Luke never listened to music before a performance.

He disappeared into another world instead.

Yerin had learned that early on, and every time she saw it happen, she couldn't help but smile. She was so proud of him. Sometimes she still couldn't believe this incredible man was hers.

A few days before White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, she'd noticed how serious he'd become. He barely talked to her anymore—to the point where she started wondering if he was avoiding her.

Still, she understood.

Her grandmother had performed the play before, so Yerin knew exactly how demanding it was. No rehearsals. No script beforehand. Everything depended on the actor meeting the words for the first time on stage.

Luke needed space.

He needed silence. Mental exercises. A clear mind.

So she gave him that space.

She only talked to him when he initiated it first.

What she didn't know was that Luke wasn't avoiding her because of the play.

Not entirely.

Luke wasn't nervous.

Not really.

He'd done everything he could to prepare. At this point, all that was left was to let go and trust himself.

But something else had been bothering him.

One of the things he loved most about him and Yerin was how naturally they respected each other's space.

But there was one thing he knew about Yerin—

She listened.

Really listened.

Lately, though, she seemed distracted.

Always on her phone.

More than usual.

And last night, he'd reached his limit.

He was getting ready for bed when Yerin's phone vibrated. She was still in the shower.

He wasn't nosy.

He really wasn't.

But he caught a glimpse of the notification.

From “J”

Thanks for the 🎟️

Luke leaned closer before he could stop himself.

A ticket?

A ticket to what?

His play?

Why was she giving him a ticket?

He remembered J—the friend she'd gone to the Olivia Dean concert with. Yerin had been annoyed when people assumed they were dating because J kept posting pictures of her on Instagram.

And now...

Tickets?

That thought occupied his mind until Yerin stepped out of the shower.

"You okay?"

Luke just nodded.

He didn't have the courage to ask.

He didn't want to sound jealous.

Or worse, possessive.

He was always careful with Yerin's feelings.

So he chose silence.

The Duchess Theatre erupted into applause.

But Luke's eyes searched for only one person.

And he couldn't find her.

Everyone surrounded him backstage. Congratulations came from all directions.

Tonight was about him, after all.

Then suddenly—

"Luke!"

Yerin practically ran into him.

She hugged him tightly.

"Congratulations! You did so well. I'm so, so proud of you."

And honestly—

That was all he needed.

Until—

"Hey! I want you to meet someone. This is J, my friend."

J reached out his hand.

"Congratulations. That performance was—"

Luke didn't hear another word.

His mind had already gone elsewhere.

Then his PA appeared.

"Luke, come on! There are loads of fans waiting outside."

Yerin gently pushed him.

"Go. They're excited to see you. I won't bother you. I'm going with J—we're meeting some friends at the pub."

"B-but—"

He never finished.

He was already being pulled toward the stage door.

And Yerin disappeared with J.

This was supposed to be their night.

He'd imagined dinner with his parents.

He'd imagined the four of them celebrating together.

Instead—

Apparently, the pub was more important.

And somehow, he didn't even think he had the right to be upset.

"Congratulations again, darling."

His mother squeezed his hand while his father smiled proudly.

They were dining at Claridge's Restaurant, somewhere elegant and quiet.

Somewhere Luke had chosen because he thought tonight would be special.

He thought there would be four people at the table.

Instead, there were only three.

His phone wouldn't stop buzzing.

Congratulations.

Castmates.

Friends.

People predicting rave reviews.

He had the two people who loved him most sitting in front of him.

So why did he feel disappointed?

Because Yerin wasn't there.

He'd imagined her laughing with his parents.

His mother insisting she order dessert.

His father telling embarrassing stories.

Driving home together.

Instead—

She was at the pub.

With friends.

And J.

And the worst part?

He didn't even think he had the right to be upset.

He hadn't told her about the dinner.

He'd spent days unintentionally ignoring her.

Still—

He'd hoped.

"Yerin was lovely, dear," his mother said.

He looked up.

"Y-you saw her?"

"Oh yes. We hugged and kissed. Such a shame she couldn't join us. She said she had prior engagements."

Prior engagements, my ass.

His father smiled.

"Sweet girl. She looked very excited."

Luke forced a smile.

His mother tilted her head.

"Missing her already?"

"No."

The answer came too quickly.

His father chuckled.

"You've been staring at your phone all evening."

"I'm not."

His parents exchanged knowing looks.

Then his father raised his glass.

"To White Rabbit, Red Rabbit."

His mother raised hers too.

"To our brilliant boy."

Luke smiled.

"Thanks."

But even as they laughed and celebrated, a small part of him kept wondering—

Why hadn't Yerin stayed?

And why did it hurt so much?

The flat greeted him with silence.

Theirs.

Even in his thoughts, it was always theirs.

He almost texted her.

Almost.

His pride wouldn't let him.

After a shower, he changed into a white shirt and sweatpants.

Still no Yerin.

Now he was worried.

Home. Where are you?

No response.

Half an hour later, he heard the door unlock.

She kissed his cheek.

"Hi."

Then disappeared into the bathroom.

She smelled faintly of alcohol.

Luke was too tired.

Too disappointed.

So he pretended to sleep.

Until he felt her tugging his hand.

"Come."

"W-what? Where are you taking me?"

She led him toward the mini-library.

And his jaw dropped.

A giant sign read:

CONGRATUFUCKINGLATIONS

The room had been transformed.

Warm lights.

Flowers.

Bohemian decor.

Floor pillows.

Candles.

A projector screen.

It looked like something straight out of the conservatory scene from Bridgerton.

"Sit here."

Yerin handed him a glass of wine and dimmed the lights.

The video began.

Friends.

Family.

People he loved.

Messages congratulating him.

Praising him.

Telling him how proud they were.

And finally—

Her Halmoni sending him a  message of praise.

Luke was already wiping tears from his eyes.

And somehow—

Yerin still wasn't finished.

"One more thing. Close your eyes. Don't cheat."

He obeyed.

"Open."

She was holding a rabbit-shaped cake.

“I baked this for you”

A tiny candle flickered above the word:

Congratulations.

Luke laughed and cried at the same time.

Then he hugged her.

Hard.

And kissed her.

"I thought you didn't care."

His voice cracked.

"I was so upset you missed dinner with my parents."

Yerin blinked.

"Oh, they were accomplices."

"What?"

"I told them I was planning a surprise. They loved the idea. J and my friends helped me set everything up."

"So there wasn't a pub?"

"No. We were decorating. I only had one sip of alcohol to make it believable."

"Oh God."

"And you should've seen your face. Do you think I'd ignore one of the biggest nights of your life? I'm not that kind of partner."

Then she narrowed her eyes.

"Unlike someone who ignored me for days."

Luke pouted.

"Because you weren't paying attention to me."

Yerin stared.

"Luke, I was planning all this. And I thought you were focused on the play, so I didn't want to bother you."

He hugged her tighter.

"But I saw J thanking you for the ticket."

"Oh, him?"

"Yes, him."

"He adores you. He's your biggest fan."

Luke frowned.

"I remember people assuming you two were together."

Yerin burst out laughing.

She stopped when she noticed his serious expression.

"Oh my God."

Her eyes widened.

"Are you jealous of J?"

"Me? Jealous? Of course not."

"Luke."

"He just doesn't sit right with me."

"We're friends. That's all. He spent half the night talking about you. He even read A Little Life because of you. We had a whole book club discussion about how you're just the perfect Willem and he’s so bummed he missed that play."

"Okay, enough about him."

He kissed her again.

Longer this time.

"Thank you."

His forehead rested against hers.

"For being the best girlfriend. I don't deserve you."

Yerin smiled softly.

"You do."

"No, I don't."

She grinned.

"Are we seriously arguing about who deserves whom again?"

He laughed.

"Probably."

Hours later, they somehow fell asleep in the library.

The projector had long stopped.

The wine glasses empty.

The rabbit-shaped cake sat half-eaten on the table.

Wrapped in blankets, Yerin lay curled against his chest while one of Luke's arms stayed securely around her even in sleep.

Somewhere around three in the morning, Luke stirred.

Not enough to wake up.

Just enough to tighten his hold around her when she shifted closer.

Half asleep, Yerin buried her face into his neck.

"Mmm."

Luke smiled into her hair.

"I love you."

She made a sleepy sound.

Then, without opening her eyes—

"I know."

He laughed softly.

"No, you don't."

"I do."

"No, you don't."

Yerin smiled against his skin.

"You're annoying."

"And you're sleepy."

"And you're clingy."

"And you're my girlfriend. My very sleepy girlfriend."

She hummed.

"And you're my very dramatic boyfriend."

He grinned in the dark.

"Am not."

"Mm. Jealous of J."

"Was not."

She giggled weakly.

"You absolutely were."

"Go back to sleep."

"You too."

He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

And surrounded by fairy lights, empty wine glasses, and the quiet remains of a night made entirely out of love, they drifted back to sleep together—

Exactly where they belonged.