Unlawful Devotion

Coming Back Home

Author's Note: Here is the final chapter of Unlawful Devotion. Thank you so much to everyone for reading, for sticking around despite the long intervals between updates, for the amazing support. Your love and encouragement help me through the worst writer's blocks and the moments of doubt. This goes for all my stories, not just this one. Thank you, and I love you all.

Warning: This chapter is R18 for sexual content and explicit violence. You have been warned.

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Black boots splash on the shallow puddles that have formed on the sidewalks as the woman under the umbrella hastens her steps towards the back alley of an abandoned building. As promised, Chae Yoon finds Kwak Seung-gun standing under the sole lightbulb lighting the whole alleyway with a cigarette hanging between his lips. Once he has taken notice of her coming, he quickly crushes the cigarette under the heel of his shoe.

"I'm here," she announces a bit unnecessarily, bouncing on the balls of her feet, afraid of standing still as she feels she is being watched. Her head is covered by the hood of her raincoat, shielding her fair features from everyone else except the one she is speaking to. A few droplets of rainwater cling onto the short tendrils framing her face that is contorted with worry.

Worry that she had fallen into an elaborate trap set by an unknown man. Worry that Min Tae Gu was not the one who sent him. Worry that her hopes might be crushed in the blink of an eye.

The man only nods, still not moving from his place leaning against the brick walls. Unsettled with the lack of immediate action, Chae Yoon's pulse begins to race as she prompts him, "Are we not leaving yet? What are we doing just standing here?"

"You are a jumpy little thing, aren't you?" Seung-gun chuckles ominously. His words and his tone do nothing to appease her nerves. "Just wait for a moment. They should be here by now."

"Who should be here by now?" she demands through gritted teeth. The heavy rain starts to build inside her boots, soaking her socks and feet and adding to her irritation. Then, the headlights of a car entering the alley shine on them, momentarily blinding her by their intensity. Her heart begins to thunder in her ears as the reality of the situation sets in.

Muttering his favorite curse, she attempts to run away from the danger, but Seung-gun immediately reaches out and holds her arms in a tight grip. Her scream for help is cut off by him pushing her through the open door of the car, and they are off to their destination even before the vehicle rolls into a complete stop.

Dread fills her entire being. Throughout the entire ride, she demands an explanation from them, making such a fuss that they threaten to kick her out of the car if she continues to do so. The only consolation she receives is them talking shit about their boss so sick in love that they have to do this stupid job. They have to be talking about him. They have to be talking about Min Tae Gu.

The tinted windows and the darkness of the evening prevent her from knowing the route of their destination. It takes them several hours before they arrive at some pier. They board a ship transporting container vans, and she finds herself huddled amongst men reeking of sweat and nicotine that she buries her nose into her arm. She is going to give Tae Gu a piece of her mind after all of this.

The ship docks on its destination just before dawn breaks and only Seung-gun accompanies her to a waiting helicopter. The familiar aircraft reminds her of the time they escaped the country the year before, and her hands begin to tremble. Seung-gun still refuses to give her any details, and so, she remains quiet on her seat as they go on the last leg of their journey.

The helicopter lands on a remote island two hours away from the mainland. She sees nothing but vegetation and the only sign of human life is the house made of glass situated on the beach. Her companion unceremoniously drops her off without even saying goodbye and leaves with the aircraft. She doesn't know whether to thank him or curse him. So, she does the latter even if the strong wind has muted her shouts.