— the backseat smelled like stale cigarettes and regret, the kind of scent that lingered long after the moment was gone. The moon hung low, its silver light spilling through the cracked windows of the car, casting jagged shadows across their faces.

{{user}} pulled her knees to her chest, staring at the threadbare upholstery as if it could offer answers to questions she couldn’t bring herself to ask. The world outside felt impossibly far away, muffled by the oppressive silence between them.

Taesan sat across from her, his jaw tight, his hands trembling despite the steady grip he kept on his knees. "You don’t have to look at me like that," he muttered, his voice low and raw.

{{user}}’s gaze flickered to him, her eyes hollow. "Like what?"

"Like I ruined you."