"Wait—don't pack that one. I'm not done deciding!"
Soo-Min's voice echoed through the boutique as she stood in front of a full-length mirror, holding up two dresses at once, her brows slightly furrowed in deep concentration—as if this was the most important decision of her life.
Her best friend groaned from the couch. "You've been deciding for twenty minutes."
"It's a serious decision," Soo-Min replied defensively. "This one is elegant… but this one is cute."
"So pick one."
"I like both."
"That's the problem!"
Soo-Min ignored her, turning slightly from side to side, examining herself carefully before finally smiling.
"I'll take both."
Her friend dropped her head back in defeat. "Of course you will."
Soo-Min laughed softly, completely unbothered.
Life had always been like this for her.
Simple.
Easy.
Soft.
If she liked something, she got it.
If she didn't, she avoided it.
There was never a reason to struggle.
Shopping bags filled the back seat of the car as they drove through the city, laughter spilling between them as Soo-Min scrolled through her phone.
"Look at this," her friend said suddenly, leaning closer. "People are still talking about that new guy."
Soo-Min didn't need to ask who.
Her lips curved slightly. "What about him now?"
"They said someone tried talking to him again today… and he ignored them completely."
Soo-Min chuckled. "That sounds like him."
"You're not scared of him at all, are you?"
She tilted her head, thinking for a moment.
"…No."
"Why?"
Soo-Min looked out the window, watching the city blur past.
"I don't know," she said honestly. "He just doesn't feel like a bad person."
Her friend stared at her. "He literally doesn't talk."
"Exactly," Soo-Min smiled faintly. "People who talk too much hide more."
Her friend blinked. "You say that like you don't talk a lot."
Soo-Min laughed. "I don't hide anything."
And that was true.
She never did.
By the time she returned home, the sun had begun to set, casting a warm golden glow over the Choi mansion. The gates opened automatically as her car pulled in, revealing the grand house she had always known as home.
Beautiful.
Perfect.
Safe.
At least… that's what she believed.
Dinner was already prepared.
As always.
Her mother sat elegantly at the table, a gentle smile on her face the moment Soo-Min walked in.
"You're late," she said softly.
"I went shopping," Soo-Min replied casually, taking her seat. "I was stressed."
Her father raised a brow slightly. "Stressed? From what?"
"School," she said immediately.
Her brother, Hyun-Seok, let out a quiet scoff.
"You just started attending again."
"That's exactly why it's stressful," she shot back.
Her mother chuckled, placing food onto her plate. "Eat first. You think better when you're full."
Soo-Min smiled brightly. "See? Mom understands me."
Her father shook his head, though there was no real disapproval in his expression.
"Did anything interesting happen at school?" he asked.
Soo-Min's eyes lit up slightly.
"Yes."
Her brother's hand paused for a brief moment.
"There's a new student," she continued, completely unaware of the subtle shift in the room. "He's really quiet… and rude."
Hyun-Seok's gaze darkened slightly. "Rude?"
"He ignored me," she said, pouting a little. "Can you imagine?"
Her mother laughed softly. "Maybe he's just shy."
"No," Soo-Min shook her head. "He's not shy. He's just… different."
Her father leaned back slightly, observing her. "And you're interested?"
"Of course," she said without hesitation. "He's interesting."
Her brother's expression hardened.
"Stay away from him."
The words came out firmer than expected.
Soo-Min frowned immediately. "Why?"
"Because I said so."
"I don't like that reason," she replied, crossing her arms.
"Soo-Min—"
"No," she cut in, her voice still light but stubborn. "You always say things like that without explaining. It's annoying."
Silence fell over the table.
Brief.
Tense.
Her mother quickly stepped in, her voice gentle. "Alright, that's enough. Let's not argue over something small."
Just like that—
The tension eased.
Because in Soo-Min's world…
Things never stayed heavy for long.
Later that night, she lay on her bed, scrolling through her phone, her mind drifting back to the boy at school.
His cold eyes.
His quiet voice.
The way he looked at her like she was… nothing.
Her lips curved slightly.
"Rude brat," she murmured to herself.
But there was no irritation in her voice this time.
Only curiosity.
Downstairs…
The atmosphere was different.
Completely different.
Hyun-Seok stood by the window, his expression no longer calm.
"She mentioned him," he said quietly.
Her father's face hardened. "Already?"
"Yes."
Silence.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
"Keep an eye on it," his father said finally.
Hyun-Seok nodded slowly.
"I will."
Upstairs, Soo-Min turned off her phone, completely unaware of the conversation happening below.
Unaware of the tension.
Unaware of the danger.
Unaware that the boy she found "interesting"…
Was already walking straight into the secrets her family was trying to keep buried.
And for now—
She slept peacefully.
Like someone who had never known fear.