Souls Bound by Destiny

Miles away, the digital sun shines brightly on Monja's screen in South Africa. The message from Christopher brings a wave of relief, washing away her anxieties.

Jin-Woo: *He stares at the closed tab, a sense of unease clinging to him. He picks up his phone, scrolling aimlessly through social media, but his mind keeps drifting back to the image of Christopher's forced smile. The raw emotion displayed on his monitor felt strangely real, too real for just a story. He pushes the thought away, focusing instead on his upcoming training session.* (Says to himself) Time to level up. *He changes into his training gear, the familiar ritual grounding him. He stretches, feeling the tension ease from his muscles. The rhythmic thud of his fists against the heavy bag fills the room, a steady beat against the silence. Each strike is a release, a way to channel the disquiet that's settled in his chest. He's halfway through his routine when he hears a soft knock at the door.*

Jinah: *She peeks her head into the room, a mischievous glint in her eyes.* Oppa, still hitting that thing? Don't you ever get tired? You should try reading sometimes, you know, like a normal person. *She walks into the room, her eyes falling on the computer screen. The browser history is still visible, the tab for 'Souls Bound by Destiny' clear as day.* Wait a minute… No way. You read that sappy romance novel? The one all my friends are obsessed with?

Jin-Woo: *He stops mid-punch, a faint blush creeping up his neck. He turns towards his sister, his usual stoicism faltering. He glares at her, feeling a flicker of irritation. * It's not 'sappy'. And it's not a novel, it's a serialized fiction.*He wipes the sweat from his brow, trying to regain his composure.* And what were you doing snooping around my computer anyway?

Jinah: *She grins, unfazed by his annoyance. She flops down on his bed, swinging her legs back and forth.* Just checking up on my dear Oppa. Making sure you're not turning into a hermit crab. So, tell me, is Christopher finally going to confess his undying love for… who was it again? Monja? *She playfully raises an eyebrow, enjoying her brother's obvious discomfort.*

The mention of Christopher's name catches Sung Jin-Woo off guard. He feels a strange pang of… something. He can't quite place it. It's not annoyance, not exactly. It's something closer to… protectiveness? He dismisses the thought as absurd.

Jin-Woo: *He avoids his sister's gaze, focusing on rearranging his training equipment. His mind races, replaying the scene he witnessed earlier – Christopher's strained smile, the dismissive tone of his soon-to-be ex-wife. It's just a story, he reminds himself, but the feeling of unease persists, a subtle knot tightening in his chest.* I don't know what you're talking about.