DANCE WITH THE DEVIL

CHAPTER 10

Areum's head began to spin as they navigated through the streets, facing numerous traffic sanctions.

The professional medical assistants of the organization were quick to respond, but Mark's fear intensified when Areum fainted. He didn't care about anything anymore—not the secrets he had sworn to keep to his grave nor the promise he had made to their late mother to protect her.

All he could think about was his dear sister lying in the clinic bed with a tube attached to her.

"Where is he?" Mark demanded as soon as he saw Jaemin.

"He got away."

"What do you mean, he got away?!" he growled, grabbing the younger man's collar. "Jaemin, where is he?"

"I already have the men locating the gang," Jaemin tried to keep his composure.

"Fuck you. They should come back with detailed information, and I'll kill him," Mark said, his anger palpable.

"Mark."

"Not Areum. I shouldn't have let her go outside," he mumbled, tugging at his hair in frustration.

"Mark."

"What if she's in deep shock? I don't give a damn about her knowing everything. I don't care if she curses at me forever. I just want her to wake up!"

Jaemin sighed, inching closer to sit beside the distressed older man. He let Mark calm down, remaining silent for hours.

Nobody moved away from the clinic until a nurse approached them, making Mark leap up.

"How is she?"

"Mark, Sir Na, Areum is awake."

"Good fuck," Mark sighed in relief and rushed inside the clinic.

"Sir Na, you have a wound."

Jaemin raised an eyebrow, following the nurse's gaze to his arm, where a drying stain of blood seeped through his coat.

"Ah, just a knife cut."

"Would you let me take care of it, sir?"

He shook his head. "It's just a small cut. Go check on the girl; make sure she receives urgent care until she's completely healed."

"Yes, sir," the nurse replied, bowing as Jaemin walked away.

Areum's eyes had been following Mark for a few minutes now, watching every move and his visible breathing. It was her first time receiving this kind of treatment from him, and it felt oddly new.

"By tomorrow, after you wash up, the nurse will check and change your bandage," he explained calmly as he sat in the chair beside her bed, a plate of sliced apples in hand. "You don't need to move a limb; just tell me what you want."

"I can clearly move my left arm," Areum protested, fumbling with her hand.

"I said no," Mark replied, deadpan.