The corridors felt different at night, emptier, stripped of their performances. The lights were dimmed, the walls quieter, as though the house itself had decided there was nothing more to show.
Minho did not go back to his room after leaving the gym. he moved without hurry, footsteps soundless against the floor, until he stopped in front of the guest room.
Clara's room.
He hesitated only once before knocking.
No answer.
He opened the door slowly.
The bedside lamp was off, curtains half-drawn, moonlight pooling softly across the bed. Clara was asleep on her side, hair spread loosely over the pillow, one arm tucked beneath her cheek. For the first time since arriving at the mansion, she looked young, unburdened and unaware.
Minho closed the door behind him.
"Clara," he said quietly.
She stirred but did not wake.
He stepped closer. "Clara. Wake up."
A soft sound escaped her lips, more a protest than a response. She shifted, turning onto her back, eyes fluttering open just enough to reveal confusion.
"Minho…?" Her voice was thick with sleep. "What time is it?"
"its late," he replied. "We're leaving."
She frowned faintly, trying to process the words. "Leaving… where?"
"Home," he said simply. "You've done enough here."
Clara pushed herself up on her elbows, blinking at him as though the room were still rearranging itself. "But… tomorrow"
"There is no tomorrow here for you," Minho said, "Not tonight."
She stared at him for a second longer, then the effort seemed to slip away. Her head tipped back onto the pillow.
"I'm too tired," she murmured, eyes already closing again.
Minho exhaled.
"Of course you are."
He didn't argue. He slipped one arm beneath her knees and the other behind her back, lifting her carefully. She made a small sound but didn't wake, her head settling against his shoulder as though that had always been its place.
The hallway swallowed them as he stepped out.
The mansion was silent now. No staff, No movement. Just the soft hum of the estate breathing around them.
At the entrance, jinho stood near the window.
Jinho?? Minho called him.
He straightened when he saw Minho, eyes flicking briefly to Clara asleep in his arms.
"You're leaving," Jinho said.
"Yes."
"Tonight?"
"Yes."
Jinho nodded slowly. "Probably smart."
Minho adjusted his grip on Clara. "Don't tell anyone."
"I won't," Jinho replied. Then, he paused for a moment "Drive safely."
Minho met his gaze. "Good night."
Jinho stepped back as Minho passed, the door closing behind him with a muted finality.
Outside, the air was cooler. The driveway lights glowed low, respectful, as Minho laid Clara gently into the passenger seat. She shifted slightly, turning toward the warmth, still asleep.
He fastened her seatbelt, careful not to wake her.
The engine started quietly.
The gates opened without resistance.
As the car rolled down the long road away from the estate, Minho glanced once at the rearview mirror.
The mansion stood unchanged. Perfect. Watching.
He did not slow down.
The time the lights of Itaewon appeared ahead, Clara was still sleeping beside him, breathing even and unaware of what she had been taken away from.
And Minho let her sleep.