Sweet Hatred Chapter 106: KISS OR SLAP

ARIA

The living room buzzed with low laughter and the overly dramatic sobs of the k-drama playing on TV. Olivia was curled into one corner of the couch with a blanket over her legs, watching like the world depended on it. Michael was beside her, phone in hand, thumb scrolling lazily.

Kaleb had thrown himself on the rug like he was auditioning for a lead role. He clutched his chest with one hand, a plastic sword in the other, and wailed, "Hyung! Don’t die!"

Even Lily let out a squeaky giggle from where she sat in Mom’s lap. I laughed with them, but it didn’t quite reach.

My phone was in my hand, and I wasn’t even trying to pretend I cared about the show. I was mid-chat with Sarah, who was currently telling that the new guy she was talking to had "toddler-level emotional depth and never stopped rambling about how he was an high value alpha male seeking a high value female." whatever the hell that ant.

I sent her a laughing emoji and a "girl, run" reply.

But then my fingers slowed. I tapped back into his chat. Kael. Still no ssage. The bastard had disappeared for almost two weeks now.

The screen stared at , cold and flat. His na at the top, silent as ever. My last voicemail sat there like an open wound. Or maybe a desperate plea. Or maybe I didn’t even know anymore. I had sent him only one and yet it felt like I was on my knees begging to be picked. One and yet I couldn’t even listen to it without cringing now.

God. What the hell was wrong with ?

I dropped the phone facedown on the couch cushion beside and leaned back, trying to tune in to whatever tragedy was unfolding on screen.

Kaleb suddenly flopped back against my legs like a dying fish. "Noona, I’m dying of boredom. Save ." Ever since he learnt what the word Noona ant from the TV show, he hadn’t stop calling that.

I ruffled his curls. "You’re watching your mom’s favorite drama."

"Yeah, but," he huffed, "it’s boring."

"Tragic," I said. "Truly heartbreaking."

"You both are too shallow minded to understand the beauty of love triangles." Olivia defended her show from across the room with a glare I could feel. I barely spared her a glance but Kaleb ran to his mom, flopping on her too.

I felt Mom’s eyes on and looked up. She was rocking Lily gently, a quiet question in her gaze.

"You okay, sweetheart?" she asked.

I nodded too quickly. "Yeah. Just... need so air."

I didn’t wait for anyone to stop . I grabbed my hoodie off the armchair, shoved my phone and lighter into the pocket, and slipped out the front door.

The cool air hit the second I stepped outside, and I finally exhaled.

Outside my apartnt building, I sat on a small block and lit a cigarette with shaky fingers. The spring cold was sneaking into my hoodie. The lighter clicked twice before sparking, like even it was reluctant. I hadn’t smoked in weeks—not since... well. Him.

But sothing about the silence in his ssages made my lungs ache. I took a drag. Hated the taste. Hated the burn. Hated how it didn’t do anything to numb .

I was halfway through the second puff when I heard it—

A car.

Not just any car. A black blur tearing down the street like it owned the night, engine growling like a goddamn beast.

I froze.

It skidded to a dramatic halt right in front of , and for a second, I just stood there—frozen, blinking against the smoke and the ridiculous scene unfolding in front of my apartnt building. The lights cut off and for a second, I could hear my own heartbeat louder than the engine.

"What the f—"

The driver’s door opened. And Kael Roman stepped out like a slow-motion fever dream. Hair tousled, coat half-buttoned, jaw tight, eyes locked on like he had been starved. Not a single hesitation.

I blinked, my cigarette dangling from my fingers. "What the hell—"

"I got your voicemails," he said calmly like he hadn’t just tried to give a heart attack.

"Wha— What th—" My mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. "Where have you been?"

His expression changed into the usual playful smirk. But sothing cracked in his voice when he said, "Fighting trade wars. Winning them. Now I’m here."

I didn’t know if I wanted to kiss him or slap him. Probably both.

"You disappeared into thin air you fucking bastard."

"I missed you."

He said it so quietly I almost didn’t catch it over the drum of my pulse in my ears.

I stared at him, stunned, cigarette forgotten in my hand. "Missed ?" I repeated like the words were foreign. "You vanish for two damn weeks without a word and show up with your Jas Bond theatrics and that’s what you go with?"

Why the hell was I even saying that, picking a fight with him, it wasn’t like we were dating. I always repeated that to myself and yet, yet, I couldn’t stop. I felt a dull ache spread every where in my chest, a question begging to be answered. What did Kael think of exactly?

His jaw twitched as he exhaled deeply. "Say your goodnights. I’m stealing you for a few days. Maybe weeks. Depends on how long it takes to make up for this."

My mouth actually dropped open. "You’re what?"

"You heard ."

"Hah!" I laughed. Sharp. Bitter. "You selfish bastard. Give a fucking break. You don’t get to do that." I dropped the cigarette and stomped on it to put it out while keeping my gaze fixed on him. "You don’t get to walk in and out of my life like you own it, fucking dragging everywhere like I’m your damned pet."

"I don’t like walking out of your life," he said, dead serious.

"Oh, fuck off," I snapped. "You don’t get to disappear and then act like you’re doing a favor by showing up with a broody face and a fast car."