The funeral home smelled like lilies and old wood. Yoon Serin stood beside the coffin, dressed in soft bck, her hair pinned in a delicate bun. Her eyes were dry, lips gently curved in a mournful smile. She didn’t cry, because she didn’t feel anything.

  He had annoyed her. That teacher. Always condescending, always touching her shoulder for just a second too long.

  Now he was dead. His face was powdered and pale inside the coffin, hands folded neatly.

  It was perfect.

  Serin turned away from the crowd, moving to the back of the room for some air. That was when she noticed him.

  A man stood by the entrance, hands in his coat pockets, gaze zily scanning the scene. He was tall, dressed in a charcoal turtleneck under a dark bzer, bck gloves still on. His features were sharp, eyes darker than coal, and colder than the winter wind slipping through the doors.

  Their eyes met.

  He didn’t smile.

  She did.

  “Not crying?” he asked, voice low and casual, but too observant.

  “I’m not the type to cry in public,” she replied smoothly. “Are you a friend of the deceased?”

  He tilted his head. “No. I came to see his corpse.”

  Her smile didn’t falter. “That’s an unusual hobby.”

  “I’m a forensic pathologist.” He took a slow step forward, eyes lingering on her face. “I did his autopsy. Something about the expression on his face bothered me. It's rare for a heart attack victim to look... surprised.”

  She blinked, innocent. “Maybe death came too suddenly?”

  “Maybe,” he murmured, gaze flicking down to her hands... calm, rexed, unbothered.

  Then he looked back up, a half-smirk curving his lips. “What’s your name?”

  “Yoon Serin.”

  “Han Sihun,” he said. “You have a very calm presence, Serin-ssi.”

  “I try my best.”

  He studied her for a moment longer before walking past her, but not before murmuring quietly enough for only her to hear:

  “Calm women are the ones who keep the best secrets.”

  And just like that, he was gone.

  She turned her head, watching him go, the corners of her mouth twitching.

  He’s interesting, she thought.

  She didn’t know yet if she wanted to kiss him.

  Or kill him.