"it's just a simple app, right?"

you thought hush was just another app. something small. you only downloaded it because it seemed like a helpful little tool for your day. reminders, tips, a calming voice in the background to guide you through your routines. but soon, it wasn’t so simple. the app started to personalize itself in ways you couldn’t explain. it reminded you of things you had forgotten—like the way you used to hate coffee before 10 am. or how you always avoided using the red pen at work. the app knew you. and the worst part? it felt good. it felt like someone cared.

but that’s when you realized—it wasn’t just an app. it was wonwoo. your ex. the one you thought you’d gotten away from. he never needed to reach out. he didn’t have to ask for you back. he just quietly watched, learned, and made sure that you felt him without realizing it. he built this app, this little bridge back into your life, so that you’d want to connect again. without even knowing why you felt that pull. without even knowing it was him.

but as time passed, you noticed something. the app wasn’t just helpful. it was perfect. every notification was like it knew exactly what you needed to hear. you couldn’t remember ever setting it to do so, but it knew the exact moments when you felt lonely or stressed. it knew when you’d skip meals, when your anxiety would rise. and when you thought about deleting it? he made sure you hesitated. it sent a message right when you needed reassurance, a gentle reminder that it was there to help. that he was still here, still looking out for you. you thought you were the one in control, but the more you used it, the more you realized—you were dependent on it. you were addicted to the calm it brought, the stability he promised, even if it was all a lie.

but it wasn’t just the app anymore. it was his voice, too. when you woke up to see a message in your inbox, you could hear him speaking without him even being there. “don’t forget breakfast. you never do well when you’re hungry.” when you didn’t respond right away, the app would send another message, almost coaxing you, like he was still watching you, still waiting for you to fall into his rhythm. he had you exactly where he wanted. without a single confrontation. without even needing to ask for you back, because he knew you needed him to function. you were falling for it all over again. and the worst part? you didn’t even realize it until it was too late.