Ep ----9
Rain misted over the cemetery as Areum knelt before the headstone marked Han Soyeon — the mother she barely remembered.
"I thought I understood why you stayed silent," she whispered. "But now… I don't know what to believe."
A shadow moved beside her. Kim Minho stood there, umbrella in hand.
"I thought I'd find you here," he said softly.
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Minho crouched beside her, gaze steady. "There's something else in that journal you didn't read."
He pulled out a single torn page. On it, a line written in trembling script:
"Only true love can turn command to plea. Only love makes power powerless."
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"Do you understand?" Minho asked.
"If Junseo truly loves you — not as duty, not as fear — then even his command can't bind you."
Areum's heart twisted painfully. Hope, fragile and terrifying, stirred.
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At the same time, Junseo returned to the mansion and found his study door ajar. Inside, Chairman Park stood over his grandfather's safe, papers in hand.
"Step away," Junseo ordered, voice low.
Park turned, unafraid. "You think you can protect her? Protect yourself? The curse isn't your enemy, Junseo. Love is."
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Junseo's hands tightened. "Leave now, or you'll regret it."
But Park only smiled, folding the papers into his coat.
"This family built its empire on secrets," Park said. "And I know them all.
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Teaser for Ep 10:
Areum returns to confront Junseo with the torn page.
Junseo reveals what Park threatened him with.
And the first crack of real trust appears between them.
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See you in Episode 10!