Chapter 63
Yuna's POV
The first light of morning slipped through the curtains, painting soft lines across the bedroom. I slowly opened my eyes, and for the first time in four days, my body felt light. The weight that had pressed against my chest was gone. My head wasn't heavy with stress, and the tension that had gripped my shoulders for days had finally lifted.
I sat up slowly, leaning back against the headboard, and stretched a little. A quiet breath escaped my lips.
I turned slightly, my gaze falling on Haemin. He was still asleep, lying quietly beside me. His chest rose and fell with a steady rhythm, his face calm.
I reached out and gently brushed his bangs away from his forehead, letting my fingers linger against his skin. Soft and warm, just like always. For a long moment, I simply watched him.
And then my eyes drifted downward, toward his body.
The faint red lines across his chest, the nail marks along his arms and back, and hickeys that covered him. I couldn't help but let out a faint smile as I looked at them.
I had missed him too much. Not knowing where he was, who he was with, or whether he was safe had twisted my mind until I could hardly think straight. By the time I finally had him back, the emotions I had bottled up for days finally broke free.
The moment we returned home last night, I couldn't hold myself back. All the fear of losing him, all the anger and longing that had consumed me rushed to the surface. I pushed him onto the bed, my mind clouded by nothing but him. In that instant, nothing else mattered. I needed his warmth, I needed him to understand just how much I loved him.
But in his eyes… I saw it. That flicker of fear when I was about to move close to him. It was clear in his eyes, in the way his body tensed. He must have thought I would hit him again.
The thought made my chest tighten with irritation. Why would he think that? I wasn't angry at him anymore. I had already forgiven him. He should know my frustration, shouldn't he? He should understand me. He wouldn't hate me… right? After all, he already promised he would never leave me alone again.
So I held him down and poured all my desire into him, letting it consume every part of me until there was nothing left. Only when exhaustion took over did I finally stop.
Now, as I looked at the marks scattered across his skin, I felt a strange sense of calm.
Just then, my phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking the silence. I picked it up quickly, lowering my voice so as not to wake Haemin.
"Chairwoman," a voice on the other end spoke quickly, lowering itself almost to a whisper. "The situation has been progressing just as you requested. We've already placed the necessary pressure on the local council as instructed. Routine inspections have been ongoing for a while now, not just for the target property, but for the entire row of businesses along that street. It's creating the pressure we expected."
"Good." I said evenly. "And the acquisition?"
The caller hesitated before replying. "That part is taking longer than expected. The building has drawn multiple bidders, and one in particular is unusually aggressive. They've been raising their offer every time we counter. It's clear they have strong financial backing."
My brows furrowed. "So what you're telling me is that you still can't secure the building?"
"We're doing everything we can, Chairwoman," he said quickly. "But the rival party is persistent. It may take longer than planned."
My lips pressed into a thin line. "Unacceptable. I don't care who they are. Outbid them, cut them off, do whatever you must. I don't want excuses. Handle it properly."
"Understood, Chairwoman."
I ended the call and set the phone down with a snap, irritation still burning under my skin.
My gaze drifted back to Haemin. For a fleeting moment, I wanted to reach out and touch him again, but I held myself back with a quiet breath and slipped out of bed.
The shower's hot water poured over me, steam curling around my skin as the lingering tension slowly dissolved. Once I was done, I dried off and slipped into a tailored suit, then stepped into my heels. I fixed my hair neatly and checked myself in the mirror once.
When I picked up my bag and turned toward the bed, I saw Haemin's eyes start to open. He blinked a few times, still half-asleep, until his gaze found me. The moment he realized I was already dressed, his eyes widened. He quickly pushed himself up from the bed, panic flashing across his face.
"Y-Yuna… you're leaving already? I—I should get ready too." He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his movements clumsy.
I gave a faint smile as I walked closer to him. Leaning slightly down at his side, I reached out, wanting to comfort him with my touch.
But then…
His hand…
Flinched?
"…Haemin?" My voice lowered, confused by his reaction.
He stiffened instantly, as if realizing his mistake, and forced a quick reply. "S-Sorry, Yuna… I just woke up, that's all." His body shifted awkwardly against the headboard, trying to look casual.
"Oh… okay," I said quietly, though my jaw tightened. For a split second, I nearly snapped at him, but I forced myself to hold it in. Maybe I was just imagining things.
I brushed it aside and let my voice soften again. "You don't need to go to work today. Rest yourself. You can start tomorrow. For now, just stay home and wait for me."
His smile faltered, but he nodded quickly. "O-okay… if you say so."
"That eases my heart." I reached out, gently brushing his bangs to the side again before lowering myself just enough to press a soft kiss on his forehead. My voice lowered to a whisper. "I'll be back earlier today."
And with that, I straightened, picked up my bag, glancing at him one last time before walking out.
______
Haemin's POV
The door clicked shut behind her, and silence fell over the room.
I sat on the edge of the bed, still frozen in place. My body hadn't caught up with my mind yet. Slowly, I lifted my hand and touched my forehead where her lips had pressed a moment ago. It should have felt warm and comforting, but instead, it left a strange heaviness in my chest.
I forced a smile earlier, just to keep her calm, but the truth was… I wasn't calm at all. My stomach twisted, my hands trembled slightly against my thighs. The memory of last night came rushing back—her weight pressing down on me, her grip too strong, her eyes filled with a desperate need I couldn't fight against. I could still feel the marks burning on my skin, as if they were carved there on purpose.
Part of me wanted to believe it meant she loved me, but another part of me only felt fear.
Why couldn't I just tell her how scared I was when she got like that? Why couldn't I push her away last night?
Maybe because deep down, I knew it wouldn't matter. She wouldn't listen anyway. She never does.
I let out a shaky breath and rubbed my face with my hands. I wanted so badly to believe she cared, that she acted that way because she missed me too much. But I couldn't tell anymore where her love ended and her control began.
I dragged myself into the bathroom, letting the water run over me. My body still felt heavy, and no matter how long I stood under the shower, the feeling wouldn't wash away. After a while, I just leaned back against the cool tiles, staring blankly at the ceiling. A sigh slipped out of me, long and quiet, before I finally shut the water off.
I dried myself slowly and changed into casual clothes. There was nowhere I needed to go anyway. With nothing to do, I dropped myself onto the sofa, grabbed the remote, and flicked on the TV.
I let the screen flash in front of me without really paying attention at first. One channel showed a morning variety show, then a drama rerun, and then the news. I wasn't really watching, only letting the noise fill the silence.
My thoughts drifted back to last night, when the hospital had been thrown into complete chaos. The entire place grew heavy after the commotion caused by Yuna and Sera. Teams of lawyers and security staff from both sides moved through the halls, and even some media outlets had appeared.
Apparently, Yuna had pulled some strings, using her connections to pressure Sera, just to take me back. I could still remember the look in Sera's eyes when I agreed to leave with Yuna. She looked so dissatisfied and disappointed, like she couldn't believe I chose to follow Yuna back. I hadn't been able to meet her gaze. If it hadn't been for her assistant stepping in to calm her, I wasn't sure how far things might have gone.
In the aftermath, the lawyers on both sides quietly came to an understanding. Neither Yuna nor Sera pushed the guardianship issue any further, at least not officially. It was as if they both knew pressing on would only lead to more complications, and so, on paper, the matter was left unresolved. To prevent unwanted attention, the hospital staff were given clear instructions on what to say and what to withhold from the media.
We left the hospital quietly, slipping through the back door while Yuna's security and Sera's security contained the situation. They handled it so cleanly that not a single outsider seemed to realize what had really happened. Just like that, the storm was covered up as if it never existed.
I still felt bad though. I never got the chance to properly thank Sera for taking care of me while I was in the hospital.
Before leaving, I also saw the way Yuna looked at Harin—cold and sharp, like daggers in her eyes. Harin, however, only bowed politely and apologized for her behavior. She didn't even flinch and accepted Yuna's hostility without a trace of fear. Yuna just sighed and told her to report to the office tomorrow.
In that brief moment, I managed to whisper quietly to Harin so Yuna wouldn't hear, telling her not to proceed with the separation order she had mentioned. Harin only gave me a faint smile, as if she had already expected my answer. But there was pity in her eyes. Pity… for me.
Maybe she was right to pity me. Because in the end, I chose this. It was better this way. I didn't want to trouble anyone anymore.
And now, watching the TV, it felt surreal. There was no sign of what had happened yesterday. No coverage, no rumours, nothing. Everything looked normal, as though Yuna and Sera had erased it completely. Well, I wasn't surprised. With their power, no one dared to mess with them anyway.
I sighed again and put the remote down, lying back on the sofa. With nothing left to watch, I absently scrolled through my phone. Just mindless tapping, refreshing, opening and closing apps without focus.
That was when the news anchor's voice suddenly caught my attention.
"Breaking news from Busan," the reporter announced, her tone serious. "Dozens of small business owners have gathered once again in front of the local government office, protesting what they describe as unfair inspections and pressure tactics aimed at their businesses. The demonstrations, which began yesterday, have continued to grow."
The screen cut to live footage of a crowd holding signs, their voices rising together in chants. Behind them stood the familiar stone steps of the Busan local office.
The reporter's voice continued over the images. "According to statements from the protesters, multiple restaurants and shops along Haedong Street received sudden inspection notices within the same week. Many claim the checks were unusually strict, leading to temporary closures and disrupting daily operations."
My eyes widened when the camera zoomed in on the protest line.
There, right at the front—I saw a familiar face. Uncle Minsoo, who ran the small store right beside my aunt's restaurant. His expression was tight with frustration as he raised his voice along with the others, his sign reading: Stop Unfair Pressure on Small Businesses!
The reporter explained, "Business owners argue that the coordinated inspections are not random, but part of deliberate pressure to push them out. Some allege that the properties in this block are being targeted for a potential redevelopment project. When asked about this, officials declined to comment."
The camera cut briefly to interviews. Uncle Minsoo appeared again, his voice strained.
"We've been running our shops here for almost twenty years without a single problem. But suddenly, every store on this row is being checked, fined, or forced to shut down temporarily. How can we survive like this? We just want fair treatment!"
The broadcast then shifted back to the anchor.
"Authorities have stated they are simply conducting routine health and safety inspections, but local business owners remain unconvinced. With property values in the area recently rising, some suspect outside interests are involved. For now, the demonstrations are expected to continue."
I stared at the screen, my chest tightening.
Aunt's restaurant… it was right there in that same row.
The moment the news segment ended, I grabbed my phone without thinking. My fingers trembled slightly as I scrolled for my aunt's number and pressed call.
"Hello?" Her familiar voice came through, warm and cheerful as always. "Haemin-ah? Oh, what a surprise! You finally remembered to call your aunt?"
I let out a small, nervous laugh, trying to steady myself. "Auntie… I just wanted to check on you. Are you well? How's the restaurant?"
"Of course, of course. We're fine, don't worry," she replied quickly, her tone light. "How about you? You've been eating properly, right? Not skipping meals, hmm? Don't let your studies wear you down."
Looks like Auntie doesn't know yet that I already quit university and started working under Yuna. Her voice was so full of affection that for a second I almost forgot about the news. "I'm okay, Auntie," I said softly. "Really. But… about the restaurant…"
There was a pause on the other end, just a beat too long before she chuckled. "Ah, still the same as always. Busy. Tiring. You know how it is."
I frowned. "Auntie… I saw something just now on the news. About Haedong Street. About the inspections."
"Oh, that…" Her voice lifted again, almost too quickly. "It's nothing, Haemin. Just routine checks, that's all. Every business goes through it sometimes. Don't worry yourself."
I gripped the phone tighter. "Are you sure? Because they said the whole row of shops was being pressured. Uncle Minsoo was even interviewed."
Another pause. This time, her voice grew a little gentler. "Haemin-ah, listen. You don't need to worry about things like this. Your uncle and I can handle it. We've been running the restaurant for years, remember? We're not so easily shaken."
I bit my lip. Something felt wrong. Her tone was steady, but beneath it I could hear the faint edge of weariness. "Auntie, please. Don't hide it from me. Just tell me what's really happening. I want to know."
On the other end, I heard a small sigh. For a moment she didn't say anything, and I could almost picture her pressing the phone to her ear, debating whether to speak. Finally, she lowered her voice.
"Actually… the inspectors came three days ago," she admitted. "It was sudden, and they were stricter than usual. We had to close for a bit to deal with it, but it's all settled now. Nothing too serious."
My heart sank. "Three days ago…? And you didn't tell me?"
"You were busy with classes," she said quickly. "Why would I trouble you over something like this? Besides, it's not just us. The entire row has been affected."
She paused, then continued a little more softly, as if choosing her words carefully. "And also… early this morning, we received an official notice. Apparently, some company from Seoul has already bought the entire district. They didn't say much, just that the ownership has changed hands and that further details will be announced soon."
I froze. "W—What?" I stammered, my voice rising before I could stop it. "There was nobody interested in that area when I lived there. And you've been there almost thirty years, nothing ever changed. So why now?"
Auntie must have sensed the tension in my voice, because she quickly tried to calm me. "I know, I know. Everyone here was shocked too. The inspections and the news about the sale all came at once, just three days apart. It all happened so suddenly that people are still trying to understand what's going on. But don't worry too much, okay? Things like this usually take time to settle."
She let out a quiet sigh before continuing, her voice gentle but steady. "For now, all we've been told is to wait for official updates. Some shop owners are panicking, but your uncle and I decided not to jump to conclusions. It could be anything. Maybe it's just a change in management or property rights. There's no point in assuming the worst before we know for sure."
Then, as if to ease the mood, she added with a small, soft laugh, "Besides, your uncle's already joking that maybe the new owner will finally fix the leaking pipes behind the shop."
Her laugh faded quickly, but she kept her tone light. "So don't worry yourself, hmm? We'll be fine, Haemin-ah. Just focus on your studies and let us handle things here."
"But Auntie—"
"Haemin," she interrupted firmly, though her voice was still gentle. "Everything will be okay. Trust me. And don't forget, your health comes first. Promise me you'll take care of yourself."
"…I promise," I whispered, though my chest still felt heavy.
She chuckled softly. "Good boy. That's all I need to hear. Oh right, Haemin-ah… I need to go first. I'll call you back later, alright—"
"W—Wait, Auntie—" My voice cracked with urgency, but it was too late.
I pulled the phone from my ear, staring at the screen in disbelief. My hand tightened, a cold unease spreading through me.
Uncle and Auntie had worked too hard to build that restaurant. It wasn't just a business, it was their whole life. If even Uncle Minsoo was out on the street protesting, then it wasn't just some "routine inspection." This was serious.
I set the phone down on the sofa, my fingers tapping restlessly against the armrest. What could I even do? I'm not a lawyer or someone important.
My mind spun. Should I go there? No, Auntie would scold me for worrying too much. Should I send money? No, that would be foolish. My chest tightened. No matter how I thought about it, I couldn't find a way.
Without realizing, I had already opened my contacts and scrolled down to her name. My thumb hovered, hesitant. Should I… really call her about this? She was in a good mood today, but asking Yuna for something like this, felt so dangerous. Still, I couldn't sit here doing nothing. I had to try.
Finally, with a deep breath, I pressed call.
The line connected almost instantly.
"Haemin?" Her voice came, soft and warm.
"…Yuna. Are you… busy?"
"Not at the moment," she replied gently. "What's wrong?"
I bit my lip, trying to find the words. "Did you… hear about the news in Busan? The inspections on Haedong Street?"
There was a faint pause. Then her voice returned. "Yes. I saw it."
"You did?" My chest tightened. "Then… then you know, right? Auntie's restaurant is on that street. I think they're being pressured just like the others." I drew in a deep breath before continue. "Yuna, I'm sorry to ask you so selfishly, but… could you help them?"
Her voice didn't change. "Haemin. This isn't something I can involve myself in. It's a government matter. They're conducting inspections, not doing anything illegal."
I frowned. "But the way Auntie spoke… it didn't sound normal. And the news showed so many stores suffering. If it's not fair, shouldn't someone step in?"
"Even if it seems unfair, it's still a local government issue," she explained smoothly. "If I interfere, it would only complicate things. Do you understand? There are boundaries, even for someone like me."
I chewed on my lip, uneasy. "But… can't you at least use your influence? Not directly, just… maybe talk to someone, or make a call? I know you can."
"Haemin," she said softly, but there was steel beneath her voice. "Even if I can, it doesn't mean I should. If I put pressure on government officials over routine inspections, it will become a political problem. That's not something I intend to get myself involved in."
Her words made sense, but my chest ached. I still tried, one last time. "…But Auntie and Uncle worked so hard for that restaurant. They raised me with it. Please, Yuna… just this once. Can't you—"
"Enough."
Her voice wasn't loud, but the firmness cut through me like a blade. I froze, the words dying in my throat.
"I said I will not get involved." she continued, her tone calm again but edged with warning. "I know you care about them, but don't push this any further. The last thing I want is you working yourself up over something that cannot be changed."
I gripped the phone tighter, my nails digging into my palm. "…But Yuna—"
"Haemin." This time my name came with a sharpness that made me shut my mouth. "No more. Don't bring this up again. Just leave it to them. That's final."
Silence stretched between us. My throat tightened, but I couldn't push back anymore. "…Okay," I whispered.
Her voice softened, almost as if she sensed my hurt. "That's all I ask. Don't carry burdens that aren't yours."
And just like that, the call ended.
I lowered the phone slowly, staring blankly at the screen. A long sigh escaped me as I lay back down on the sofa.
Was there really no other option?