When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 22

It was the way Han Wool wasn’t responding.

I could tell he wasn’t interested, that he wasn’t really listening, but it didn’t matter.

He was still here. With her.

And I was still watching.

Harin finally stopped talking when she reached for the car’s music system.

A soft melody filled the car.

IU’s Eight.

I stiffened.

Han Wool’s fingers twitched on the wheel.

“Oh,” Harin said, blinking at the screen. Without hesitation, she pressed next.

Another song played.

IU’s Love Poem.

Harin frowned.

She pressed next again.

IU’s Through the Night.

This time, she turned to Han Wool with a teasing smile. “When did you start liking IU?” she asked, tilting her head. “I never knew.”

Han Wool’s grip on the wheel tightened slightly. His gaze flickered to the rearview mirror.

To me.

“I started liking her recently,” he said.

My heart skipped.

I felt his eyes lingering for just a second too long before he looked away.

I swallowed, looking back out the window.

But I could still feel it.

The weight of his glances.

The silent words between us.

And the way my cheeks burned despite myself.

Harin let out a small laugh. “That’s not an answer.”

Han Wool shrugged. “Do I need one?”

Her smile faltered slightly. “I guess not,” she muttered, crossing her arms.

I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smirking.

For this entire car ride, Han Wool seemed bothered by Harin. He wasn’t responding the way she wanted, wasn’t giving her the usual attention.

And it made her mad.

Harin clicked her tongue, leaning back in her seat. “Well, I hope it’s not because of a girl,” she teased, side-eyeing him. “I mean, I’d hate to think my fiancé is listening to love songs for someone else.”

Han Wool finally turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow. “You don’t like IU?”

Harin blinked. “What? No, I mean—I don’t mind her.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

Harin was quiet for a moment, clearly caught off guard by his response. She let out a short, breathy laugh and shook her head. “No problem,” she said, forcing a sweet smile. “No problem at all.”

She turned back to her phone, scrolling aggressively.

She really must have her doubts.

The audacity to call him her fiancée after taking my man.

The drive continued in silence for a while, apart from the occasional hum of the engine and the sound of my own heartbeat pounding in my ears.

I thought Han Wool had stopped looking at me.