The apartment was quiet, save for the hum of the air conditioner and the distant murmur of traffic. Dawn's first light filtered through the curtains, painting the room in soft gold. Hae-won stirred in the single bed, tangled in sheets and the gentle weight of certainty. Beside her, Ji-hoon slept on the couch—one arm draped over the back, the other still curled protectively toward her pillow.
She watched him for a long moment, memorizing the lines of his face: the slope of his nose, the gentle arch of his brow, the small crease at the corner of his mouth that appeared only when he dreamed. It struck her how fragile he looked, how human—so different from the untouchable golden boy everyone assumed he was.
6:30 AM
Ji-hoon's phone buzzed. He sat up with a start, rubbing his eyes. "Morning," he mumbled, voice thick. On screen: a single message, marked "Urgent." From his lawyer: "Court date confirmed: Thursday, 9 AM. You and Ms. Shin must appear."
He looked at Hae-won, panic flaring behind his calm façade. "They've scheduled the hearing," he said. "This… social services case. They want to decide where you belong."
She swallowed. "I'm scared."
He slid off the couch and knelt beside her. "So am I. But we'll face it together."
8:00 AM – Family Court, Downtown
Hae-won perched on the edge of a hard wooden bench in the waiting room. Her uniforms—theirs—were carefully laundered and pressed: Ji-hoon in his immaculate blazer, Hae-won in her newly acquired blazer, tie straight, skirt unwrinkled. Neither spoke as they watched anxious mothers clutching paperwork and fathers pacing nearby.
When their names were called, they rose in unison. The courtroom smelled of polished wood and stale coffee. At the front, a judge—a woman with kind eyes behind silver-framed glasses—greeted them.
"Ms. Shin," she began, addressing Hae-won, "your father has been charged with domestic abuse. Social services have recommended placing you in a temporary foster home until a permanent solution is reached. Do you wish to speak?"
Hae-won's throat closed. She looked at Ji-hoon. He gave her a slight nod. Bracing herself, she rose.
"Your Honor," she said, voice wavering, "I… don't want to go back with him. I—" Tears threatened—but she drew on every ounce of courage she'd ever mustered. "I have a place where I feel safe now. With someone who cares about me. I understand the rules. I will abide by them. Please don't make me go back to him."
She sank back into her seat, heart pounding. The judge regarded her with an unreadable expression.
12:00 PM – The Verdict
In a hushed, formal tone, the judge ruled:
Immediate protection order barring Mr. Shin from contacting or approaching his daughter. Temporary placement: Hae-won will remain in her apartment under Ji-hoon's patronage, supervised by a licensed guardian assigned by social services. Review hearing in six months to assess long-term guardianship or foster placement.
A collective sigh rippled through the courtroom. Ji-hoon exhaled sharply, relief and exhaustion battling in his chest.
2:30 PM – School Grounds
Word spread like wildfire. By the time Hae-won returned to campus—escorted by her new guardian from social services—every eye was on her. Phones flashed, whispers trailed in her wake:
"She's a legal adult now?"
"Protective order? Against her own dad?"
"Ji-hoon's taking parental duties now?"
Some shook their heads in admiration; others smirked in jealousy. But a new figure emerged from the crowd: Baek Min-ji—Ji-hoon's ex-girlfriend. Her lips curled in a cold smile.
"So this is where you belong now," Min-ji purred, stepping between Hae-won and her escort. "Playing house with our precious golden boy?"
Ji-hoon stood at Hae-won's side, expression unreadable. "Step aside," he said quietly.
Min-ji's smile widened. "Or what? You'll sue me next?"
Before Ji-hoon could answer, the social worker cleared her throat. "Ms. Baek, please leave the campus. You're trespassing."
Min-ji lifted her chin, but stepped back—eyes still blazing.
4:00 PM – The Streets of Jungwon
After school, Ji-hoon and Hae-won walked side by side through the buzzing streets. He carried a small brown bag—cereal, milk, rice cakes—keeping her stocked. She clutched a folder with her court documents, still stunned by how quickly her life had changed.
A group of boys from their class called out, "Hey Shin! Thanks for the free show today!"
She forced a small, polite smile. Ji-hoon didn't flinch. He simply put an arm around her shoulders—publicly, defiantly—and led her away.
As they turned a corner, Hae-won finally dared to ask, "Is this how it's going to be? Everywhere we go?"
He looked down at her, concern etched in his blue-black eyes. "No. We'll find a way to reclaim some privacy. But for now… this is our line in the sand. If they want drama, they'll get it."
She squeezed his hand. "I'm grateful."
He nodded, then bent to kiss her temple. "I'm just glad you're safe."
Evening – Their Apartment
Back home, they collapsed onto the couch, exhaustion weighing on them. Outside, the city lights blinked indifferently.
Hae-won yawned. "I don't know how you do this," she said softly. "I wouldn't have survived without you."
Ji-hoon wrapped an arm around her. "You did more than survive. You fought."
She leaned into him, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat. "What about tomorrow?"
He pressed a kiss to her temple. "Tomorrow… we rest. Then we plan."
And as darkness settled, they sat quietly—two warriors on the same side, lines drawn firmly in the sand between them and a world determined to drag them apart.