When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 16

I part my lips, but no words come out.

Because how am I supposed to tell him?

How am I supposed to say that I need him to remember me?

That I need him to realize who I am to him—who he is to me?

That if he doesn’t, then everything—the past seven years, my pain, my confusion, everything—will be for nothing?

I look down, unable to meet his gaze.

Han Wool sighs again, rubbing his temple. “…Come on. Let’s go.”

He turns.

I hesitate.

For a moment, I stand frozen, an internal war raging inside me.

Do it.

Don’t do it.

You can’t force this.

But what if this is your only chance?

What if—

And then—

Before I can second-guess myself, before I can let the fear sink in—

I step forward, grab his collar—

And kiss him.

A sharp intake of breath.

His body stiffens instantly.

I press my lips against his, my heart pounding so hard I can hear it.

It’s not deep. It’s not anything more than just lips touching lips.

But it’s enough to steal the breath from my lungs.

Han Wool doesn’t move.

He doesn’t react.

He just stands there.

Seconds stretch.

Long. Heavy. Excruciating.

And then—

He pulls away.

Not in shock.

Not in hesitation.

But in anger.

I barely register the way he steps back, the way his jaw clenches, his fists tightening at his sides.

When he speaks, his voice is controlled. Too controlled. Like he’s holding back something ugly.

“…What the hell was that?”

I don’t answer.

My throat is too tight.

His eyes darken. “Ye Na.”

I flinch.

“If you’re up to something, you need to stop,” he says, voice low. “If you’re going after your cousin’s fiancé, you need to stop.”

I suck in a breath.

His words are like a slap.

He shakes his head, running a hand through his hair, frustration rolling off him in waves. “This is wrong.”

“I—”

“I don’t see you like that.”

My heart shatters.

He exhales sharply, turning away. “Before this gets any worse… just stop.”

And then—

He walks away.