**Chapter 5: The Weight of Secrets**

As I sat beside Hange, holding his hand and watching him sleep, I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to his story than he was letting on. His breathing was slow and steady, and his chest rose and fell with each gentle breath. I studied his face, searching for any sign of what might be troubling him, but his expression was serene, his features relaxed in sleep. The room was quiet, the only sound the hum of the air conditioner and the occasional creak of the old house settling around us. I glanced around the kitchen, taking in the familiar sights and sounds of our home. The sunlight streaming through the windows cast a warm glow over everything, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. As I sat there, lost in thought, I became aware of the sound of Hange's phone buzzing on the coffee table. It was a gentle vibration, but it was enough to disturb the peacefulness of the moment. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should answer it, but something about the ringtone seemed to jolt Hange out of his sleep. He sat up with a start, his eyes snapping open as he looked around the room wildly. For a moment, he seemed disoriented, and I could see the panic rising in his eyes. Then, he saw me, and his expression relaxed, replaced by a look of gratitude. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice rough from sleep. "I think I might have dozed off." I smiled and squeezed his hand. "You needed to rest," I said. "You've been through a lot." He nodded, his eyes still bleary, and then his gaze fell on the phone. He groaned, and his head dropped into his hands. "What is it?" I asked, concern etched on my face. He looked up, his eyes filled with a mixture of anxiety and fear. "I need to answer it," he said, his voice low. "I have to know who it is." I nodded, understanding, and he picked up the phone. The ringing had stopped, but he dialed a number, his fingers moving quickly as he waited for someone to pick up. As he waited, he looked at me, his eyes searching for reassurance. I smiled and nodded, trying to convey that I was there for him, no matter what. The voice on the other end of the line was low and gravelly, and Hange's expression changed as he listened. His eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched, and I could sense the tension in his body rising. "Yes," he said, his voice tight. "I'm back. I know. I'll take care of it." He listened for a moment longer, and then he hung up, his face set in a determined expression. "What is it?" I asked, my heart racing with concern. He took a deep breath, his eyes locked on mine. "It's complicated," he said, his voice low. "But I think it's time I told you the truth." I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. I was ready to hear whatever secrets he had been keeping, and I knew that our relationship was about to change forever. Hange's eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if searching for something. Then, he nodded, and began to speak, his words spilling out in a rush. "I was working on a project," he said, his voice low and urgent. "A project that could have changed everything. But I was ambushed, and I had to leave. I had to hide." I listened, my mind racing with questions, as Hange's words poured out, revealing a world of secrets and danger that I had never suspected existed. And as I listened, I knew that our lives would never be the same again.