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 hummed softly as it cruised down the highway, the morning sun casting long shadows across the road. Our suits hung neatly in the back seat, carefully protected by garment bags, while the trunk was packed with our overnight bag and a small mountain of gifts from the reception. The faint scent of flowers still lingered, a reminder of the day we'd just left behind.
I leaned against the passenger seat, a soft blanket draped over me, my body still feeling drained and sore. The cool rim of the water bottle pressed against my lips as I sipped through the straw, my gaze fixed on the blur of trees and buildings rushing past. The scenery melted into a wash of green and gray, but my mind was somewhere else entirely.
San glanced at me briefly from the driver's seat, his hands steady on the wheel. He hadn't said much since we left, giving me the space to process everything, but his occasional glances told me he was as present as ever, keeping a close eye on me. I appreciated it more than I could put into words.
The events of the last few hours felt like a dream—one I hadn't fully woken up from yet. I shifted slightly, tucking the blanket tighter around myself as another wave of exhaustion rolled through me. The water bottle wobbled slightly in my grip, and I set it in the cup holder with a quiet sigh.
"You okay?" San's voice broke through the quiet, soft but steady. He didn't take his eyes off the road, but his concern was clear.
"Yeah," I replied, though my voice was faint. "Just... thinking."
He nodded, his fingers tapping lightly against the steering wheel. "Anything you want to talk about?"
I hesitated, my gaze dropping to my lap. "I don't know. It's all just... a lot. I mean, we just got married, and now..." I trailed off, my hand instinctively resting on my stomach. The thought of what lay ahead made my chest tighten with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
San hummed thoughtfully, his tone calm and reassuring. "It is a lot," he agreed. "But we'll take it one step at a time. You don't have to figure it all out today."
I nodded, my eyes still fixed on the passing scenery. The gentle rhythm of the car and the warmth of the blanket made it tempting to close my eyes and drift off, but my mind wouldn't quiet. Every thought spiraled into the next, questions piling up faster than I could answer them. What would change? What would it be like? Was I really ready for this?
The sound of San's voice pulled me back to the present. "You're stronger than you think, Wooyoung," he said, his tone soft but firm. "And no matter what, you won't be doing this alone."
I turned my head to look at him, the weight of his words settling over me like a calming balm. His profile was steady and confident, his eyes focused on the road ahead, but there was something about the way he spoke that made me believe him. He wasn't just saying it to reassure me—he truly meant it.
"I know," I said quietly, my voice cracking slightly. "It's just... overwhelming. I didn't expect any of this."
San's lips curved into a small smile as he reached out, his hand finding mine where it rested on the center console. His fingers intertwined with mine, his grip warm and steady. "The best things in life are rarely expected," he said, his eyes flicking toward me briefly before returning to the road. "But that doesn't make them any less amazing."
