. An Ominous Warning

[H]an Si-hyun emerged from the underground medical facilities, his mind still reeling from the unexpected discovery. As he entered the elevator, he let out a sigh, seeking a moment of respite during his way up to his haven of peace.

Just as the metallic elevator doors prepared to shut, a woman rushed inside, her expression filled with unease.

Han Si-hyun casted a brief glance her way, observing her immaculate white suit, stylish bob cut, and the graceful allure that her feminine features bestowed upon her. However, it was the subtle traces of love bites, discreetly visible beneath her turtleneck, that captured his interest.

His eyebrows twitched in response to his wife's audacious and brazen reaction, a fleeting expression of disbelief passing over his face as he recognized her presence.

"Han Yeon-soo?" His gaze fixed upon her, an inquiry laced within his words. "What in the world is happening? Those marks... are you attempting to convey something?"

Sensing his penetrating gaze, Yeon-soo raised her chin with a smug demeanor, a subtle smirk playing at the corner of her lips. She tilted her head ever so slightly, exuding confidence.

"Ah, Si-hyun, my dear, you've finally taken notice," she responded, her amusement dripping from her words. "It appears that you've been too preoccupied lately to pay heed to your own wife."

Han Si-hyun's voice took on a dark undertone as he passive-aggressively spoke, "I've been preoccupied with important matters, Yeon-soo. But that doesn't give you the right to flaunt... whatever this is."

"Si-hyun, my dear, you seem to have forgotten your own actions," Yeon-soo countered with a sharp, mordant retort, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

Han Si-hyun's jaw almost dropped at that, but he quickly composed himself, a scowl etching his brows. "For fuck's sake! It's been four years already! And the woman is dead!"

"Do you remember what I warned you about when we got married?" she arched a smug eyebrow at him. "I swore that I would never forgive you for your involvement with 'her'!"

"I've already explained it to you, haven't I?" Han Si-hyun's gaze softened slightly, understanding the underlying meaning. "It was purely a ploy to provoke your jealousy. I dated her solely to make you realize your importance to me. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Oh, is that so?"

"You and I, both know the reality of the situation! After all, I chose you over her in the end!" His tone carried a slight warning as he approached his wife, firmly cupping her chin. "Don't make me regret that choice, alright?"

"And what if I did?" she provocatively inquired, a flicker of hurt crossing her face. "Would you abandon me to the mercy of another group of men, just like you did to her?"

Han Si-hyun sighed deeply, fully comprehending his wife's concerns. He found it somewhat endearing that she resorted to infidelity due to her fear of suffering the same fate as the woman he had left behind four years ago.

A brief memory flashed through his mind, struggling to recall the name and face of that woman. But what he did remember was that he had started dating her solely to make Yeon-soo realize her place and put an end to her constant criticism about his relationship with her father.

At the time, he had been unaware of the events that transpired, but Yeon-soo and the other woman had been kidnapped as a retaliatory measure against him. He had intended to rescue them both, but when Yeon-soo demanded that he prove his loyalty and love by forsaking the other woman, he did as she asked.

He abandoned his then-girlfriend, leaving her to suffer the torment of countless men and eventually perish. It was a bitter irony that she had been a virgin, though he never had the chance to claim her himself.

Yet now, after all these years, his wife was using the very act he had undertaken for her sake as a weapon against him. Ah, truly, he could not fathom her intentions.

"Yeon-soo," he clicked his tongue, his voice tinged with a touch of steel. "I want you to understand something. I don't regret what happened with that other woman because my true love is you. But if you continue these escapades with other men behind my back or use the incident from four years ago as an excuse to cheat, I won't be as lenient about it."

Yeon-soo turned towards him, her eyes a mixture of defiance and vulnerability. Before she could respond, the elevator doors opened, interrupting their conversation.

"Lets go," Han Si-hyun motioned for Yeon-soo to exit the elevator ahead of him.

He noticed a faint quiver in her body, and a twisted satisfaction surged within him as he realized the power he still held over her emotions.

Throughout their years together, he had failed to earn her love fully. Yet, the ability to provoke fear, disgust, or even hatred in her somehow fed his need for control.

In silence, they walked to the penthouse, their steps echoing in the elegant hallway. Han Si-hyun's hand reached out as he unlocked the door, revealing the luxurious interior.

The living room was spacious, with tall windows showcasing a breathtaking city view. Sunlight bathed the room, highlighting the stylish furniture and beautiful artwork. A grand piano graced one corner, a reminder of untapped dreams and lost desires.

Han Si-hyun stepped aside, his hand extended to hold the door open for Yeon-soo. As she hesitated at the threshold, her eyes wandered around the opulent surroundings, capturing the essence of their shared affluence. However, the vacant magnificence of the penthouse mirrored the hollowness in their relationship.

With a mixture of uncertainty and resignation on her face, Yeon-soo finally took a step forward and entered the penthouse. The weight of their impending conversation settled in the air as Han Si-hyun closed the door behind them, the resounding click amplifying the silence.

He inhaled deeply, steeling himself for whatever awaited them… awaited him!

"What makes you think I'll do as you said?" Yeon-soo's voice quivered with a hint of defiance. "What if I decide to continue seeing him?"

Han Si-hyun's eyes narrowed, his frustration palpable. "Then you'll have to face the consequences of your actions, Yeon-soo. But know this, I won't hold back."

In a desperate attempt to salvage the situation, Yeon-soo leaned closer to Han Si-hyun, hoping for a reconciliation. But he deftly sidestepped her advance.

Han Si-hyun met her gaze with an icy stare, his voice cutting through the air. "I could never bring myself to kiss lips that another man had the chance to touch the night before," he declared, his tone dripping with bitter sarcasm.

Yeon-soo's face contorted with a mix of hurt and frustration. She tried to mask her disappointment, but her voice trembled with a hint of vulnerability. "Is this how little our relationship means to you? Can't you understand how much I long for your affection?"

There was a slight quiver in his scowled eyebrows, but his tone remained resolute. "If whatever you're saying is true, then I need you to stop fucking around. I can't keep picking up the pieces of our broken relationship."

Tears welled up in Yeon-soo's eyes as she struggled to blink them away and process his words. Frustration fueled her response as she lashed out bitterly. "So, now you think you're perfect? Don't act like you're better than me! I won't stop until you learn to appreciate me."

Han Si-hyun's patience wore thin, his frustration evident. He closed the gap between them and firmly held her cheeks in his hands.

"Enough with the games, Yeon-soo!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with raw emotion. "Manipulation and blackmail will only drive us further apart."

Yeon-soo met his gaze, feeling the intensity of his grip. The weight of his words finally sank in, and she began to comprehend the seriousness of their situation.

But it was his next statement that caught her completely off guard, leaving her gasping in disbelief.

"Enough is enough! I'm done with him!" Han Si-hyun declared with a fierce determination. "He may have escaped death last night, but I'll make sure he pays dearly for his actions."

Yeon-soo's eyes widened in shock. She had never seen this side of Han Si-hyun before, and it both frightened and intrigued her.

***

A/N: Officially introducing Han Yeon-soo: