Ji Hyun's vulnerability was palpable as she sat quietly, her head bowed in surrender. The dim light danced across her features, highlighting the delicate curves of her face. As she picked up her fork, her eyes darted nervously towards him, drinking in the intensity of his gaze. The air was charged with anticipation, the promise of something more hanging precariously in the balance.
"Don't worry, you won't regret this," he whispered, his voice a low, husky purr that sent shivers down her spine. His devilish smile was a whispered promise of forbidden pleasures, his eyes gleaming with a knowing glint that left her breathless.
The phone's shrill ring shattered the spell, and he stood up, his movements fluid and purposeful. Ji Hyun's head rose slowly, her eyes locked onto his retreating figure as he left the room. The anger that flickered across his face was a fleeting glimpse of vulnerability, a crack in the armor of his confidence.
As the silence enveloped her, Ji Hyun's imagination ran wild, fueled by the secrets that lay hidden behind his piercing gaze. What promises had he implied? What desires burned beneath the surface of his controlled exterior? The questions swirled in her mind, tantalizing and tormenting her with possibilities.
As Ji Hyun pushed her chair back, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Deciding to head back to bed, she slowly climbed the stairs, the soft carpet muffling her footsteps. The shouting grew louder, piercing the night's stillness. Curious, Ji Hyun followed the sound to the last room in the hall. She approached cautiously, noticing the door was slightly ajar.
As she peered inside, her eyes widened in shock. A man sat in a chair, his face battered and bruised. Ji Hyun's gaze shifted to her husband, standing over the man, his fists clenched and eyes blazing with anger. The man's words were laced with venom, and Ji Hyun felt a shiver run down her spine.
The beaten man's eyes flickered, and for a moment, their gazes met. Ji Hyun's heart skipped a beat as she quickly stepped back, her hand flying to her mouth. She didn't dare make a sound, fearful of drawing attention to herself.
Just before she could react, she heard a gunshot. The man's body crumpled to the floor, blood pooling around him, a dark stain spreading across the tile. He was dead.
"Ahhh!" she screamed, stumbling backward and crashing into a vase, which shattered into a thousand pieces.
"Get Ji Hyun!" Min Soo barked at his bodyguard.
Panic surged through her as she turned and fled, her heart pounding in her chest. She dashed through the front door and burst outside, the cool night air hitting her face like a splash of cold water. She ran down the driveway, glancing back to see the bodyguard emerging from the house, determination etched on his face.
"Stop her!" Min Soo shouted, his voice cutting through the night.
She sprinted towards the street, her feet pounding against the pavement, but the sound of heavy footsteps grew closer. Just as she reached the sidewalk, strong hands grabbed her from behind, pulling her back with a force that made her gasp.
"No! Let me go!" she cried, struggling against their grip.
But it was no use. The bodyguards tightened his hold, dragging her back toward the house, her heart sinking as despair washed over her. She had thought she could escape, but now she was trapped, and the night was just beginning to reveal its horrors, she had just entered the house and it felt like hell already.
She was drawn to Min Soo, yet fear gripped her heart, preventing her from looking into the face of the stranger she had just married. Her hands trembled slightly as she fidgeted with the hem of her dress, the fabric soft but foreign against her skin.
"Darling, please don't be scared," he said, his voice low and soothing. He took a cautious step closer, his hands open and visible, palms facing her in a gesture of peace. "I won't hurt you."
Her breath hitched in her throat as she finally lifted her gaze, but only for a fleeting moment. The sight of him filled her with dread, and she quickly looked down, her eyes welling with tears that began to spill over her lashes, tracing silent paths down her cheeks. "Y… you killed him. You killed him!" she exclaimed, her voice breaking and trembling as she took a small step back, putting distance between them.
Min Soo's expression remained calm, though a flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes. He tilted his head slightly, studying her with an intensity that made her heart race. "In life, some people must be punished for others to learn," he said, his voice steady as he gestured expansively, as if trying to encompass a greater truth. "That's exactly what happened here, Ji Hyun."
"No," she sobbed, shaking her head vehemently, her dark hair cascading around her face as she tried to block out his words. Her hands flew to cover her mouth, stifling the cries that threatened to escape, while her body trembled with the weight of her emotions. She took another step back, the heel of her shoe catching slightly on the floor, a reminder of her precarious situation.
Min Soo remained still, his gaze unwavering, as if he was waiting for her to understand, to accept the reality he had laid before her. The air between them crackled with tension, each heartbeat echoing the unspoken truths that lingered in the space between fear and understanding.
He gently lifted her into his arms, cradling her against his chest as he moved gracefully through the doorway of the house. His strong arms enveloped her, offering both support and a sense of security. With each step, he navigated the familiar terrain of the home, his footsteps soft yet purposeful against the floor.
As he ascended the stairs, he shifted his hold slightly, ensuring she felt safe and secure. He could feel her trembling against him, her body still racked with quiet sobs, and he tightened his grip just a little, trying to convey his unwavering presence. The soft light of the hallway guided him, casting gentle shadows as they passed.
Reaching the bedroom, he pushed the door open with his foot, careful not to disturb the fragile moment. He crossed the threshold and stepped into the sanctuary, the air thick with unspoken words and raw emotion. He lowered her gently onto the bed, his movements deliberate and tender, as if he were handling something precious and fragile.
She turned her tear-streaked face away, refusing to meet his gaze. The remnants of her cries lingered in the air, a haunting reminder of the pain that had just unfolded. He knelt beside her, his heart heavy with regret, the weight of her sorrow pressing down on him like a physical burden.
"You were not supposed to see that," he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur, laced with concern. He reached out to brush a stray hair from her face, his fingers grazing her skin softly, a gesture meant to comfort.
"I know you see me as a devil right now," he added, his gaze searching hers for a flicker of understanding, a glimmer of the bond they once shared. Each word felt like a step deeper into the chasm that had opened between them, but he remained steadfast, hoping to bridge the divide with his sincerity.
"who are you?"