The man slowly pulled off his mask.
Seo-yeon's eyes widened.
She stared at his face, unable to believe what she was seeing.
"Daehyun?"
He gave her a small smile.
"Hello, Seo-yeon."
She tried to move backwards, but the ropes around her wrists prevented her from going far.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Daehyun pulled a chair closer and sat in front of her.
"Is that how you greet someone you haven't seen in a long time?"
"Untie me."
He chuckled.
"You haven't changed."
"Daehyun, please. I'm pregnant. You can't keep me here."
His eyes moved towards her stomach.
"I can see that."
Seo-yeon immediately placed both hands over her belly.
"Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?"
Daehyun leaned back in his chair.
"That's a good question."
He studied her face for a moment.
"Do you know how long I've wanted to see you again?"
She didn't answer.
"Months, Seo-yeon. I've spent months watching your life from a distance. I saw your pictures everywhere. I watched the news about you and your famous boyfriend. I even watched that press conference."
His expression changed.
"You looked so happy."
Seo-yeon frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
He laughed bitterly.
"You really don't understand, do you?"
"Whatever happened between us is over, Daehyun. Please, just let me go."
"Over?"
He stood up.
"You think it's that easy to say it's over?"
He began pacing around the room.
"When you left me, do you know what happened to my life? I had nothing. No money, no proper job, no one willing to help me. Everything became miserable."
He turned towards her.
"Meanwhile, you moved on with your life. You found someone else. And not just anybody. You ended up with Min Yoongi."
He shook his head.
"Min Yoongi. A popular artist with money, fame and everything I never had."
"That has nothing to do with you," Seo-yeon replied.
His smile disappeared.
"Nothing to do with me?"
"No. We ended our relationship. You made your choices, and I made mine. You have no right to interfere in my life."
Daehyun stared at her before pulling his phone out.
"Do you know something interesting? The reason everyone knows your personal information now is because of me."
Seo-yeon went still.
"What?"
"I was the one who disclosed your information online."
Her lips parted.
"You?"
He nodded.
"Yes, me. I gave people your accounts and personal details. I knew they would find you. I knew they would start talking about you."
"Why would you do that?"
"Because I wanted you to experience what I was experiencing."
Seo-yeon stared at him in disbelief.
"You caused all of this? People have been threatening me for months. Some of them even came to my parents' house!"
"And you think I don't know?"
He moved closer.
"I've been watching everything. I watched you become the centre of attention. I watched you attend events with Min Yoongi. I watched him stand in front of those cameras and announce that you were his girlfriend."
His eyes moved to her stomach again.
"And then he announced that you're carrying his twins."
Seo-yeon looked away.
"I didn't do anything to you, Daehyun."
"That's exactly the problem!"
He slammed his hand against the chair.
"You left me with nothing, and now you expect me to sit somewhere and watch you enjoy your perfect life?"
"You were the one who betrayed me!" she shouted, tears gathering in her eyes. "You cheated on me. You hurt me. I left because I couldn't continue being with someone who treated me that way."
Daehyun's jaw tightened.
"Don't bring that up."
"Why shouldn't I? Have you forgotten what you did?"
"I said don't bring it up!"
His sudden outburst made her flinch.
He took a breath and looked at her again.
"Look at you now. You're carrying two children for another man. You're about to have a family with someone who can give you everything. And you expect me to watch all of that?"
"Please, I just want to go home."
Daehyun pulled the chair closer and sat down.
"There's something I need from you."
"What?"
"Your boyfriend's number."
She frowned.
"What?"
"Min Yoongi's phone number. Give it to me."
Seo-yeon stared at him.
"Why do you need his number?"
"That's none of your business. Just give it to me."
"I don't have it memorised."
"Then use your phone."
"Where is my phone?"
Daehyun reached into his pocket and brought it out.
He placed it on the chair beside him.
"Here. Unlock it."
Seo-yeon looked at the phone but didn't reach for it.
"Daehyun, what do you want to do with his number?"
He leaned forward.
"I want to speak to him."
"About what?"
"That doesn't concern you."
"Then why are you asking me for his number?"
His expression hardened.
"Because I want him to know that I have you."
Seo-yeon's breathing became uneven.
"Please don't do this."
"Do what? I'm only asking for a phone number."
"Don't involve Yoongi."
Daehyun laughed.
"Don't involve him? He's the reason we're having this conversation. He's the man enjoying the life I should have had with you."
"Yoongi has done nothing to you."
"Then he should have no problem helping you."
Seo-yeon shook her head.
"What do you want from him?"
Daehyun picked up her phone and waved it in front of her.
"Once I get his number, I'll call him. I'll tell him exactly where you are and what will happen if he refuses to cooperate."
Her eyes widened.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean he'll have to pay if he wants to see you again."
Seo-yeon stared at him.
"You're demanding money from him?"
"Call it whatever you want. Ransom, compensation, whatever makes you feel better."
"Daehyun, please. Don't drag him into this."
He stood up.
"You're going to give me his number, Seo-yeon. And you're going to help me make that call."
"What if I refuse?"
Daehyun looked at her for a moment.
"Then I'll contact him another way. But I doubt you'll want to take that chance."
He slipped her phone back into his pocket.
"I'll give you some time to think about it."
He walked towards the door.
"Daehyun!"
He stopped.
"Please, at least let me drink some water. I'm not feeling well."
He looked at her stomach, then at her face.
For a moment, he seemed to consider her request.
"I'll bring you something."
He opened the door and stepped outside, locking it behind him.
Seo-yeon lowered her head, tears rolling down her cheeks. She placed her hands over her stomach and gently rubbed it.
"Please, my babies. Please be okay."
She tried to steady her breathing, but the fear of what Daehyun might do next made it difficult.