Choi San, a revered and feared mafia boss, reigns over Seoul's underworld with an iron fist, his influence extending seamlessly across both legal and illegal domains. But his empire is shaken to its core when his beloved daughter, Eun-ji, is kidnapp...
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The car's interior was dimly lit by the dashboard lights, casting long shadows that stretched across the road ahead. I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles white, the faint echo of my heartbeat thudding in my ears as the engine hummed a low, steady note. The night was thick around us, the darkness enveloping the car like a shroud as we drove through the quiet streets. The quiet was punctuated only by the occasional whisper of tires on damp asphalt, a soft symphony that did little to ease the tension that hung heavy in the air.
Hongjoong sat in the passenger seat, his profile outlined by the intermittent streetlights we passed. His gaze was fixed on the road ahead, his body language betraying a quiet alertness. Every now and then, he would glance my way, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and resolve. He hadn't said much since we left, understanding that words were too fragile for moments like these.
My jaw was set, a dull ache radiating across my face where the slaps had landed earlier. The pain was a constant reminder, not just of the physical assault, but of the deep, cutting betrayal that accompanied each blow. I didn't want Eun-ji to see the marks, to see the evidence of the violence that had unfolded. She was just a child, her world shouldn't be shadowed by these dark realities. That's why I had chosen this time to pick her up, under the cover of darkness, where the night could hide the bruises, where her innocent eyes wouldn't question the shadows on my face.
The drive to Wooyoung's place felt longer than usual, every mile stretching out as my mind replayed the events of the day. The confrontation with her, the coldness in her voice, the threats... it all swirled in my head, a turbulent storm that refused to settle. Seonghwa had stayed back to handle the meeting with the Midnight Reapers, a necessary move to keep our fronts covered, but leaving him behind felt like going into this night with one hand tied behind my back.
As we turned onto the familiar, winding road that led to Wooyoung's secluded home, the trees on either side seemed to close in. The shadows grew denser, more oppressive, as if reflecting the turmoil inside me. I slowed the car as we approached the gates, the security lights flickering to life and casting a pale glow over the gravel driveway.
Hongjoong shifted, breaking the silence. "You okay to do this?" His voice was soft, almost hesitant, knowing too well the answer but asking anyway.
I drew in a deep breath, my grip on the steering wheel loosening slightly. "I have to be," I replied, my voice more steady than I felt. "For her."
He nodded, understanding the weight of those words. We didn't speak further; there was nothing more to say that could change the gravity of the situation.
I parked the car near the front steps, the house looming out of the darkness like a silent sentinel. The lights inside were dim, casting warm glows through the windows, a stark contrast to the coldness outside. I killed the engine, the sudden silence feeling louder than the hum of the tires had been.
Taking a moment, I steeled myself, checking my reflection in the rearview mirror. The shadows did their job, concealing the worst of the bruises, but I knew the marks were there, hidden just beneath the surface. I adjusted my collar, hoping to cover more, then turned to Hongjoong. "Let's not keep her waiting."
