Chapter 5 5

Kang Ji-Hoon

Seventeen minutes ticked by on my watch. I was about to exit the car when my phone rang again. Yoo-na. Cursing under my breath, I answered.

"Ji-hoon oppa," her voice was sharp, demanding. "Where are you? We were supposed to meet with the wedding planner at ten."

I closed my eyes briefly. "Something came up. I'll have to reschedule."

"What could possibly be more important than our wedding?" Yoo-na's voice rose with indignation.

Everything, I thought, but didn't say. "Family emergency," I replied instead, the lie coming easily. "I'm handling it personally."

"Your mother said you didn't come home to see her as promised yesterday. Where are you really?"

The accusation in her tone grated on my nerves. This was why I kept my penthouse a secret from her: the constant surveillance, the suffocating possessiveness disguised as concern.

"I don't have time for this, Yoo-na. I'll call you later."

"Ji-hoon oppa..."

I ended the call, checking my watch again. Twenty-one minutes. Unease crystallized into worry. I exited the car and headed for the elevator, punching in the security code Min-ah had given me.

As I approached the penthouse door, I heard raised voices, then the distinctive sound of something shattering. Glass breaking.

I didn't hesitate. Using the key card Min-ah had given me, I flung open the door to find a scene of chaos.

Min-ah stood in the center of the living room, her new outfit splashed with what looked like red wine. Shards of an expensive crystal decanter lay scattered across the marble floor. Jiho stood a few feet away from her, his face contorted with anger, another wineglass clutched in his hand.

"Get out!" Min-ah was shouting, tears streaming down her face. "Get out of my apartment!"

The situation assessed in seconds, I moved between them, placing myself squarely in front of Min-ah.

"Is there a problem here?" My voice was deceptively calm, but Jiho must have seen the fury in my eyes because he backed up several steps.

"This is between me and my fiancée," he said, slurring slightly. Had he been drinking all morning?

"Ex-fiancée," Min-ah corrected from behind me, her voice shaking with anger. "And this is my apartment, which you are no longer welcome in."

I kept my eyes fixed on Jiho, noting the slight sway in his stance, the dangerous glint in his eyes. "You heard her. Leave."

"Or what?" Jiho sneered, emboldened by alcohol. "You'll hit me again? I could press charges for assault, you know."

"And I could ruin you with a single phone call," I replied evenly. "Your choice."

The tension in the room was palpable, charged with anger and alcohol and too many tangled emotions. Behind me, I could feel Min-ah trembling, though whether from fear or rage, I couldn't tell.

Jiho's gaze shifted to her. "You think you're so much better than me, don't you? The perfect Song Min-ah, daddy's precious princess, too good for anyone. But you weren't too good to spread your legs for..."

The wineglass in his hand flew through the air as he staggered before I could stop him. I shoved Min-ah aside, feeling the glass shatter against the wall behind us, red wine spraying across my shirt like blood.

In an instant, I had Jiho pinned against the wall, my forearm across his throat. "Enough," I growled, barely recognizing my own voice. "You're done here."

I was vaguely aware of Min-ah behind me, calling my name, but all I could see was the man who had hurt her, who was still trying to hurt her. If she hadn't been present, I might have done something I'd regret.

"Ji-hoon oppa, stop!" Min-ah's hand on my arm finally broke through my rage. "He's not worth it. Please."

Slowly, I released my grip on Jiho, who slumped against the wall, gasping for breath. "Get your things, Min-ah," I said without taking my eyes off him. "I'll wait here."

She hesitated only briefly before disappearing into the bedroom. I maintained my position, blocking Jiho's path, daring him to try something else.

"You've always wanted her," Jiho said suddenly, his voice hoarse. "I've seen how you look at her."

I kept my expression neutral, even as his words hit uncomfortably close to the truth. "What I want is for you to disappear from her life."

"She'll never see you that way," he continued, a cruel smile twisting his features. "To her, you'll always be her brother's stuffy older friend. The boring businessman who...."

"I'm ready," Min-ah announced, emerging with her suitcase and laptop bag, cutting off whatever Jiho had been about to say.

I took the suitcase from her, placing my other hand protectively at the small of her back as I guided her toward the door. At the threshold, she paused, turning back to Jiho one last time.

"My father's lawyers will be in touch about the apartment," she said, her voice steadier now. "You have until the end of the week to move out."

Jiho's face contorted with rage. "Min ah!! You can't just..."

I slammed the door on his tirade, ushering Min-ah quickly to the elevator. As soon as the doors closed, she collapsed against me, her body shaking with silent sobs.

"I've got you," I murmured, pulling her close, uncaring that her tears and the wine from her clothes were soaking through my shirt. "I've got you."

The elevator began its descent, carrying us away from the broken glass and shattered dreams of the penthouse above. Min-ah's fingers clutched at my jacket, her face buried against my chest, and in that moment, I made a silent vow to myself: I would protect her from pain like this, no matter what it cost me.

Even if it meant sacrificing my own heart in the process.