HyunSeong’s mind was a mess.

  A complete, utter mess.

  Because.

  Because.

  "The person you like… is me?"

  He had said it without thinking.

  Without stopping himself.

  Without even fully processing what she had just confessed.

  And yet—

  Yet, she didn’t deny it.

  Didn’t take it back.

  Didn’t say, No, you misunderstood.

  Instead—

  She just looked at him, frustrated.

  Angry.

  A little lost.

  And for the first time—

  For the first time, HyunSeong thought.

  It doesn’t matter anymore.

  Whether it was HyunSeong or Shuun.

  Whichever one she liked—

  It would still be him.

  But Minra?

  Minra didn’t think the same.

  Because Minra didn’t know the truth.

  And that’s why—

  That’s why she snapped at him.

  .

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "Why are you doing this?" she demanded.

  Her voice was laced with frustration.

  "Why do you keep making me feel this way?"

  "Why do you get to act like this—like you care—but never actually take responsibility for it?"

  HyunSeong stared at her.

  Heart pounding.

  Hands curling into fists.

  Because.

  Because.

  He had never seen her like this before.

  So raw.

  So unfiltered.

  So completely, emotionally vulnerable.

  And suddenly—

  Suddenly, he understood.

  She wasn’t just frustrated at him.

  She was frustrated at herself.

  At the fact that she had feelings for him.

  At the fact that he had shaken everything she thought she knew.

  At the fact that falling for him had never been part of her plan.

  And something deep in his chest twisted.

  Because he—

  He had never expected this either.

  Had never expected her feelings to be mutual.

  Had never expected to lose control like this.

  But now that she was saying it—

  Now that she was standing here, angry and desperate and vulnerable—

  He couldn’t ignore it anymore.

  And so.

  So, he did the only thing he could.

  He leaned in closer.

  And he asked—

  "What if I’m going to be responsible for it?"

  .

  Minra froze.

  Her breath hitched.

  Because.

  Because what?

  What did he just say?

  What did he mean?

  But before she could process it—

  Before she could even breathe properly—

  He kissed her.

  Soft. Intense. Completely consuming.

  And everything—

  Everything—

  Stopped.

  The world.

  Her thoughts.

  Her confusion.

  Because the moment his lips touched hers,

  She knew.

  Knew this wasn’t a mistake.

  Knew this wasn’t just something fleeting.

  Knew this was real.

  And that was terrifying.

  Because.

  Because this was HyunSeong.

  Her boss.

  The man she had sworn she wouldn’t feel anything for.

  And yet.

  Yet, she was melting into him.

  Gripping his shirt.

  Letting him pull her closer.

  Letting him consume every rational thought she had left.

  And when he deepened the kiss—

  When his hand slid to her waist, fingers pressing into her skin—

  She didn’t resist.

  Didn’t push him away.

  Didn’t do anything but let it happen.

  Because this.

  This was something neither of them could stop anymore.

  And before she knew it—

  They were stumbling into his hotel room.

  .

  The door clicked shut behind them.

  Minra’s breath was uneven.

  Her heart pounded violently.

  Because.

  Because.

  This was really happening.

  HyunSeong looked at her.

  Expression unreadable.

  But his eyes?

  His eyes burned with something dangerous.

  Something she had never seen in him before.

  Something that made her shiver.

  He stepped forward.

  And she—

  She didn’t step back.

  Didn’t stop him.

  Didn’t say no.

  Because right now—

  Right now, she didn’t want to.

  Didn’t want to think.

  Didn’t want to hesitate.

  Didn’t want to pretend this wasn’t real.

  Because.

  Because it was.

  It was too real.

  And she—

  She wasn’t ready for what came next.

  .

  HyunSeong woke up first.

  The sunlight was barely seeping through the curtains.

  His arms were wrapped around Minra’s waist.

  Her breathing was slow, steady, peaceful.

  And for a long moment, he just stared at her.

  Because.

  Because what had he done?

  What had they just done?

  This wasn’t something they could take back.

  This wasn’t something they could ignore.

  Because now—

  Now, things were completely, irreversibly different.

  And suddenly—

  For the first time since this entire mess started—

  Hwa HyunSeong was afraid of what came next.

  .

  Chapter 32: "The Morning After"