INK AND SHADOWS [???]

Hara stood in front of Jay's house, her arms wrapped around herself as the cold night air bit at her skin.

Her heart pounded. She didn't know why she was here.

She just knew she needed him.

The moment the door swung open, Jay blinked in surprise.

"Baby, what are you doing he—"

Before he could finish, she threw herself into his arms, burying her face in his chest.

Jay tensed for half a second before immediately wrapping his arms around her, holding her close.

She didn't say a word. Just clung to him.

"Alright, baby," he whispered, pulling her even tighter.

"I'm here."

He guided her inside, closing the door behind them.

They sat on the couch, the room dimly lit by the streetlights outside.

Jay studied her face, his brows knitting in concern.

"You want something to drink? Some snacks?"

She shook her head. "I just need you. Nothing more."

His lips curved into a soft, sad smile. "Alright."

Still, he got up and went to the kitchen, warming a cup of milk.

When he returned, he handed it to her, his fingers brushing against hers.

As she sipped, he reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"What happened, love?" he asked gently, his thumb caressing her cheek.

She exhaled shakily. "I saw my dad."

Jay stilled.

She hesitated before continuing. "But I wasn't the only one calling him that."

His brows furrowed.

"There was a little girl with him," she whispered.

"She called him Dad."

Jay didn't say anything, just let her speak.

"He abandoned me," she said, voice cracking.

"Left me like I was nothing. But now... now he has a new family? A new daughter? And he looked so—so happy with her."

Tears welled in her eyes.

"It's not fair," she choked out.

"I thought—maybe one day, he'd come back. Maybe he'd apologize. Maybe we could be a family again."

She let out a bitter laugh.

"But no. He has a whole new life. And I—I don't exist in it."

Jay's chest tightened as he watched her break apart in front of him.

Then, her voice turned into a whisper.

"I wanted to die when I saw them."

Jay's heart clenched.

Hara turned to him, her eyes desperate. "Jjongjong..."

Hearing his nickname from her lips made his heart ache.

"Don't leave me," she pleaded, clutching his shirt.

"No matter what."

Jay inhaled deeply, wrapping his arms around her, resting his chin atop her head.

"I won't," he murmured.

Because he knew what that loneliness felt like.

He knew what it was like to have parents who weren't there. To feel abandoned.

Maybe that's why he understood her better than anyone else.

Jay gently cupped her face, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

"I'll always be here, baby," he whispered.

"I love you so much."

Hara sniffled, clutching onto him tighter.

Jay held her, and as he looked down at the fragile girl in his arms, something clicked inside him.

He didn't just want to protect her.

He wanted to take care of her.

To make her happy.

To show her that she deserved love.

Because in front of him wasn't just the strong, reckless, stubborn Hara he knew.

Right now, she looked like a lost little girl.

And he would protect her—at any cost.