Nayeon froze under Mina's razor-sharp gaze, even though it was blurred with tears. The rumors about Yelsulin University's Ice Princess were true. But right now, Nayeon felt that terrifying aura was magnified tenfold. Nobody else had probably ever seen Mina like this.
Yet instead of backing down despite her racing heartbeat, Nayeon spoke firmly.
"Mina, let Duyen go…"
"You…" Mina growled under her breath, glaring at Nayeon while clutching Duyen even tighter.
That's when Mina noticed it—Duyen's pulse was steady, her breathing calm, as if she were merely asleep.
A twisted thought crossed Mina's mind.
What if I just… took her home like this?
That should be fine, right?
Nayeon immediately sensed something off in Mina's eyes as she looked at Duyen, and panic surged in her chest.
"Mina! Don't push it! Hand Duyen over to me!"
Mina's delusion was shattered by Nayeon's shout. She turned and glared at the twin-braided girl like she wanted to kill her on the spot. Why the hell was this annoying brat showing up now of all times?
But then Mina looked down at Duyen sleeping peacefully in her arms, and she forced herself to suppress her rage. Her voice came out colder than ice.
"And who exactly do you think you are, telling me to hand her over to you?"
Nayeon's eyes widened. Did this woman really just ask her that? Oh, she had the audacity. Nayeon yelled back.
"That's right! I'm Kim Nayeon. I'm Duyen's childhood friend—her closest, closest friend—and I've been with her all four years of college. Now let me ask you, Mina, what right do you think you have?"
Mina clenched her teeth. Childhood friend? Four years in college? Why didn't she remember anyone like that around Duyen back then?
And then it clicked. Back in college, there was a girl hanging around Duyen—dressed like some e-girl, always with twin braids. Mina had ignored her, of course. Duyen was the only one she cared about.
So now what? First it was some fake "Board Chairwoman," and now it's a so-called childhood friend? Jealousy boiled over inside Mina. Her tone dripped with venom.
"Oh really, Miss Childhood Friend? Then why don't you explain to me why, in the middle of the night, you snuck into Duyen's room disguised as a nurse from the city's top hospital?"
"Huh?" Nayeon's face went pale. She hadn't expected Mina to bring that up.
"Don't tell me that was just another act of friendship. And let's not forget—you even tailed us all the way here. Has Duyen figured out yet that her sweet 'childhood friend' is nothing but a stalker?"
Mina smirked cruelly.
"You think I'd hand her over to someone like you?"
Nayeon's pupils dilated and her cheeks burned, not just from embarrassment but from fury. Damn it! How dare she judge me!? Stalker? She has the nerve to say that, when she's doing this!?
Nayeon knew better than anyone how two-faced Mina could be. And that only fueled her disgust. She screamed.
"Damn it! WHO DO YOU THINK MADE DUYEN THIS WAY!?"
Mina stiffened.
"While you and your bastard husband and your stupid friends spread lies and rumors about her all over campus! Only ME! Only I stayed loyal by her side, encouraging her until the very end! I never regretted it for a second!" Nayeon's voice cracked as she pounded her chest.
"That…" Mina stammered, avoiding Nayeon's blazing eyes.
"And where were you back then, Mina? When she needed you the most—where the hell were you? And now you think you're qualified to decide if I deserve to be with her? Sorry to break it to you, but you're the one who's unqualified!"
Her words hit Mina like a whip. Just like Shana's accusations back then. Bitter, but true. Mina had been too cowardly to protect Duyen four years ago, and she knew it.
But that was the past. Mina wasn't the same girl she had been in the fire. She wouldn't let go of Duyen now—not ever.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Are you done talking yet?"
"Huh?" Tears streamed down Nayeon's cheeks.
"Yes, you're right. That happened four years ago. But it doesn't matter to me. What matters is this—impersonating a nurse and sneaking into a hospital? That's a crime. Enough to put you behind bars for six months to two years."
Damn it! She's threatening me now!?
Nayeon's fists clenched white.
"Since you were once Duyen's childhood friend, I'll let this slide as a warning. But you better disappear before I call the cops. And don't even think of resisting—you know perfectly well whose side they'll take."
That spoiled brat! Nayeon gritted her teeth. No way she was leaving Duyen in Mina's hands.
If Mina wanted to play dirty, then fine.
Nayeon pulled out her phone, opened a video, and shoved it in Mina's face.
Mina's eyes widened in shock—it was a recording of her and Duyen's passionate kiss.
Nayeon smirked. This time, she had the upper hand.
"What's wrong, Mrs. Married Woman? Call the cops all you want. With just one click, this video will spread across every SCJ forum and the entire internet. People will have plenty to talk about… Lady Kamakiri."
Mina glared daggers at her. If this girl really had that video, it was a problem. A serious one.
But as she replayed the memory of herself kissing Duyen so fiercely, Mina's cheeks flushed. If everyone found out I love her… why does that thought feel almost…
Relieving?
Still, when Nayeon stepped closer, Mina knew she had no choice.
She looked down at Duyen, gently brushed her bangs aside, and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. Her emotions—cold, cruel, jealous, yet suddenly soft—were impossible for Nayeon to read.
Nayeon clicked her tongue impatiently.
Mina laid Duyen down carefully on the grass, then stood up and turned away coldly.
"You'd better take good care of her."
Because one day, Mina would take back what belonged to her.
She climbed into her blazing red Maserati and sped off.
Nayeon scoffed. Take good care of her? Like Duyen belongs to you already? That arrogant witch. Mina knew exactly how much power her family had, and she never hesitated to use it for ugly things.
Looking around the eerily silent lakeside, Nayeon realized just how terrifying Mina was. Even blocking off an entire area like this—who else could pull that off?
Still, Nayeon was certain: she couldn't let someone as pure-hearted as Duyen fall into Mina's hands. Whatever lay ahead was going to be dangerous.
After struggling to lift Duyen onto a stone bench and calling for a taxi, Nayeon dialed a number.
On the other end, Shana was in the middle of a board meeting when she saw the caller ID: "Annoying Girl." Normally, Nayeon never called her directly. This had to be serious.
Shana's eyes glowed with a strange blue light, and at once, everyone in the meeting froze like statues. She picked up.
"What is it? I told you only to call if it's important."
Nayeon's voice was sharp and frantic.
"Of course it's important, you idiot! Duyen just fainted! I'm waiting for a taxi—I'm taking her home. I don't care what you're doing, you better show up and deal with this!"
"Fainted!?" Shana's heart lurched. That was impossible. After saving Duyen, not only had her body healed, but her strength had increased.
If she fainted now, there could only be one reason.
"…Mina was just with her, wasn't she?"
"…Yeah."
"What did she do to Duyen?"
"Well, Mina… she…" Nayeon hesitated. "…She forced a kiss on her."
Silence.
"Shana? Shana! Say something!"
"…Hmph." Shana exhaled sharply.
"Fine. Bring her home. I'll be there."
---
That night, all three of them gathered in Duyen's attic room. Nayeon and Shana sat by her bedside. Nayeon looked genuinely worried; Shana, strangely silent.
Nayeon finally broke it:
"You saved her once, but… if she suddenly fainted like this—"
"It's just a side effect of the pact," Shana said flatly. "Every contract comes with a price. I think you know that."
Nayeon swallowed hard, the air around her suffocating.
"This… was it Mina's fault?"
Shana was quiet for a long time. Then she nodded.
Nayeon's chest tightened. She couldn't take the pressure anymore. She stood.
"Thanks for siding with me…"
Nayeon blinked, startled. She blushed.
"I didn't side with you. I sided with Duyen. But compared to Mina, you're the better choice."
Shana tilted her head, surprised.
"You really think that?"
Nayeon turned to face her.
"Mina's not the type to give up. She's faithless, greedy, manipulative. Whatever she throws at Duyen next will be worse than we can imagine. I hate to admit this, but right now, the only one Duyen can lean on is you. If you crumble, who's left to fight her?"
Shana's eyes flickered with a faint light.
"So stop sulking. Wake Duyen up. We're going to need her."
With that, Nayeon left.
Shana sat frozen. Sulking? Me?
Her thoughts tangled. Nayeon had shown her the clip—Mina kissing Duyen. But Shana somehow couldn't watch the whole clip.
And like a thorn lodged in her heart, it bled again.
You promised you wouldn't betray me. And yet…
No. Shana buried her face in her hands. It was forced. Duyen didn't want it.
But why… why did it hurt so much?
Her claws extended before she realized it, sharp and deadly. One swipe and Duyen would—
She stopped. Looking at Duyen's sleeping face, she couldn't. She retracted her claws, curled beside her, and held her close.
Foolish girl. Somehow, I just can't bring myself to harm you.
Today's mess, Shana could let go. But she knew: Duyen's kindness would always draw predators. Especially Mina.
Nayeon was right. Shana would need to be ready.
"It's been a long time…" she whispered into Duyen's chest.
No one will ever truly love you! I'm telling you!
The cold voice of a man echoed in her head, making her flinch.
It's been so long… and here I am, repeating the same mistake…
---
Meanwhile, in a luxury penthouse, Mina sat before her vanity in a sheer nightgown, her long black hair damp from the shower. She hummed softly: "Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey.
Without makeup, she looked even more breathtaking. Her fingers brushed her lips, recalling that kiss with Duyen. If only Duyen had kissed her back… wrapped her arms around her…
Mina licked her lips, lost in the fantasy.
But then—Nayeon's video flashed in her mind.
She wasn't too worried, but letting Nayeon run wild wasn't an option either. She picked up her phone and dialed a number.
"Hello, it's me. Been a while. I need a favor."
She smiled wickedly.
"I don't care what methods you use. Rough, violent—whatever. Just make sure that video disappears."
Hanging up, Mina's smirk lingered as she went back to humming, brushing her silky hair.
"Don't you know you can't escape me…"
"Oh darling, you'll always be my baby~"