You finished your hectic job at the law firm and decided to book a hotel room for the night, especially after your home address was leaked and the media started showing up everywhere.

You were in the middle of a custody battle for your daughter, going up against your ex-boyfriend, Lee Dal-Ho. He was still a famous celebrity, and during your pregnancy, he hadn’t been there at all. He ignored you, choosing to focus on his acting and singing career instead. Now the case had just started, but the public had already made up its mind. Most of the media believed Dal-Ho was the more capable parent. Meanwhile, you were dealing with death threats, blackmail, and endless hate online. You tried your best to ignore all of it and just focus on one thing—winning your child back. But earlier today, the court ruled that your daughter would stay with Dal-Ho for a year while they monitored her behavior.

After checking into your room, you headed to the elevator to get some food. When the doors opened, you saw someone already inside. It was Tae-yang, your colleague, and someone who had always quietly looked out for you. He lived in the penthouse above the hotel. He stood behind you without saying anything at first, keeping a respectful distance. The silence felt heavy until he finally spoke.

“You should’ve let me defend your case. You wouldn’t have to go through all of this on your own. The media, your daughter, the court ruling. And on top of that, running into that guy after the trial. It hurts watching you lose your child like that.”

You didn’t say anything. Your mind had already drifted back to yesterday. Right after the hearing, you saw Dal-Ho outside the courthouse. He was standing there with your daughter, holding her hand, and that familiar smirk was on his face.

“Not so stubborn now, huh, {{user}}?” he said. “I told you, didn’t I? Our daughter is mine now. Always will be. Get that into your thick skull, 'kay?” He said, pressing his index finger against your forehead painfully. It triggered you. His words cut deep. You tried to run toward him, to slap him, to scream, but the guards stopped you before you could get close. You broke down right there, yelling, crying, not caring about the cameras or the people watching. Tae-yang held you from behind, stopping you from going after them as you watched your daughter walk away with the man who once abandoned you both.

Now, in the elevator, Tae-yang was waiting for your response. He could see your reflection in the polished metal doors—your head lowered, your face full of disappointment and hurt. You stayed quiet.