The terrace of the hotel was bathed in the soft glow of candlelight. A warm breeze carried the scent of fresh roses, their petals scattered across the floor like delicate whispers of love. Han Seo Jun had spent days preparing for this moment, picturing Hye Jin's reaction over and over in his mind. A small table stood in the center, draped in white, a velvet box resting on top.
Hye Jin stepped onto the terrace, her dark eyes widening as she took in the breathtaking sight before her. The golden fairy lights, the soft melody playing in the background, and the warmth in Seo Jun's gaze—it was perfect. Too perfect. A place for lovers, not for monsters like her.
He smiled, stepping forward. "You like it?"
She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Why all this effort?"
Seo Jun took her hands, his grip firm yet trembling. "Because I want you to stop." His voice was gentle but desperate. "I want you to leave everything behind. The blood. The secrets. The games. Let's just… be together. Marry me, Hye Jin."
For a moment, she simply stared at him, the words hanging in the air like an unfinished melody. Her fingers curled slightly. A strange warmth bloomed in her chest—a feeling she didn't quite understand. But then, deep inside, something colder stirred.
Marriage? A life together? How naïve. How… human.
She smiled, but there was something unreadable in her expression. Slowly, her hand reached into her pocket, feeling the familiar coolness of the surgical blade against her fingertips. Just a small cut. Just a little test. If she could do it without hesitation, if she could bury it deep into his skin, she would know for sure—whether love had changed her or if she remained the same.
Seo Jun pulled her into an embrace, his arms wrapped tightly around her. "Please, let's start over."
She lifted the blade. A single breath passed. Then—
A sharp crack shattered the silence.
"Hye Jin, you are under arrest!"
The voice was firm, unwavering—Detective Yeon Woo. She stood at the entrance of the terrace, her gun drawn, her team spreading out behind her. The glow of the fairy lights flickered in her cold, determined eyes.
Seo Jun turned in shock. "What—what are you talking about?!"
Yeon Woo's hands clenched around the gun. "We have evidence. Hye Jin… she's the killer. She murdered them all."
Seo Jun shook his head furiously. "No! That's not true!" He turned to Hye Jin, his voice breaking. "Tell them. Tell them it's not you."
But Hye Jin did not move. Her gaze remained fixed on Yeon Woo, studying her like a predator sizing up its prey. Slowly, without hesitation, she plunged the blade into Seo Jun's side.
His body jerked, his breath hitching in his throat. He stumbled, gripping the wound, blood seeping through his fingers. But even in pain, his eyes held nothing but devotion.
"H-Hye Jin…" he gasped, struggling to stand. "I still… I still love you."
Yeon Woo's face twisted in horror. "You're still protecting her?! She just stabbed you, you idiot!"
"I don't care!" Seo Jun yelled, standing protectively in front of Hye Jin. "She didn't do anything! I was the one! I took those pictures, I planned everything! It was all me!"
Min Jae arrived at the scene, eyes wild with disbelief. "No! I won't let you take the blame for this!" His voice trembled as he turned to Yeon Woo. "It wasn't her! It was Seo Jun!"
Yeon Woo gritted her teeth, her patience snapping. She pointed her gun straight at Hye Jin. "Are you both blind?! LOOK AT HER! LOOK AT HER EYES! There's no soul in them! No regret, no fear, nothing! Just an empty abyss!"
Hye Jin tilted her head, an eerie smile curling her lips.
Yeon Woo's voice shook. "She killed my father. Your father, Min Jae. Seo Jun, she just tried to kill you, and you're still defending her?! Wake up!"
Seo Jun suddenly grabbed Hye Jin's wrist. "Run," he whispered. "Run now."
She blinked at him, and for a second, something unreadable flickered across her face. Then, she nodded.
"Cover me," she said.
"Let me go first," he muttered. "When they try to shoot me, you run."
Seo Jun turned and bolted.
Yeon Woo's voice rang out. "Seo Jun! Stop or I'll shoot!"
A gunshot echoed. Seo Jun collapsed, clutching his leg. Blood pooled beneath him.
Hye Jin ran.
Another shot.
Her leg buckled. She staggered to the edge of the terrace, her fingers grasping the cold iron railing. Below her, the city lights blurred into a sea of gold and silver.
Seo Jun, despite his wound, crawled toward her, his hand reaching out desperately. "Hye Jin! Take my hand!"
Min Jae rushed forward, his face pale. "Please! We can fix this! Just come back!"
She looked at them. Seo Jun, bleeding and broken but still fighting for her. Min Jae, his face contorted with grief. Yeon Woo, staring with hatred and determination.
And she smiled.
"It's time I do something for you," she whispered.
Then, she let go.
Seo Jun's scream tore through the night as she plummeted.
The city swallowed her whole.
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