The rain lashed against the hospital windows, mirroring the pounding of Yuri’s heart.

​She had just finished a grueling 12-hour shift. The corridors were empty, the flickering fluorescent lights casting long, eerie shadows. As she stepped into the elevator, she sighed, leaning her head against the cold metal wall.

​Suddenly, a large, calloused hand shot out, catching the elevator doors just before they closed.

​Yuri gasped, stepping back as a man stepped inside. The air in the small space instantly thickened, suffocatingly heavy with the scent of expensive cologne, rain, and something metallic. Danger.

​"Going down?" the man asked. His voice was smooth as velvet, but laced with a dark, commanding edge.

​Yuri looked up and froze. It was him. The man from the alley.

​He was no longer covered in blood and dirt. Instead, he wore a flawlessly tailored midnight-black suit that hugged his broad shoulders. His silver hair fell perfectly over his forehead, and his sharp, beautiful eyes were locked onto her with a hunger that made her tremble.

​"Y-You," Yuri stammered, her medical bag slipping from her fingers. "You're healed."

​Park Jimin took a slow, deliberate step forward. The elevator doors slid shut behind him, trapping them inside. He didn't press a button.

​"I am," Jimin murmured, stepping closer until Yuri's back hit the wall. "Thanks to my little savior."

​"I... I was just doing my job," Yuri breathed, her heart hammering against her ribs. She tried to slide past him, but his arm shot out, planting his hand on the wall beside her head, caging her in.

​"And I am just doing mine," he whispered, leaning in so close his lips almost brushed her ear. "I pay my debts, Yuri."

​Her breath hitched. How did he know her name?

​"I don't want your money," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I told you that night. We're even. Please, let me go."

​Jimin chuckled—a low, dark sound that vibrated in his chest. He reached up, his long fingers gently brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. The touch was impossibly soft, completely at odds with the terrifying aura radiating from him.

​"We are far from even, mi amor," Jimin said, his eyes darkening into obsidian. "For the last twenty-two days, I have watched you. I know you drink your coffee with two sugars. I know you walk home on the right side of the street. I know that idiot doctor in the ER tried to ask you out yesterday."

​Yuri’s eyes widened in sheer terror. "Are you... stalking me?"

​"I am protecting what is mine," he corrected effortlessly. He trailed a knuckle down her cheek, his gaze dropping to her trembling lips. "Pack your bags, Yuri. The apartment you live in isn't safe."

​"I am not going anywhere with you!" she shouted, finally pushing against his chest. It was like pushing a brick wall.

​Jimin caught both of her wrists in one hand, pinning them gently but firmly against the elevator wall. The playful smirk vanished from his face, replaced by a terrifying, possessive intensity.

​"I bought this hospital an hour ago," Jimin stated coldly. "I bought the bank that holds your family's mortgage. I own the ground you are standing on, Yuri. You aren't going home to that rotting apartment. You are coming with me. If you say no, I will burn this city down until there is nowhere left for you to hide but my arms."

​The elevator gave a soft ding, but the doors didn't open. The emergency stop button had been pressed.

​"Now," Jimin whispered, his lips grazing hers. "Tell me you understand."

​The silence in the trapped elevator was deafening, broken only by Yuri’s ragged breathing. Jimin’s imposing frame completely boxed her in, his dark eyes stripping away every defense she had.

​He didn't need her to speak. Her trembling lower lip and wide, terrified eyes gave him the answer he wanted.

​With a satisfied smirk, Jimin finally pulled back just an inch. He reached out, his thumb gently catching a damp coil of her short, dark curly hair, tucking it behind her ear. His gaze trailed down to her attire—a soft green, textured button-up shirt, the sleeves still rolled up to her elbows from her grueling shift. She looked exhausted, delicate, and utterly perfect.

​"Good girl," he murmured, his voice a lethal caress.

​He reached behind him and flicked the emergency switch. The elevator hummed back to life, instantly descending past the lobby and plunging straight into the underground VIP parking garage.

​"Wait, my things—my locker!" Yuri protested, finding a fraction of her voice.

​"Already collected and packed," Jimin replied smoothly, adjusting the cuffs of his suit without looking at her. "There is nothing left for you in this building. From now on, your skills belong exclusively to me."

​Ding.

​The doors slid open. Yuri expected to see the familiar concrete walls of the hospital garage, but instead, her breath caught in her throat.

​The garage was entirely blocked off. A fleet of sleek, bulletproof black SUVs sat idling, their headlights cutting through the dimness. Standing by the open door of a massive Rolls-Royce Phantom was a tall, strikingly handsome man with a playful, yet dangerous glint in his eye.

​"Welcome back, Boss," Kim Taehyung chimed, flashing a boxy, charismatic smile. His eyes flicked to Yuri, scanning her from head to toe before he gave a low whistle. "So, this is the little bird that’s been keeping you up at night. She's smaller than I expected."

​"Eyes on the floor, Taehyung," Jimin warned, his voice dropping an octave, cold and completely devoid of the warmth he had just shown Yuri.

​Taehyung immediately raised his hands in surrender, though his smirk remained. "Just admiring the rescue mission, Boss. The perimeter is secure. Jungkook wiped the hospital's security feeds ten minutes ago. To the world, Nurse Yuri practically vanished into thin air."

​Vanished. The word slammed into Yuri like a physical blow.

​Panic surged through her veins. She couldn't let this happen. Without thinking, she shoved past Jimin, sprinting toward the exit ramp. "Help!" she screamed, her voice echoing off the concrete walls. "Somebody help me!"

​She didn't make it five steps.

​A strong arm wrapped around her waist, lifting her effortlessly off the ground. Yuri kicked and thrashed, striking out at the solid chest holding her, but Jimin didn't even flinch. He simply pulled her back against him, securing her wrists with one hand while holding her tight against his body.

​"Shh," Jimin hushed her, burying his face in the crook of her neck and inhaling deeply. The scent of rain and antiseptic seemed to calm the beast inside him. "Fighting me will only exhaust you, mi amor. And you have a long night ahead of you."

​"You're a monster," she choked out, tears finally spilling hot and fast down her cheeks.

​"I am whatever I need to be to keep you safe," Jimin replied calmly. He carried her to the car, gently but forcefully depositing her into the plush leather backseat before sliding in beside her.

​Taehyung shut the door, plunging them into the dark, soundproof interior. The locks clicked instantly.

​As the motorcade peeled out of the garage and into the stormy Seoul night, Yuri pressed herself against the farthest door, hugging her knees to her chest. She watched the neon city lights blur past the tinted windows—the city she used to call home.

​Jimin poured a glass of amber liquid from the car's minibar, taking a slow sip as he watched her reflection in the window.

​"Your friend, Eun-ji," Jimin stated casually, making Yuri freeze. "She is currently sleeping soundly in your apartment. I suggest you behave, Yuri. It would be a tragedy if my men had to pay her a visit."

​Yuri snapped her head toward him, pure hatred mixing with her fear. "Don't you dare touch her."

​Jimin leaned forward, the shadows of the car playing across his sharp jawline. He reached out, his hand cupping the back of her neck, pulling her face mere inches from his own.

​"Then don't give me a reason to," he whispered fiercely. "Your world revolves around me now. Accept it, and you will have a kingdom at your feet. Fight it... and I'll break everything else you love until I am the only thing you have left."

​The motorcade wound its way up a treacherous, rain-slicked mountain road, leaving the glow of Seoul far below. Yuri stared out the window, her heart sinking with every mile they climbed. The heavy iron gates of the estate loomed out of the darkness, parting like the jaws of a beast to swallow them whole.

​As the SUV crunched to a halt on the gravel driveway, Yuri got her first real look at her new prison.

​It was a sprawling, modern fortress of glass and black steel, nestled against the cliffside. Heavily armed guards in dark suits patrolled the perimeter, assault rifles slung casually over their shoulders. This wasn't just a rich man's house; it was a stronghold.

​Jimin stepped out first, unbuttoning his suit jacket as a guard rushed over with an umbrella. He turned, offering his hand to Yuri.

​"Get out," he commanded softly, the absolute authority in his voice leaving no room for negotiation.

​Knowing she had no choice, Yuri ignored his hand and slid out of the car herself. The cold rain bit at her skin, but before she could shiver, a heavy, warm suit jacket was draped over her shoulders. Jimin pulled the lapels tight across her chest, lingering for a fraction of a second to inhale her scent before leading her inside.

​The interior of the mansion was breathtakingly opulent, yet chillingly devoid of warmth. High ceilings, monochromatic marble floors, and priceless art lined the walls.

​"Boss," a young, clear voice echoed through the grand foyer.

​A young man stepped down the floating glass staircase. He wore a loose black hoodie, his arms covered in intricate tattoos, and held a glowing tablet in one hand. His large, doe-like eyes flicked from Jimin to Yuri, widening slightly in surprise before returning to his boss.

​"The perimeter is locked down. Thermal sensors are active," the young man reported, though his gaze kept drifting back to Yuri. "And, uh... the master suite has been prepped, just like you asked."

​"Good work, Jungkook," Jimin said smoothly. His grip on Yuri’s waist tightened, pulling her flush against his side. "Jungkook, this is Yuri. You will ensure the security grid prioritizes her safety above all else. If so much as a stray dog looks at her through the gates, I want to know about it."

​Jungkook offered Yuri a small, almost sympathetic nod. "Understood. Nice to meet you, Miss Yuri. Though I wish it were under... different circumstances."

​"Enough," Jimin snapped, his eyes flashing with sudden, jealous irritation at the brief exchange. He didn't want any man, not even his most trusted brother-in-arms, looking at her for too long.

​He practically dragged Yuri up the stairs, ignoring her breathless protests, until they reached the end of a long, heavily guarded hallway. He pushed open double oak doors, revealing a massive, terrifyingly beautiful bedroom.

​Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a dizzying view of the city below. A plush king-sized bed dominated the space, but that wasn't what made Yuri's blood run cold.

​It was the closet.

​The doors were open, revealing rows upon rows of designer clothes, shoes, and silk nightgowns. Every single piece was in her exact size. On the vanity sat her favorite brand of cheap vanilla lotion, sitting right next to diamonds worth more than her life.

​"You..." Yuri gasped, backing away from the vanity. "You're insane. How long have you been planning this?"

​"Since the moment your hands touched my skin in that alley," Jimin answered, stepping into the room and locking the door behind them with a definitive click.

​He began to slowly unfasten his tie, his gaze tracking her like a predator watching a cornered fawn. "I built this room in my mind a thousand times while I was recovering. I imagined you walking into it. I imagined you wearing those clothes. I imagined you waiting for me."

​"I will never be yours," Yuri spat, her voice trembling but defiant. "You can buy all the clothes in the world, Jimin, but you can't buy my heart."

​Jimin stopped. He let the silk tie slip from his fingers, falling to the floor. The dangerous silence stretched between them until he closed the distance in three long strides, backing her into the vanity table.

​He planted both hands on the marble on either side of her hips, trapping her.

​"I don't need to buy your heart, Yuri," Jimin whispered, his breath ghosting over her lips. "I already own your life. The heart will follow."

​He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek, black velvet box. With a flick of his thumb, he snapped it open. Inside rested a terrifyingly heavy platinum collar, encrusted with black diamonds.

​"And just to make sure you remember who you belong to," he murmured, taking the cold metal into his hands. "You're going to wear this."