~Park Soojin

I sat stiffly on the couch, my back pressed against the plush cushions as my parents' voices filled the room, one overlapping the other, blending into an exhausting hum. Their words, though scolding, were more tired than angry. As if they had repeated this conversation a hundred times before and already knew how it would end.

"...Do you even realize what you've done?" My mother's voice was sharp, her carefully composed face betraying glimpses of exasperation. "That was Min Yoongi, the CEO of one of the biggest conglomerates in the country. He is not someone you can afford to offend, Soojin."

My father, always the calmer one, pinched the bridge of his nose, his expression unreadable. "This deal was supposed to secure our future, not put it at risk. I don't understand why you—"

But I wasn't listening. Not really.

Because my mind was still trapped in that moment.

The moment he pulled me back.

The warmth of his body pressing against mine. The slow, dangerous way his fingers had wrapped around my wrist, twisting ever so slightly—not enough to hurt, but just enough to make me feel something new, something foreign.

A loss of control.

I never froze. Never.

I had faced the sharp tongues of elite socialites, the cold indifference of business moguls, the suffocating expectations of my parents, and I had never once hesitated, never gave any fuck. But today, when his breath had ghosted against my ear, when his voice had curled around my name like a threat—

I couldn't move.

I had stood there, helpless, like a bird caught in a predator's claw.

And I hated it.

I hated that it made my skin prickle. Hated that my thoughts kept returning to it, circling like a vulture over fresh prey.

"Soojin."

My father's voice dragged me back, gentle but concerned. When I blinked up at him, he was already studying me closely, his brows furrowed. "Are you alright, baby?"

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

Instead, a sudden tightness gripped my throat, and before I could stop myself, my eyes burned with unshed tears.

Pathetic.

I forced a swallow, tried to steel myself, but the words slipped out anyway.

"I'm sorry for embarrassing you in front of him." My voice was hoarse, thick with the weight of guilt. "If he takes back the project now... I know it's my fault. And I don't know how to fix it."

My mother inhaled sharply, but it was my father who answered first.

"It's alright," he said softly, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "We'll make it alright. We'll figure something out."

But we both knew that wasn't true.

Deals like this weren't simply "fixed." They weren't something you could patch up with an apology or a negotiation. Not when Min Yoongi was involved.

And the worst part?

The absolute worst part?

I wasn't even angry at him.

I was angry at myself.

Because when I first heard the project had been pulled, I had been furious—how could someone with so much power be so cruel, so indifferent? How could a single, impulsive moment of mine cause such irreversible damage?

But now I knew the truth.

Now I knew that the project hadn't just been canceled.

It had been held hostage.

And I was the reason why.

My mother's worried gaze flickered over me. "You should rest, darling."

I could hear the strain in her voice, the way her exhaustion bled into her words. "We'll talk about this tomorrow. Just promise me one thing."

I looked up, forcing my expression into something neutral. "What?"

She exhaled, and for the first time that evening, the scolding melted away, replaced by something softer.

"Promise me you won't jump off the balcony again."

Her voice was almost pleading.

Something inside me twisted, but I nodded. "I promise."

It wasn't a lie.

Not really.

At least, not at the time.

I curled up in bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep was a distant thing, a luxury my mind refused to grant me tonight.

But just as I was about to close my eyes, my phone vibrated against the nightstand.

The screen glowed.

Jinwoo: Mr.Min wants to see you at his villa in 40 minutes. I'll be in front of your house to pick you up in 10. Don't make him wait.

My breath caught.

No.

No, I wasn't doing this. I wasn't playing into his games. Not after today.

I ignored the message, willing myself to bury my phone under the pillows.

And then—

Another text.

Jinwoo: Just in case you need an Motivation...
Mr.Min wanted me to remind you that he still has the unsigned documents for the deal. If you show up tonight, they might be signed.

My stomach plummeted.

Bastard.

He wasn't even subtle about it.

I clenched my jaw, my hands gripping the sheets.

This was different. This wasn't some empty threat, just another CEO flexing his power for amusement.

If I ignored this—if I let my pride keep me in bed—my father would lose everything.

And I couldn't let that happen.

I slipped out of bed, throwing on the first thing I could find. A simple hoodie. Jeans. Anything that didn't scream 'spoiled little rich girl.'

I tiptoed to the door.

But when I reached for the handle, I hesitated.

My parents were still downstairs. Still sitting in the living room, their silhouettes visible through the dim glow of the lamps.

Damn it.

I backed away, my mind racing for another way out.

And then, my eyes landed on the balcony.

My mother's voice echoed in my head.

Promise me you won't jump off the balcony again.

I squeezed my eyes shut, guilt gnawing at my insides.

"I'm sorry, Mom," I whispered under my breath.

And then, without another thought—

I climbed over the railing.

I took a deep breath.

And I jumped.

The moment my feet hit the ground, I didn't stop.

I ran.

The night air was sharp, biting against my skin as I darted toward the street where a sleek black car was already waiting for me.

Jinwoo leaned against the door, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Damn. You actually jumped again, didn't you?"

I shot him a glare. "Shut up and drive."

He chuckled but didn't argue, opening the door.

I slid into the car, my heart pounding against my ribs.

As we pulled away, the city lights blurring past us, I let my head fall back against the seat, exhaling sharply. I couldn't stop biting my nails, the nervous energy in my body refusing to settle no matter how hard I tried.

I had no idea what awaited me at that villa.

But I knew one thing for certain.

I wasn't just walking into Min Yoongi's villa tonight.

I was walking straight into his trap.