When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 24

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Warning ⚠: This chapter contains mature themes. Reader discretion is advised. Please ensure you're comfortable with the content before proceeding.
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The night was quiet. Too quiet.

Lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling, the weight of the day pressing down on my chest like a boulder.

Han Wool remembered everything.

He had been acting. Pretending.

For seven years.

To protect me.

To free Minhwan.

To survive.

I turned onto my side, gripping the blanket tightly.

He must have felt so alone.

Trapped in a life that wasn’t his. Surrounded by people he couldn’t trust. Forced to wear a mask, to lie, to bury every part of himself.

And the worst part?

No one was there for him.

At least I had my study group in high school, people who distracted me from the ache in my heart. But Han Wool… he had nothing.

I swallowed hard.

Had I been too harsh?

I had every right to be angry, but still… shouldn’t I be by his side instead of pushing him away?

He had suffered just as much as I had—maybe even more.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Despite the anger, the frustration, the hurt…

I wanted to hug him.

Hold him.

Tell him he wasn’t alone anymore.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking the silence.

I grabbed it without thinking, the brightness of the screen momentarily blinding me.

Han Wool: I miss you.

I sucked in a sharp breath.

My fingers trembled slightly as I hovered over the keyboard.

Another message popped up.

Han Wool: I’m at your gate.

My heart stopped.

I shot up from the bed, nearly tripping over my blanket as I rushed to the window.

Sure enough, parked just outside was his car, its headlights off, barely visible in the dim glow of the streetlamp.

Another text.

Han Wool: Can you forgive me? I’ll do whatever you say.

I pressed my lips together, my chest tightening.

He really was too much sometimes.

Without another thought, I slipped on my hoodie, grabbed my phone, and tiptoed downstairs, making sure not to wake anyone.

When I stepped outside, the cool night air hit my skin, sending a small shiver down my spine.

Han Wool rolled down the window as soon as he saw me.

"You actually came," he said, sounding almost surprised.

I folded my arms, trying to act unimpressed. "You’re lucky I didn’t throw something at your car."