The truth doesn't always set you free.
Sometimes… it destroys you first.
She never imagined that loving him would one day put her life in danger.
Yet here she was — standing in the middle of the chaos he had brought back into her world.
The man walking toward them stepped into the streetlight.
And she recognized him.
Her blood ran cold.The man walking toward them stepped into the streetlight.
And she recognized him.
Her blood ran cold.
"He's the one…" she whispered.
Arin's grip on her hand tightened.
"I told you I was protecting you."
Memories crashed into her mind like shattered glass.
Three years ago —
the accident,
the missing evidence,
the sudden threats…
It wasn't a coincidence.
It was planned.And Arin had been in the middle of it all.
Her eyes slowly turned to him.
"Tell me the truth," she said, her voice trembling but firm.
"Were you saving me… or using me?"
Silence answered first.
Then Arin finally spoke.
And the truth began to bleed.Arin didn't look away this time.
"I never used you," he said quietly. "But I did lie to you."
Her chest tightened.
"The accident three years ago… it wasn't random."
Her breath caught. "What do you mean?"
"They were after your father," Arin continued. "He discovered something he shouldn't have — illegal accounts, powerful names, dangerous people."
Her mind spun.
"No… my father's death was ruled an accident."
"It was covered up."The words hit harder than a slap.
"I was working for them back then," Arin admitted, guilt darkening his voice. "Not because I wanted to… but because I had no choice."
Tears burned in her eyes. "So you were part of it?"
"I was sent to get close to you."
Silence shattered inside her.
"But I didn't expect to fall in love with you," he whispered. "And when I realized they planned to eliminate your father — and maybe you — I tried to stop it."
Her heart pounded violently.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"I left because they threatened to kill youThe man from the street stepped closer.
"Time's up, Arin."
Fear flooded her veins.
Arin turned to her one last time.
"If you want the full truth… check the locker at Central Station. Code is your birthday."
Before she could react, the stranger grabbed him.
And this time—
Arin didn't fight back.