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 morning sunlight crept in through the curtains, spilling a soft, golden glow over the room. I sat on the edge of the bed, barely breathing, captivated by the scene before me. Wooyoung lay asleep beside me, wrapped in an oversized jumper and loose track pants, his damp hair from last night's shower still tousled against the pillow. His face was relaxed, serene, his features softened by sleep, as though the worries he usually carried had faded, if only for these quiet hours.
Nestled against his chest was Eun-ji, her tiny body curled into his embrace. She must have slipped into our room early, feeling her way toward him like she always did, as if she instinctively knew he'd protect her, even in sleep. One small hand gripped the sleeve of his jumper, and her head was tucked close to his chest, completely at ease in his warmth. Watching them like this, Wooyoung's arm draped protectively around her, I felt something in me ache, some deep part that I didn't even know was there.
Wooyoung shifted slightly, his hand curling tighter around her, his body still instinctively aware of hers. There was a tenderness in the way he held her, a quiet, unspoken love that radiated between them. I didn't think I'd ever seen him look so vulnerable, so at peace. This was a side of Wooyoung I rarely got to see—the guarded, resilient man I knew, softened and unguarded in his sleep, showing a love and protectiveness so natural it left me breathless.
Unable to stop myself, I leaned closer, gently brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. My fingers lingered, feeling the warmth of his skin, watching as he stirred just a little, his arm tightening around Eun-ji in response. He was lost in the calm depths of sleep, but even so, he seemed to know she was there, safe and close.
The sight of them together filled me with a rush of emotions I could barely contain. I had known pain, I had known loneliness, but this—this was something I didn't know how to put into words. They were my family. These two people, against all odds, had become my world, my anchor, my everything. And watching them sleep, hearing their soft, even breaths, it felt like the universe had paused, allowing me this one perfect moment.
I sat there a little longer, my eyes traveling over Wooyoung's face, memorizing every detail—the relaxed set of his jaw, the faint shadow of last night's emotions, the peace that seemed to have settled over him. I could still see the lingering traces of vulnerability, the weight he had finally let go of, and it filled me with a fierce protectiveness I couldn't ignore.
Eun-ji shifted slightly in his arms, her little hand curling tighter around his sleeve as if seeking reassurance even in her sleep. The sight of it made my heart swell. She looked so small, so fragile beside him, yet I could see the quiet strength in the way she clung to him, knowing he was a constant, that he was someone she could trust. And Wooyoung, in turn, held her with a kind of devotion and love that spoke louder than any words.
Unable to resist, I reached out again, this time letting my hand rest lightly on Wooyoung's arm, my thumb brushing gently over the scars etched into his skin. Each one was a testament to his strength, a reminder of everything he had been through, and everything he had become. They weren't just marks; they were pieces of his story, pieces he had allowed me to see, to share.
