Epilogue

Soo-min's POV:

He didn't just throw me out like that.

He had it all planned.

He always prepares for failure, not just in business.

A blacked-out car is already waiting for me.

To drive me back.

To personally hand me over to my old "family."

From one prison straight into another.

But I'm not the same girl anymore.

I won't let anyone treat me like that again.

The chauffeur opens the door for me, polite, mechanical.

This is my only chance.

I have to run.

I have to run for myself.

I swing my fist, aiming for the driver's face.

He catches my hand mid-air.

Firm. Unshakable.

And there he is.

Seok-ho.

Dressed as a driver.

I freeze, staring at him, gaping.

A small, proud smile flashes across his face, just for a moment, then he slips back into character.

"Play along," he whispers.

He guides me inside the building.

I follow without question.

I trust him.

He leads me down a long corridor.

His voice is low, a whisper against the chaos in my chest.

"When I say run, we run."

And now we run. Escape. He leads me to a run-down neighborhood, the kind of place where people struggle to make ends meet.

I find myself in a small, simple flat with nothing more than a bed.

"This is all I can afford for now. Will this be enough for you?"

I throw myself back onto the bed.

I laugh, a laugh of relief, feeling happy and free.

"I have everything I need," I smile.

Slowly, he mirrors my smile.

A rare expression from him to see.

He leans beside me on the bed.

"Thank you, for choosing me," he says, drawing me into a passionate kiss.

His hands cup my face, as if he's trying to kiss me deep enough to claim me only for hismelf.

I don't need to know what the future holds.

I know we will manage.

All that matters now is what we'll do with each other tonight. Now that we're free to claim each other.