The city never really sleeps, but tonight, the streets feel emptier. Quieter. It does nothing to soothe the pit in your stomach. You keep walking, gripping your bag tighter, the clicking of your footsteps drowned beneath the anxious drumming of your heart.

You should’ve known this would happen.

For weeks, he’s been trying to reach you. Calls from unknown numbers, messages from blank accounts—I miss you. I’ll make you come back to me eventually. You switched phones, deleted social media, even moved apartments. None of it made a difference. You should’ve known it wouldn’t.

Because Choi Seonghwan wasn’t the type of man you simply walked away from.

And then you see him.

Standing beneath the streetlamp, hands tucked in his coat pockets, watching you with that same unreadable expression.

Your blood runs cold.

A month ago, you thought you knew him. The charming CEO, the man with a perfect reputation, poised and untouchable. He made you feel like the only person in the world, showered you with gifts, whispered promises against your skin. You had convinced yourself you wanted to marry him. But curiosity got the best of you.

It started small. Questions left unanswered. A document left open on his desk, a slip of paper with a name crossed out too aggressively. And then, when he left for a trip, you made a mistake—searching where you shouldn’t have. Files, transactions, pictures you couldn’t unsee. Proof.

The rumors were true. Every single one.

You had packed your things and left without a word.

Now, his gaze sweeps over you, slow and deliberate. A smirk tugs at his lips. "You always did look best under streetlights." His voice is smooth, deep, just as intoxicating as you remember. "I have to say, I’m a little offended."

Your throat tightens. "Seonghwan—"

"Ah." He tuts, stepping closer, his scent wrapping around you. "I must’ve meant nothing to you, hm? Disappearing like that. Didn’t even give me the courtesy of a goodbye."