When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 24

His fists tightened. "The first thing that ran through my head was you. What if you were looking for me? What if you were crying? What if you did something reckless?" He inhaled deeply. "But then I stopped. Because I knew you. I knew you wouldn’t give up. I knew you were strong."

My chest ached.

"That day, I asked the doctor to tell my father that I lost my memory." His lips pressed together. "Fortunately, the doctor said exactly what I wanted. At first, my father didn’t believe it. He had doubts."

I furrowed my brows. "Then…?"

Han Wool let out a bitter chuckle. "Then I had to prove it. For two years, I had to act like I didn’t remember anything. I had to pretend I wasn’t Han Wool. Eventually, he started to believe me."

I looked at him worried.

"After that, we moved back to Korea. But to fully gain my father’s trust, I had to play along with his plans." His voice darkened. "I had to act like I was fine. Like I didn’t know anything. I had no choice."

I blinked rapidly, trying to process everything.

"And Minhwan…?" I asked hesitantly.

Han Wool sighed, rubbing his temples. "I once overheard my father talking to his right-hand man. He said he’d keep Minhwan locked up until he dies."

I gasped.

He shook his head. "At that time, I couldn’t do anything to help him. And even now, I’m still searching for a way."

He let out a breath. "But…I have someone on my side now. I have a friend inside that institution. Someone spying for me. They update me whenever possible. When the right time comes, I will get Minhwan out."

Tears welled in my eyes again. "You… you’ve been carrying all of this by yourself?"

He looked at me, his eyes full of pain. "I am the one asking that to you, are you really okay? Do you hate me for it?"

Tears clung to my lashes, but I blinked them away, forcing a small, wobbly smile. "Do I hate you?" I repeated his words slowly, tilting my head. "Han Wool, if I hated you, do you think I'd be here, listening to all of this?"

His shoulders tensed. "I don't know… maybe?"

I let out a breathy laugh, shaking my head. "You are an idiot."

He frowned, looking slightly offended. "I'm being serious—"

"So am I," I interrupted, giving his hand a small squeeze. "You were all alone, carrying all of this, acting like you didn’t know me. And you really thought I’d hate you for it?"

His lips parted slightly, like he wanted to argue, but no words came out.

"I was angry," I admitted. "I was hurt. But now I know… you were hurting too."

Han Wool swallowed thickly, his Adam's apple bobbing.

I exhaled, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand. "God, this is so exhausting."

A tiny chuckle slipped out of him, his grip on my hand relaxing. "Tell me about it."

I leaned back against the couch, sighing dramatically. "We've both been suffering for years, and for what? Because some old men in suits decided our lives weren’t ours to live?"

Han Wool ran a hand through his hair. "Basically."

I scoffed. "Pathetic."

He leaned back on the couch, stretching his legs out as he looked at me with an amused expression. "You always had that attitude."