I Hope Y/N Never Comes Back

"Sending Grace to Miss Kim was definitely the right call," Wooyoung remarked, settling in beside Y/N on the couch. "We really needed this time alone to catch up."

Interlacing his fingers with hers, Y/N couldn't help but chuckle deeply.

"Talking? How pedestrian. I was hoping for something a bit more... romantic. Perhaps even a little passion," she teased.

"Oh, someone's feeling a bit frisky," Wooyoung teased back, a playful glint in his eyes.

"And why shouldn't I be? It's been five long years since we last saw each other," Y/N replied with a grin.

Their banter was a familiar dance, a testament to the easy rapport they shared.

"Unless, of course, you're suggesting you spent those years gallivanting about?" Y/N crossed her arms and pouted. "And here I thought you loved me."

"Didn't you go on dates these past five years? Miss Kim filled me in on those occasions."

"Oh, did she neglect to mention that those dates often ended abruptly? I was preoccupied, drowning in my own tears over someone who proved to be unappreciative," Y/N deadpanned.

"Ah, well I'm clean. My time was consumed by reminiscing about a certain someone," Wooyoung retorted sharply.

"And yet here we are, engaging in mere conversation," Y/N remarked, rolling her eyes as she crossed her arms. "Perhaps I no longer meet your standards of attractiveness.

Is that it? Now that I'm a mother, my body has changed, and maybe I don't measure up to your past ideals. Perhaps you no longer desire me," she continued, her tone laced with a hint of insecurity.

"After all, I have these stretch marks now, and my thighs aren't as slender as they once were. Surely, that's a turn-off for you, Woo."

"Whoa, hold on there. Where is this coming from? I'm still very much attracted to you, more than you realize," Wooyoung replied, reaching out to take Y/N's hand, but she pulled away.

"You're just saying that," she countered, avoiding his gaze.

"Don't believe me?" Wooyoung's tone softened. "Well then, I'll just have to show you."

With determination, Wooyoung rose from his seat, exhaling deeply before gently scooping Y/N up into his arms, bridal style, eliciting a surprised squeak from her.

"What are you doing?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with astonishment.

"Showing you how much I love you, and how little those superficial concerns matter to me," Wooyoung replied, his smirk reflecting a newfound confidence.

"Those stretch marks? I don't even notice them. And as for your thighs..." He paused, his smirk widening.

"Let's just say they're a welcomed bonus in my book."

"No, no, no, no," Y/N protested with a playful wiggle, attempting to fend off his advances, her tone carrying a mix of amusement and mock-seriousness.

"Last time you had this smirk, and you put a baby inside me."

She couldn't help but smile as she lightly slapped his shoulders, her affection for him evident even in the midst of their banter.

"Well then, let's give Grace a sibling," he countered, his words laced with a teasing tone that only added to the warmth between them.

Maybe what they truly craved was a moment just for themselves, a pause from the chaos of the world, a sanctuary where they could bask in each other's love and find solace in each other's embrace.

That night seemed to stretch on endlessly, a canvas painted with affection and whispered endearments, reminiscent of the days when their bond was unmarred by strife.

Wrapped in each other's arms, they drifted into a serene slumber, cocooned in a bubble of warmth and security as if nothing else mattered beyond the contours of their entwined bodies.

But the morning's intrusion was inevitable, heralded by the gentle kiss of sunlight filtering through the curtains.

"Wooyoung, coffee," Y/N's voice, though near, seemed to emanate from a distant place as she stood by the bedside.

"Wooyoung, wake up," her words echoed faintly as if carried away by a breeze, until Wooyoung was jolted back to reality, gasping for air in the midst of his office.

His colleague stood before him, concern etched on her face as she offered a cup of coffee.

"Chief Wooyoung, are you okay?" she inquired, noting the beads of sweat on his brow.

Managing to compose himself, Wooyoung brushed off her worries with a feeble excuse.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just feeling a bit warm," he muttered, attempting to shake off the remnants of his dream.

"Hot, at the end of October?" she countered, her skepticism evident.

"Sir, your AC is set to the lowest temperature, and yet you're sweating. Maybe you should take a break, you don't look well."

Ignoring the advice, Wooyoung insisted on pressing forward with his duties, though his words carried a weight that belied his true state of mind.

"No, it's fine. It's almost 1 PM; we need to visit Chairman Seo and his girlfriend," he declared, masking his inner turmoil behind a facade of determination.

With a nod, his colleague acquiesced and left the office, leaving Wooyoung to grapple with the lingering echoes of his dream, and the unsettling feeling that perhaps he was not as fine as he claimed to be.

Chairman Seo and Yun Hee were deeply in love.

Their comfy home, tucked away in a peaceful Georgian Bungalow, showed just how much Yun Hee wanted a house like the ones in Hollywood movies.

And Chairman Seo? Well, he was head over heels for her, always eager to make her happy.

Living away from the busy town, they found comfort in each other, excitedly looking forward to their upcoming wedding.

Even though Yun Hee had physically healed from past injuries, the emotional scars still lingered, making her quiet and distant, which worried Chairman Seo a lot.

He was scared she might shut down completely.

When Wooyoung and his coworker finally got to Chairman Seo's lovely bungalow after a thirty-minute drive,

they were stunned by how much more beautiful it was in person than in the pictures.

Inside, it felt like stepping onto a Hollywood movie set, with lots of doors and pretty curtains swaying gently in the breeze, adding to the house's charm.

As they were guided by a smartly dressed servant,

Wooyoung's coworker couldn't help but admire how well the household staff worked together.

Eventually, they reached the office where Chairman Seo was waiting, the excitement in the air almost tangible.

"Chairman Seo has been waiting for you," the servant said as he opened the door, inviting Wooyoung in, where an important meeting was about to begin.

Chairman Seo, a young tycoon whose wealth rivaled the gleam of Seoul's skyline, had built his empire from humble beginnings, fueled by his own sweat and the modest support of his parents.

Despite not towering over his surroundings, his presence commanded attention, his sturdy frame a testament to his resilience and determination.

As Wooyoung entered the expansive office, Chairman Seo gestured for him to take a seat with polite grace.

"Please, Wooyoung, make yourself comfortable," Chairman Seo said warmly, his voice carrying a subtle authority softened by genuine hospitality.

Wooyoung returned the gesture with a smile, settling into the chair opposite Chairman Seo alongside his coworker.

"You specifically requested my presence for this matter, sir. Might I inquire as to the reason?"

Wooyoung asked, his tone respectful yet curious, reflecting both his professionalism and his eagerness to understand the task at hand.

"Hey, just call me Changbin," Chairman Seo grinned warmly, leaning back in his chair.

With a flick of his finger, he pressed the button on his desk, its distant chime signaling the arrival of a woman who had been escorting Wooyoung and his coworker.

"Julie, could you please bring us some refreshments? Thanks a bunch," he said, watching her nod before she slipped out of the room.

Turning back to Wooyoung, he continued, his tone serious yet tinged with urgency.

"Wooyoung, you're already up to speed on the situation," he began, noting Wooyoung's nod of understanding. "Unlike other business bigwigs, I don't have connections in the police department. I only know one person, Yongbok. When I reached out to him for help, he pointed me in your direction, mentioning your handling of Mr. Lee's case. I've heard good things, so without hesitation, I asked for your assistance. Please, help me out here, Wooyoung. I need those scoundrels behind bars or... well, let's just say, I need justice served."

Changbin's words were laden with determination and a hint of vengeance as he spoke of the three foreigners who had wrecked Yun Hee's life, Changbin's fiancée.

Wooyoung grasped the gravity of the situation.

"And right now, I'm putting my trust in you because Yongbok vouches for you," Changbin added, his gaze unwavering as he looked at Wooyoung.

Wooyoung returned the gaze, nodding in assurance that he would handle the case with utmost care and dedication.

"I called you here for two important reasons," Changbin began, sounding both careful and concerned.

"Yun Hee is now at a point where we can try to talk to her, but she really doesn't want to leave where she is. That's why I asked you to come."

Yun Hee had been getting treatment for a whole month to help her deal with the terrible things she went through.

During this time, she kept to herself and didn't want to talk to anyone.

It was hard to get her to open up, even though she might have information that could help us solve the case.

Right now, all we have are the short video clips from the security cameras.

"And what's the second reason?" There was a tense feeling in the room as the question hung in the air.

Changbin took a moment, thinking about how to explain. He let out a breath and said, "We'll talk about that later. For now, let's focus on getting Yun Hee to talk."

With that, Changbin got up from his chair and walked to the door. It was the entrance to his office from his home.

Crossing that threshold meant leaving personal matters behind and dealing with the serious job at hand.

As he reached for the door handle, he felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him, reminding him of the tough road ahead.

In a hushed tone, Wooyoung's coworker uttered, "Chairman is so different from what I had imagined him to be." The words carried a hint of surprise and realization.

"I thought he would be some intimidating businessman, old and gruff."

Changbin, positioned near the door that linked his office to the rest of the workspace, overheard the conversation.

"Yeah I hear that a lot." He gently maneuvered a wheelchair, with Yun Hee seated upon it, into the room.

Her expression betrayed a mixture of fear and apprehension.

After a month confined to her room, stepping out before someone who wasn't part of her immediate family was an unfamiliar and nerve-wracking experience for Yun Hee.

Wooyoung caught the frightened look in her eyes the moment he stepped into the room.

Yun Hee, clutching Changbin's hand, seemed to be seeking reassurance in the grip of her friend.

It was a look that stirred a familiar ache in Wooyoung's heart—a blend of vulnerability, fear, and a glimmer of hope.

He had seen that same expression on Y/N's face before she disappeared.

Despite the urge to avert his gaze from Yun Hee's distress, Wooyoung knew he couldn't.

She needed reassurance, a sense of safety, and he was determined to provide it.

With a polite smile, he introduced himself gently,

"Hello, Yun Hee. I'm Wooyoung. You can trust me, I promise not to breathe a word of this to anyone."

Whether it was the warmth in Wooyoung's voice or the sincerity behind his words, Yun Hee seemed to find solace in his presence.

She began to share everything, not omitting even the smallest detail about the three foreigners she had encountered.

"I heard them saying, 'Let's go before we miss the last bus,'" Yun Hee disclosed.

Wooyoung's mind immediately latched onto the clue. "The last bus... They must have headed downtown on a blue bus," he deduced aloud, his colleague nodding in agreement beside him.

"Yes, especially on a strike day with limited bus services," his colleague added. "That narrows down our search area."

"We'll focus our efforts there then," Wooyoung affirmed, a glint of determination in his eyes.

He knew they were onto something substantial.

The urgency of the situation fueled his resolve to track down those responsible and bring justice for Yun Hee.

"Thank you, Yun Hee, this has helped us to narrow down our investigation. We appreciate you for taking this step," Wooyoung said with genuine gratitude, a warm smile on his face.

It was a small breakthrough, but it meant they were moving forward, and that was everything to him.

Wooyoung turned to Changbin, acknowledging his contribution too. "We should go now, it's better that we start our work soon."

Changbin offered to escort them out. He guided Yun Hee towards the bedroom first before returning to Wooyoung and his colleague.

"Thank you, Wooyoung. I was at a loss about who to reach out to," Changbin confessed, his voice edged with gratitude and regret. "And," he paused as they reached the outside door,

"I heard about your wife and daughter. Still, you are helping us. Thank you so much. I'm so sorry."

Wooyoung's response was firm but laced with emotion. "It's okay, Mr. Seo."

Changbin hesitated, considering Wooyoung's situation. "Wooyoung, the second thing I wanted to say was, it's okay if you withdraw yourself from this case. I'll understand because of your wife and your daughter..."

Wooyoung cut him off with a tight smile. "It's fine, Mr. Seo. I'm in this case, and I'll solve it. About Y/N and Grace, I know their case is in good hands. I'll find her."

Changbin sensed the struggle behind Wooyoung's words, the unspoken fear and hope intertwined. "We should go, Mr. Seo."

"Changbin."

"Yeah, Changbin." Wooyoung and his colleague left the premises, heading back to their office to discuss the new lead.

This clue was vital, and Wooyoung felt a renewed determination to bring the case to a close, for Y/N and Grace, and for himself.

As Wooyoung approached the police station, he felt a curious twist of fate in the air as he stepped through the station doors.

And maybe, just maybe, heaven and earth were both working in his favor that day.

Inside, a scene caught his attention.

His team, usually engrossed in paperwork or discussions, was gathered around a man—a rather elderly man—who appeared to be recounting something with great enthusiasm.

The officers listened intently, their expressions a mix of curiosity and interest.

It was a peculiar sight, like a huddle of eager students around a seasoned storyteller.

Wooyoung approached quietly, observing the animated exchange. As he drew nearer, his team noticed him and straightened up respectfully.

"What's going on here?" Wooyoung inquired, his voice a blend of curiosity and authority.

One of the officers stepped forward, his face bright with a hint of excitement. "Sir, we've got a lead," he announced, gesturing towards the elderly man who now turned to face Wooyoung, a warm smile spreading across his weathered features.

"I was coming back from the grocery store when I saw this man in a striking black and gold jacket load three foreigners into his van and drive off," the old man recounted, his voice soft with a touch of concern.

Wooyoung and his team were now gathered in his office, listening intently. "You witnessed all of this?"

Wooyoung inquired, leaning forward with a serious expression. The old man nodded solemnly.

"About a month ago," Wooyoung clarified, seeking confirmation. Again, the old man nodded, his weathered face reflecting the weight of his memory.

"Why wait a whole month to come forward?" Wooyoung probed gently.

The old man shifted uncomfortably under Wooyoung's scrutiny, his eyes darting around nervously.

"I didn't think much of it at the time. I thought they might be university students. Oh, my poor eyes," he lamented. "It was only after I saw the news about the missing foreigners that it clicked. I recognized one of them. Sir, I'm quite poor—I have to think twice before paying my television bill. That's why it took me so long."

"Can you show us where this happened?" Wooyoung asked, his tone softening with understanding.

"Absolutely," nodded the old man with a relieved smile, grateful that his concerns were being taken seriously.

They quickly made arrangements to visit the location, Wooyoung's investigative team poised for further exploration.

The old man guided them to the downtown area, which appeared quite run-down with its dim lighting and poorly constructed houses. He stepped off the van first, followed closely by Wooyoung and the other officers. As they walked, the old man paused, surveying the surroundings before pointing to a spot on the ground.

"Right here, the van came to a stop," he explained, gesturing towards the pavement. "And I was standing over there at a distance." He motioned back in the direction they had come from.

"My house is just over there," he continued, pointing to a dark silhouette nearby. "It was so dark that night, but I could make out the jacket distinctly because it was different—a black jacket adorned with golden cherry blossom embroidery."

Wooyoung and his team listened attentively, nodding as they absorbed the details.

The old man's earnestness was evident as he recounted the incident, his voice tinged with a mixture of concern and determination.

Wooyoung glanced around at the downtown streets, noticing how deserted they seemed.

The CCTV cameras, which were rarely operational in this area, were predictably out of order.

He knew that some people intentionally tampered with them, hoping to get arrested just for a warm place to sleep.

As expected, tonight they were useless.

"It's been a whole month, and we still have nothing," Wooyoung muttered, frustration evident in his voice.

The heavy rain that night had likely washed away any potential clues.

"You remember the jacket, right?" Wooyoung asked, turning to an elderly man standing nearby. "Could you describe it again? Maybe it'll spark something, anything."

"By the way, may I ask who these foreigners were?" the old man inquired earning a glare from Wooyoung. "Nevermind."

"They were criminals."

The old man nodded solemnly, and one of the officials stepped forward, ready to record any details he could provide.

The day flew by in a blur, with the AI artist quickly handed a rough sketch and brief details to craft a possible design for the jacket.

Meanwhile, the investigative team immersed themselves once again in the case, dissecting every detail, trying to piece together what might have transpired.

They were on a mission to track down the bus driver from that fateful day, and fortunately—or unfortunately—they eventually located him.

However, the driver's memory was a dead end.

It had been a month since the incident, and all he could recall was dropping off those passengers downtown.

He mentioned that the three foreigners had hurriedly disembarked, perhaps because of the rain, but he hadn't thought much of it at the time.

Amidst this flurry of activity, Wooyoung found himself in his office, seeking solace with closed eyes.

He was attempting to sink into the embrace of his comfortable chair, savoring the cool breeze from the AC.

"Woo, I love you," Y/N whispered, resting her head on Wooyoung's warm, bare back and planting a soft kiss on his shoulder.

Wooyoung chuckled, responding that he loved her even more.

Feeling playful, Y/N wrapped her arms around him from behind, burying her face in the crook of Wooyoung's neck, recalling just how ticklish he was almost everywhere.

Without hesitation, she began tickling his stomach, causing Wooyoung to squirm under her touch.

Their bodies pressed close, Wooyoung couldn't hold back the laughter as Y/N's playful assault continued.

Finally, he managed to turn around, swiftly pinning Y/N beneath him, gently restraining her wrists above her head.

"You've become quite the troublemaker," he teased, his breath warm against her face.

"Well, I didn't have a baby before. I'm picking up a few tricks from Grace," Y/N replied with a mischievous glint in her eyes, prompting a deep, joyful laugh from Wooyoung.

As he looked at her, Y/N simply gazed back, studying his features as if she were memorizing them, a hint of worry shadowing her expression.

Wooyoung sensed her unease and released her wrists, leaning over her but keeping his arms at her sides.

"Hey, what's on your mind?" Wooyoung asked, his tone now filled with concern.

Y/N chuckled softly before speaking, "I missed you, missed this face, this glow," her eyes fixed on Wooyoung's warm, sunset-lit features. "So warm and loving."

A tear welled up, escaping down her cheek.

"Please don't cry," Wooyoung whispered, his thumb brushing Y/N's cheek tenderly. "We've been through so much pain. I can't bear to lose you again."

"You have no idea how much I love you," Wooyoung continued, his forehead touching hers gently. "I'd go to hell and back to find you if anyone tried to take you away. You're mine."

"I'll never leave you," Y/N whispered back, her lips finding his in a deep, loving kiss.

But their moment was cut short by a sudden knock.

Y/N quickly pushed Wooyoung away, sitting up and grabbing her clothes to dress before anyone entered, Wooyoung doing the same.

"I think it's Grace," Y/N remarked with a hint of urgency.

Wooyoung was in the midst of getting ready when the unexpected knocking on his door startled him.

"But she was supposed to come tomorrow," he muttered to himself, pulling up his pants hastily.

He glanced around for his shirt, which he had casually tossed aside earlier.

As he hurriedly slipped on his shirt, Wooyoung called out, "Baby, are you dressed?"

He chuckled, assuming Y/N was struggling with her own clothes.

The knocking grew louder, making him feel uneasy.

"Baby? Y/N?" Wooyoung continued, expecting a playful response.

However, when he turned around, Y/N was nowhere to be seen. "Y/N? Where did you go?"

His voice filled with a mix of confusion and concern, he checked the bathroom and scanned the room, but there was no sign of her.

"Y/N?" The knocking now seemed to echo, causing his head to spin.

Panic started to set in as the room felt suffocatingly silent.

Wooyoung struggled to catch his breath, his chest tightening inexplicably. Gripping his neck, he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.

Just then, the door swung open. Wooyoung blinked rapidly as he came to, his chest rising and falling with each heavy breath.

Another dream about Y/N slipping away—each time, the pain felt fresh, cutting through the haze of sleep.

His colleague, sensing his distress, hurried over and knelt beside him, gently stroking his palm to soothe him.

"Chief, it's okay. You're okay," she reassured him, rising swiftly to fetch a bottle of water.

Wooyoung accepted it gratefully, drinking down the cool liquid in one go.

"Another nightmare?" she asked softly, receiving a weary nod from Wooyoung.

"I think you need to rest, Chief," she suggested with genuine concern. "You hardly ever leave the office, and even when you do go home, I imagine you don't get much sleep. You're pushing yourself too hard."

"I'm fine," Wooyoung replied in a stern voice.

"No, you are not, Chief. To hell with the honorifics, Wooyoung. You need to think straight, be rational, and okay," Hyeri said firmly.

Wooyoung looked at her with surprise—it was the first time she had talked to him informally.

"And you need to forget about Y/N. Dammit, she's gone, and Mingi is looking into her case. So be here, you lovesick gentleman."

"Mind your language and your own business, Hyeri!" Wooyoung shouted.

"I am minding my business. I need our office to be a little more positive so we can solve this case quickly. But sorry, Chief, ever since Y/N left—and I'm not just talking about a month ago—you've been the same as you were five years ago," she retorted, her voice rising.

"And don't mind me, but I think this time she might not come back. So get your senses back."

"Get out!" Wooyoung shouted.

"That's what you do, isn't it? When things don't go your way, you become like this. You know, the main problem isn't Y/N—it's you. I wish Y/N never comes back,"

Hyeri growled as she stomped out of the cabin, leaving distraught Wooyoung alone in his office.

Alone in the quiet of the night, Wooyoung knelt down, overwhelmed by thoughts swirling in his mind.

Hyeri's words echoed, planting seeds of doubt that gnawed at him.

He left the police station long after everyone had gone home, the night duty officers now the only company left.

Going home or staying at the office were both out of the question. He felt lost, unsure of where to turn or who to reach out to.

So, almost on autopilot, Wooyoung found himself gravitating towards the nearest club.

Sitting at the bar, he ordered a whiskey neat, hoping it might dull the ache inside him.

Glass after glass, he drank, as if seeking solace at the bottom of each one.

But instead of relief, the memories he wanted to escape flooded back stronger than ever.

The room spun around him, faces morphing into haunting images of Y/N and Grace.

His body felt heavy, his mind clouded with the alcohol's embrace.

The bartender, noticing his state, offered assistance, suggesting a cab.

Wooyoung declined, stumbling out into the chilly night air.

Walking unsteadily down the street, he caught the disapproving glances of passersby, their eyes speaking volumes of silent judgment.

Each step felt like a battle against his own body, the alcohol numbing his senses but failing to numb his pain.

Then, just as he stepped onto the pedestrian walk, he collided with someone.

The man's voice cut through the haze, icy with irritation. Wooyoung blinked, trying to focus on the stranger obscured by a mask.

He mumbled an apology, feeling like an intruder in the ordinary world around him.

The man's cold demeanor softened slightly as he chuckled, a mix of amusement and resignation.

"Watch where you're going, buddy. Some of us still have places to be," he remarked before continuing on his way, muttering under his breath about the state of things nowadays.

As Wooyoung was about to take another step, the world around him suddenly dimmed, like someone had turned down the brightness on a screen.

Before he knew it, he was collapsing right onto the pedestrian walk.

The darkness seemed to envelop him, and a groan escaped his lips—not the kind of groan from hitting the ground, but one born from the ache in his heart.

Wooyoung lay there, feeling the weight of more than just his body.

Thoughts swirled like distant sirens, distant flashes of worry. He knew this wasn't just physical pain.

The ground beneath him felt unforgiving, matching the turmoil within.

Passersby paused, concern etching lines on their faces as they approached.

One voice, gentle yet urgent, broke through the haze. "Are you alright? Can we help?"

A hand reached out, offering both stability and comfort.

Wooyoung managed a weak nod, gratefully accepting the support. Amid the hustle of the city, there was unexpected kindness.

He felt a glimmer of relief, like a distant light on the horizon.

"Take your time," another voice offered, calm and reassuring. "We're here."

For a moment, the darkness lightened just a bit.

Wooyoung closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, allowing himself to feel the presence of these strangers-turned-supporters.

The pain in his heart didn't vanish, but somehow, it felt a bit more bearable in the midst of their care.