink and orange. She c

he had worked tirelessly to provide for her family, to keep everything together despite the st

he familiarity of her small town, from the life she

person who always knew what to say, the one who h

mo

ap, knowing how much it would change everything? The financial struggles would become a distant memory if she accepted the offer.

ose? Her peace of mi

she walked toward her apartment. She was exhausted, mentally and emotionally drained. But s

it was a call from her mother. Valent

, trying to sound as

her mother asked, her voic

ine replied honestly. "I'm

," her mother said gently. "Whate

ght of her mother's words settle in her chest.

was ready to make a decision just yet, but she knew she couldn't keep putting it off.

for the first time in a long while, Valentine felt like she was standing at the edge o

ed her more t

e, it was time for h