Scarlet Strings.

Chapter 42:

The golden rays of the early Tuscan sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the estate. It was a peaceful morning, or at least, it should have been. Sung-Hoon sighed, rubbing a hand over his face as he tried to calm down a very fussy Aimir. His one-year-old son was restless, whining softly as he refused to stay still in his arms.

"Aimir-ah, what is it?" Sung-Hoon muttered under his breath, gently bouncing the child. He was usually a quiet baby, but this trip, for some reason, he seemed particularly irritated. Realizing that staying inside wasn't helping, Sung-Hoon stepped out onto the balcony of their room, hoping the fresh morning air would soothe Aimir.

The scent of morning dew and blooming lavender filled the air, and from his spot, he could see the sprawling vineyards in the distance. Tuscany really was something else. Just as Aimir started to settle against his shoulder, a sudden movement caught Sung-Hoon's eye.

His gaze shifted downward to the courtyard, where two figures stood near one of the guesthouse doors. It took him only a second to recognize them, Christine and Thomas. But something about them was... off. Sung-Hoon's brows furrowed.

At first, he thought they were simply talking, but the longer he watched, the clearer it became, they were arguing. Christine crossed her arms tightly over her chest, her posture rigid. Thomas, on the other hand, was gesturing wildly, his movements sharp and frustrated. It wasn't a lighthearted exchange.

Sung-Hoon couldn't hear their voices from this distance, but their actions spoke volumes. And then, they started pushing each other. Christine shoved Thomas's shoulder with both hands. Not playful. Not teasing. It was forceful. Thomas barely stumbled before shoving her back, not in a violent way, but in a way that clearly showed his frustration.

Sung-Hoon's grip on Aimir tightened. "Why are they fighting so aggressively?" And then he noticed something even stranger. Christine pointed toward the bed inside the room, her hands moving in sharp, exaggerated motions. Thomas shook his head vehemently, pointing at the floor instead.

Back and forth, the argument continued. Christine threw her hands up in exasperation, while Thomas looked just as stubborn. Sung-Hoon narrowed his eyes. "Are they... fighting over who gets to sleep on the floor?"

That didn't make any sense. They were married, weren't they? Why would a husband and wife be arguing about who should sleep on the floor and who should take the bed? If anything, Christine seemed angry that Thomas refused to take the floor. And Thomas? He looked just as frustrated, insisting on something she refused to accept.

Sung-Hoon had always thought of them as a happy couple, but this... this didn't seem like the kind of argument a loving husband and wife should have. There was something off about them. And Sung-Hoon wasn't the type to ignore his instincts.

***

The soft golden light of the early Tuscan morning filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow over the bedroom. The crisp sheets rustled as Scarlet stirred, her body still nestled against Ha-Joon's warmth. Before she could even fully wake up, she felt a gentle touch a warm, lingering kiss pressed to her forehead.

"I love you," Ha-Joon murmured, his voice deep and husky from sleep. A small smile graced Scarlet's lips before she even opened her eyes. When she did, she found herself looking into Ha-Joon's dark, affectionate gaze.

"I love you too," she whispered back, her fingers tracing the faint outlines of his features. Ha-Joon grinned and leaned in, brushing another soft kiss against her cheek before stretching lazily.

Scarlet let out a small sigh and pushed herself up. "I'm going to take a bath and get ready," she announced, slipping out of bed.

Ha-Joon hummed, watching her with a lazy smirk as she padded toward the bathroom. "Don't take too long," he teased.