Silently, without letting him notice, Xiamen kept an eye on Hong Yi as she walked down the corridor. She saw the way his shoulders fell, the way his expression cracked for just a second before he forced it back into calm. It felt like watching a storm destroy a beautiful building—quiet but devastating.
Hong Yi stood frozen, staring at the spot where she had disappeared, his heart sinking deeper than he ever expected.
Her words—her lies—cut him open.
She suffered so much… and I didn't even know.
If I had met her earlier… would she have been spared all this?
Did I fail her before I even got the chance to protect her?
A sharp breath escaped him.
He felt helpless—and the helplessness tasted like guilt.
He pressed a hand to his forehead, fighting the ache building in his chest.
"I'm responsible…" he murmured to himself.
"If she's hurting this much, if she had to lie to protect herself… I must have done something wrong. I must have not been enough."
For the first time in a long while, Hong Yi felt completely lost.
---
Three Days Later — The Papers Are Ready
The company's legal department worked quickly, following Hong Yi's silent but urgent request.
In exactly three days, everything was prepared—the transfer documents, and the final agreements.
Xiamen arrived at the office that afternoon, her face pale but steady. Her heart beat painfully against her ribs as she held the crisp folder in her hands.
Inside were the documents that would change everything.
She was going to transfer the company to Hong Yi's name, just like she promised before—back when she still believed she could handle everything alone.
"I have nothing left to protect," she whispered to herself.
"Only this… only the promise I made to him."
She sat across the table from Hong Yi in the quiet meeting room. Neither of them spoke immediately. The air was heavy, filled with unspoken emotions and questions neither dared to voice.
Finally, Xiamen slid the folder toward him.
"This is the transfer agreement," she said softly. "After today… the company is officially yours."
Hong Yi's eyes widened as he opened the folder.
To fulfill my promise," she replied, almost whispering.
"And because I don't want to hold anything anymore. Not the pain. Not the responsibility. Not the past."
"Xiamen… I have bought a house for you here in Seoul, you don't need to worry anymore,
I know you don't want to live with me, but still for Haoyu future you should stay, you know that too , for his education Seoul is better .
And I just want to take care of you . You can think anything it doesn't matter anymore if you think I am guilty so I am.
She looked away.
"I just want to leave."
I don't want to stay here anymore.
I just want my son safe.
Hong Yi stared at her—his chest tight, his hands shaking slightly.
He had never felt so close to losing her.
Nor so desperate to stop it.