The morning sun streamed through the kitchen windows, casting a warm glow over the room as Mia moved around, preparing breakfast for Jiwoon. She could hear the sounds of the mansion waking up—Jin’s footsteps padding down the hallway and the distant sounds of the city coming alive outside. Yet, despite the beautiful morning and the laughter of the little boy she cared for, a heaviness hung in the air.

After last night, Mia felt conflicted. She had known it was a mistake, giving in to the heat of the moment with Jin. He was her employer, after all, and while their connection had been undeniable, crossing that line had added a layer of complexity to their relationship that she hadn’t anticipated. She had seen a different side of him—one that was raw and vulnerable—but it terrified her.

So today, she resolved to focus solely on Jiwoon. As she set a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of him, she pushed aside the memories of their shared passion. The little boy beamed up at her, his eyes shining with joy.

“Yummy!” Jiwoon exclaimed, digging into his breakfast with enthusiasm.

“Eat up, big guy,” she said, smiling down at him, her heart swelling with affection. “We’ve got a busy day ahead.”

“Yay!” Jiwoon cheered, his mouth half-full.

Mia couldn’t help but chuckle at his antics. Jiwoon was a delightful child—curious, lively, and utterly adorable. She loved her job, and caring for him felt fulfilling. Each day, she made it her mission to ensure that he was happy and healthy, teaching him new things while also having fun. The bond they were forming was something she cherished deeply.

As she served Jiwoon another helping of fruit, she noticed Jin enter the kitchen. Their eyes met briefly, and the weight of their unspoken tension made her stomach twist. He looked handsome as ever, dressed in a fitted shirt that accentuated his broad shoulders, but she quickly averted her gaze, focusing back on Jiwoon.

“Good morning, Mia,” Jin said, his tone friendly yet cautious, as if he were testing the waters.

“Good morning,” she replied curtly, forcing a smile, refusing to let him see the turmoil churning inside her.

“Jiwoon, did you sleep well?” Jin asked, kneeling beside his son.

“Yeah! Mia read me a story!” Jiwoon said proudly, his little face lighting up with joy.

“Did she?” Jin glanced at Mia, a hint of surprise in his expression. “What story did you read him?”

“A fun one about a dragon who learns to fly,” she said, trying to keep her tone light. “Jiwoon loved it.”

“Dragons are cool!” Jiwoon chimed in, bouncing in his chair.

“Maybe we can find another dragon book later,” Jin suggested, turning to Mia. “You’re doing a great job with him.”

“Thanks,” Mia replied, her voice softening momentarily before she steeled herself again. “But it’s my job.”

Silence filled the room as they continued breakfast, Jiwoon happily chatting about his favorite cartoons while Jin shot occasional glances her way. Each look felt like a reminder of what had happened between them, a silent acknowledgment of their intimacy that hung heavily in the air.

After breakfast, Mia quickly shifted her focus back to Jiwoon. “Ready for some fun outside?” she asked, hoping to redirect the energy of the morning.

“Yes!” Jiwoon shouted, pumping his fists in the air.

“Alright, let’s get you dressed!” she said, springing into action. As she helped him into his shoes, she tried to ignore the way Jin watched them from the kitchen, the way his gaze lingered as if he were pondering something deep.

Once they were outside, the morning sun warmed their faces, and the laughter of Jiwoon filled the air. They played games in the garden, running and chasing each other, with Mia laughing as Jiwoon giggled and squealed. For those moments, the worries about Jin and the turmoil inside her faded, replaced by pure joy and the carefree essence of childhood.

“Look, Mia! I can jump really high!” Jiwoon exclaimed, trying to leap into the air.

“Wow! You’re like a superhero!” she cheered, clapping for him.

“Mia! Can you jump high too?” Jiwoon asked, his little face filled with determination.

Mia feigned a dramatic expression, her hands on her hips. “I’m a superhero too! Watch this!”

She jumped, flailing her arms exaggeratedly. Jiwoon burst into laughter, the sound infectious, filling her heart with warmth. It was moments like these that reminded her why she loved this job, why she was willing to put aside her feelings for Jin.

After a while, they took a break, sitting under a shady tree. Jiwoon munched on some fruit snacks while Mia pulled out a picture book, reading aloud to him. The simplicity of the moment was comforting, a reminder that life could be uncomplicated, even if her own heart felt tangled.

“Do you like Mia?” Jiwoon suddenly asked, his big eyes wide with curiosity.

“Of course! She’s amazing!” Jin’s voice came from behind them, startling Mia. She hadn’t noticed him approach, and her heart raced as she looked up at him.

“Daddy, you like Mia too?” Jiwoon pressed, oblivious to the tension swirling in the air.

Jin hesitated for a moment, glancing at Mia, who felt her cheeks flush. “She’s really good at taking care of you,” he finally said, his tone careful.

Mia’s heart sank slightly. Good at taking care of Jiwoon. That was all she was to him. Just a nanny. Nothing more.

“Well, I think she’s the best!” Jiwoon declared, grinning widely as he took another bite of his snack.

Jin smiled at his son, but Mia could sense the underlying tension in his expression. The moment passed, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that their interactions were strained. As the day went on, she focused more intently on Jiwoon, throwing herself into her role as his caregiver.

Once they returned inside, Mia prepared Jiwoon for his nap, reading to him until his eyelids grew heavy. As he finally drifted off to sleep, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. She tiptoed out of his room, her heart heavy with thoughts of Jin.

She found him in the living room, going through some paperwork, his brow furrowed in concentration. She hesitated, feeling an odd mix of gratitude and confusion as she recalled the night they had shared.

“Um, I’m going to clean up in the kitchen,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady and professional.

“Okay,” he replied without looking up, his tone neutral.

As she moved into the kitchen, she felt the weight of his gaze on her. The silence stretched, and she concentrated on washing the dishes, her heart racing with each passing moment.

Finally, Jin stepped into the kitchen, leaning against the counter. “Mia,” he began, his tone softer than it had been earlier. “About last night…”

Mia’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly steeled herself, refusing to let him see her emotions. “We don’t need to talk about it,” she said, trying to sound casual, but she could hear the tremor in her voice.

“Why not? It happened. We can’t just ignore it,” he said, his eyes locking onto hers.

“It was just... a moment,” she said, her throat tightening. “I’m here to take care of Jiwoon. That’s what matters.”

“Do you really believe that?” he asked, his voice tinged with frustration.

“Of course I do! I can’t get involved with you, Jin. I’m your nanny,” she insisted, her heart racing as she turned back to the sink, focusing on the water rather than the intensity of his gaze.

“Why do you keep pushing me away?” he asked, stepping closer.

“Because I don’t want to get hurt. I can’t afford to get involved with you, not when you’re dealing with your divorce and everything else.” She paused, her heart aching. “You deserve better than someone like me.”

He fell silent, the weight of her words hanging in the air between them. She could feel the tension, the unspoken emotions swirling like a tempest. But she was determined to keep her distance, to not let herself become entangled in his complicated world.

Finally, she turned to face him, trying to maintain her composure. “We need to keep things professional. For Jiwoon’s sake.”

“Fine,” he said curtly, stepping back, a pained expression on his face. “If that’s what you want.”

“Yes, it is,” she said, her voice firm, though her heart felt heavy.

With that, Mia turned away, resuming her cleaning while Jin retreated into silence, leaving her alone with her racing thoughts. She felt a mixture of relief and sadness as the weight of their unresolved feelings lingered in the air.

As she worked through the rest of the afternoon, she focused on Jiwoon and his needs, reminding herself of her purpose. She would not let her heart get in the way of what was important.

Even as the shadows of her emotions loomed over her, she pushed them aside, immersing herself in her role. No matter how much she craved the connection they had, she would remain resolute in her decision to keep things professional.

Later that evening, as Jin returned home, Mia busied herself with dinner, trying to avoid the tension that still lingered between them. She could feel the weight of their last conversation hanging in the air, but she remained determined to keep things as normal as possible. She stirred the vegetables in the pan, the aroma filling the kitchen, while Jiwoon played quietly in the living room with his toys.

Jin entered the kitchen, the sound of his footsteps grounding her. She focused on chopping carrots, trying to ignore the heat of his presence behind her. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken words, but she refused to acknowledge it.

“Dinner smells great,” Jin said, his voice breaking the silence.

“Thanks,” Mia replied without looking up, her hands moving mechanically as she worked.

“Jiwoon’s been looking forward to it all day,” he continued, trying to ease the tension.

“I’m glad,” she said, a hint of warmth creeping into her voice. It was easy to care for Jiwoon, and his happiness was the only thing that mattered to her right now.

As she finished cooking, the familiar sounds of their routine brought her comfort. Jin helped set the table, and they called Jiwoon to join them. The little boy raced into the dining room, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the colorful meal.

“Yummy!” Jiwoon exclaimed, climbing into his chair with excitement.

“Eat up, champ,” Jin said, ruffling his son’s hair affectionately. “Mia made this just for you.”

“Thanks, Mia!” Jiwoon said, beaming at her, and her heart swelled with joy. His innocence and love reminded her of why she was here.

As they sat down to eat, Mia tried to focus on Jiwoon’s chatter, but she could feel Jin’s gaze on her. The unspoken words from earlier danced between them, making it difficult to enjoy the moment fully.

“Did you have fun playing today?” Jin asked Jiwoon, redirecting the conversation.

“Yeah! We played dragon superheroes!” Jiwoon replied, his voice full of excitement.

“Dragon superheroes, huh? Sounds awesome! I bet you saved the day,” Jin laughed, his mood lightening as he interacted with his son.

Mia watched them, a small smile on her face. Their bond was so genuine, and it filled her with happiness to see Jin in this light. For now, she pushed aside her own feelings, focusing on the happiness of Jiwoon and his father.

After dinner, as Jiwoon played with his toys, Jin and Mia started cleaning up the table. The kitchen was filled with the clattering of plates and utensils, but the air between them was thick with unresolved tension.

“Mia,” Jin said suddenly, breaking the silence.

She paused, looking up at him. “Yes?”

“About last night... I know things got out of hand, but I don’t want you to think it was just a one-time thing for me,” he said, his voice low and serious.

Mia’s heart raced. “Jin, we agreed—”

“I know what we agreed on, but I can’t help but feel something more. You’re special to me, Mia. I can’t just pretend it didn’t happen,” he interrupted, stepping closer.

“Jin, this isn’t just about us. It’s about Jiwoon too. I can’t complicate things,” she insisted, her voice firm. “You’re still dealing with your divorce, and I’m just your nanny.”

“Exactly! You’re not ‘just’ my nanny. You’re incredible with him, and I...” he hesitated, his expression softening. “I care about you. I don’t want to lose what we have.”

Mia felt her resolve wavering, but she quickly steeled herself again. “This isn’t the right time. You’re in a vulnerable place, and I don’t want to take advantage of that. Jiwoon needs us to be stable.”

“Stability can include feelings, Mia,” he replied, his frustration rising. “I don’t want to keep pretending that I don’t feel this connection with you.”

“Connection?” she echoed, her heart racing. “This is complicated, Jin. It’s messy. You’re hurt, and I’m scared.”

“Scared of what?” he pressed, his eyes intense. “Of me? Of what we could be?”

“Of everything,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t risk getting hurt or hurting Jiwoon in the process.”

Jin’s expression shifted, frustration giving way to understanding. “I get it. But shutting me out isn’t the answer either. I just need you to know that I’m here, and I want to figure this out together.”

Mia took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words. “I appreciate that, but let’s not complicate things right now. Let’s focus on Jiwoon and getting through this together.”

“Fine,” he replied, his tone resigned but still holding a glimmer of hope. “But just know that I’m not giving up on us.”

She nodded, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. “Okay. For Jiwoon, let’s just focus on being a team.”

As they finished cleaning up, Mia couldn’t shake the feeling that things were shifting. The lines between their roles were blurring, and no matter how much she tried to maintain her distance, a part of her yearned for more. But she pushed those feelings aside, reminding herself of her priorities.

After Jiwoon was tucked into bed, Mia took a moment to herself in the living room. She needed to clear her mind, to find a way to compartmentalize her emotions. But no matter how hard she tried, thoughts of Jin lingered.