When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 23

The house was tense.

Even before stepping inside, I could hear Harin’s voice—sharp, cutting through the air like glass.

“You don’t care, do you?! Do you even want to marry me, Oppa?!”

A heavy sigh followed. Han Wool’s. Tired, exasperated.

“Harin, enough.”

“No! Not enough! You—”

I pressed my lips together, stepping past the doorway, but before I could get too far—

“Ye Na,” Harin’s mother’s voice cut through, cold as ever.

I turned to her.

“You should go to your room.”

Of course. She didn’t want me here.

I let out a slow breath, rolling my eyes before walking away.

But even as I climbed the stairs, the shouting continued.

Even as I closed my door, their voices still reached me.

Harin’s frustration. Han Wool’s exhaustion.

They’ll fight forever at this rate…

I dragged my feet toward the bathroom, peeling off my clothes and stepping under the hot spray of the shower.

But the water did nothing to wash away the thoughts in my head.

How do I stop this marriage?

Time is slipping away.

The wedding date is set. The rings were almost picked.

And Han Wool…

We kissed.

Once. Twice.

Enough for me to feel that it wasn’t meaningless.

But did he fall in love?

Or was I still the only one desperately holding onto the past?

The steam curled around me as I leaned my forehead against the shower wall, fingers gripping my arms tightly.

I was running out of time.

And for the nth time, I felt completely… helpless.

No, I need to shower and get out.
____________

I stepped out of the bathroom, running a towel through my damp hair—

And froze.

Han Wool was in my room.

He wasn’t looking at me.

He wasn’t saying anything.

Instead, he stood by my desk, head slightly tilted, staring at something in his hand.

Something I immediately recognized.

My heart lurched.

It was the photo.

The old, slightly worn-out picture of us—from seven years ago.

I didn’t know how long he had been standing there, holding it, looking at it like it was something foreign and familiar at the same time.

My chest tightened.

Before he could say anything, I strode forward and snatched it from his hand.

“What are you doing in my room?” My voice came out sharp, defensive.