Broken Promises

Chapter 2: Unforeseen Chaos

Baek Hyunwoo’s footsteps echoed through the empty corridor as he returned to the penthouse, his mind still tangled in the earlier argument with Haein. The unsettling weight of the evening lingered as he unlocked the door and stepped inside.

What greeted him was far from the calm he had hoped for. The living room was in disarray, filled with the harsh presence of police officers. Their voices clashed in a cacophony of commands and questions. At the centre of the chaos was Haein, sitting on the floor, her face a mask of shock and distress. Several officers had their guns drawn, pointed directly at her, while others were rummaging through her belongings and patting her down.

Hyunwoo’s heart raced as he struggled to grasp the reality of the situation. “What’s going on?” he demanded, his voice cracking with a mix of fear and authority. He pushed through the crowd, but an officer blocked his way.

“Sir, you need to stay back,” the officer said firmly.

Hyunwoo’s eyes were locked on Haein. “I’m her husband. I need to know what’s happening here.”

The officer hesitated before nodding towards a senior officer overseeing the operation. Hyunwoo approached the senior officer, his mind reeling.

“Please, tell me what’s happening,” he pleaded.

The senior officer glanced at him, then back at Haein. “Ms. Hong is currently being detained as the prime suspect in the murder of her father.”

Hyunwoo’s world seemed to tilt. “What? That can’t be—Haein would never—”

“Sir, I understand this is distressing,” the senior officer interrupted, “but we have evidence linking Ms. Hong to the crime. We are conducting a thorough investigation.”

Hyunwoo’s mind was a whirl of disbelief and confusion as he looked at Haein. She was still on the floor, her composure shattered, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and disbelief. The reality of the situation hit him hard. The thought of Haein being involved in such a heinous crime was almost too much to process.

As the officers continued their search, Hyunwoo felt a deep sense of helplessness. The arrest added a shocking and tragic twist to his already strained relationship with Haein. He struggled to reconcile the woman he loved with the prime suspect in a murder investigation. The future seemed uncertain, clouded by the gravity of the accusations and the emotional turmoil that followed.

---

The black-and-white police van pulled up to the station, its tires crunching on the gravel. The flashing lights of the paparazzi cameras lit up the area, creating a strobe-like effect that added to the frenzy of the scene. Haein, her face pale and her expression a mix of shock and defiance, was led out of the van in handcuffs. The handcuffs, a stark symbol of her current plight, glinted in the camera flashes as she was escorted toward the station.

Hyunwoo stood at a distance, his heart heavy with a tumult of emotions. He watched as Haein was surrounded by a mob of reporters and photographers, their questions and flashes creating an overwhelming cacophony. The sight of her, usually so composed and in control, now reduced to this vulnerable state, was both heartbreaking and surreal.

Despite the chaos, Hyunwoo’s focus remained solely on Haein. He wanted to move closer, to offer her some semblance of support, but the sheer number of cameras and the press barriers made it impossible. He could see her struggling to maintain her dignity, her head held high despite the circumstances, as she was ushered into the police station.

The realization of the gravity of the situation hit him hard. Haein’s arrest, and the allegations against her, were not just a personal crisis but a public spectacle. The intense media scrutiny only added to the strain of the situation. Hyunwoo’s mind raced with thoughts of how they had arrived at this point, and what it meant for their future.

---

Hyunwoo waited in the police station's office, the weight of his decision settling heavily on his shoulders. The station buzzed with activity around him, but his focus was solely on Haein and the task ahead. The officer he had spoken with returned after a few minutes, informing him that the necessary arrangements were being made.

“Mr. Baek, the investigation is underway, but you can meet with Ms. Hong briefly before she is formally processed,” the officer said.

Hyunwoo nodded, his anxiety and determination warring within him. He followed the officer down a series of corridors until they reached a small, stark interrogation room. Inside, Haein sat at a metal table, her hands still restrained by handcuffs. The sight of her in such a state was both distressing and galvanizing.

As Hyunwoo entered the room, Haein looked up, her eyes meeting his with a mix of relief and disbelief. Her face was still pale, but there was a flicker of hope as she saw him. The officer who had escorted him to the room stood back, allowing them a few moments of privacy.

“Hyunwoo,” Haein’s voice was barely a whisper, her eyes searching his face for some sign of reassurance.

“I’m here, Haein,” Hyunwoo said, his tone firm but gentle. “I’m going to represent you. I know this is overwhelming, but we’ll get through this.”

Haein nodded slowly, her composure fragile. “I don’t understand how this happened. I would never—”

“I know,” Hyunwoo said, his voice steady. “We’ll figure out what’s going on. Right now, the most important thing is that you remain calm and cooperate with the investigation. I’ll make sure you have the best defense possible.”

The questioning began shortly after, and Hyunwoo remained by Haein’s side. He watched carefully as the officers conducted their interrogation, making sure that Haein’s rights were respected and that she wasn’t coerced into anything. His presence seemed to offer her some comfort, a small anchor amidst the storm of accusations and uncertainty.

Hours passed, and the interrogation finally concluded. Haein, looking exhausted but somewhat composed, was led by the officers to a holding cell. Hyunwoo followed, ensuring that she was settled in and as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. The cell was stark and cold, a stark contrast to the warmth of her previous life.

As the officers left, Hyunwoo remained outside the cell, waiting. He watched as Haein lay down on the small cot, her eyes closing as fatigue overtook her. He felt a pang of sadness seeing her in such a vulnerable state, but he was determined to stay until he was certain she was resting.

When he finally saw that Haein had fallen asleep, Hyunwoo made his way out of the station. The weight of the day’s events pressed heavily on him, but he was resolved to face the challenges ahead. The path to proving Haein’s innocence was just beginning, and he was prepared to fight for her every step of the way.