#123.

The red glow of the late afternoon sunset was painting the apartment complex. Im Ha-yoon’s steps were heavy, but her gaze was firm. Her mind was already filled with questions as she headed towards the management office.

Standing in front of the door, Im Ha-yoon closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Her fingertips trembled slightly, but she soon knocked on the door with a determined expression.

“Come in.”

At Lee Han’s soft voice, Im Ha-yoon slowly opened the door. At that moment, her pupils dilated instantly. She saw Park Min-ah sitting on the sofa. Im Ha-yoon’s heart seemed to drop.

Lee Han approached Im Ha-yoon. The scent of his cologne brushed past Im Ha-yoon’s nose.

“Talk here.” Lee Han’s voice was low. He brought his lips slightly close to Im Ha-yoon’s ear and whispered, “I’ll be out.”

Im Ha-yoon felt Lee Han’s body temperature for a moment and trembled slightly. His presence seemed to overwhelm her. But soon she came to her senses and nodded.

As Lee Han left and the door closed, a strange tension filled the room. Im Ha-yoon slowly headed towards Park Min-ah. Her gait showed both hesitation and determination.

Sitting across from the sofa, Im Ha-yoon spoke in a soft voice. “Hello, Park Min-ah-ssi.”

Park Min-ah’s eyes flickered anxiously. Her fingers repeatedly gripped and released the edge of the sofa.

“Can I… trust the detective-nim?” Park Min-ah’s voice trembled.

Im Ha-yoon’s heart ached for a moment. Seeing the fear and distrust in Park Min-ah’s eyes, she once again realized the weight of her role.

“Don’t worry.” Im Ha-yoon’s voice was soft but firm. “I will never leak the suspect’s information to the outside. I can swear on my professional ethics.”

But despite her words, Park Min-ah’s expression remained dark. The shadow that passed over her eyes did not easily fade.

Im Ha-yoon bit her lip slightly. It seemed that more effort would be needed to open Park Min-ah’s heart. She was already choosing her next words in her head. With the expectation that this conversation might unlock a clue to the case, the responsibility of comforting the victim’s heart weighed heavily on her chest.

Park Min-ah’s voice trembled as she continued her story. “That man… seems to be connected to the police. I was also threatened.”

Im Ha-yoon’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Her intuition reacted sharply. There was something strange about Park Min-ah’s words. She strongly felt that it was more embellished than before.

‘Why is she changing her words like this?’ Im Ha-yoon wondered inwardly, but she did not change her expression.

“I see. It must have been really hard.” Im Ha-yoon answered softly, pretending to sympathize. She judged that even if this information was false, it could become a clue.

Park Min-ah continued. “And… I contacted another victim.”

Im Ha-yoon’s heart began to beat rapidly. She tried hard to hide her joy and asked, “Does that person live here too?”

As Park Min-ah nodded, the puzzle pieces began to fit together in Im Ha-yoon’s mind. ‘It must be related to the Aryong Group after all.’

“Can I meet that person?” Im Ha-yoon asked cautiously.

“We’re scheduled to meet tomorrow evening.” Park Min-ah replied.

Im Ha-yoon’s eyes lit up. “Thank you so much, Park Min-ah-ssi. It will be a great help.”

At that moment, Park Min-ah suddenly got up from her seat. “I’ll be going now.”

Im Ha-yoon couldn’t hide her embarrassment. “Wait a minute, can we talk a little more?”

But Park Min-ah shook her head. “I think it will be too difficult today. I’m sorry.” She quickly said goodbye and left the management office.

As the door closed, Im Ha-yoon let out a deep sigh. Her lips twisted in disappointment. She felt the urge to hold Park Min-ah back, but she couldn’t.

Im Ha-yoon’s mind was filled with complicated thoughts. Park Min-ah’s statement, and the existence of another victim… She was convinced that everything was connected to the Aryong Group, but at the same time, she also felt that she was missing something big.

While Im Ha-yoon was lost in complex thoughts, the door to the management office quietly opened. Lee Han appeared, and his presence instantly filled the room.

Lee Han glanced at the door and asked softly. “Why did it end so quickly?”

Im Ha-yoon did not answer. Her silence made the air in the room heavy.

Lee Han looked at Im Ha-yoon’s expression. His sharp intuition quickly grasped the situation. He didn’t ask any more questions and quietly headed to the kitchen.

A moment later, Lee Han returned with a glass of water. He slowly approached Im Ha-yoon and handed her the glass. There was a subtle warmth in his touch.

Im Ha-yoon came to her senses at the touch of the cold glass. Her eyes flickered and turned to Lee Han.

“Thank you.” Her voice was small, but sincere.

Im Ha-yoon took the glass of water and drank it in one gulp. The cold water went down her throat and seemed to cool her hot head.

Putting down the empty glass, Im Ha-yoon got up from her seat. Her movements showed regret and impatience.

“I have to go. Thank you for your help.” There was fatigue in Im Ha-yoon’s voice.

Lee Han nodded and smiled softly. “You’re welcome. Be careful going back.”

Im Ha-yoon looked at Lee Han one last time and left the management office. Her back seemed to be filled with complex emotions.

As the door closed, Lee Han slowly walked to the window. He watched Im Ha-yoon leave the apartment complex. A subtle smile spread across his lips.

The faint streetlights were dimly lighting up the apartment complex. Im Ha-yoon was leaving the complex with heavy steps. Her mind was still filled with the conversation with Park Min-ah.

“Ha-yoon-ah?”

Im Ha-yoon was startled by the cold voice and raised her head. Park Jun-ho was standing in front of her. His eyes were cold, and his mouth was set firmly.

“What are you doing here?” Park Jun-ho’s voice was sharp.

Im Ha-yoon’s heart began to beat rapidly. She was momentarily intimidated by his cold demeanor, but she soon regained her composure.

“Ah… I came to meet a friend.” Her voice trembled slightly.

Park Jun-ho’s eyes changed suspiciously. “Friend?”

Im Ha-yoon had a feeling that she shouldn’t tell the truth. She quickly made up a lie.

“Yes, Park Min-ah… she recently moved here. I just stopped by on my way back.”

Mentioning Park Min-ah’s name, Im Ha-yoon watched Park Jun-ho’s reaction. But there was no change in his expression.

“Park Min-ah?” Park Jun-ho asked indifferently. “Okay, go home quickly.”

Im Ha-yoon was momentarily embarrassed. His lack of reaction felt even more suspicious.

“Are you going in now, sunbae-nim?” She asked cautiously.

Park Jun-ho’s expression changed instantly. A smile spread across his lips. “Yeah, want to go together?”

At that moment, the scene she had seen last time flashed through Im Ha-yoon’s mind. The image of the strange woman with Park Jun-ho. Her heart ached.

“No, I think I should go now.” Im Ha-yoon said hastily. “I have to go to work early tomorrow.”

A look of regret crossed Park Jun-ho’s face, but Im Ha-yoon ignored it and quickly moved her steps.

As she brushed past him, Im Ha-yoon’s mind was filled with complicated thoughts. Park Jun-ho, who showed no reaction to Park Min-ah’s name. His change in attitude. Everything was suspicious.

‘I’m definitely missing something…’

Im Ha-yoon bit her lip and hurried her steps. She felt Park Jun-ho’s gaze on her back, but she didn’t look back.

As she left the darkening apartment complex, deeper questions and anxieties settled in Im Ha-yoon’s heart. She had to find the clues to all these mysteries.

–

The soft lighting was subtly illuminating the living room. Darkness had fallen deeply outside the window, and the city lights were twinkling in the distance. Kim Eun-joo was sitting comfortably on the sofa, watching Lee Hyun-woo and Jin-woo play. Her eyes were filled with love and affection that could not be expressed in words.

Despite the late hour, Jin-woo was still energetic. The child’s laughter filled the living room, and Kim Eun-joo’s lips curved into a smile at the sound. Lee Hyun-woo looked tired, but happiness was evident in the way he played with his son.

Lee Hyun-woo gently stroked Jin-woo’s hair and approached the sofa. Kim Eun-joo naturally welcomed him. Her hand wrapped around Lee Hyun-woo’s neck, and their lips met softly. It was a short but sweet kiss.

As Lee Hyun-woo sat next to Kim Eun-joo, she leaned her head on his shoulder. Their eyes were fixed on the child playing with toys. It was a peaceful and warm moment.

Under the soft lighting of the living room, Kim Eun-joo’s hand unconsciously wrapped around her stomach. Her eyes flickered. She took a deep breath and her lips trembled slightly.

“Hyun-woo-ya… I’m pregnant.” Kim Eun-joo’s voice was small, but the words cut through the air in the living room and reached Lee Hyun-woo’s ears.

Lee Hyun-woo’s movements stopped. His eyes widened, and his surprised gaze moved from Kim Eun-joo’s face to her stomach. His pupils trembled slightly.

“Really? When…?” Lee Hyun-woo’s voice was mixed with surprise and anticipation.

A soft smile spread across Kim Eun-joo’s lips. Her fingers gently brushed her hair back. “My period was late this month, so I took a test. It showed two lines. I think I should go to the OB/GYN.”

Lee Hyun-woo’s expression brightened instantly. Fine wrinkles formed around his eyes, and the smile on his lips deepened. He slowly reached out and hugged Kim Eun-joo. His touch was careful, and it contained deep love and joy.

“Jin-woo-ya,” Lee Hyun-woo called his son softly. His voice was filled with excitement. “I have good news for you. You’re going to have a younger sibling.”

Jin-woo, who was playing with toys, suddenly raised his head. His round eyes widened even more. His small mouth opened in an ‘O’ shape.

“Mom, a younger sibling?” Jin-woo’s voice was filled with surprise and curiosity.

Kim Eun-joo nodded with tears in her eyes. A smile spread across her eyes. She reached out and hugged Jin-woo. Lee Hyun-woo also came closer and embraced both of them.

The warmth of the three people merged into one. Kim Eun-joo felt Lee Hyun-woo’s firm chest and Jin-woo’s small body temperature at the same time. Lee Hyun-woo’s familiar scent and Jin-woo’s shampoo scent mixed and were conveyed to her nose.

Kim Eun-joo’s chest swelled. She closed her eyes. Something hot formed under her eyelids. ‘I have to protect this happy family… no matter what.’ A desperate determination echoed from the depths of her heart.