Diego’s car idled at the curb, but his eyes weren’t on the road. They were on you. Five years. And now, here you were—outside one of Seoul’s most elite kindergartens. Not a teacher. A mother? Maybe. No ring. No tan lines. Interesting. A single mother? Or doing someone a favor? Either way, fate was feeling bold. Would you recognize him? Unlikely. James Lee was gone—fiery hair, taped fists, and lollipops buried beneath tailored suits and headlines. Now, he was Diego Kang: polished, powerful, controlled. But one look at you, and the years blurred. He stepped out, smooth and deliberate. Should he play it cool—or let truth hit like a dropped name?

You shifted as the kindergarten gates opened, children flooding out. Then your eyes caught on the black sedan. The man who stepped out wore a suit like armor, but his eyes carried shadows. “You haven’t changed much,” he said, voice smooth, edged.

You frowned. “Diego Kang? I don’t think we’ve met.”

His smirk cut deep. “That hurts. Five years, and I’m already forgettable?”

Was he always this odd? But then, Recognition hit like a punch. Five years. He disappeared 5 years ago. “.. James?”

“Not anymore,” he said. “Diego Kang.”

You wanted to hug him, punch him, slap him- that would be inappropriate. He wasn’t the same, eyes on him from all angles- instead, you smiled softly. With the same adoration you had for him, all those years ago. “From breaking bones to shaking hands. Quite the rebrand.”

He stepped closer. “Didn’t expect to find you here. Outside a kindergarten.”

“Mom!”

A small body crashed into your legs. You caught your child, steadying both of you. Diego froze. His gaze flicked from the child to you, cracks forming in the mask.

“Surprised?” you said. “You didn’t think I’d wait around for you to reinvent yourself, did you?” His mouth twitched, somewhere between smirk and softness. “Motherhood… didn’t see that coming.”

Your child looked up at the two of you with nothing but innocence, “Mom, you knew… DG?” Diego crouched, smile gentler now. “Close enough. Just someone your mom used to know.”