Chapter 20

The rain pounded against the windowpane, the howling wind rattling through the apartment. Each flash of lightning illuminated the dimly lit room, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Then came the thunder—deep, rolling, and deafening.

I flinched under the blankets, my body instinctively curling into itself. My chest tightened as a familiar fear crept up my spine.

Dong-Wook...

He used to know. He used to always know. Whenever thunderstorms hit, he'd come straight to me, wrapping me in his arms without a word. His warmth would chase away the fear. But he wasn't here anymore.

Another loud crash of thunder shook the room. I squeezed my eyes shut, gripping the sheets tightly. It was stupid, childish even, but I couldn't help it. My body reacted before my mind could catch up, and suddenly, the past felt too close.

Then, I heard footsteps.

The door creaked open, and Ga-Min's voice broke through the storm. "Hera?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't.

He must've noticed because a second later, the bed dipped under his weight. He didn't speak right away—just pulled back the blanket slightly, peeking inside.

I turned my head, eyes barely meeting his in the dim light. His expression softened.

"Are you scared?" he asked gently.

I swallowed hard but nodded.

Ga-Min sighed, running a hand through his messy hair before shifting closer. "Come here."

I hesitated for a second before moving toward him. He lifted the blanket and pulled me against his chest, his arms wrapping around me securely. He smelled like fresh soap and something warm—something comforting. His heartbeat was steady, grounding me in a way I desperately needed.

"It's just a storm," he murmured, his lips brushing against my hair. "It'll pass."

I knew that. I did. But in that moment, it wasn't about the storm outside—it was about the storm raging inside me.

I sighed, pressing my forehead against his shoulder. "I hate this," I whispered.

Ga-Min's arms tightened around me. "I know."

Silence settled between us, the storm still raging outside, but inside this small space, it felt safe. Warm.

My mind wandered—to how Ga-Min was always here. Through everything. He was there when I was scared, when I was lost. The kiss we had shared before flashed in my mind. The way he held me, the way he whispered my name...

I felt guilty.

There were so many things I wanted to do with him—normal things. Dates, late-night walks, holding hands without worrying about what comes next. But with everything happening, it felt impossible.

I pulled away slightly, my fingers gripping the fabric of his hoodie. "I'm sorry, Ga-Min."

He frowned. "For what?"

"For... this. For all of this. I feel like—" My voice caught. "I feel like I'm dragging you into something you don't deserve."

Ga-Min exhaled, his fingers tilting my chin up. His eyes held no hesitation.

"Do you think I don't know what I'm getting into?" he asked. "I chose this, Hera. I chose you."

My heart pounded.

Then, slowly, he leaned in.

I met him halfway, our lips pressing together in the dim glow of the storm-lit room. It wasn't rushed or desperate—it was slow, deep, full of things we hadn't said. His hands cupped my face, thumbs brushing my skin gently.

The kiss grew heavier, heat curling in my stomach as Ga-Min's hands slid to my waist, pulling me closer. My fingers tangled in his hair, and for a brief moment, the rest of the world didn't matter.

But then, reality hit.

I pulled back, breathless. Ga-Min rested his forehead against mine, his grip on my waist still firm.

"We should stop," I whispered, though I didn't really want to.

He exhaled deeply, pressing a lingering kiss to my temple. "Yeah."

Neither of us moved for a moment, our breaths mingling. Then, Ga-Min pulled me back into his arms, tucking me against his chest.

We didn't speak after that. We just held each other until sleep finally took over.

The storm had passed by the time I woke up, sunlight streaming through the windows. Ga-Min was still asleep beside me, his arm draped lazily over my waist.

For a moment, everything felt normal.

But then, my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

I blinked, reaching over to grab it. A message.

But not just any message.

My breath caught in my throat.

Unknown Number: Did you sleep well?

My stomach twisted. I sat up quickly, staring at the screen in horror. The sender wasn't saved in my contacts, but I didn't need to guess who it was.

I jolted out of bed, rushing toward the window. My eyes darted across the street, scanning for anything—anyone. Had he been watching me?

Ga-Min stirred behind me. "Hera?" His voice was groggy. Then, when he saw my expression, he immediately sat up, alert. "What's wrong?"

I turned to him, holding out my phone with trembling hands.

His face darkened instantly as he read the messages.

He shot out of bed, walking straight to the window, his entire posture tense. "That bastard..." he muttered under his breath.

I swallowed hard, gripping my arms. "He knows where I am, Ga-Min."

Ga-Min turned back to me, his expression unreadable. Then, without another word, he grabbed his phone and started dialing.

"Who are you calling?" I asked, my voice barely steady.

He didn't look at me as he answered.

"The study group." His jaw clenched. "They need to know what's going on"

I sat in the study room with the others, Ga-Min beside me, Ji-Woo tapping impatiently on the table, Se-Hyun and Hee-won deep in thought, while Lee-Joon looking unusually serious. The tension was suffocating.

I had finally told them.

Told them about Han-Wool, Dong-Wook, and Ryeowook. The childhood we had shared. The brother Ryeowook had lost. And the resentment he had carried ever since.

No one spoke at first. It was Ji-Woo who finally broke the silence.

"So... Ryeowook's been after you this whole time," she murmured.

I nodded. "It's not just about me. It's about Han-Wool, too. But with him in jail, I'm the only one left."

Se-Hyun crossed his arms, frowning. "Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

I sighed. "Because... I thought I could handle it."

"That's stupid," Lee-Joon muttered. "You should have told us."

Se-Hyun, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke. "So all of this—the gang showing up, your apartment getting trashed—it's all because of him?"

I hesitated. "I don't know for sure. But it's not a coincidence."

Another silence settled over us. None of us knew what to do next.

Then, the door opened.

Mr. Kang stepped inside, his usual composed expression darkened by something far more serious. He glanced at me, then at the others.

"I heard everything," he said.

I straightened. "Mr. Kang—"

He raised a hand. "Hera, you should leave."

I froze. "...What?"

The others turned to him in confusion.

"Leave the country," Mr. Kang continued. "Go somewhere safe. Start over. Ryeowook isn't someone you can handle."

I shook my head. "No, I—I can't just leave."

He sighed, rubbing his temple. "Do you even know what Ryeowook has done?"

I swallowed. "I know he—he changed after Dong-Wook died. I heard he—"

"He didn't just change," Mr. Kang interrupted. His voice was sharp, laced with something heavy. Something close to fear.

"After his brother's death, he joined one of the most dangerous gangs in the city. He didn't just become another member—he rose through the ranks. Ruthless. Unforgiving. His name alone is enough to make people back away."

He exhaled, looking at me with something close to pity. "You don't understand, Hera. You are not dealing with the same Ryeowook you used to know."

The room was dead silent.

Then, Mr. Kang spoke again, this time more carefully.

"I can pull some strings. I can get you out of here quietly. You can have a fresh start."

A fresh start.

A life without looking over my shoulder. Without fear.

But...

"What about Han-Wool?" I whispered.

Mr. Kang's jaw tightened. "He'll face his own consequences. He made his choices."

"What about Ryeowook?" I pressed.

His expression hardened. "He's already beyond saving."

I gritted my teeth. "So I should just leave? Pretend none of this ever happened?"

"Yes."

I clenched my fists under the table. No. That wasn't right.

Dong-Wook was gone. But Ryeowook and Han-Wool were still here. And neither of them had closure.

And neither did I.

Ji-Woo leaned forward, frowning. "So, what? Hera just disappears, and we pretend nothing happened?"

"It's not pretending," Mr. Kang replied. "It's survival."

Lee-Joon scoffed. "That's not survival. That's running away."

Se-Hyun, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Is it really that bad?"

Mr. Kang looked at him. "If she stays, she'll be in danger. That's a fact."

A lump formed in my throat.

Then, Ga-Min's voice broke through the silence.

"...Maybe he's right."

I turned to him, eyes wide. "What?"

He wouldn't meet my gaze. "Leaving... might be the safest option for you."

I felt my stomach drop.

"Ga-Min..."

He looked at me then, eyes dark with something unreadable. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

I bit my lip. "But if I leave... what about us? What about you?"

His fingers curled into fists. "I don't want you to leave, Hera. But if it means you'll be safe—"

"I don't want to go," I interrupted.

Ga-Min stared at me.

I swallowed, trying to find the right words. "I don't want to leave you. I don't want to leave any of you. And I don't want to run away from this."

I turned back to Mr. Kang, determination burning in my chest. "If I leave, then Ryeowook and Han-Wool will never get the closure they deserve." My voice wavered, but I forced myself to continue.

"And neither will I."

The room went quiet.

Mr. Kang sighed. "Hera—"

"No." My voice was firm. "I'm not leaving."

Ga-Min let out a sharp breath beside me.

Ji-Woo crossed her arms. "Well, if she's not leaving, then we just have to deal with it."

Lee-Joon smirked. "Guess we're all in this mess together."

Se-Hyun nodded. "We'll figure it out."

I blinked at them, warmth spreading through my chest. They weren't leaving me alone in this.

Mr. Kang, however, did not look pleased. He exhaled, rubbing his temples. "You're making a mistake."

"Maybe," I admitted. "But it's mine to make."

He stared at me for a long moment before finally sighing. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."

With that, he turned and left the room.

As soon as the door shut, Ga-Min grabbed my wrist. "Are you sure about this?"

I met his eyes, my chest tightening at the concern in them.

"Yes," I whispered.

His jaw clenched, but then, slowly, he nodded.

"Then I'm staying by your side," he said.

I smiled faintly. "I know."

But deep inside, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.