The moment I was rescued, I felt like I was in someone else's body, watching the scene from the outside. Jun and Seong rushed to my side, their faces stricken with relief, but I barely acknowledged them. Their voices blended into the background, a low hum of concern, guilt, and love. All I could think about was getting away, putting as much distance as I could between them and the raw fear that still gripped my chest.
Jun tried to hold me, his hand trembling as he brushed my hair away from my face, but I pulled back, unable to take the weight of his touch.
"Censia... I'm so sorry. Please, let me help you," Jun said, his voice breaking with emotion.
I shook my head, staring at the ground. "I just... I need space."
Seong stepped forward, his eyes filled with worry, but I couldn't bring myself to look at him. The sight of them, together yet separate from me, reminded me of how lost I felt between them—like I didn't belong in their world anymore. Everything had become too overwhelming.
Before they could say anything else, I turned to Ji-Ho, the only person I felt I could trust right now. "Can you take me to my cousin's place?" I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
Ji-Ho's face softened. He nodded without hesitation. "Of course, Censia."
I didn't wait for Jun or Seong to protest. I got into Ji-Ho's car, leaving them standing behind, watching me leave. I could feel their hurt, their confusion, but I didn't have the strength to comfort them. Right now, I needed to get away from everything, from them.
---
At my cousin's apartment, I found a strange kind of solace. The small space was cozy, filled with the warmth of someone who had always been my quiet refuge. For a week, I stayed there, refusing to answer any calls, ignoring the messages piling up on my phone. Even when my cousin asked about what had happened, I gave her vague answers, evading the reality of my trauma.
I spent my days staring out the window, letting the monotony of life pass by. At night, I curled up in bed, battling my thoughts, wondering if running away from the city, from Jun and Seong, was my only option. It would be easier to leave them behind, wouldn't it? To slip out of their lives before everything got even messier?
But every time I considered packing my bags, something stopped me. A deep ache in my chest told me that no matter how distant I felt, there was still a part of me that loved them. And that made everything more confusing.
---
One afternoon, I was alone at my cousin's apartment. She had gone out for work, and I was lazily flipping through a book, trying to distract myself from the knot of emotions inside me. The apartment was silent, except for the faint hum of traffic outside.
Suddenly, I felt it. The uncomfortable sensation of being watched.
I froze, every muscle in my body tensing. Slowly, I stood and moved toward the window, my heart pounding in my chest. Peering through the blinds, I scanned the street below, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Just the usual hustle and bustle of city life. Maybe I was imagining things.
Still, the feeling didn't go away. I moved to the door, double-checking the lock. But before I could secure it, the door burst open with force, knocking me backward. A figure loomed in the doorway—Hyun Su.
My blood turned cold as I recognized him, his eyes dark with fury. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him with a menacing smirk.
"You thought you could get me arrested and that'd be the end of it?" he sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "You ruined my life, Censia. Now I'm here to take back what's mine."
Fear seized me as I tried to back away, but he was too fast. In an instant, Hyun Su grabbed me, shoving me against the wall. His grip was bruising, and I could smell the alcohol on his breath.
"No... please..." I gasped, struggling against him, but his strength overpowered me. I felt his hands roaming over me, his breath hot against my neck. Tears welled up in my eyes as panic set in, my body trembling with fear.
"Shut up," he growled, forcing me down to the floor. I screamed, kicking and scratching at him, but nothing worked. He pinned me down, his weight crushing me, and I felt like the walls were closing in. My vision blurred as tears streamed down my face. How could this be happening?
Just as I thought I was about to lose everything, the door burst open. A figure appeared in the doorway, and in a flash, Hyun Su was pulled off me.
"Nathan!" I cried, gasping for breath.
Nathan's face was a mix of fury and protectiveness as he threw Hyun Su against the wall. "You sick bastard!" Nathan roared, landing a punch squarely on Hyun Su's jaw.
Hyun Su staggered, clutching his face, but Nathan didn't stop. He kept hitting him, his fists flying with a vengeance. I scrambled back, watching in shock as the two men fought. Hyun Su managed to push Nathan off, but before he could do anything else, Nathan was back on him, knocking him down to the ground.
"I'm calling the police," I whispered, grabbing my phone with shaky hands. My heart raced, but I managed to dial, my voice trembling as I explained the situation. Within minutes, sirens filled the air, and Hyun Su was dragged away in handcuffs.
Nathan, bruised and panting, turned to me, his eyes softening. "Are you okay?"
I nodded, my voice hoarse. "I think so. Thank you... I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't come."
He stepped closer, gently lifting me to my feet. His hands lingered on my shoulders, his touch warm and comforting. "I'm just glad I got here in time."
I stared at him, overwhelmed by everything. Tears welled up again, but this time, they were tears of relief. Nathan pulled me into a hug, holding me tightly as I broke down, sobbing into his chest.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I didn't know what else to do. I thought he was going to—"
"You don't need to apologize," Nathan said softly, stroking my hair. "You're safe now."
I clung to him, my body trembling. For a moment, everything else disappeared—the chaos of my life, the pain, the confusion. I felt safe in his arms, like maybe things could get better. But as the adrenaline began to wear off, I couldn't help but wonder how much longer I could keep running from everything, from the mess that had become my life.
When Nathan finally pulled away, he looked at me with concern. "You need to report this. He can't get away with it."
I nodded, wiping my tears. "I will... I just need a moment."
Nathan squeezed my hand gently. "Take all the time you need. I'll be here."
As he left the room to give me some space, I sat down on the couch, my heart still racing. I couldn't believe Hyun Su had come back to take revenge, and the fact that he had almost succeeded made my skin crawl. The memories of what had just happened clung to me like a shadow, dark and suffocating.
But for now, I was safe. And maybe that was enough to hold on to for a little longer.