Seo-yeon stood in front of her wardrobe, trying to decide what to wear.
Her pregnancy was now in its final stage, and even simple movements had become uncomfortable. She eventually settled for a loose maternity dress and comfortable shoes.
After picking up her handbag, she left her bedroom.
"Mum!"
Her mother appeared from the living room.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"I want to go out and get something."
Her mother looked at her curiously.
"What do you need?"
"Just a few things. I'll be back soon."
"Can't you ask someone to get them for you?"
Seo-yeon shook her head.
"No, Mum. I want to choose them myself."
Her mother wasn't particularly pleased with the idea, but she knew her daughter had been indoors for most of the past few weeks.
"Have you informed your bodyguard?"
"I'll tell him downstairs."
"Don't stay out for too long. And please, don't walk around too much."
"I know."
Her mother helped her adjust the strap of her handbag before they headed downstairs.
The bodyguard was already waiting near the entrance.
"Madam, are you ready?"
Seo-yeon nodded.
"Yes."
He opened the door for her, and they walked towards the waiting car.
---
The shopping centre was relatively quiet when they arrived.
Seo-yeon stepped out of the car, and the bodyguard immediately followed her.
"Where would you like to go first, ma'am?"
"I want to check the baby section."
"Alright."
They entered one of the stores, where Seo-yeon spent some time looking through the displayed items.
She picked up a pair of tiny white socks.
"These are so cute."
The bodyguard smiled politely.
"Would you like to get them?"
"Yes. I think I'll take them."
She picked up a few more items before proceeding towards the cashier.
After making her payment, she stepped outside.
"I want to check another shop."
"Alright, ma'am."
They continued walking.
A few minutes later, the bodyguard's phone rang. He checked the screen and saw that it was another member of the security team.
"Excuse me, ma'am. I need to answer this."
Seo-yeon nodded.
"Okay."
He stepped a short distance away, keeping her within sight.
Seo-yeon stood near the entrance of the next shop, looking through her shopping bag.
A woman approached her.
"Excuse me. Are you Han Seo-yeon?"
Seo-yeon looked up.
"Yes?"
The woman smiled.
"I think you dropped something."
Seo-yeon glanced towards the floor.
"Where?"
Before she could bend down, another person approached from behind.
A hand suddenly grabbed her arm.
Seo-yeon barely had time to react before someone covered her mouth.
Her eyes widened.
She struggled, trying to free herself, but another person held her tightly.
The shopping bag slipped from her hand and fell to the floor.
Within seconds, she was pulled away from the entrance.
The bodyguard ended his call.
"Madam?"
He looked towards the entrance.
She was gone.
He immediately walked towards the spot where he had last seen her.
"Madam Seo-yeon?"
His eyes landed on the shopping bag lying on the floor.
He picked it up and looked around.
"Madam!"
He rushed towards the nearby shops, checking every corner.
There was no sign of her.
He immediately called the other security officer.
"Where are you?"
"I'm near the parking area. What's wrong?"
"Madam Seo-yeon is missing!"
"What?"
"I can't find her. Come here immediately!"
The other officer rushed towards him.
They began searching the shopping centre, asking shop attendants and security personnel if they had seen her.
But nobody could tell them where she had gone.
The first bodyguard called her phone.
It rang several times before going unanswered.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
His heart began pounding.
He quickly dialled Mr. Han's number.
---
Mr. Han was in his study when his phone rang.
He answered immediately.
"Hello?"
"Sir, there's a problem."
He recognised the bodyguard's voice.
"What happened?"
"Sir, Madam Seo-yeon is missing."
Mr. Han stood up.
"What do you mean she's missing?"
"We were at the shopping centre. I stepped away briefly to answer a call, and when I turned around, she was gone."
"How can that happen?"
"I'm sorry, sir. We're searching the area."
Mr. Han's expression changed.
"Don't waste time apologising! Find my daughter. Check the CCTV cameras and contact the police immediately!"
"Yes, sir."
He ended the call and immediately dialled his wife's number.
"Where is Seo-yeon?" he asked as soon as she answered.
Mrs. Han frowned.
"Isn't she with you?"
"She's missing."
"What?"
"Her bodyguard just called. They were at the shopping centre, and now nobody can find her."
Mrs. Han stood up.
"What are you talking about? How can she be missing?"
"I don't know. I'm going there now."
"I'm coming too!"
She quickly grabbed her handbag and hurried out of the house.
---
Yoongi was in his office when Mr. Han called him.
"Good afternoon, sir."
"Yoongi, have you spoken to Seo-yeon today?"
"Yes. Why?"
"She's missing."
Yoongi stopped what he was doing.
"What?"
"Her bodyguard called me. They were at the shopping centre, and now she's nowhere to be found."
He immediately stood up.
"When did this happen?"
"About twenty minutes ago."
"Have you contacted the police?"
"I'm on my way to the shopping centre. The security team is checking the cameras."
"I'm coming."
"Yoongi..."
"I'll be there shortly."
He ended the call and rushed towards the adjoining office.
"Kwon Dae-sung!"
His manager looked up.
"What happened?"
"Seo-yeon is missing."
Dae-sung stood up immediately.
"What do you mean?"
"She's been taken from the shopping centre. Get the car ready."
"Have you informed the police?"
"Her father has. Just get the car!"
Dae-sung picked up his phone and contacted the driver.
Yoongi grabbed his jacket.
He tried calling Seo-yeon's number while walking towards the elevator.
It rang.
No answer.
He called again.
Nothing.
On the third attempt, the phone was switched off.
He stared at the screen.
The threats she had received over the past two months immediately came to mind. People had been insulting her, spreading her personal information and even showing up at her parents' house.
He had hoped the situation would eventually settle down.
Now she was missing.
---
By the time Yoongi arrived at the shopping centre, Mr. Han and his wife were already there.
Mrs. Han was visibly distressed.
"Have you found her?" Yoongi asked as he approached them.
Mr. Han shook his head.
"Not yet. The police are checking the cameras."
Yoongi turned towards the bodyguard.
"Tell me exactly what happened."
The man lowered his head.
"I was accompanying Madam. I received a call from another security officer and stepped away briefly. When I turned around, she was gone. I found her shopping bag on the floor."
"How long were you away?"
"Less than two minutes, sir."
Yoongi clenched his jaw.
"Two minutes?"
"I'm sorry, sir."
Mr. Han stepped forward.
"Save your apologies. Just help us find my daughter!"
A police officer approached them.
"Mr. Han, we've requested access to the shopping centre's CCTV footage. Our officers are also checking the surrounding streets."
"Please, officer," Mrs. Han said, her voice shaking. "My daughter is pregnant. She's carrying twins. You have to find her."
"We understand, ma'am. We're doing everything possible."
Yoongi took out his phone again.
He called Seo-yeon.
Switched off.
He tried once more.
Nothing.
Dae-sung approached him.
"Yoongi, I've informed the company's security department. They're helping the police check the nearby roads and other possible locations."
"Tell them to keep searching. Check every camera around this place."
"We're on it."
Yoongi looked at him.
"People have been threatening her for two months. They've been disturbing her life. What if one of them is responsible?"
Dae-sung didn't immediately respond.
Mr. Han turned towards the police officer.
"Have you found anything?"
"We're reviewing the footage now, sir."
A few minutes later, another officer approached with a tablet.
"We've found footage of Miss Han entering the shopping area with her bodyguard."
"Can we see it?" Yoongi asked.
The officer turned the tablet towards them.
They watched as Seo-yeon walked into the shopping centre. She appeared relaxed, carrying her handbag while the bodyguard followed closely behind.
The footage continued.
They saw her enter a shop, make a purchase and walk out.
Then the camera angle changed.
A few minutes later, the bodyguard appeared on the screen, standing near the entrance and speaking on his phone.
Seo-yeon was no longer beside him.
"Can you check the other cameras?" Mr. Han asked.
"We're doing that, sir."
Yoongi rubbed his face.
"Please, hurry."
---
Meanwhile, Seo-yeon slowly opened her eyes.
Her head ached, and she felt uncomfortable.
For a moment, she couldn't remember where she was.
Then she tried moving her hands.
They were tied.
Her eyes widened as she looked around.
The room was unfamiliar. There was a small window on one side, but it was covered with a thick curtain. A single chair stood near the wall, and a dim light hung from the ceiling.
"Where am I?"
Her voice sounded weak.
She tried shifting her body, but the movement made her stomach uncomfortable.
She immediately placed a hand over her belly.
"Please, babies..."
She swallowed and looked around again.
"Is anyone there?"
There was no response.
She tried calling out once more.
"Help! Somebody!"
A sound came from somewhere outside the room.
The door opened.
A tall man entered.
He wore a black hoodie, dark trousers and a mask that covered his face.
Seo-yeon immediately moved backwards as much as her tied hands allowed.
"Who are you?"
The man closed the door behind him.
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked, her voice trembling.
He didn't answer.
"Please, I don't know you. I'm pregnant. I'm begging you, don't hurt me."
The man slowly approached her.
Seo-yeon watched him nervously.
"Please..."
He stopped in front of her.
For a few seconds, he simply stared at her.
Then he raised both hands towards his face and reached for the edge of his mask.
Seo-yeon held her breath as he began pulling it upwards.