Chapter 10

My blood ran cold as I opened the door to find Han-Wool standing in front of my apartment. His presence was suffocating, like a dark cloud that refused to pass. His dark eyes gleamed with something unreadable, something that sent a chill down my spine.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, gripping the door tighter, unsure if I should let him in or slam it shut in his face.

Without waiting for an invitation, he stepped forward, forcing me to back up as he walked inside. My heartbeat quickened, the familiar scent of him invading my space. It had been so long since we were this close, but instead of warmth, all I felt was dread.

"Still living alone, huh?" Han-Wool murmured, glancing around. "It's dangerous, you know. Anything could happen to you, and no one would know."

I clenched my fists. "I can handle myself."

He let out a dry chuckle, taking a slow step toward me. "Is that so? Then why do you look so nervous?"

I swallowed hard, keeping my ground. "If you have something to say, say it. Then leave."

Han-Wool's smirk didn't falter as he walked over to my small sofa and sat down like he owned the place. He patted the cushion next to him. "Sit. We need to talk."

I didn't move. "We have nothing to talk about."

"Really?" His tone was playful, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "Not even about Dong-Woon?"

My breath hitched.

He knew exactly where to strike.

"Drop it" I said through gritted teeth, my voice shaking with barely contained anger. "You ruined mine, too."

Han-Wool's expression darkened, the amusement in his eyes vanishing. "You still don't understand, do you?"

"I understand perfectly," I snapped. "You only care about yourself. You always have."

Han-Wool stood up so fast I barely had time to react before he was in front of me. His hand grabbed my wrist, his grip tightening painfully. I gasped as a sharp sting shot up my arm.

"You think I don't care?" His voice was low, dangerous. "You think I wanted things to turn out this way?"

I struggled against his grip, but he only tightened it, his body looming over mine. My back hit the edge of the sofa, and before I knew it, I was pinned down. My heart pounded as he hovered over me, our faces inches apart.

"Let go," I hissed, trying to twist my wrist free.

His fingers dug in harder. "No."

I turned my face away as he leaned in, his breath warm against my cheek. My whole body tensed as I realized what he was trying to do.

"Don't," I whispered.

For a second, just a second, I thought I saw hesitation in his eyes. But then, just as quickly, it was gone.

He smirked. "You still hate me, don't you?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't.

Then, as if something else crossed his mind, his expression shifted, and a cold chuckle escaped his lips.

"Ga-Min," he mused. "He's always by your side, isn't he?"

I froze.

He tilted his head, studying my reaction. "Running to protect you like some kind of hero. It's almost pathetic." His grip on my wrist loosened slightly, but his words carried a sharp edge. "Do you really think he can keep you safe from me?"

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "Ga-Min isn't afraid of you."

Han-Wool chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "Oh, I know. That's what makes this so interesting." His gaze flickered to my bruised wrist before meeting my eyes again. "But tell me, Hera... how long do you think he'll last?"

His words made my stomach twist, but I refused to show weakness.

He finally let go, stepping back as I clutched my wrist, already feeling the bruises forming. My breathing was unsteady as I sat up, staring at him with a mix of anger and unease.

Han-Wool ran a hand through his hair, as if trying to compose himself. "You were always strong, Hera. But no matter how strong you think you are..." His eyes flickered to my wrist, then back to my face. "I'm stronger."

A shiver ran down my spine, but I refused to let him see me break.

He turned toward the door, his usual smugness returning. "See you around, Hera."

As soon as he was gone, I let out a shaky breath, my fingers trembling as I touched my sore wrist. The bruise was already darkening—a reminder that Han-Wool wasn't just a ghost from my past.

He was still very much a part of my present. And worse, he had his eyes on Ga-Min.

The next day, Ga-Min was the first to notice something was wrong. He caught sight of my wrist as I tried to hide it, but he wasn't fooled.

"Hey," he said, stepping closer to me, his expression shifting from concern to confusion. "What happened to your wrist?"

I quickly pulled my sleeve down, but the damage had already been done. He could see the bruises forming.

"I'm fine," I muttered, trying to brush it off, but Ga-Min wasn't convinced.

"Don't lie to me, Hera," he said firmly, his eyes searching mine.

I didn't want to tell him, didn't want to burden him with the truth, but I couldn't hide the pain in my eyes. I looked away, unable to meet his gaze.

Ga-Min's jaw tightened. "Who did this to you?"

I hesitated, but the fury that welled up in me was too much to contain. "Han-Wool," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Ga-Min's face darkened instantly, his eyes narrowing with rage. "That bastard."

Before I could stop him, he stormed down the hallway, heading straight for Han-Wool.

I ran after him, panic rising in my chest. "Ga-Min, no!"

But it was too late. Ga-Min had already reached Han-Wool, his fist flying before anyone could react. The punch landed square in Han-Wool's jaw, sending him stumbling back.

Han-Wool's eyes flared with fury as he recovered, but Ga-Min didn't back down.

"Stay away from Hera," Ga-Min growled. "The things you've done to her are unforgivable."

Han-Wool's face twisted with something between anger and amusement. "You think you can stop me?" he sneered, and in an instant, his foot connected with Ga-Min's stomach, sending him crashing to the ground.

I rushed over, my heart pounding. Ga-Min didn't move right away, but after a moment, he pushed himself up, his face set in determination.

"I'll protect her," Ga-Min muttered, standing tall despite the pain.

Han-Wool just looked at him, his eyes flickering with something softer, but then he went back to his usual smugness. "You're nothing compared to me."

As Han-Wool walked away, I turned to Ga-Min, kneeling down beside him.

"Why did you do that?!" I asked, my voice trembling.

Ga-Min looked at me, his expression softening. "Because I'll protect you, Hera. Always."

I didn't know how to respond. My heart swelled with emotion, and before I could stop myself, I pulled him into a tight hug.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Ga-Min froze for a moment, but then he wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. "I'll always be here for you," he murmured.

For the first time in a long while, I felt safe