BENEATH HIS COLD EMPIRE

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Blood.

That was the first thing Jae-hyun saw when he turned the corner — Seo-rin lying on the ground, her eyes wide in shock, her hand pressed desperately against the wound on her side.

Time slowed.

Taeyang was shouting. Gunfire echoed. And the man who shot her — the one who had been lurking in the shadows of Jae-hyun's cold empire — was already raising his weapon again.

But he never got the chance to fire.

Jae-hyun moved like a phantom.

One bullet.

One kill.

It was over in seconds.

But her blood kept pouring.

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He scooped her into his arms, heart pounding, mask shattered. "Stay with me," he growled, pressing his hand against the wound. "Don't you dare close your eyes."

Seo-rin blinked up at him, pain dulling her vision. "You… came."

"Of course I came," he hissed. "You think I'd let someone touch what's mine?"

Her eyes fluttered. "Then say it…"

He didn't respond.

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Hospital Room — Hours Later

Jae-hyun hadn't moved from her bedside. His white shirt was stained with dried blood, knuckles bruised, eyes hollow. He looked like a man who had fought off death with his bare hands.

Because he had.

Seo-rin's fingers twitched.

Then her eyes opened.

He stood immediately, voice low but urgent. "You're awake."

She smiled weakly. "You're still here."

He sat beside her without a word.

Silence stretched between them before she whispered, "Jae-hyun… do you like me?"

His jaw clenched.

A pause.

"I stayed to protect you," he said, his voice cold again. "That's all."

Her smile faded. "Liar."

He looked away.

"I almost died," she said, softer now. "And you still won't admit it."

He didn't move. Couldn't speak. Pride chained his throat shut, even as his heart screamed every word he wouldn't say.

She turned her face away.

And Jae-hyun sat in silence, staring at the girl who nearly bled out in his arms — and the truth he was too proud to say aloud.

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