___________________
At Yunah's Ward…
"Now tell me where you were." Yunah stood in front of Noah, one brow raised, arms crossed. Her tone was dangerously calm.
Noah sat on the bed, silent, dressed in that perfectly fitted black suit. "...Wearing that suit," she added, narrowing her eyes. "Were you on a date or what?"
Her voice rose—she was pissed. "You could've at least informed your brother! Do you know how worried we were?"
"I'm sorry…" Noah looked up with that innocent, apologetic expression that always seemed to disarm people. "But it was urgent… Grandpa called me so—" He stopped mid-sentence, eyes flicking away. A clean lie. Too clean to catch.
Yunah's expression softened immediately.
"Did he do anything to you?" she asked quietly. "Your brother told me everything about the whip." She sat beside him, turning to face him fully."Noah… you could've told me directly. Did he hurt you again?" Her eyes scanned him from head to toe, searching for any new bruise, any sign of pain.
"No, Di." Noah shook his head, giving a small warm smile. "He didn't do anything. He just… called me to check if I still obey him."
"Your grandfather…" she hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "If you want, I can talk to him. Do you wa—"
"NO!!!"
Noah shot up, the panic in his voice almost explosive. His eyes sharpened, terrified.
"Don't." His voice cracked."He's dangerous. Very dangerous. I don't want you involved with my family, Di. I can handle it. Please… don't go near him."
Yunah blinked, startled, then laughed softly.
"Fine, fine. I won't say anything. Stop panicking—you look like I'm the one scaring you."
Noah swallowed, shoulders dropping slightly. "Then… you forgave me, right?" he asked quietly. "We can still stay together, right, Di?"
"Hmm." Yunah nodded gently.
His face lit up instantly—almost childlike.
"Aiyoo! Look at you," Yunah chuckled. "Are you that happy to stay with me?"
Noah nodded fast—like a kid agreeing to his favorite candy.
She playfully scoffed. "Anyway, I'm getting discharged tomorrow. You're coming with me. I'm not leaving you alone in this hospital—what if you disappear again behind our backs? I'll tell your brother to send a nurse to the apartment for your treatment." She paused, then added casually, "And if your grandfather calls again, make sure to take me with you."
"Take you…?" Noah frowned. "To meet grandfather?"
"Yeah." She nodded like it was the most normal thing.
"No… I told you I can't—"
"If you can't take me, then don't meet him at all." Her tone sharpened, firm and sincere.
"Your brother said it's okay if you avoid him. He'll handle everything. So whenever he calls you, just tell me. Your brother and I will fix it. You just focus on studying and enjoying your youth. Okay?"
She gave him a hopeful little smile.
Noah went silent.
He dropped his gaze, mind spiraling. He couldn't refuse his grandfather—not without putting Nerav in danger. Not without consequences he didn't want Yunah anywhere near.
But he also couldn't lose Yunah's trust again.
So he lifted his head and forced a small, steady voice.
"Okay… I'll listen to you."
It was a lie he hated telling. But a lie he needed to tell. Because without Yunah, there was no light, no warmth, no humanity left in him.
Without her, he was just a breathing body.
A living corpse.
And he would never let her leave him again.
----------
At Haven's Apartment…
"Wahhh!!"
Yunah threw herself onto the couch, sinking into the cushions with a dramatic sigh.
"Finally I'm back. Goodbye to that smelly hospital."
"Don't be so dramatic." Yogesh shot back, flopping beside her. "We've all been stuck in that hospital, don't forget. And thanks to Noah's money, you and Mom stayed in the VIP room. That place is more comfortable than our house."
"Stop teasing Di, Yogesh." Noah cut in sharply, glaring at him as he handed Yunah a warm glass of water.
Yogesh laughed at the expression on Noah's face. "Here comes the knight in shining armour—who was this close to being abandoned by her." He clicked his tongue, shaking his head exaggeratedly.
"Thank you, Noah… but you didn't have to."
Yunah said, reaching for the glass. Her fingers brushed against his cold hand—
—and a small electric shock shot through her chest.
She blinked, startled.
"But I want to, Di." Noah's voice softened, warm and gentle. "I want to take care of you… just like you take care of me."
"Aiyooo…" Yogesh muttered, making a face as goosebumps visibly ran up his arms.
"Stop it, you two. You look more like a couple than brother and sister."
Yunah's cheeks exploded into crimson.
"YAHHH!!!" she shouted, mortified.
"Didn't you said earlier that you have to go to school today for practice? Aren't you late?" She stammered, avoiding Noah's eyes.
"Yes, yes, I'm going." Yogesh said, walking past them toward his room. "You don't need to shoo me away." Saying this, Yogesh disappeared inside, closing the door lightly behind him.
And suddenly…
Silence.
The apartment felt too quiet. Too heavy.
Yunah slowly turned her gaze toward Noah.
He was still standing in front of her, watching her carefully—as if every tiny change in her expression decided the fate of his world.
"You should rest in your room too," she said softly. "Your whip wound hasn't recovered. Inform your teacher you won't be playing football on Independence Day." She paused. "Or… do you want me to tell him for you?"
Noah sat down beside her, close enough that she could feel his warmth.
"Hmm…" he nodded. "I'll tell him myself. But the wound isn't that deep, so maybe I can still—"
"No." Yunah cut him off immediately, voice firm and sharp. "You're not playing. Independence Day is right around the corner. Your wound won't heal by then."
She narrowed her eyes. "Are you planning to defy me? Do you want me to move out?"
Noah jolted upright.
"No—never!" He blurted out, eyes wide.
"I'll listen to you. I won't play. I promise."
He stared at her like a scolded puppy, desperate for approval.
Yunah couldn't help but chuckle.
But the moment felt short-lived.
Her phone buzzed with a notification. She unlocked it casually— but the smile on her lips slowly faded. Her expression dropped, eyes darkening with something cold and heavy.
Noah noticed instantly.
His entire body went rigid. The air around him shifted—soft warmth replaced by a chilling, dangerous stillness.
Someone… had taken away her smile.
And Noah's eyes sharpened, aura turning lethal.
Whoever it was…he was ready to destroy them without hesitation.