Ji-hoon attempted to grab Ha-na but missed her hand by a mark. She crashed into the pool with a resounding splash.
For a split second, he stood dumbfounded. He had seen the look in her eyes – the fright – that mirrored the same look she sported the night the thugs attacked her.
He had only meant to humour her a bit, but it seemed he had crossed a line. Once again, it struck him like a thunderbolt – Ha-na was fragile.
Underneath all her pride, all her ruse, she was a woman who was broken inside. Whose scars ran deeper than the ocean, and who could barely win against the ghosts that haunted her.
It made him want to be there for her, want to pull her into his arms and assure her that all her fears were nothing…
Ji-hoon kicked off his shoes in two powerful swipes and then dived into the pool after her. It was in good faith because Ha-na's arms flailed wildly in the water as she struggled to keep afloat.