Seo-yeon noticed it at breakfast.
It wasn't obvious at first.
Nothing dramatic.
Nothing alarming.
Just something small.
Something that shouldn't exist.
Her father wasn't wearing his work clothes.
He sat at the table, quietly eating, dressed in a simple gray shirt and dark pants. Casual. Relaxed. Not rushed.
Not preparing to leave.
In her first life, he never stayed home like this.
Not once.
He worked constantly. Left early. Returned late. Carried exhaustion like a second skin.
But now—
He was here.
Present.
Unmoving.
Her mother noticed it too.
"You're not leaving?" she asked gently.
He shook his head.
"Not today."
Seo-yeon froze.
Her fingers tightened around her spoon.
Not today.
Her mind struggled to process it.
In her first life, June 20 was the day he never lived to see.
He never had the chance to stay.
Never had the chance to choose.
But now he did.
And he chose differently.
Her father took a slow breath.
"I've been thinking," he said quietly.
Her mother looked at him carefully.
"So have I," she replied.
Silence settled between them.
Not uncomfortable.
Not tense.
Just heavy.
Her father continued.
"I can't keep doing it like this."
Seo-yeon's heart pounded.
Her mother didn't interrupt.
Didn't question.
She understood.
"I almost lost everything," he said.
Seo-yeon stopped breathing.
He didn't know how close he truly came.
He didn't know how fragile his survival had been.
But some part of him felt it.
Felt the edge he never crossed.
"I don't want to live like I'm already gone," he said softly.
Her chest tightened painfully.
In her first life, he never said those words.
Never had the chance.
Because he never came home.
Her mother reached for his hand.
"I know."
Seo-yeon watched them quietly.
This was new.
This was different.
This was the result of her interference.
She hadn't just saved his life.
She had given him the chance to change it.
Her father stood slowly.
"I'll find another way," he said.
Her mother nodded.
They weren't trapped anymore.
They weren't walking toward the same ending.
Seo-yeon lowered her gaze.
Her hands trembled slightly.
She had changed fate.
But now—
She had no idea what came next.