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Chapter One: Where did they go?
Group Chat: So Family
(Created years ago. Used daily. Always loud. Always warm.)
Ha-ri So
Hyeon, are you dressed yet?
The message is casual. Familiar. The kind sent without fear of conflict.
Hana So
Sweetheart, we’re leaving in thirty.
Hyeon-u So
Then leave without me.
A pause. No one sends anything for six seconds.
Hyeon-U is sitting on the edge of his bed, hair still damp, phone clenched too tightly.
Ha-ri So
Please don’t do this today.
Hyeon-u So
I told you I don’t approve…
Ha-ri So
😠 You don’t even know him !
The typing bubble appears under Ha-ri’s name. Disappears. Appears again.
Hana So
This is my daughters bridal shower.
Hana So
And you will be there.
Hyeon-U has never lost this fight before. His family have always had him eating off of a silver spoon. 🥄
Jong-suk So
Mind your tone Hyeon-u.
Hyeon-u So
I am minding it.
Hyeon-u So
I’m not pretending to be happy for something I know is wrong. He is not the right guy for my amazing sister. 😤
Ha-ri reads the message. Doesn’t reply immediately.
Ha-ri So
I wanted you beside me.
That lands. He swallows. Types anyway.
Hyeon-u So
Then you shouldn’t have chosen him.
This is the moment that will replay in his head for the rest of his life.
Hana So
We are leaving now.
Hana So
You can apologize when we get back.
Hyeon-u So
I’m not apologizing.
Jong-suk So
We will talk about this later.
PRIVATE CHAT — HYEON-U & HA-RI
Opened immediately after the group chat stops.
Hyeon-u So
He isn’t who you think he is.
Three dots. Then nothing.
Hyeon-u So
I’m trying to protect you.
Hyeon-U throws his phone onto the bed and tells himself he’s done enough.
He believes it.
⏰ THREE HOURS LATER
Breaking News Alert (forwarded automatically into his messages):
🚨 BREAKING NEWS ‼️
URGENT: Prominent pharmaceutical executives Jong-suk So and Hana So reported missing after failing to arrive at a private event. Authorities are investigating possible foul play.
This is where the story stops being about a fight.
And becomes about guilt.
Hyeon-U sits on his bed staring at the ceiling as messages from everyone expect his family come through trying to get ahold of him.
Chapter Two: Reckless (P1)
Hyeon-U stares at his phone.
The same chat. Weeks. Months.
PRIVATE CHAT — HYEON-U & HA-RI
Hyeon-u So
Just answer me. One word.
Hyeon-u So
I’m not asking for an explanation. I’m asking for proof you are alive.
Older messages. 3 a.m. messages.
The kind of silence that feels smug.
He swallows and sets the phone down on the marble counter.
Seoul hums outside—traffic, a distant siren, wind against glass.
He makes tea.
Doesn’t drink it.
His eyes keep drifting back to the phone.
UNKNOWN NUMBER
Mr. So. I have what you asked for.
UNKNOWN NUMBER
It’s not good.
His stomach doesn’t drop.
PI: Ji-woo
You asked me to trace your family’s last known movements. Patterns. People. Names.
Hyeon-u So
I didn’t ask for a recap. What did you find?
PI: Ji-woo
There’s a group. Not official. Not a gang—more like an organization. They launder through nightlife. Logistics. Security contracts.
Hyeon-U’s throat goes dry.
PI: Ji-woo
I’m sending locations too. But you need to hear me before you do anything reckless.
Hyeon-u So
Reckless is relative.
PI: Ji-woo
Mr. So… this isn’t something you tug alone. These people don’t get investigated—
Hyeon-u So
I didn’t hire you to tell me what I can’t do.
PI: Ji-woo
One name is tied to a club chain. Private rooms. Omega clientele. Discreet transactions.
Hyeon-u So
Send me everything. Now.
Addresses. Names. A grainy photo.
PI: Ji-woo
Please reconsider-
Hyeon-U doesn’t wait for him to finish before hanging up on him.
He doesn’t finish his tea.
Puts on his coat like armor.
He didn’t realize how much deeper all of this went.
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