James doesn't text.
He calls.
I answer on the second ring.
"Hey," I say. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," he says. Then, "Are you home?"
"Yeah… why?"
"Turn on the news."
"Okay..."
The headline is already running.
Billionaire Developer Taken into Custody — Federal Financial Crimes Investigation
The caption reads:
Chairman Daniel Song — Under Investigation
Song?
My stomach drops.
"They confirmed it," James says quickly. "His son is Song Jae-In, I saw his picture."
The room stills.
They show Jae's father for a second — stepping out of a black SUV. Calm. Controlled. Surrounded by security.
Not surprised. Prepared.
"He never told me," I say quietly.
"You didn't know?"
"No."
"They're saying it started from inside the family."
I nod slowly.
"Okay."
"You good?"
"I… don't know yet."
"Call him."
"I will."
We hang up.
I stare at Jae's name in my phone.
I realize I don't actually know everything about him.
I call him.
He answers immediately.
"Laura."
Steady. Grounded. Like he was expecting me.
"I saw the news," I say.
"I assumed you would."
His voice is calm. Too calm.
"Is it true?" I ask carefully. "About… the internal source?"
"Yes."
A small pause.
"It was you?"
"Yes."
No hesitation. No excuse.
"You turned your father in," I say.
"I reported financial crimes," he corrects evenly. "The rest is procedure."
I swallow. "That's… big."
"Yes."
There's no drama in his tone. Just fact.
"Are you okay?" I ask.
A beat.
"I'm fine."
"Actually fine?" I press gently.
"I'm functioning," he says. "That's what matters right now."
Not really an answer. But honest in its own way.
I hesitate before the next question.
"You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to," I say first. "I just— I'm trying to understand."
"I know."
The softness in that almost undoes me.
"Why did you do it?" I ask.
A pause.
"For Jessica," he says.
His sister.
"She doesn't get to grow up inside that."
There's something unmovable in his voice.
"And you?" I ask quietly.
Another pause.
"There are things that needed to end," he says.
He doesn't elaborate. I don't push.
"Are you safe?" I ask instead.
"Yes."
"Like… actually safe?"
"Yes."
"Where are you?"
"Not at the main house tonight."
I feel hollow for a second.
"Oh."
"Jessica and I are staying somewhere else."
"For how long?"
"As long as necessary."
He doesn't offer details. I don't ask for an address.
"You planned this," I say.
"Yes."
"How?" I press.
"My mother," he says. "She made sure we'd be ready."
I go quiet.
"She anticipated him," he adds.
That lands heavy.
"I'm glad you're not there," I say softly.
A pause between us.
"You were going to tell me?" I ask carefully.
"Yes."
"I wasn't hiding it from you, just waiting until it's safe to tell you everything." he continues.
I exhale quietly.
"That's very you."
A faint shift in his voice. Almost amusement.
"Yes."
"I don't need details today," I say. "I just needed to hear your voice."
There's a small silence.
"I'm here," he says.
"I know."
"Laura."
"Yeah?"
"I didn't do this recklessly."
"I didn't think you did."
Another pause.
"When do I see you?" I ask.
"Tomorrow."
"Okay."
"There are cameras around the main house. And probably other places. I don't want you anywhere near that. Understand?"
"Okay," I say.
Silence settles. But it's not sharp. Just heavy.
"I'm glad you called," he says.
"I'm glad you answered."
A small pause.
"I'll call you in the morning," he says. "Before anyone else does."
"Okay."
"And Laura?"
"Yeah?"
"You don't need to worry about me. I'm fine."
The certainty in his voice makes something inside me steady.
"Okay," I whisper.
A beat. Then:
"See you tomorrow."
"Yeah," I say, a little smile tugging at my lips.
We hang up.