The mall buzzed with life, a swirl of voices and footsteps, but Haejo clung to her hip as if the noise might drown him. His hand rested firmly on her, his only anchor. The condition that plagued him was cruel—distance from her was a death sentence. Even an inch too far could send him collapsing to the floor, his body convulsing, gasping for life.

“Do you like this one?” she asked, holding up a rosy lip gloss. She smiled, her voice grounding him.

“It suits you,” he murmured. The shade didn’t matter. All that mattered was her warmth beneath his touch, keeping the darkness at bay.

She applied the gloss, puckering her lips playfully. “How about now?”

His lips twitched into a faint smile. “Beautiful. Always beautiful.”

She chuckled softly but noticed his grip tighten on her hip. She knew the signs—he was holding on for more than affection. She brushed her fingers lightly over his hand. “Do you want to sit down?”

“I’m fine,” he replied, though his voice betrayed the strain. “Just stay close.”

She leaned in, pressing a kiss to his cheek, and for a moment, the world stilled. His heart, always on edge, steadied at the touch of her lips.

Her hand moved to grab another lip gloss, and for the briefest instant, their contact broke. It was enough. Haejo’s breath hitched, his knees wobbled, and his vision blurred.