When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 42

“You slept through yesterday.”

“What?” I sat up instantly, hair a mess, throat dry. “Are you serious?”

He laughed, brushing a thumb beneath my eye. “A full twenty-four hours. You beat your own record.”

I groaned, falling back onto the pillows. “Damn it. I didn’t mean to—”

“You were tired,” he said simply. “Your body needed it.”

I rubbed my eyes, still not fully awake, when he held something out toward me. His phone.

A little grin tugged at his lips as he raised his brows. “As promised.”

I blinked at him, confused, then slowly reached for the phone.

And then I saw her.

Ha-Ya.

“Ha-Ya?” My voice cracked.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, tears streaming down her cheeks. A choked sob escaped her lips as she nodded, attempting a smile. “Ye Na… it’s me.”

I covered my mouth with my hand, overwhelmed by a surge of emotions. “I—I thought I lost you forever. I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too,” she whispered, wiping her tears. “But you don’t have to cry anymore. We’re safe now.”

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice. “What happened? How did you—?”

Ha-Ya glanced over her shoulder, as if ensuring their privacy. “Some thugs took us. I don’t know who they were working for, but I’m certain there’s someone orchestrating all of this.”

Behind her, a familiar figure stepped into view—Minhwan. His expression was resolute, his presence commanding.

“Ye Na,” he said firmly, “stop worrying. We’re tracking them down. We’ll end this. Spend your time with Han Wool. I thought he was like Lee Chandler from 'Manchester by the Sea,".

I managed a weak smile, nodding. “Thank you, Minhwan.”

Ha-Ya’s face softened. “There’s someone else who wants to talk to you.”

She shifted the phone, and Harin’s face appeared on the screen. Her eyes were downcast, shame evident in her expression.

“Ye Na…” Harin began hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I—I’m so sorry. For everything.”

I felt a lump form in my throat, unsure how to respond. The silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken words.

“I found the letters,” I finally said, my voice trembling. “You should have told me.”

Harin’s eyes filled with tears. “I couldn’t. I was scared. I never wanted Han Wool in the first place. But… I was being blackmailed.”

I swallowed.

“I don’t know his real name,” she admitted, her voice shaking. “He called himself ‘X.’ He would call me, forcing me to do what he wanted, or else he’d release certain videos.”

I felt a chill run down my spine. “What videos? Is it…?”

Harin nodded, tears spilling over. “Yes. Someone took a video of me while I was in the shower. I’m still terrified that it might get out.”

My grip on the phone tightened. “Don’t worry, Harin. We won’t let that happen. We’ll protect you.”

She looked at me, vulnerability etched into her features. “Thank you, Ye Na. I don’t deserve your kindness.”

I offered a small, reassuring smile. “Everyone deserves a second chance. We’ll get through this together.”

The call lasted for nearly an hour.

There were so many questions. So many pauses. And so many truths that had waited too long to be said.

When it finally ended, I just sat there for a moment—holding the phone in my hand, staring at the black screen. I could still hear their voices echoing in my head. Ha-Ya’s tears. Harin’s trembling apologies. Minhwan’s steady confidence. It was like the storm had slowed… but not passed.

I stood slowly and walked out into the living space. Morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, soft and warm.

And there he was.

Han Wool, standing at the table, setting down two plates of breakfast. Toast, eggs, perfectly seasoned vegetables, and some sliced fruit. His hair was still a bit messy, and he wore a dark sweatshirt that made his skin look even warmer in the sunlight.

He looked up as I approached, then smiled gently. “Come eat.”

I hesitated, and he tilted his head slightly, that usual green-flag charm lighting his voice.

“You need more energy than I do,” he said, pulling out a chair for me. “You just had an emotional marathon and a half.”

I slowly walked over and sat down, watching as he pushed the plate closer to me and handed me a glass of juice.

“You cooked all this?” I asked softly.

He shrugged with a little proud grin. “Don’t act surprised. You’ve seen me sauté onions like a Michelin chef before.”

I let out the smallest laugh. It was the first time I’d laughed all morning.

“You always do this,” I murmured. “Make things feel less heavy.”

“It’s my job,” he said, sitting across from me. “To be your peace when everything else is a battlefield.”

I looked at the food for a long second before picking up my fork. “They’re safe, Wool. Harin. Ha-Ya. Minhwan… even Geonyeop. I can finally breathe.”

“And that,” he said, pointing his fork at me, “is why you’re going to eat every bite of that plate.”

I took a bite—soft eggs, just the way I liked them. Warm toast. Comfort food that made me feel strangely… human again.

“Thank you,” I said quietly, eyes on my plate.

“For what?”

“For everything. For staying.”

He leaned back in his chair, smiling at me like I was the only thing he saw.

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”