PTT - 58

“……”

Standing at the door clad only in a bathrobe, Ra-on wore an expression so complex it defied description. Though Baek Si-heon was skilled at maintaining a poker face, even he couldn’t feign nonchalance in this situation.

He rubbed his temples with his fingertips and spoke in a low voice.

“…How long have you been standing there?”

“What was that just now?”

Ra-on glared up at Si-heon, her brow furrowed. She had woken up merely five minutes ago.

Her entire body ached from exhaustion, but the relentless throbbing in her lower back—courtesy of last night’s activities—had kept her from deep sleep. Each time she tried to drift off, sharp pain jolted her awake.

As soon as Si-heon left for the study to take a call, Ra-on opened her eyes. Pushing aside the thick blanket, she massaged her arms and thighs. To her surprise, Si-heon, whom she expected to be sleeping beside her, was nowhere to be found.

Though excruciating pain plagued her, she thought she might find comfort and rest in his warm embrace. With muscles sore like after NIS training, Ra-on stepped out of the bedroom.

〈…There must have been other team members. Was I the one who caught your eye most?〉

Approaching the study where Si-heon’s voice filtered through, Ra-on hesitated. It seemed he was on the phone. Who could be calling at such a late hour? Her curiosity piqued despite knowing better, she pressed her ear against the crack in the door.

Had she not done so, perhaps things would have unfolded differently.

Something about the conversation felt unsettling. When a familiar name reached her ears, Ra-on frowned deeply.

〈So, if I clear the path ahead for you and Mayor Bang Won-gyeol, that will suffice?〉

What exactly had she overheard? Mayor Bang Won-gyeol was suspected of receiving slush funds from Cheonsung-won and orchestrating Gwak Seon-gi’s suicide bombing. Why, then, was Si-heon promising to pave the way for him?

Suddenly, her heart began pounding wildly—like a broken machine spinning out of control. Her mouth went dry, and dozens of possibilities raced through her mind. The most rational conclusion was glaringly obvious.

Struggling to hold back tears, Ra-on stared at Si-heon with reddened eyes.

“Senior… Could it be you’ve betrayed the organization?”

“Yoo Ra-on.”

“Answer me. I won’t let this go easily.”

She took a step forward. As the gap between them narrowed, she caught a whiff of his familiar scent—the one she had once loved.

“…Are you really working as a spy for Mayor Bang? Who were you talking to just now?”

“I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not like that. Look at me, Yeon-ah.”

“Let go of me. Until you explain properly, I can’t trust you.”

Si-heon sighed softly, gripping Ra-on’s shoulders with both hands. But she slapped his hands away, refusing to accept his touch. A flicker of helplessness crossed his face. Given the circumstances, her misunderstanding was inevitable.

Should he confess everything? Explain how Min Young-nam, pulling Bang Won-gyeol’s strings, had approached him, and why he played along? But there wasn’t enough time to reveal the full truth.

Checking his watch, Si-heon lightly grazed his lower lip with his teeth. Even without traffic, it would take at least thirty minutes to reach Cheongdam from here. Min Young-nam’s impatient voice echoed in his ears, warning him not to delay.

Was he going to run away again? Memories of past misunderstandings that hurt her lingered painfully. He didn’t want to repeat those mistakes. Looking down at Ra-on with conflicted eyes, Si-heon suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.

Startled by the sudden hug, Ra-on bit her lower lip and pushed against his chest. But his muscular arms held her firmly, preventing escape. Emotions surged uncontrollably within her.

“What are you doing? Let me go!”

“Yeon-ah. Remember when I mentioned a wish a few days ago?”

About a week earlier, atop the Ferris wheel, he had spoken of an unusual wish—to be trusted unconditionally, just once. At his words, Ra-on’s eyes trembled like a candle flame in the wind.

Had he foreseen this moment back then? Known that someday she would doubt him? Suppressing rising sorrow, Ra-on closed her eyelids tightly.

“Grant me that wish now. Don’t ask questions—just believe in me this one time.”

“…”

“I won’t run away again. Where could I possibly go, leaving you behind, Yoo Ra-on? To protect you and those precious to me, this is something I have no choice but to do.”

“…You promise you won’t run?”

Though she couldn’t grasp the situation fully, Si-heon’s resolute words brought a small sense of stability to her heart.

Biting down hard on the tender flesh inside her lip until she tasted blood, Ra-on finally met his gaze.

With a bitter smile, Si-heon nodded firmly. Seeing her reflection in his dark eyes filled with sadness pierced her heart like needles pricking relentlessly. Pulling her close once more, he buried his face in her shoulder.

“I swear with everything I have. I’ll stay by your side. And… nothing will ever harm you, Yeon-ah.”

“…I’ll believe you this one time. No questions asked.”

“Thank you. I’ll be back soon.”

Turning, he brushed a fleeting kiss across her cheek before clenching and unclenching his fists. The old Baek Si-heon, who thought he couldn’t be the person she deserved, no longer existed.

He had no intention of letting go of the miracle called ‘Yeon.’ Buttoning his shirt all the way up, he briefly locked eyes with her before the front door clicked shut quietly. Alone, Yoo Ra-on stood rooted to the spot for what felt like an eternity.

---

Min Young-nam’s mansion in Cheongdam rivaled any chaebol estate in size and luxury. The sprawling 40-pyeong space, entirely hers, was adorned according to her refined tastes.

Rows of porcelain pieces worth tens of millions each lined the shelves, while meticulously cared-for orchids showcased their beauty throughout the house.

The problem lay in the fact that one of her most cherished white porcelain vases—a priceless artifact—was now shattered into dozens of fragments.

“How much do you think this is worth?”

“…Guh, I-I’m sorry… Madam, please forgive me.”

“At least 200 million won. The artisan who crafted this vase is no longer alive. It’s irreplaceable.”

“…Cough, cough.”

“You’ve destroyed something worth far more than your life…”

Young-nam lowered her gaze indifferently. On the marble floor lay a man with a crushed skull, bleeding profusely.

Though he desperately needed emergency care, Young-nam showed no sign of emotion. Like an ant crushed underfoot, she felt no pity or concern for his fate.

Her iron golf club was smeared with dark red blood. For a brief moment, irritation flickered across her otherwise impassive face.

“How do you plan to repay me?”

“I’ll… somehow… pay back every penny…”

“I’m asking HOW you’ll repay me. Be specific.”

A violent cough erupted from deep within his lungs. Gasping raggedly, the man collapsed flat on the floor before her. He knew she was capable of killing him without hesitation. If he didn’t grovel like a dog, his head would roll.

“Even if I sell my life… I’ll work myself to death…”

“Good. Then sell your life. It’s insufficient, but it’s all you have.”

Looking down at him with empty eyes, Young-nam tossed the iron aside. Had he survived? Just as relief washed over him, a sharp sound sliced through the air—a heavy metallic object cutting through space.

“Gahhhk…!”

His final scream was abruptly silenced. Wiping splattered blood from her cheek with the back of her hand, Min Young-nam turned toward the door.

“Are you here?”