A cruel sense of satisfaction curled in my chest, but it was short-lived. A shift in the atmosphere stole the moment away. The lighting flickered, the golden hues dimming into something more sinister. Then, a single scream tore through the air, shattering the illusion of elegance.
My muscles tensed as I turned sharply. A masked figure stood at the entrance, the gleam of a gun reflecting off the chandelier’s glow.
Seong-Jin reacted instantly. His grip tightened, his body shifting subtly in front of mine—a shield, whether intentional or instinctive, I wasn’t sure. Gasps filled the air as the figure took a slow step forward, lifting their arm. But my attention snapped to something else.
An envelope had been slipped into my hand.
My fingers trembled as I unfolded the paper, my breath stalling at the message scrawled across it in sharp, deliberate strokes:
"You're not the only one seeking revenge."
A chill slithered down my spine. My blood turned to ice as the weight of those words sank in.
Before I could process further, a shot rang out.
Seong-Jin moved before I could. He pulled me close, his arms locking around me as chaos erupted. Glass shattered. People screamed. The masked figure aimed again, but security flooded the room, tackling them to the ground before another shot could be fired.
I struggled against Seong-Jin’s hold, but he refused to let go. His grip was unyielding, his breath warm against my ear. "Stay close."
It wasn’t a request.
But I wasn’t someone who took orders.
"Let me go, Seong-Jin," I hissed, my nails digging into his wrist.
His jaw clenched, but he loosened his grip just enough for me to slip free. I turned to face him, but what I saw made my breath catch.
He wasn’t looking at me like he had moments before. The sharp calculation was still there, but now, something darker lurked beneath it.
Recognition.
He saw it. The fear. The realization.
"Who the hell are you?" His voice was low, dangerous.
And for the first time in years, I had no answer.
A ghost of a memory clawed its way to the surface—the scent of blood in the air, the distant echo of a gunshot, a whispered name on trembling lips. My name. His voice. But was it from that night, or something buried even deeper?
The weight of it threatened to unravel me, but I couldn’t afford to break. Not now. Not when the past had finally caught up to me.
Because the past wasn’t just chasing me anymore.
It had finally caught up.
And I wasn’t sure if I was still the one in control.
Somewhere in the distance, sirens wailed.
Security had subdued the masked attacker, but my mind was elsewhere. The envelope burned in my grasp. Someone else was seeking revenge. But who? And why now?
I barely noticed Seong-Jin move until he was inches away. "You know something." It wasn’t a question.
I swallowed hard, schooling my features into indifference. "You're paranoid."
His fingers brushed my wrist, lingering just long enough to send an unwelcome shiver down my spine. "And you're hiding something."
I forced a smirk, stepping back just out of his reach. "Aren't we all?"
His gaze darkened, but before he could respond, Kyung-Min appeared at my side, his expression a perfect mask of concern. "Are you alright?"
I exhaled slowly. "Fine. Just a little shaken."
He nodded, his eyes flicking toward Seong-Jin before lowering his voice. "We need to talk."
My stomach twisted, but I masked it with a smile. "Of course."
Seong-Jin’s stare burned into my back as Kyung-Min led me away. The weight of his suspicion, his recognition—it was only a matter of time before he put the pieces together.
I had to be faster.
Because this game was no longer just mine to play.
And if I wasn’t careful, I would end up the one being hunted.
The city pulsed beyond the grand ballroom, the skyline a reflection of my tangled thoughts. As Kyung-Min ushered me into a dimly lit corridor, his grip on my arm tightened.
"Tell me you had nothing to do with this."
I met his gaze, my voice steady. "You think I'd be that reckless?"
He exhaled sharply. "I think the past has a way of catching up to us all. And someone out there wants you to know you're not the only one playing this game."
I studied him. "Do you know who?"
His hesitation was brief but telling.
"Not yet. But I will."
I pulled my wrist free from his grip, smoothing the fabric of my gown as I inhaled deeply. "Then we better move fast."
Kyung-Min’s gaze lingered on me for a moment longer than necessary before he nodded. "We don’t have much time."
I knew that. I could feel the weight of the clock ticking down.
If I didn’t find my enemy first, they would find me.
And I wasn’t sure if even Seong-Jin would be able to save me when that happened.
The neon lights of Seoul blurred past as I stepped into the waiting car. Kyung-Min slid in beside me, tension radiating from every inch of him. The driver pulled into traffic, and for a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then, he broke the silence. "You know something you’re not telling me."
I turned to him, meeting his stare with equal intensity. "I know that whoever sent that message wasn’t bluffing. And I know that if we don’t find them first, they’ll find me."
He exhaled through his nose, rubbing his temple. "I can protect you."
"I don’t need protection. I need answers."
Kyung-Min’s jaw tightened. "Then let’s get them."
The car sped into the night, and I knew there was no turning back.
As the city lights streaked past, my phone buzzed. A new message flashed on the screen.
Unknown Number: "You’re running out of time, Min-Ji or should I say Tearin. Tick, tock."
A cold dread settled in my stomach. Whoever this was, they weren’t done playing.
Kyung-Min saw my expression darken. "What is it?"
I turned the phone toward him. His face hardened. "We need to move faster."
I nodded, gripping the phone tightly. This wasn’t just a game anymore.
It was war.
ns18.219.62.16da2
