"I know he hired you to pretend."
The words were calm. Too calm.
Irene froze.
She slowly turned to face Yuan Mi's mother.
The woman stood tall, elegant, untouchable. Her sharp eyes held Irene in place like she was being examined… weighed… measured.
Irene's fingers tightened around her purse.
"H-how did you know?" she asked quietly.
A faint smile touched the woman's lips.
"I am his mother," she said. "I know my son. And… I have my ways."
Her voice carried quiet authority. The kind that didn't need to shout to be obeyed.
In that moment, Irene understood something.
So this is where he got it from.
That cold confidence.
That unreadable expression.
That control.
The woman stepped closer.
"I don't know why he is being stubborn," she continued. "But everything I do is for his future. For his happiness."
Her eyes softened just slightly.
"So please…"
She paused.
"Avoid him."
The words landed softly.
But they felt heavy.
Final.
And then, without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away.
Her heels echoed down the hallway.
Leaving Irene alone.
Standing there.
Confused.
Heart unsettled.
But one thing was clear in Irene's mind.
Avoid him?
No.
She couldn't.
Not after what she saw in his eyes earlier.
Not after that argument.
Not after the pain he tried to hide.
Before she could think twice, her feet were already moving.
She searched everywhere.
The hallway.
The elevator lobby.
The staircases.
The quiet corners.
Nothing.
Her chest tightened.
Where did he go?
Then—
The rooftop.
Her heart skipped.
She pushed the rooftop door open.
The cool night air greeted her.
And there he was.
Yuan Mi sat alone on the ground.
Silent.
One leg stretched out. The other bent upward.
One hand supported his weight behind him.
His head was slightly lowered.
His fist…
Was injured.
Irene's breath caught.
Her body moved before her mind could think.
She rushed to him.
"What happened?!"
He didn't answer.
But she saw it clearly now.
His knuckles were bruised.
Red.
Damaged.
Like he had punched something.
Hard.
Panic rose in her chest.
But then—
Her survival instincts kicked in.
Her parents were doctors.
She had seen injuries before.
She knew what to do.
Quickly, she reached into her purse and pulled out her small emergency kit.
Her hands moved carefully.
She cleaned the wound.
Her fingers were gentle.
Precise.
Focused.
Then she took out her handkerchief and wrapped his fist.
Tying it securely.
Protecting it.
All while scolding him quietly.
"Do you know how stupid this is?" she said, her voice trembling slightly. "You could seriously damage your hand."
He gasped faintly from the sting.
But he didn't complain.
He didn't pull away.
He just…
Watched her.
Silently.
His eyes never left her face.
She worked effortlessly.
Carefully.
Like she truly cared.
When she finished, she sat beside him.
Close.
But not too close.
The night sky stretched above them.
Calm.
Filled with quiet stars.
The cool breeze moved gently around them.
She hesitated.
Then spoke softly.
"If you need help…"
She swallowed.
"I'm here."
He didn't respond.
She continued.
"You don't have to handle everything alone.
You can talk to me."
Silence.
Nothing.
Then—
He smiled.
And laughed softly.
Something inside Irene snapped.
She stood up immediately.
Angry.
Frustrated.
Hurt emotional.
Like why did he hurt himself.
"I tried to help you!"
Her voice shook.
"I tried to console you, but you just ignore me, smile, and laugh! It's not funny!"
Her chest rose and fell rapidly.
"Since you think it's so funny…"
Her voice dropped.
"I'll leave."
She turned.
And began to walk away.
Suddenly—
A hand grabbed hers.
Her eyes widened.
Before she could react—
He pulled her.
Her body fell backward.
Into him.
His arms wrapped around her.
From behind.
Holding her.
Her back against his chest.
Her body between his legs.
Both his arms crossed over her shoulders.
Protective.
Tight.
Desperate.
Irene froze.
Her brain stopped working.
She couldn't move.
Couldn't breathe.
Couldn't think.
Time slowed.
The night became silent.
Only the sound of their breathing existed.
The wind.
The stars.
The warmth of his body behind hers.
He didn't say anything.
He just held her.
Like he needed it.
Like he needed her.
Five minutes passed.
Five long minutes.
Finally—
Her brain returned.
She quickly freed herself and stood up.
Her face burned bright red.
Her heart pounded violently.
"P-pervert!" she shouted.
He leaned back slightly.
Relaxed.
Calm.
"You said," he replied quietly, "that you could help me."
She froze.
"I needed help."
He looked at her.
His eyes darker than usual.
"I needed a hug."
Her face turned even redder.
"And besides…"
A faint smirk appeared.
"You didn't push me away immediately."
Silence.
Her brain exploded.
"You—!"
She pointed at him frustratedly
She couldn't speak.
Couldn't argue.
Couldn't win.
So she did the only thing she could do.
She ran.
Fled the rooftop.
Leaving him behind
Silent.
Watching the door she ran through.
The rooftop was empty now.
Cold.
Quiet.
Slowly, he lifted his injured hand.
His fingers brushed against the handkerchief she tied.
Carefully.
Like it was fragile.
Like it mattered.
His eyes softened.
Then—
His phone vibrated.
Once.
He frowned slightly.
He pulled it out.
One message.
Unknown sender.
He opened it.
His expression changed instantly.
The softness disappeared.
His jaw tightened.
His eyes turned cold.
Dangerous.
The message read:
"Stay away from Irene."
He stared at the screen.
Silent.
Then slowly—
He smiled.
Not gently.
Not warmly.
But darkly.