“Yoon… Hyun-seong…” Yi-soo’s voice trembled with emotion. “I missed you. I tried to hold on, but I was so, so scared.”
“It’s too late… I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Seo Yi-soo. I’m really sorry. I was wrong. Please, don’t cry.”
Hyun-seong’s eyes brimmed with warmth, weighed down by the weight of responsibility for Yi-soo’s ordeal. The depth of her emotions, endured for hours, was palpable.
Swallowing hard, he fought back his own tears, biting his lower lip. His trembling hand gently brushed Yi-soo’s back, offering what comfort he could muster.
“It’s okay, Seo Yi-soo. It’s okay… Everything’s okay now because I’m here.”
With countless apologies whispered into the air, Hyun-seong enveloped her in a tight embrace, holding her as though he couldn’t bear to let go.
Yi-soo, clinging to him as if making a vow, hugged his waist tightly, seeking solace in his presence.
Detective Ahn, having resolved the immediate situation, regarded the pair with a mixture of understanding and bemusement. Sensing the need for privacy, he discreetly stepped aside, allowing them a moment of reprieve.
A sigh of relief escaped him as he reflected on the fact that neither Yi-soo nor her colleagues had been harmed. Yet, beneath the surface, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this turmoil wouldn’t easily dissipate.
Se-young cast a glance down the stairs. The aftermath of this ordeal would likely linger, leaving its mark long after the chaos had subsided.
***
Upon their arrival at Yeongdeungpo Police Station, Jin-won was promptly confined behind bars, his presence met with a deliberate avoidance from Yi-soo, who couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze.
All Yi-soo yearned for was the solace of her own home, a sanctuary where she could find respite from the day’s harrowing events. Thus, when Se-young suggested a visit to the hospital, she shook her head in quiet refusal.
In the comforting confines of Hyun-seong’s studio apartment, they found a semblance of peace. Together, they stood beneath the warm cascade of water, washing away the physical remnants of Yi-soo’s ordeal. As Hyun-seong tenderly applied ointment to her bruised skin, a perplexed expression etched across his features, his concern palpable.
Before they realized it, the clock struck 6 a.m. Though the sun had yet to ascend, it was the customary hour to rise and prepare for the day’s obligations.
Seated on the bed, Yi-soo leaned against the headboard, a blanket draped over her lower body, grappling with the surrealness of the recent hours.
It was real…
The events of the past half-day seemed like a surreal nightmare, leaving her unsettled. She sighed heavily, rubbing her eyes in an attempt to dispel the lingering memories.
The chill of the gun barrel against her forehead still haunted her, a sensation far colder and more menacing than she had ever imagined. Sleep seemed an impossible feat in its wake.
As she wrestled with her thoughts, the bedroom door creaked open, heralding Hyun-seong’s entrance. In his hand, he cradled a white mug.
“Have a drink. It’ll help calm your nerves a bit.”
“…Thank you.”
Yi-soo accepted the mug with both hands, the aroma of warm milk enveloping her senses in a comforting embrace. With a tentative sip, she discovered a surprising comfort in the familiar taste, a nostalgic echo from her childhood. Perhaps it was the tender care of Hyun-seong that made it all the more soothing.
He eased onto the bed, settling beside her, their bodies close in the intimate space. Tenderly, he rested a hand on her thigh through the blanket, offering a comforting touch.
“You may fall asleep easily, but deep rest is crucial. Let’s close our eyes for a while.”
“…Alright. My limbs feel so heavy, though.”
Though she harbored fears of succumbing to nightmares, an unwavering sense of security enveloped her in Hyun-seong’s presence. As she took another sip of milk, the warmth trickling down her throat revitalized her spirits.
“That wristwatch you gave me… If it weren’t for that, I could’ve been in serious trouble.”
Hyun-seong nodded in solemn acknowledgment. Upon returning home, Yi-soo had instinctively checked the watch before tending to herself. Thankfully, the conversation had been meticulously recorded with crystal-clear sound quality—a piece of evidence fit for courtroom scrutiny. Moreover, Yi-soo’s direct participation in the conversation bolstered its credibility.
Ceasing his gentle caress of her hand, Hyun-seong broached a weighty topic, recognizing Yi-soo’s anticipation for news that had lingered for far too long.
“Seo Yi-soo.”
“Yeah?”
Turning her attention away from her milk, she met Hyun-seong’s gaze as he delicately tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
“They’ve apprehended the suspect in Baek Su-jeong’s murder. Detective Ahn relayed the news earlier.”