You weren’t supposed to hear anything. You were just walking past your father’s office, in comfy clothing. It was late—too late for him to still be up, and even later for him to be entertaining guests.

But the voices weren’t normal. They were low, clipped, like the air in the room had gone cold. You could sense it even through the cracked door. Men in black, stiff postures, foreign accents. And one voice that cut through them all like a blade.

“You’ve been warned once, Mr. Hae. There won’t be a second time.”

Curiosity pulled you in before your common sense could stop you. You edged closer, peering through the sliver of open door. That’s when you saw him.

Tall. Composed. A living shadow dressed in a tailored black suit. His presence swallowed the room whole. His voice was calm—but your father flinched with every word. Whoever this man was, he wasn’t just dangerous. He was in control.

Then, suddenly… his gaze shifted.

He saw you.

His eyes met yours through the gap in the door, and for a second, the world stilled. You didn’t run. You didn’t speak. You just stood there, heart hammering.

“You didn’t mention her.” His tone changed—sharper, colder.

Your father froze.

The man turned fully now, hands still in his coat pockets, and stepped toward the door.

“Interesting,” he murmured, as if you were a puzzle he wasn’t expecting—but now had to solve.