When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 6

There it was.

The shift.

The venom behind the sugar-coated words.

Harin laughed, covering her mouth like she’d just said something innocent. “Oh, don’t take it the wrong way! I’m just so happy to see you again. You’re like… a long-lost pet finally coming home.”

I bit my tongue. She was testing me.

She wanted a reaction.

And I wouldn’t give it to her.

I forced a small smile. “I guess you’re right. Fate is… interesting"

Harin’s eyes glimmered, watching me closely.

Then, she leaned in.

Her voice dropped to a whisper.

“Do you ever regret it?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. “You know running away from everything?"

I met her gaze, refusing to look away. “No. I don’t.”

Harin pouted playfully. “Really? Not even when you see me standing in the place you could’ve been?”

Something inside me froze.

My heart pounded, my breath caught—but I didn’t react.

She watched me, her eyes sharp, waiting…

Then, she smiled, stepping back.

“Well,” she said, flipping her hair. “None of that matters now, right? What’s done is done. And I’ll make sure you feel right at home, cousin.”

The way she said ‘cousin’ sent a chill down my spine.

My stomach turned.

She was enjoying this.

If you are playing your little games, count me in. I'm so much better than before.

Just as I reached the door, Harin’s voice rang out behind me.

“Oh, and Ye Na?”

I stopped, but I didn’t turn around.

“You should get ready tonight.”

A cold feeling settled in my stomach. Slowly, I turned back to her. “Ready for what?”

Harin’s smile widened, eyes glinting with amusement.

“There’s a family meeting tonight,” she said, tilting her head. “Our family and Han Wool’s family… to discuss our marriage.”

I felt my breath leave my body.

My fingers clenched at my sides. “Marriage discussions?”

She beamed. “Yes. You see, now that we’re engaged, it’s time to start preparing for the big day! The families need to go over the details, finalize everything… You understand, right?”

I couldn’t breathe.

She was doing this on purpose.

I forced myself to nod, keeping my face blank. “Of course. Congratulations.”

Harin let out a soft laugh.

“Oh, Ye Na,” she sighed, stepping closer. “You’re such a good sport about this. Really, I admire it.”

I gritted my teeth, my nails digging into my palms.

“I mean,” she continued, looking at me too closely, “you and Han Wool must’ve met by now, right? After all, Seoul isn’t that big.”

I kept my face calm. “We have.”

Her eyes lit up. “And? What did he say?”

I hesitated.

The truth was—he hadn’t said anything.

He didn’t even recognize me.

But I refused to give her the satisfaction.

I lifted my chin. “He was nice.”

Harin’s smile twitched.

Then, as if she had caught herself, she laughed. “Of course, he was. He’s perfect. And you’ll see for yourself tonight. Try not to be too shocked, okay?”

I turned away before she could see the flicker of pain in my eyes.

“Don’t worry,” I murmured. “Nothing shocks me anymore.”

But as I walked to my room, my heart pounded violently in my chest.

Tonight…

I was going to face Han Wool.

And I didn’t know if I was ready.