Chapter 98: What Kills A Relationship

…..

[ Soo Min ]

I'm sorry but did she say first love?

"Ryan…" She drawls out his name, almost like a moan.

I don't know what takes over me, but in that moment all I wanted to do was charge at her and choke her to death. Viciousness has never been my first response, but then again everything goes out the door when it comes to Ryan.

His existence has simply messed up my methodical resolve. The logical and calm part of my brain seems to be useless in his presence.

"I'm sorry that I left. I was too focused in my career and neglected your feelings. I'm sorry I broke your heart. That I broke us." She chokes on the last word as a sob escapes her throat.

Sniffling she continues, "But now I'm back and I'll do everything in my power to win you back. I love you. I still… do. Never stopped."

Ryan's eyes darken and the surrounding air thickens in response to his mood.

"Are you done?" Soo Min's voice gains a frightening edge as it penetrates the air around her.

The blond woman, Anastasia, whose eyes were fixated on Ryan like a hawk, finally broke away from her stupor upon hearing Soo Min's voice.

"W—What?" Anastasia's face pales and her throat bobs with a gentle swallow.

"I said are you done?" Soo Min wrenches her body from Ryan's hold as she walks over to the blond woman, crouching right in front of her.

"First love, is that correct?" Soo Min asks, a delicate frown creases her features.

Anastasia blinked with a blank expression, almost confused. While she wanted to say yes right away, there was something nagging at her. Something telling her that she shouldn't. As if danger looms and threatens to break out at the release of that word.

"I asked you a question, but it seems like you don't wish to answer it. That's fine by me." Soo Min speaks with the same thundering edge, her face continues to remain expressionless.

"However, know this. I don't give a damn about whatever past the two of you may have shared and I'm not keen on learning about it, but know this… I'm his fiancé and I will not let a third person affect our relationship. Like you said your his first love as in past tense. As in an Ex. So I hope you know your limits because you don't matter anymore, I do. I may have saved your life but just know that I can easily take a life just as I can save one because I won't hesitate to destroy those who touch what's mine."

…..

[ Ryan ]

It's done. My haunting past finally returned like a hurricane to destroy my present. A day I dreaded and hoped would never come. Something unexpected happen though. When that woman kept spouting nonsense that I wanted to choke her death for disrespecting my woman. Soo Min actually stood up for herself not that I expected any less.

The thing that surprised me the most was the hidden possessiveness in her eyes that surfaced with that last encounter. That ruthlessness akin to mine. My heart beamed with pride as she claimed that I was hers. Just as much as she's mine, I was hers.

Today was a day I never wanted to forget not the because of Anastasia but because the woman right next to me finally showed me a glimpse of her true self. The one that doesn't shy away from what she believes in and fights for it.

My gaze flits to Soo Min, who's sitting beside me in the car. Her usual talkative self nowhere to be seen, the cheerfulness replaced by her quietness.

Murderous doesn't even begin to explain the atmosphere as soon as we left the hospital. Soo Min didn't say a single word the entire walk to the parking lot.

I take my time observing her as the light of the illuminated buildings outside reflect off her soft features. Her hands lie limply on her lap. They're as delicate as the rest of her.

"If there's something going on between the two of you, it's best that you sort it out." She meekly says, her voice quiet.

"What do you mean?"

"If you still want to be with her, I don't mind. Just know that you will be the one to call off the engagement because I will not be the other woman. Nor a replacement. For anyone."

Soo Min is still that delicate flower. However, there's always been a simmering strength behind her apparent fragility. An inner energy humming under the surface, waiting for a chance to burst free. And in that moment I saw it erupt.

However something else bursted at the same time. My rage. The fact that she even suggested to call off this engagement, pissed me off. Not after calling me hers, not after everything we've been through.

If she thought she could escape me, she has another thing coming for her. She was mine. She is mine and she'll only ever be mine.