POV: Male Lead (Min-jae)
Min-jae hadn't stepped into his office for days.
Hadn't answered his phone.
Hadn't responded to Ha-neul.
Because every time he closed his eyes, he saw his mother lying in that hospital bed—her lips pale, her chest still, the unborn child she never got to meet gone with her.
All because of Yoo Ji-hoon.
And yet, he still ached for Ha-neul.
Her voice, her touch, her presence—it was imprinted in his soul.
But every time he thought of going back, he remembered the truth.
Her father had stolen his mother's last breath.
And Min-jae didn't know how to love her without hating the man who raised her.
---
A Confrontation He Didn't Expect
Bang. Bang. Bang.
A loud knock on his penthouse door made Min-jae's head snap up.
He frowned.
No one ever came here without calling.
With a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair and opened the door.
His entire body tensed.
Kang Do-hyun.
Dressed in an expensive suit, smirking like he owned the world.
Min-jae's eyes darkened. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Do-hyun stepped inside uninvited, his movements slow, calculated.
"I thought you should know," he said, adjusting his cufflinks. "While you've been sulking in the dark, I've been taking care of Ha-neul."
Min-jae's grip on the door tightened.
"She doesn't need you."
Do-hyun laughed. "Are you sure? Because from where I stand, it looks like you already left her."
Min-jae's jaw clenched.
Do-hyun tilted his head. "You see, I've always known Ha-neul would end up with me. Your little love story was just a distraction. But now that you're out of the picture, she's mine again."
Min-jae's patience snapped.
Before he knew it, his fist slammed into Do-hyun's face.
The other man stumbled back, wiping blood from his lip, but he was still smirking.
"You're pathetic, Min-jae," Do-hyun taunted. "You say you love her, but you abandoned her. And guess what? Your absence makes it easier for me."
Min-jae took a step forward, rage burning in his veins.
Do-hyun held up a hand. "Relax. I didn't come here to fight. I came here to tell you that Yoo Ji-hoon is arranging our marriage."
Min-jae's heart stopped.
Do-hyun smiled. "You're running out of time."
And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Min-jae standing there—frozen in place.
---
A Love He Couldn't Lose
Min-jae barely remembered grabbing his car keys.
Barely remembered the drive to Ha-neul's apartment.
All he knew was that he couldn't let her slip through his fingers.
When he reached her door, he didn't knock.
He pushed it open.
And there she was.
Standing by the window, staring out at the city—with tears in her eyes.
"Min-jae," she whispered, turning around.
Something inside him broke.
He didn't say a word.
Didn't hesitate.
He closed the distance and pulled her into his arms.
She gasped, but he didn't let go.
Didn't care that he was still angry.
Didn't care that his heart was a battlefield of love and hate.
Because losing her wasn't an option.
And in that moment, Min-jae finally understood—
No matter what, he couldn't live without Yoo Ha-neul.
---