The car door opened.
Matias stepped out first, then walked around to her side and opened the door, offering his hand. Jinny hesitated for a moment before taking it and stepping out.
The moment she lifted her gaze, she froze.
A massive mansion stood before her, elegant and imposing under the fading light.
"Where are we?" she asked, her eyes wandering in awe.
"This is where I'm staying," Matias replied calmly. "Father's private residence."
He walked ahead without another word.
Jinny followed quietly, still trying to take everything in. She hadn't even known her adopted father owned a house here.
Just how wealthy are they…? she wondered. How many countries do they even have homes in?
As they stepped inside, she noticed something strange.
There were no maids.
"N-No one's here?" she asked hesitantly. "Are you alone?"
"This is a private property," Matias answered. "No maids. Only security… and cameras."
He gestured toward a surveillance camera mounted on the wall.
Jinny swallowed.
So the place was guarded—but still…
She was alone with him.
A nervous chill ran down her spine.
"Y-You said there's something you want to tell me," she said, trying to steady her voice. "What is it?"
Matias removed his coat and casually tossed it onto the couch. He loosened his tie, his movements slow and deliberate.
"Shuu is probably waiting for me," Jinny continued, forcing her words out. "I… I should go, or else he—"
She wasn't able to finish.
Matias suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"W-What are you—"
She tried to push him away, but his grip was firm—unyielding.
"Stop mentioning another man's name in front of me," he whispered against her ear.
Her heart began to pound wildly.
Why…?
Why was he doing this to her again?
After a moment, Matias released her—but his gaze never left hers.
Jinny quickly looked away.
No.
She wouldn't let herself be swayed again.
She would never forget what he did to her in the past.
But Matias reached out and gently held her chin, forcing her to face him.
"Look at me," he said.
His voice carried that same authority—the same presence she had once been unable to resist.
And before she realized it, she obeyed.
Their eyes met.
"Finally…" he murmured. "Our eyes meet again."
He lifted her hand and pressed a slow kiss against the back of it, his gaze locked onto hers.
Jinny's breath hitched.
Her heart raced uncontrollably.
She knew this feeling.
It was the same as before… back in the Serolf Empire.
When Matias used to draw her in—slowly, dangerously.
She tried to pull her hand away, but he held it firmly.
Then, without warning—
He ran his tongue lightly over her skin.
A sharp jolt ran through her body.
Her face flushed instantly.
"W-What are you doing?!" she exclaimed, finally pulling her hand away.
Matias smirked faintly, as if satisfied.
Then, just as suddenly, his expression turned cold again.
"You'll stay here from now on," he said, already turning toward the staircase.
"What? No!" Jinny protested, her voice rising. "I have an apartment—and it's near my school!"
He paused, glancing back slightly.
"You'll take a leave from school."
"What? I can't do that!" she argued. "I'm an exchange student. I won't let my grades suffer!"
"Don't worry," he replied coolly. "I've already handled everything. Your school has approved your leave."
And with that, he continued upstairs, leaving her frozen in place.
Jinny stood there, overwhelmed.
Stay here? With him?
Take a leave from school?
Her phone was gone. She had no way to contact anyone. And judging by the surroundings, this place was far from the city.
Just what was Matias planning?
She let out a shaky sigh and sank onto the couch.
"Why is this happening to me again…?" she whispered.
Her eyes fell on a piece of paper resting on the table.
She picked it up.
Your room is on the second floor. Third door on the right.
Jinny stared at it for a moment before standing up.
Slowly, she made her way upstairs.
She found the room exactly where the note said it would be.
Inside, the space was large and neatly arranged, decorated in a simple yet elegant style.
When she opened the closet, she froze.
Clothes—her size—were already hanging inside.
"…He really planned this," she murmured.
She walked into the bathroom. Toiletries, towels, everything she might need—it was all there, neatly prepared.
Returning to the bed, she sat down heavily.
It seemed… she had no choice but to stay here.
But why?
Why had Matias brought her here?
Did their parents know he was here? Did they have any idea what he was doing?
Her thoughts began to spiral.
She shook her head.
Stop…
Thinking about it would only make her head ache.
With a quiet sigh, she stood up and picked out a simple shirt, shorts, and undergarments from the closet.
Then she headed to the bathroom.
"Maybe… I just need to wash everything away," she whispered.
"Clear my mind… even just for a moment."
.
.
.
Back at Jinny's apartment, Shuu paced restlessly.
He had been calling her for hours, but every attempt went unanswered.
A knot of unease tightened in his chest.
They had just spoken earlier—she told him she would head home safely on her own. But now, she still wasn't back.
What if something happened to her?
"Damn it…" Shuu muttered under his breath as another call failed to connect.
His jaw clenched.
Without wasting another second, he grabbed his phone and dialed the headquarters. Their family had a branch here in Spain, and he wasn't about to sit still.
"There's something I need you to do," he said the moment the line connected, his voice cold and commanding. "I'll send you her photo and details. Find her—before midnight."
"Yes, sir," came the immediate response.
The call ended.
But the uneasiness in his chest only grew heavier.
Shuu ran a hand through his hair, frustration flashing across his face. He couldn't just wait around.
He grabbed his motorbike keys and rushed out of the apartment.
He had to find her.
If anything happened to Jinny…
He would never forgive himself.
She was still unfamiliar with the city. Vulnerable.
And worse—
This place wasn't safe.
Members of underground organizations roamed these streets, hiding behind the façade of a bustling city. Some of them dealt in far darker things… including human trafficking.
Shuu's grip tightened around the handlebars as anger surged through him.
"Fuck…" he growled, his voice laced with fury. "If anyone dares to touch her…"
His eyes darkened.
"I'll kill them."
And with that, the engine roared to life as he sped into the night.
.
.
.
After her shower, Jinny went downstairs, hoping to find something to eat.
She stepped into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, scanning its contents. After a moment, she took out some chicken.
But as she closed the door—
She froze.
Matias was suddenly standing right beside her.
"Y-You startled me," she said, placing a hand over her chest before quickly moving to the sink to wash the chicken.
"You're going to cook?" Matias said casually as he took a seat on one of the stools near the kitchen counter. "Let me taste it."
Jinny didn't reply.
She began preparing the ingredients in silence, but she could feel his gaze on her—steady, unrelenting.
The quiet felt suffocating.
She glanced at him briefly.
He was still watching her.
Without blinking.
She cleared her throat, trying to ease the tension.
"You… haven't told me yet why you're here," she said, focusing on slicing the carrots.
Before she could react, Matias stood and walked toward her.
Then suddenly—
He wrapped his arms around her from behind.
Jinny gasped in surprise, the knife slipping slightly from her grip as the carrot fell to the floor.
"M-Matias—"
He leaned closer, burying his face near her neck, inhaling her scent.
She smelled fresh… soft… familiar.
"I want us to start over," he whispered.
Jinny turned to face him, confusion written all over her face.
"W-What do you mean?"
Matias reached for her hand and lifted it gently, pressing a soft kiss against it.
"I'm sorry…"
Her breath caught.
"I made a terrible mistake," he continued, his voice low. "I left you… For the sake of the empire, I chose to marry someone else."
He placed her hand against his chest, over his heart.
"But believe me… you're the only woman I've ever loved. The only one in my heart."
Jinny's eyes began to tremble.
"I'm sorry for ignoring you… for abandoning you…" his voice faltered slightly, "…when our child was gone."
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
After everything… all the pain she endured—
Only now… he was apologizing?
"D-Do you even know how much it hurt?" she cried, her voice breaking.
Matias gently wiped her tears.
"I'm so sorry…"
"It hurts…" she sobbed. "I lost my child… and then you left me…"
Matias closed his eyes, pain flashing across his face, before pulling her into a tight embrace.
"I'm sorry," he whispered again. "If you just give me one chance… I'll fix everything. I'll do anything—anything—just so you can forgive me."
Slowly, he released her—
Then dropped to his knees in front of her.
Jinny froze.
Matias took both of her hands in his, looking up at her with desperate sincerity.
"Jinny… please," he said. "Give me one last chance."
His voice was no longer cold.
It was raw. Vulnerable.
"I promise… I will never hurt you again. I will never abandon you again." His grip tightened slightly. "I love you, Jin. I truly do."
Jinny stared into his eyes.
They were sincere.
Painfully so.
Tears fell once more.
Matias leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her legs, holding onto her as if she might disappear.
"Please…"
Jinny wiped her tears, her heart in turmoil.
Should she believe him?
Should she give him another chance?
But…
What if he leaves her again?
Her thoughts drifted—to Ran… to Shuu…
Then back to him.
Memories flooded her mind—
The Serolf Empire…
The first time they met…
His offer to protect her…
His possessiveness…
His touch…
His embrace…
His kiss…
Jinny closed her eyes tightly.
She thought she had moved on.
She thought she had buried those feelings long ago.
But now—
They were resurfacing, stronger than ever.
Because the truth she had been trying to deny…
Still remained.
She still loved him.
Deeply.
She slowly lowered herself to his level, meeting his gaze. Gently, she cupped his face in her hands.
"Jinny…" he whispered, closing his eyes as he leaned into her touch, savoring the warmth of her palms.
"Do you really promise…" she asked softly, her voice trembling with emotion, "…that you will never abandon me again?"
Matias opened his eyes and nodded without hesitation.
"I promise."
A faint smile broke through her tears as she nodded.
Taking that as her answer, Matias didn't hesitate. He pulled her closer and captured her lips in a deep, longing kiss—one filled with everything they had lost, everything they had missed.
The kiss deepened, growing more desperate, more intense, as if they were trying to make up for all the time they had been apart.
Slowly, he guided her down onto the floor, never breaking the kiss. He gently removed her clothes, his touch both tender and eager, filled with emotion rather than haste.
Jinny let out a soft moan as his lips trailed along her skin, sending shivers through her body. His hands moved over her, exploring her curves as he caressed her breasts.
Matias removed his own clothes as well, his gaze lingering on her.
"You have no idea how much I've missed you," he said.
Their lips met again.
Jinny moaned loudly when Matias inserted his huge member inside her. She couldn't deny that she really missed it.
She clung to him, her heart racing. In his arms, everything else faded away—the past, the pain, the doubts.
In that moment, there was only him.
The quiet kitchen filled with the sound of their breathing and soft moans.
Matias's movements grew deeper, more urgent.
"M-Matias… a-aaaghhh!" she moaned.
She could feel it—she was about to climax.
"J-Jinny…" he moaned.
They clung to each other as the intensity built, until at last, they both reached their climax.
When it was over, they lay there together, breathless.
Matias gently brushed her hair away from her face and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
"I love you," he whispered.
Jinny wrapped her arms around him, closing her eyes as she rested against his chest.
She had already forgotten about the food she was preparing.