Homecoming of a Restless Heart

Ailine drew in a long breath as the car door opened, letting the late afternoon air wash over her. It had been weeks since she last saw her own apartment building. Coming back felt like stepping out of another world—quieter, heavier, yet somehow offering her a chance to begin again.

Inside the lobby, Manager Layla was already waiting. Emma followed behind, carefully pulling Ailine’s small suitcase.

“Ailine!” Layla rushed over, enveloping her in a warm hug that swept away the lingering scent of antiseptic on her clothes. “Finally. I’m so glad you’re home. Everyone at the agency is relieved to hear you’re doing better.”

Behind her, two agency staff bowed politely. One held a bouquet; the other carried a neat basket filled with fruit and snacks.

“We’re here to assist with anything you might need during recovery,” one of them said. “Please don’t hesitate to let us know, Miss Ailine.”

Ailine offered a small smile. “Thank you. Truly. I appreciate everything you all handled while I was hospitalized.”

Footsteps echoed from the side—Julian, masked and hooded as usual, appearing only for a moment. He actually had a packed schedule today, but he’d stolen a few minutes just to greet her.

“I feel bad for your assistant and manager. Boss Julian must’ve scolded them,” Ailine teased lightly.

“I only wanted to make sure you arrived safely,” he replied, tone flat yet unmistakably concerned.

Ailine nodded. “I’m home now. Thank you, Julian.”

“Hm.”

“Go back already! Your team must be panicking because you disappeared again!”

“If anything happens, text me.” He gave her a brief look before quickly turning away—too quickly—before Layla or Emma could tease him.

“Julian Feng seems quite fond of you, Miss Su,” Emma commented as she watched him leave.

“He’s like family to me,” Ailine replied.

Layla sighed dramatically. “Poor Julian… forever stuck in the family zone.”

“Hey! You two make it sound like I’m a terrible person. Enough—let me go inside. I need my bed right now.”

She strutted off toward the elevator, followed by the others.

“Miss Ailine, wait for us… Please walk slowly!”

Soon after, they reached her apartment door. When it opened, warmth embraced her instantly. The room was spotless, everything neatly arranged—evidence of Layla and the agency’s staff secretly coming days earlier to prepare a comfortable space for her recovery.

Before she could even put her bag down, her phone vibrated.

“Mom” flashed on the screen.

Ailine answered.

“Ailine, sweetheart? We heard you’ve been discharged,” her mother said, her voice overflowing with relief and emotion. “We’re so sorry we couldn’t rush over. There’s still business we need to finish.”

Her father’s voice chimed in from the background, sounding like he was fighting for the phone.

“We promise we’ll come in a few days. Just rest for now, and don’t push yourself too hard, alright?”

Ailine smiled, her chest tightening with warmth.

“Yes, I understand. I’m fine, really. Don’t worry too much.”

After the call ended, she stood in the middle of her quiet living room—peaceful, warm… and oddly intimidating.

Because now, there was no hospital bed, no IV pole, no excuse to hide from reality.

And beneath the silence, one truth made her heartbeat flutter.

She would see Owen again.

Not as a weakened patient in a hospital gown, but as herself—Ailine.

A woman who still carried feelings she had kept buried for years.

And this time… she wasn’t planning to retreat.

“I don’t care if people call me shameless for still loving my ex,” she murmured to herself. “Let them talk. All that matters is… I want to be with Owen again, no matter what our status is.”

---

The next morning, Ailine did not choose to sleep in or spend her day lazing around. She already had something scheduled.

Was she pushing herself too soon? Maybe.

But today’s task wasn’t exhausting—just a short live broadcast to reassure her fans that she had finally been discharged.

As one of Country Z’s biggest stars, a simple “I’m okay” from her would end endless speculation and quiet the worries that had filled social media for days.

After a warm shower and a change into something comfortable, Ailine sat at her vanity table. The soft ring light glowed gently, casting a healthy sheen on her still pale face. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders—simple, natural, effortlessly radiant.

Layla peeked from the doorway.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

Ailine met her own reflection.

“My fans have been worried for days. They deserve to know I’m okay.”

Layla nodded, retreating slightly while holding a tablet to monitor comments.

“Alright… I’m on standby. If you look the slightest bit tired, I’m ending it, understood?”

Ailine chuckled softly. “Yes, yes… my overprotective manager.”

“Miss Su, don’t overdo it. If you feel dizzy, tell us immediately!” Emma added.

“Yes, yes…”

Layla opened the FaceGram app and hit the Live button.

“Ailine is now live.”

Within seconds, viewers flooded in—hundreds, then thousands.

Comments poured across the screen:

“Ailine unnie!!! Are you okay??” “We’ve been so worried…” “The goddess has returned!” “Please don’t overwork yourself again!”

Ailine smiled—a small, gentle curve that sent her fans into a frenzy.

“Hello, everyone…” her soft voice filled the stream. “Thank you for waiting. I was discharged last night.”

The comments exploded.

She continued, “I’m still recovering, so I won’t stay long. But I wanted to thank you all. You sent letters, gifts, even funny video edits… I was really touched. I’ll read the rest when I have the time, alright?”

Layla signaled from the back to wrap it up, but Ailine simply waved sweetly at the camera.

“I promise I’ll take things slowly. For now, I’m focusing on resting… and taking better care of myself.”

New comments appeared:

“Don’t rush your comeback, Goddess!” “We’ll wait for you—take your time!”

Ailine giggled softly.

“Thank you. I’m really blessed to have all of you.”

Before ending the live, she bowed slightly.

“I love you guys… and thank you for believing in me.”

When the stream ended, she exhaled, leaning back in her chair.

Her breath was a little heavy—not from pain, but from longing.

She missed the stage, the lights, the world she loved.

Layla walked over, gently squeezing her shoulder.

“You did perfectly.”

Ailine nodded. “My fans… they always give me strength.”

But the real reason for her growing determination, the real spark behind her sudden recovery…

Was Owen.

Would her fans find it cruel? Maybe.

Did she love her fans deeply? Absolutely.

But Owen… Owen belonged to a completely different part of her heart.

Those eyes.

That voice full of unspoken worry.

That touch that made her feel safe in a way nothing else could.

Ailine clutched her phone.

“So… I have a follow-up appointment soon, right?” she asked casually.

Layla raised a brow.

“Yes. Why? You seem a little too eager for someone who hates medical checkups.”

“Oh, she’s been like this since morning,” Emma chimed in. “She kept asking when the next appointment is. Normally she avoids hospitals at all costs. But today? Suddenly a model patient.”

Ailine only smiled—sweet, innocent… and full of secrets.

“It’s nothing. I just… want to make sure everything goes smoothly.”

Including something else.

Something that had begun beating again inside her chest.