Author's Note – A Late Letter from a Tired Heart 🥀
To my dear readers of Espionage of the Heart,
First—I'm sorry for the delay. It's been more than just days… it's been moments of silence, self-doubt, and this heaviness in my chest. You see, this author—me—couldn't write when her heart didn't feel seen, or when love felt distant, even from the story she created.
Sometimes, it's not laziness. It's the ache of feeling like your words fall into the void.
But your patience… your quiet presence… brought me back. And even if I'm still piecing myself together, I'm here.And I'm writing.
So here's a chapter. And behind it, a heart trying again. Not perfect, but real.
Thank you for staying.Thank you for reading.Even when I go quiet, I'm always thinking of the world we've built together—this chaotic, emotional, beautiful Espionage of the Heart.
With all the love I've still got left to give,Penola.S | @psole23.wordsWriting with a tired soul and a stubborn kind of hope.
(^///^)đź’śđź’•
Morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of the suite, painting everything in a soft, golden hue. In the living area, Andrea moved with quiet grace, her pajama-clad form stretching and kicking as she went through her morning warm-up routine. Her hair, loose and cascading around her shoulders, caught the light like strands of spun silk—each movement revealing the effortless beauty she carried even in the simplest moments.
From the adjoining bedroom, the faint sound of the bed creaking signaled Eunwoo's awakening. Dressed in a crisp white shirt and charcoal sweatpants, he emerged into the living area, his posture relaxed yet inherently commanding. Their eyes met across the room—hers still soft with sleep and endorphins, his sharper despite the early hour. He offered a brief nod.
"Good morning," he said, his voice low and carryÂing the weight of unspoken affection.
Andrea's tongue caught in her mouth—her training told her to remain composed, yet something in that quiet greeting made her heart flutter. Before she could respond, the doorbell chimed.
They exchanged a glance: Did you order something? Eunwoo shook his head, a faint curve at his lips as Andrea padded toward the door.
She opened it to reveal Kai, standing with a butler beside him who pushed a gleaming breakfast trolley laden with steaming buns, delicate pastries, and freshly brewed tea. Kai himself looked every bit the part of a young professional: a tailored light-gray blazer over a crisp shirt, dark chinos, and polished loafers. His hair was neatly combed, his small frame exuding self-assured warmth.
"Good morning, Beautiful Sister," Kai greeted, voice bright and earnest. He extended a silver platter holding a miniature strawberry tart. "I brought breakfast."
Andrea's eyes softened. "Good morning, baby boy." She accepted the plate with a smile that made Kai beam.
The butler stepped aside, and Kai ushered Andrea inside. "Sir, please take breakfast inside the ma'am's room," he instructed politely.
Eunwoo bowed his head in acknowledgment. "Good morning, Big Brother," Kai added, turning to Eunwoo with playful solemnity.
Eunwoo was about to respond with "Good morning, Mr. Kai," until the boy cut him off. "No old-fashioned titles, please. I'm 'King Brother' to you."
The corners of Eunwoo's mouth twitched. He allowed himself a small laugh. "All right, Champ."
Andrea watched them with affection and amusement as Kai hopped past her toward the plush seating. "I want to eat with you guys—can I?" he asked, sitting down as the butler poured tea into delicate porcelain cups.
"Of course," Andrea said, tucking the tart onto a small plate. "I love breakfast."
"I'll be right back," she said, stepping into her bedroom to shower and change for the day.
Once Andrea was gone, the suite fell into a comfortable hush. Kai leaned forward, eyes bright with curiosity. "So, King Brother, how many days are you in China?"
Eunwoo set his tea down, the porcelain clinking softly. "Champ, we're leaving today—off to Brussels for the next phase of operations."
Kai's face fell into a pout that belied his usual composure. Suddenly, he looked every bit the twelve-year-old again, not the heir of an empire. "You're leaving so soon?" he asked, voice small. "But I thought you'd stay and help me settle in."
Eunwoo's expression softened. He reached out, ruffling Kai's hair—an action that made the boy cross his arms in protest. "Bro, don't mess my hair," Kai huffed in Mandarin, his voice a mixture of annoyance and adoration.
Eunwoo chuckled, tousling his own suit-trimmed hair in response. "I know you'll be fine, Champ. I'll come back to see you—and your sister, too."
Kai's eyes lit up. "But next time, not 'with my sister,' but 'with my wife,'" Eunwoo teased, delivering the line with perfect timing.
Kai's grin turned impish. "Then you'll be my brother-in-law—are you ready for that?" he challenged, bouncing on the edge of his seat.
Eunwoo leaned back, warm amusement in his dark eyes. "You really are the best wordsmith in the family," he said, pressing a gentle kiss to Kai's temple.
Kai beamed, puffing out his chest. "Of course I am. Now, let's eat!"
Moments later, Andrea reemerged in a fresh blouse and tailored trousers—poised, polished, ready for the day. She paused in the doorway, taking in the lively scene: Kai digging into his tart, Eunwoo pouring tea, the butler standing respectfully by.
"Breakfast smells wonderful," she said, her voice light but genuine.
Kai jumped up to greet her, offering a tart. "For you, Beautiful Sister."
Andrea chuckled, accepting it. The sweet bite warmed her spirits. Eunwoo watched her, expression gentle but unreadable.
Kai leaned forward conspiratorially. "Champ and I have been talking. We're going to plan your welcome party in Beijing."
Andrea blinked. "A welcome party?"
"Yes," Eunwoo said, joining them. "After Brussels, we'll be in Beijing. Champ wants to host something special."
Andrea reached for Eunwoo's hand, slipping her fingers into his. "That sounds perfect."
Eunwoo lifted her hand to his lips, planting a soft kiss on her knuckles. "Only the best for my partner."
Andrea's heart fluttered. In the quiet strength of that moment—amid empire and intrigue, future plans and family bonds—she realized that this whirlwind life, so far removed from her past, had found a new center: a fragile, precious unity between her, Kai, and the man she was learning to trust with all her secrets and all her tomorrows.
Kai finished his tart and hopped down. "Let's go, my sister and my big brother—Brussels awaits!"
Eunwoo and Andrea exchanged a shared smile and rose, the three of them stepping out into the morning light—bound by purpose, by promise, and by an unexpected, unbreakable family tie.
.______..______..______.đź“‘.______..______..______.
It was barely 7:00 a.m. when the peaceful stillness of the suite was interrupted by the soft shuffle of confident, early footsteps. Kai had arrived with a hotel staff member pushing a breakfast trolley, looking too sharp for someone so young and far too energetic for this early hour. Andrea was still inside her room finishing up her morning routine, leaving the two men—well, one man and one boy—alone in the living area lit by warm, golden morning sunlight.
"We're leaving today, champ," Eunwoo said, breaking the silence while sipping his black coffee. His voice was calm, but the weight behind his words was firm. "Work awaits... and too many eyes are starting to follow."
Kai's face fell immediately. His lips pouted, brows furrowed—the kind of expression that could guilt-trip even the toughest man into canceling a flight. "So soon?" he asked, his voice carrying a tinge of disappointment that only a child could pull off so sincerely.
Eunwoo gave him a soft smile, setting his cup down with care. "Yeah, we need to go before we attract too much attention."
Kai blinked, his childlike sadness suddenly replaced by something more curious. Mischievous, even.
"Will you come see me again?" he asked innocently. "With my sister?"
Eunwoo paused for a beat. His lips tugged upward in a sly, knowing grin as he leaned back against the sofa.
"We'll come again, sure," he replied casually. Then, almost as an afterthought—but really, it wasn't—he added, "But not with your sister… with my wife."
The words dropped into the room like a lit match in a silent room full of paper.
Kai's eyes widened. His lips curled into a smirk, catching on quickly. "Then you'll be my brother-in-law," he said with a teasing tone. "Why didn't you just say it that way?"
Eunwoo let out a quiet breath of amusement. This kid is way too good with words, he thought, completely thrown by how quick Kai could flip the energy with just a sentence.
Kai leaned forward, eyes gleaming with playful challenge. "Brother-in-law... are you ready to be that?"
Eunwoo chuckled softly, then reached out to pinch Kai's cheek before messing up his carefully styled hair.
"You're seriously the best generation in your whole family," he said with a grin.
"Brooo, don't mess up my hair!" Kai whined in Mandarin, swatting at Eunwoo's hand in protest.
Just then, the moment broke with the soft sound of footsteps. Andrea appeared.
She walked out of her room silently, but the air shifted the moment she did.
Wearing a crisp white shirt layered underneath a structured black corset, Andrea looked like a vision straight out of a modern fairytale. Her damp hair fell over her shoulders, wild and perfect at the same time, her skin glowing softly under the natural sunlight spilling through the large windows.
She stopped briefly, noticing the two laughing together. Her brows lifted just slightly as she watched their dynamic unfold.
Did I miss something? she thought but didn't voice it.
Without a word, she made her way to the couch and sat beside Kai, gently smoothing down his now-ruffled hair.
"Baby," she said softly, "you're up so early."
Kai puffed out his chest proudly, sitting up straighter. "I'm not just a kid, pretty sister. I'm heading to the office today too."
Andrea smiled warmly at his effort to sound mature, brushing her hand against his cheek. He's always trying to grow up faster, she thought with a quiet fondness.
Eunwoo watched from the side, lips quirking upward slightly. Trying to impress her again, he mused silently, the thought curling in his chest with something dangerously close to affection.
The waiter began to serve their breakfast quietly, pouring juice, setting down warm croissants and fresh fruit.
Eunwoo picked up his glass and took a slow sip before starting, "So, Kai—"
But his phone buzzed.
He glanced at the screen, the tension in his jaw shifting subtly. Then, without a word, he began typing, fingers flying across the screen with practiced ease. Focused. Sharp.
Kai leaned toward Andrea again, lowering his voice into a whisper. "Sister, is he always this busy?" he asked, gently tugging at the sleeve of her shirt.
Andrea followed Kai's eyes to where Eunwoo sat, still typing with a look of deep concentration. She stared at him for a second longer than necessary, her heart betraying her with a tiny, unexpected ache. I know he's busy… but I can't help wondering—who's the kind of woman he'll marry someday? she thought.
Turning to Kai, she softened her voice and said, "No, not always. He's just really focused today. Something important's going on."
Kai nodded slowly, trying to understand.
Then Andrea leaned closer and whispered with a wink, "Let's just call him Mr. Busy."
Both of them giggled, their heads tilted together like co-conspirators sharing a secret. The sound of their quiet laughter filled the room as the warm breakfast scent lingered around them, and outside, the city moved on unaware of the emotional chess game playing out inside this luxury suite.
And yet, beneath the jokes and light teasing, a silent truth began to settle among the three of them—one that none of them dared to say out loud.
A boy, a sister, and a man who might be something more than just a guest in her life.
To be continued…