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彡┆36

my fingers twitch at my sides, my mind racing for a way out of this.

"he was a monster," i spit. "he would've-"

"but he was my father."

the way he says it sends a chill down my spine.

"and now," he murmurs, leaning in so close i can feel the venom in his words, "you're gonna pay for it."

"you're making a mistake," i say, my voice sharp, trying to keep the panic from creeping in.

but jisung just laughs. low. dark. and then, before i can react, i feel his hands grip my waist from behind, pulling me flush against him.

"i'm gonna finish what my dad started," he whispers against my ear, his grip tightening. "and then i'm gonna kill you."

my blood runs cold. every nerve in my body is screaming at me to fight, to scream, to do something, but i force myself to stay still, to think. because if i make the wrong move, if i push too hard - he's still holding that gun.

i swallow hard, forcing myself to speak, to keep my voice steady.

"you don't want to do this."

he chuckles, his fingers pressing harder into my waist.

"oh, but i really, really do."

jisung chuckles again, his breath warm against my ear. "oh, and that old boyfriend of yours? be for real. you could've had my father. or, even better - me."

his grip tightens like he owns me, like he actually believes he was ever an option.

"but such a waste," he sighs, almost mockingly. "now you have to die, pretty jia. take it as a personal birthday gift."

suddenly i think of hana. bora. in-ho. they're out there, laughing, celebrating - completely unaware that i'm about to be found dead on my own birthday.

a cruel fucking joke.

but then something shifts. no. no, i won't let this be the end.

i'll play along. i'll let him think he's in control. and then? i'll take that control back.

"jisung..." my voice comes out softer than i expected - breathy, unsure.

"you really think i should've chosen you?" i whisper, shifting just enough so my back presses into his chest. "what if you're right?"

he scoffs, amused. "don't play with me, jia."

"i'm not," i murmur. "i mean... maybe i was stupid. maybe i should've seen it before."

i reach up slowly, carefully, and let my fingers brush against the hand holding the gun. not enough to push it away, just enough to touch him. to make him think i want this.

"if i made a mistake, let me fix it." i turn my head slightly, just enough so he can see the corner of my lips. "you don't have to hurt me."

jisung breathes in sharply. for the first time, his grip on my waist loosens - just a little, but it's enough. he thinks he's winning. he thinks i'm breaking.

but i'm just getting started.

i move quickly, turning to face him, my hand sliding up his chest just enough to make him think he's got me exactly where he wants me. his breath hitches, his eyes flickering with triumph as he leans in.

then, without warning, i snap into action. i push my knee up hard into his balls, watching the shock cross his face as he stumbles back, gasping for breath. before he can recover, i spin, grabbing the gun from his shaking hand, my fingers locking around it as i aim it directly at his forehead.

"you should've known better than to underestimate me," i say, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

jisung's eyes widen in disbelief, but it's too late. i've taken control. the weapon's cold metal presses against his skin, and i can see his body freeze in fear.

"i don't need a man like you in my life," i mutter, eyes narrowing. "and i sure as hell don't need to die for your twisted revenge."

i lock him in the room and quickly make my way to in-ho. i find him near the kitchen, laughing with some guests, unaware of the tension that's now boiling inside me. i approach him quickly, trying to mask my panic.

"hey," i say, voice firm but low, "end the party. now."

he looks at me, confusion furrowing his brow, but i don't give him a chance to ask questions.

"just trust me," i add, my voice strained. "don't ask why, just do it."

his eyes search mine, and i can see the worry starting to set in, but he nods anyway, sensing the urgency. "okay, i'll take care of it."

without another word, he moves toward the guests, starting to subtly signal for everyone to wrap up. i watch him go, then turn back toward the room where i left jisung. i can't help the shiver running down my spine. every second feels like an eternity.

i run to bora, my voice shaky but determined. "bora," i say, grabbing her arm urgently, "take hana home. please. keep her safe. i'll tell you everything tomorrow, but right now, she needs to be away from all this."

"what's going on?" she asks, but i shake my head, cutting her off.

"please, just trust me," i urge, my grip tightening on her arm. "make sure she's okay. i'll explain everything later."

bora nods, sensing the weight of the situation. "okay, i'll make sure she gets home safe."

"thank you," i whisper, my voice barely a breath. i watch as she hurries to find hana, hoping the two of them can get out of here without any more danger.

when everyone is gone i turn to in-ho, his eyes searching mine, his voice filled with concern. "what happened, jia?" he asks, stepping closer to me.

i open my mouth to tell him everything, but before i can speak, something cold presses against my back. my breath catches in my throat.

"i wouldn't do that if i were you," a familiar voice speaks from behind.

my heart drops into my stomach as i turn my head just enough to see jisung, holding another gun, pointed directly at in-ho's head.

in-ho freezes, his eyes narrowing as he assesses the situation, but jisung's smirk only grows wider.

"what's the matter?" jisung mocks. "did you really think i'd just let you walk away?"

how did he get out? why does he have another gun?

and most importantly what is he going to do?

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i'm absolutely sorry for the cliffhanger but i just love them so much 😔😔

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