When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 23

His eyes darkened. “I didn’t have a choice, Ye Na.”

I scoffed. “You did have a choice! You could’ve told me earlier! You could’ve—” I stopped myself, swallowing down the lump in my throat. “You could’ve at least warned me.”

Han Wool took a step closer, his voice softer. “And then what? What would you have done?”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

Because I didn’t know.

Would I have fought harder? Would I have run? Would I have—

I clenched my fists, hating that I was even thinking like this. Why was I the one who always had to figure things out?

Han Wool sighed, his shoulders slumping. “I know I messed up.”

I scoffed. “Messed up? You think?”

“Ye Na…”

“Stop saying my name like that,” I snapped, my throat tightening. “Like you actually care.”

His gaze flickered, something pained flashing across his face.

“I do care.”

I hated how much I wanted to believe him.

I shook my head, biting the inside of my cheek. “Why are they so obsessed with you having a child with Harin?”

Han Wool exhaled. “I don’t know. But I overheard something about our genes—mine and Harin’s. About how they’re…compatible for something.”

I frowned. “For what?”

His hands curled into fists. “I wish I knew. But I only caught bits and pieces.”

Something uneasy settled in my stomach.

Genetic compatibility? A baby?

What kind of twisted logic was this?

My fingers dug into my arms, anger warring inside me.

Anger—because Han Wool had let it happen.

“You should’ve told me,” I muttered, my voice small.

Han Wool’s expression softened. “I know.”

I swallowed hard, my chest aching. “And what now? Are you just going to let them continue with this insane plan?”

His jaw tightened. “No.”

I exhaled shakily. “Then what are you going to do?”

Han Wool took a deep breath, stepping closer.

“I’m going to figure out the truth,” he said quietly. “And I’m going to stop it.”

His voice was steady, firm—like a promise.

But I had heard promises before.

And I wasn’t sure if I could believe in them anymore.

I stared at him, my heart pounding so loudly I could hear it in my ears.

"You say you're going to stop it," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Then what's stopping you, Han Wool?"

He exhaled slowly, looking away for a brief moment before meeting my eyes again.

"Minhwan."

I blinked.

A strange sense of unease curled in my stomach. "What do you mean, Minhwan?"

Han Wool pressed his lips together, his hands balling into fists. "He's locked up, Ye Na. And I need to get him out."

My breath caught in my throat.