Jaeahn stepped out of Do Hwan's room with her head lowered, her voice still trembling from the soft "sorry" she'd whispered before leaving.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Inside, Do Hwan stood frozen.
Did I… say something I didn't mean? Why did she look like that?
A strange heaviness settled in his chest.
He grabbed his phone and immediately called Jihu.
The moment Jihu answered, his voice shook.
"D–Does… does Jaeahn know? Did she find out about me? What should we do now? What if—"
"Hey! Jihu. Calm down," Do Hwan interrupted firmly.
"I'll handle her. I'll convince her. I'll call you back."
He hung up and rushed out to look for Jaeahn.
But she wasn't anywhere.
Her room—empty.
The kitchen—empty.
The hallway—silent.
Did she go to him? Did she go to Jihu?
A cold thought passed through his mind.
Now both Jihu and Do Hwan knew—
Jaeahn had learned the truth.
The secret they had kept for years… shattered.
That night, Do Hwan didn't return home.
He stayed with Jihu, talking through every detail—
the case, the danger, and most importantly,
Jaeahn.
By early morning, exhausted, he returned home.
The moment he walked inside, he froze.
"Where's Jaeahn?" he asked Jongsuk and Eunwoo.
Both shook their heads, worried.
"We don't know," Jongsuk said.
"She didn't come home last night."
They tried calling.
Jaeahn didn't pick up.
On the fifth attempt, she finally answered Eunwoo's call.
"I'm out for evidence," she said quietly.
"Don't call me. I'll be back."
The call ended before Eunwoo could say anything.
---
Busan
We see Jaeahn stepping out of a bus, cold air brushing past her hair.
She walked through the unfamiliar streets, searching house after house.
She was looking for Hyejin's mother.
If anyone had answers… it was her.
Hours passed.
Wrong addresses, wrong lanes, wrong houses.
Finally—
She found it.
She knocked.
The door opened just a little.
Hyejin's mother stared at her with a stiff expression.
"I want to talk to you," Jaeahn said politely.
"No."
The woman tried to close the door.
Jaeahn stopped it with her hand.
"I'm the public defender handling Hyejin's case," she said firmly.
"Why didn't you come to court? Why didn't you do anything?
She is your daughter!"
Her voice cracked—anger buried under exhaustion.
"I feel ashamed… having this conversation with you," Jaeahn whispered.
She turned to leave.
This is my last hope…
Please… don't close your heart too.
She started counting in her mind.
3…
2…
1…
"Wait."
Jaeahn stopped.
"I'll talk," the woman said quietly.
"Ask me anything about Hyejin."
Jaeahn entered the small living room.
They sat facing each other.
"Where did Hyejin work?" Jaeahn asked.
The mother hesitated.
Then said it:
"She worked at… AHN Group."
Jaeahn's blood ran cold.
"W–What…?"
Her voice broke.
"A… Ahn Group? Which Ahn?"
"Ahn Medical Group."
Jaeahn's hands trembled.
She worked in my family's company…? And I never knew?
She asked more simple questions, trying to stay calm.
The mother finally said:
"She used to write everything in a small notepad. I don't know if it's useful."
"That will help a lot," Jaeahn said.
Inside, she whispered:
Finally… a mastermind caught.
She stood up.
"Take care."
Then walked out.
Outside, she breathed deeply.
She worked under our own company… And the notepad…
I'll read it once I reach home.
She sat inside her car.
But her thoughts spiraled.
They know that I know…
And I know… that they know…
And they know… that I know they know—aaaahhhh!
She hit her head on the steering wheel lightly.
---
Back Home
When she reached home, she saw all three waiting—
Do Hwan, Jongsuk, Eunwoo.
Worried eyes.
Silent tension.
She ignored them and walked inside.
Do Hwan stopped her.
"So… you know about it now?"
Jaeahn turned slowly.
Her eyes were red, but no tears fell.
"Yes," she said, voice sharp.
"WHAT did you want from me?
Is this funny to you?
Playing with my emotions?!"
Her voice cracked.
Pain pouring out after years of holding it in.
"STOP IT!" she screamed.
"Just stop… all of you."
She pointed at the door.
"Get out."
"Jaeahn—" Jongsuk tried gently.
"You too. GO."
One by one, she pushed them out and shut the door.
Do Hwan said through the door,
"I didn't hide it. Jihu is the one who told us not to tell you!"
After a moment, Jaeahn opened the door again—
grabbed Eunwoo's hand—
pulled him inside—
and closed the door on the two men again.
"What did I do?" Jongsuk whispered, devastated.
"You did," Jaeahn replied from inside.
---
Last Scene
Do Hwan pulled out his phone.
"Come here," he told Jihu.
"She knows everything."
"I don't want to face her," Jihu said softly.
"Come. Now."
After a long silence,
Jihu agreed.
A few hours later—
A sharp echo of footsteps filled the corridor.
Do Hwan turned.
Jongsuk turned.
And standing in the doorway—
Jihu.
His silhouette, his presence, his eyes—
alive.
Standing after years of being "dead."
The chapter ends.
---