When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

Chapter 29

The silence stretched between us, thick and unyielding. I shifted, feeling out of place, feeling watched even when Han-Wool wasn't looking at me.

He leaned against the counter, arms crossed, gaze steady but unreadable.

Then he spoke.

"You knew them?"

His voice was as calm as ever. Like what happened just now wasn't terrifying. Like those men weren't trying to take me away.

I swallowed. "No."

He raised a brow. "Then why were they after you?"

I hesitated.

Should I tell him?

Why would I? He wasn't a friend. He wasn't anyone to me.

But then again-

I glanced at the door. At the memory of that black car rolling up beside me. At the way my own father's name flashed on the screen.

I exhaled. "It must be my family."

He didn't react. Just kept watching me, waiting.

"They... They want to get rid of me," I admitted, my fingers curling into the strap of my bag. "Because I own something they want."

The words felt strange on my tongue. I had never said this out loud before.

Han-Wool tilted his head slightly. "What is it?"

I hesitated.

Why am I even telling him this?

It was my most kept secret. The one thing I never shared with anyone.

But when I met his gaze, something in me wavered. He didn't push, didn't pry. Just waited. And somehow, that made me want to speak.

"My grandfather..." My voice was quieter now. "Before he passed, he put the penthouse under my name."

Han-Wool didn't blink.

I continued. "He told me to protect it. That it was mine. That no one could take it from me unless I let them."

A faint scoff left Han-Wool's lips. "And they don't like that, do they?"

I shook my head.

"Let me guess," he said dryly. "They think you're too much of a burden. So they're trying to make you disappear instead of handing over what's yours."

The way he said it-like he had seen this kind of thing before-made me stiffen.

I nodded slowly. "I want to keep my promise."

"Promise?"

"To my grandfather."

Han-Wool studied me for a moment. Then, to my surprise, he let out a small laugh-low, almost amused.

I frowned. "What?"

"Nothing," he murmured. "Just... You don't seem like the type to hold onto things so stubbornly."

I scowled. "I'm not stubborn."

"You are," he said easily. "But I guess I shouldn't be surprised."

"Why?"

His lips twitched. "You survived this long, didn't you?"

Something about the way he said it made my chest tighten.

I shifted uncomfortably, trying to steer the conversation away from me. "Why did you help me?"

Han-Wool didn't answer right away. He looked at me, then exhaled, running a hand through his hair.