When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 5

I fastened the last button on my blouse, smoothing my hands over the fabric as I stared at my reflection. My face looked calm, composed-but the storm inside me hadn't settled.

Last night, I had received a message from someone unexpected.

Someone I hadn't even known existed.

My father's sister.

I had spent years trying to erase the incident from my memory, yet his past had come knocking at my door.

I grabbed my bag, took a deep breath, and walked out.
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The café was elegant, the kind of place that smelled of freshly brewed coffee and quiet conversations held over expensive pastries. It was the kind of place where the wealthy sat comfortably, oblivious to the struggles of the world outside.

And in the farthest corner, near the window, sat the woman.

She was poised, radiating an effortless grace that came with power and wealth. Her dark green coat was draped neatly over her chair, her hair perfectly styled. But her sharp, observant eyes were what unsettled me the most.

She had the same piercing gaze my father used to have.

I hesitated for just a second before walking toward her.

She looked up and smiled. "Ye Na?"

I nodded. "And you must be..."

"Beak Joo Won," she introduced herself smoothly, standing up slightly before gesturing for me to sit. "Your father's younger sister."

I sat down, keeping my expression neutral. "I didn't know he had a sister."

Her lips curled slightly, but there was something sad in her eyes. "I figured you wouldn't."

I leaned back, crossing my arms. "Why did you contact me?"

She tilted her head, studying me for a moment before speaking. "I've been looking for you for a long time, Ye Na."

I scoffed. "Why?"

She sighed. "Because your father asked me to take care of you."

The words slammed into me like a forceful wave, nearly knocking the air out of my lungs.

I blinked. "...What?"

She nodded. "Before he died, he told me to look after you. But when I tried to find you, you were already gone. No one would tell me where you were."

I let out a dry laugh. "Gone? I was right there. Alone. No one ever came."

A flicker of pain crossed her face, but she composed herself quickly. "I had no idea. If I had known..."

I cut her off. "Why now? Why after all these years?"

Her voice was steady, but there was a hint of desperation in it. "Because I finally found you. And I don't want to lose you again."

I swallowed hard. "I don't need anything. I'm doing fine."

She leaned forward slightly, her presence commanding. "Come home, Ye Na."

I frowned. "Home?"

She nodded. "Your uncle and Harin are fine with it. They have no problem with you coming back."

I let out a short, bitter laugh. "Oh, so they are also involved. You think I want to live with them?"

Joo Won exhaled, looking at me as if she was holding back something. "Please." Her voice softened. "I know I failed you before. But let me fix it now."