The next morning, Koo waited like a shadow until Suho left for his office. She stood at the window, watching his car roll out of the driveway. Only when she was sure he was gone did she finally exhale, her chest heavy with dread and longing.

She had barely slept. Her pussy still throbbed, her ass stung, and her cheek carried the faint red mark from his slap. Every time she closed her eyes, she felt Suho’s anger—his hand, his voice, his cock ramming into her without care.

But all her heart wanted was Tae.

She slipped into her sluttiest dress—tight, short, her cleavage spilling free. She painted her lips with trembling hands, as if dressing for him, not for herself. She grabbed her purse and rushed out the door, her heart hammering as if someone might catch her.

—

She prayed silently with each step, each turn of the cab’s wheels. Please let him still be there. Please let me see him again. Please, God.

Finally, the cab stopped outside a modest little house, quiet and tucked away. Koo’s breath caught in her throat.

She climbed out, her knees weak, and approached the door. She raised her hand, hesitating, her eyes already wet with tears. What if he wasn’t there? What if he had left forever?

She knocked softly. Then again, harder, almost desperate.

The door opened.

And there he was. Tae.

His hair messy, shirt loose, his eyes widening in shock the moment he saw her.

“Koo…” his voice was low, disbelieving.

Her tears spilled instantly. “T-Tae…”

He stepped back, letting her in quickly, and shut the door behind her. His gaze fell to her cheek, and his jaw clenched.

“What happened?” he demanded, his voice sharp with anger.

Koo broke. She burst into sobs, her body shaking. “S-Suho… he slapped me… last night…”

Tae’s face darkened, his nostrils flaring.

“He found out… I shaved… my pussy,” she whispered through tears, shame dripping from every word.

Tae’s fists clenched, his chest rising and falling heavily. “That bastard—” he growled, his voice filled with violence. He stormed toward the door. “I’m going to kill him.”

“No!” Koo cried, stumbling forward, grabbing his arm with trembling hands. “Please, Tae… please don’t… you’ll ruin everything…”

He stopped, his muscles still taut with rage. He turned back, his eyes burning, but the sight of her crying held him in place.

Slowly, he lifted his hand and cupped her cheek—the one marked with Suho’s slap. His thumb brushed the faint redness so gently it made her sob harder.

“Baby…” he whispered, pulling her close.

She collapsed into his chest, burying her face into him, her tears soaking his shirt. His arms locked around her, tight, protective, his heartbeat thundering against her ear.

“He slapped… my pussy too,” she cried brokenly, her voice shaking. “So many times… it hurts so much, Tae… he slapped me there until I screamed… then he fucked me so hard… slapped my ass… again and again… I thought I’d break…”

Tae’s embrace tightened, his jaw pressing against the top of her head, fury radiating off him. His voice came out low, strained, trembling with anger.

“He did that to you?”

She nodded against his chest, sobbing.

He squeezed her waist, pulling her even closer. “I swear, Koo… one day I’ll tear him apart for touching you like that.”

Her hands clung to him desperately, her body trembling. “Tae… it hurt so much… but being here, with you… it feels like I can breathe again.”

He tilted her chin up, his eyes softening as they met hers, though the fire of rage still burned deep within. “It’s okay, baby. I’m here. I’m here now. Don’t cry anymore, please.”

Her lips quivered. “Tae…”

His thumb brushed her tears away, and before she could speak another word, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

The kiss was deep, desperate, filled with everything they had been holding back. Her tears wet their mouths, but he kissed them away, his tongue sliding into her, claiming her gently but firmly.

Koo melted into him, sobbing into his kiss, clutching his shirt as though she’d disappear without him.

Tae kissed her again and again, whispering against her lips, “Mine… you’re mine, baby… no one hurts you while I’m here.”

And for the first time in days, Koo felt safe.