The Price Of Redemption

15.

"You're mine..." Hanni whispered softly, her voice filled with tenderness as her fingers gently traced the outline of Haerin's peaceful face. The sleepy girl lay curled beneath the sheets, completely unaware of the adoration being showered on her. Hanni had spent the entire night watching over her, lost in the rise and fall of her girlfriend's steady breathing. Though she hadn't slept, she didn't feel the least bit tired. The warmth of Haerin's presence was all she needed.

The morning sun, streaming through the wide windows, was the only sign of the passing hours. Without its golden rays, Hanni would have lost track of time entirely, immersed in the quiet moment of watching her beloved sleep.

Last night had been a whirlwind. Haerin had shown up at Hanni's door just after midnight, completely drenched from head to toe in cold, soaking water. Her skin was pale, her lips trembling with cold, and she had looked like a broken mess.

Earlier:

"Oh my god, Haerin! What happened?" Hanni had gasped, her voice full of concern as she swung the door open to reveal the shivering girl. Haerin stood at her doorstep, drenched, her expression eerily blank.

Without a word, Haerin had stared at the floor, as though lost in a world far away. Hanni panicked, rushing to grab a towel, but before she could move, Haerin's cold hand caught her arm and pulled her into a tight embrace. It wasn't just a hug—it was desperate, clinging, like holding on for dear life.

If it had been anyone else, Hanni would've flinched from the chill radiating from Haerin's soaked body. But not now. Not with her. Instead, she melted into the embrace, wrapping her arms around Haerin's neck as Haerin buried herself in the warmth of Hanni's body, hands gripping Hanni's waist tightly as though she were the only thing keeping her from falling apart.

They stood there, silent, letting the storm outside fade into the background. Hanni felt Haerin's pulse steady against her own. When the cold became too much, she guided her into the bedroom, changed her into warm, dry clothes, and gently stroked Haerin's hair until she finally fell into an exhausted sleep.

Present:

The harsh ring of the apartment doorbell broke the calm. Hanni leaned down to plant a soft kiss on Haerin's lips before getting up. She slipped quietly out of the room to answer the door, only to find Minji standing on the other side, looking furious.

"G—" Hanni began to greet her, but before she could even finish, Minji pushed past her without so much as a word, storming into the apartment.

"Where is Haerin?" Minji demanded, her voice sharp and unyielding.

"In my room... what's going on?" Hanni replied, her heart racing as unease crept in. She had never seen Minji this angry, and a deep sense of dread settled in her chest. "Is this about yesterday?" she wondered, trying to piece together what could've happened.

Minji didn't answer. Instead, she marched into Hanni's bedroom, slamming the door open with enough force to jolt Haerin awake.

"Minji? Seriously, you scared the hell out of me," Haerin mumbled, rubbing her eyes groggily, completely unaware of the storm brewing in the room.

Minji, her face flushed with anger, snapped. "What the hell is all this, Haerin?" she spat, tossing her phone onto the bed.

Hanni just stood frozen at the door step.

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