The rain still beat against the mansion’s tall windows, filling the silence that stretched between them. Koo sat curled on the couch, fingers knotted in her lap, lips trembling as she tried to hold herself together. Tae leaned back slightly, his gaze steady, patient, waiting for her to speak.

Finally, her voice broke the quiet, soft and quivering.

“My boyfriend…” she started, staring at the floor. “He’s… not a good man.”

Tae’s jaw tightened. He didn’t move, letting her continue.

“He hits me sometimes. Shouts all the time. I thought… maybe if I stayed quiet, if I obeyed, he wouldn’t…” Her voice wavered, and tears spilled down her cheeks. “But last night… I heard him. On the phone. He said he was going to throw me away—sell me to men. And Aera—” her voice cracked, and her hand flew to her mouth, stifling a sob, “—he said he’d sell my baby girl for money.”

Tae’s blood turned hot. His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw locked so tight it ached. He leaned forward, his voice low, almost growling.

“He said that?”

Koo nodded weakly, tears streaming down her face. “I didn’t think. I just… took her and ran.”

Tae’s chest heaved with restrained fury. For a moment, he imagined finding that bastard, wrapping his hands around his throat, making him pay for even thinking such filth. But then his eyes returned to the fragile girl before him—the way she clutched herself like she could disappear, the way her body trembled under the weight of her fear.

Softly, he asked, “Do you have a place to go? Family? Anyone?”

Koo shook her head slowly. “No… no one. My parents died years ago. I’ve been alone ever since.” She hugged her knees, her wet hair falling forward. “I don’t know where else to go.”

Tae exhaled, running a hand through his hair. The storm outside seemed quieter compared to the storm in his chest. He looked at her, really looked at her—this beautiful, broken girl clutching a life she was desperate to protect.

“You can stay here,” he said firmly.

Koo’s head snapped up, eyes wide. “W-What?”

“You and your baby. This house is too big for one person anyway. You can stay as long as you need. If you want… you can help around here. Cook, clean, whatever makes you comfortable. I’ll pay you for it, too.”

Her lips parted in shock. “Really? You would do that… for me?”

Tae nodded once. “Yes.”

For a moment, Koo just stared at him, like she couldn’t believe it. Then, without thinking, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him.

“Thank you, sir!” she sobbed into his chest.

Tae froze, his arms hanging in the air. Her soft body pressed against him, her breasts flattening against his chest, her sweet scent mixing with the faint soap from her shower. Heat shot straight down his body, and before he could stop it, he felt himself harden.

God. He swore under his breath in his head. She has no idea what she’s doing to me.

Slowly, carefully, he brought a hand up and rested it gently on her back. His voice was rough when he spoke. “Don’t thank me. You and your baby are safe here. I’ll protect you.”

Koo pulled back, wiping her eyes, her lips curling into the softest smile. For the first time that night, she didn’t look broken—she looked hopeful.

He cleared his throat. “And… don’t call me ‘sir’. My name is Taehyung. But you can call me Tae.”

Her smile widened, her pink lips parting. “Tae…” she repeated softly, like the name itself was a gift. “Okay. Thank you, Tae.”

Something warm settled deep in his chest at the way she said it.

They sat there for a moment longer before Koo finally stood, her legs still trembling from exhaustion. “I should rest… Aera will wake soon for milk.”

Tae nodded, rising to his feet as well. He walked her back to the guest room, watching as she tucked her baby in, smoothing the soft blanket over her.

At the door, she turned, her eyes shining. “Goodnight, Tae.”

He gave a small smile. “Goodnight, Koo.”

When he returned to his own room, Tae shut the door and leaned against it, dragging a hand down his face.

How the hell was he supposed to sleep tonight, with her just down the hall? With the memory of her wet dress clinging to her curves, the sound of her calling his name in that sweet, innocent voice?

Tae lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his body still aching with hunger he didn’t dare act on.

This girl had no idea what she’d done to him.

And God help him, he wasn’t sure how long he could resist.