Chapter 170

The storm arrived just as Jamie had predicted, cloaking the night in a relentless downpour. With Hakjun downtown meeting an old acquaintance, Jamie found himself alone in the secluded house, the isolation amplified by the raging weather outside.

At 7:00 PM, Jamie glanced at the clock. Back in the city, he'd be wide awake, immersed in video games or out with friends. But the countryside had a way of lulling him into an early slumber, the quietness seeping into his bones and pulling his eyelids heavy. He double-checked the front door, ensuring it was locked tight. Hakjun had his own key; there was no need to worry about his late return. Dinner had been simple—leftover pork barbecue and kimchi from the afternoon's meal. Soon after, Jamie slipped into bed, the sound of rain pattering against the roof lulling him into a deep sleep almost instantly.