Be My One

Kidnap

Soohyun was acutely aware of the weight of his mistakes. The past few days had been a whirlwind of fear and regret, and the pain of his own decisions weighed heavily on him. His mind replayed countless scenarios where he could have acted differently, where his protective instincts might have been tempered with better judgment. Instead of reacting defensively when Jiwon confronted him, he had let his own fears and guilt cloud his responses.

The trauma from past events still haunted him relentlessly. He couldn't shake the memories of the times when his attempts to shield Jiwon from harm had only led to more suffering. Each mistake had built upon the last, leaving him feeling trapped in a cycle of regret. Every time he saw Jiwon, the guilt gnawed at him, reminding him of the failures he wished he could undo. He was consumed by the haunting fear that he had failed her when she needed him most.

As the doorknob turned with a soft click, he heard the gentle creak of the door opening. The sight of the young blonde woman who entered the room seemed to stir a fresh wave of remorse. It was Winter, her worried eyes locking onto Soohyun's fragile state. Her presence was a stark reminder of the consequences of his mistakes, her anxious expression mirroring his own inner turmoil.

"Oppa..." Winter's voice trembled as she took in Soohyun's injured form. The sight of her distress, combined with his own profound regret, created a suffocating sense of helplessness. Her gaze softened when she saw the faint, reassuring smile on his face, and she quickly crossed the room to grasp his hand.

"How is your condition?" Winter asked, her voice filled with concern, her eyes welling with tears. Soohyun, though physically weak, attempted to offer comfort. He gently patted her head, trying to convey reassurance despite the overwhelming guilt he felt.

"Ya... I'm stronger than you think, kiddo," Soohyun said with a weak chuckle. He attempted to mask his pain with humor, but his voice betrayed the strain he was under. Winter's tears continued to flow as she looked at him, her relief mingling with the deep-seated fear she felt.

"But still..."

"You were almost dead, you know!" Soohyun's voice cracked as he spoke, the weight of Winter's fear hitting him hard. Her sobs, full of anguish and relief, cut through him like a knife. "Hiks! We were so scared, Hiks!" Winter's voice was choked with emotion, her dress clenched tightly as she struggled to control her sobs.

"We thought that Hiks! They wouldn't be able to save you, Hiks!" Winter's cries were raw, her head resting against Soohyun's chest as he held her gently. He wrapped his arms around her, trying to offer solace while grappling with the painful reality that his attempts to protect her had so often ended in disaster.

"You know I would do anything to keep my queen safe, right?" Soohyun said softly, his voice laden with both tenderness and sorrow. "Your unnie is my top priority, and always will be." His smile was warm but tinged with sadness, reflecting the deep regret he felt for not being able to prevent the suffering they had endured.

"Even if she doesn't remember me, even if she doesn't know me, even if she hates me," Soohyun's voice grew somber, "I still love her. She is my precious... my life." He looked at Winter, her tears slowly subsiding, and felt a profound sense of melancholy.

"Even if one day she were to kill me or betray me, I would still love her. I've already faced the consequences of her memory loss," Soohyun said with a sad smile, his gaze filled with the weight of his past decisions.

Outside the room, Karina and Giselle stood silently, tears streaming down their faces as they listened to Soohyun's heartfelt words. They had intended to check on his condition but stopped when they heard Winter crying inside. They weren't alone. Jiwon was there too, her eyes wide with concern, but Karina and Giselle gently restrained her from bursting in.