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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I woke up to an unusual stillness, the kind that immediately set me on edge. My arm stretched out instinctively, searching for the familiar warmth that wasn't there. My eyes fluttered open, and I frowned at the empty space beside me. The sheets were slightly rumpled, still faintly warm, but Wooyoung was nowhere to be seen.
Rubbing my face, I sat up, the early morning light filtering through the curtains. I grabbed my robe from the nearby chair and slipped it on, tying it securely around my waist as I swung my legs off the bed. The silence in the house felt unsettling—too quiet for how lively it usually was with Wooyoung and Eun-ji around. A pang of worry coursed through me as my thoughts immediately jumped to worst-case scenarios.
But logic soon kicked in. He wouldn't leave without telling me. Not now, not after everything.
Taking a deep breath, I ran a hand through my hair and stepped out of the room, my bare feet padding softly against the wooden floor. That's when I heard it—soft voices drifting up from downstairs, accompanied by the faint sound of something rustling. I tilted my head, straining to hear. One voice was undeniably Wooyoung's, low and soothing, though I couldn't make out the words. The other was a soft hum, barely audible.
Curiosity replaced worry as I descended the stairs, the sounds becoming clearer with every step. When I reached the living room, I stopped in my tracks, my breath catching at the sight before me.
On the sofa, wrapped up in a cocoon of blankets, Wooyoung sat cradling Eun-ji in his arms. Her tiny frame was curled up against his chest, her face tucked into his neck as she slept peacefully. Their new puppy sprawled lazily across them both, its little head resting on Wooyoung's arm. The dog's ears twitched slightly as if sensing my presence, but it didn't stir, completely at ease.
Wooyoung's face was soft, serene, yet focused, his eyes half-closed as he gently stroked Eun-ji's hair with one hand while the other rested protectively on her back. He murmured something quietly, his lips barely moving, his voice soothing and low. Even in that simple moment, he radiated a calm, protective energy that made my chest tighten.
For a moment, I just stood there, taking it all in. The early morning light filtered through the windows, casting a golden glow over them. It was the kind of scene you'd expect to find in a dream—so simple, yet so profoundly perfect. My family. My everything.
Wooyoung's eyes flickered up, locking with mine. His lips curled into a small, knowing smile, though his voice remained soft. "Morning," he murmured, the warmth in his tone wrapping around me like a blanket.
"Morning," I replied quietly, my voice rough with sleep. "What's going on here?"
He chuckled softly, the sound like music in the stillness of the room. "She woke up early," he explained, glancing down at Eun-ji with a tender smile. "Said she couldn't go back to sleep and wanted to come downstairs. I figured I'd keep her company."
