When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 28

I bit my lip. "Although... I'm afraid if they get angry at me for hiding it."

His grip on my hand tightened slightly. "Don't think too much." His voice softened. "We'll sort everything out. I promise."

I stared down at our hands, his thumb tracing slow circles against my skin.

The thought of keeping this a secret felt suffocating, but I knew it was necessary.

We sat like that for a while, the weight of reality pressing against us.

Then I broke the silence. "So... after Minhwan comes, what's your plan?"

Han Wool didn't answer immediately.

I tilted my head, watching him. "Han Wool?"

His jaw clenched slightly before he exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I'm planning to run away with you for a while."

I blinked.

"...What?"

He turned to look at me, his expression unreadable.

I sat up straight. "You mean... like leaving everything behind?"

He nodded. "It's not easy, I know. But we don't have a choice."

I swallowed. "Why?"

"Because we have to drop them," he said, his voice quieter now. "But more importantly, we have to destroy the main person controlling this entire situation."

I felt a chill run down my spine.

I whispered, "You mean your father?"

Han Wool shook his head. "No."

I frowned. "Then who?"

He sighed. "Your master."

A lump formed in my throat.

Han Wool continued, "But after I woke up from the coma, I learned something."

I looked at him warily. "What?"

"He died."

My breath hitched. "He... did?"

He nodded. "Someone shot him. But no one knows who."

A strange sensation settled in my chest.

I should have felt relieved. Maybe even happy. But instead, unease crawled up my spine.

"...Whoever did it, that's good news," I muttered, trying to shake off the discomfort.

"Maybe," Han Wool said, but his tone was uncertain.

I looked at him. "Why do you say that?"

He exhaled, rubbing his temples. "Because I think the person who shot him has something to do with all of this."

A shiver ran down my back. "What makes you think that?"

Han Wool's gaze darkened. "Because the person left a note."

I stiffened. "...What did it say?"

His jaw tensed. "'Reward for disobeying my order.'"

My stomach twisted. "What order?"

Han Wool leaned forward, his eyes locked onto mine. "That's what I've been trying to figure out. But Ye Na, don't you think it has something to do with that night with you and that they killed your father?"

My body went cold.

"The night everything fell apart?" I whispered.

He nodded. "Not obeying the order must mean... something was supposed to happen that night. Maybe kidnapping you."