Chapter 2: Shadows That Follow

Nabi couldn’t sleep.

The room was quiet, but her mind wasn’t.

The bridge.

The black car.

The man’s eyes.

They found me faster than I expected.

She turned to her side, staring at the ceiling.

This city remembers everything.

Somewhere else, a man stood near a window, holding a photograph.

“Nabi’s back,” he said coldly.

A voice replied from the shadows.

“Good. This time… she won’t escape.”

Sleep refused to come.

Nabi lay still on the unfamiliar bed, her eyes fixed on the dim ceiling. The quiet felt heavy—too heavy. Every sound outside made her chest tighten.

The bridge.

The sudden stop.

The black car.

They didn’t even hesitate, she thought. They were sure it was me.

Her fingers curled into the bedsheet.

Five years ago, she had left this city broken, bleeding, and alone. She had sworn never to return.

Yet here she was.

A soft knock echoed on the door.

Nabi froze.

Another knock—gentler this time.

“Nabi… it’s me.”

Jun-seo.

She exhaled quietly and got up to open the door.

Jun-seo stood there, his hair slightly messy, concerned etched across his face.

“You didn’t come back to your room,” he said softly.

“I thought you might not be able to sleep.”

“I’m fine,” Nabi replied quickly, turning away.

Jun-seo stepped inside anyway and closed the door.

“You always say that,” he said.

“But your eyes say something else.”

Nabi stayed silent.

Jun-seo sat on the edge of the bed, his voice lower now.

“What happened on the bridge?”

She hesitated.

“They just wanted to make sure I’m here,” she finally said.

“Nothing more.”

Jun-seo clenched his jaw.

“That didn’t look like ‘nothing’.”

Nabi looked at him then—really looked at him.

“You promised me,” she said quietly.

“You’d trust me.”

Jun-seo sighed.

“I do. But that doesn’t mean I won’t worry.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Outside, the wind rustled the trees, brushing against the windows like whispers.

Jun-seo stood up.

“Try to sleep. Tomorrow will be exhausting.”

As he turned to leave, Nabi spoke.

“Jun-seo…”

He paused.

“If anything happens to me,” she said slowly,

“Promise me you’ll protect Dae.”

Jun-seo turned back instantly.

“Nothing will happen to you,” he said firmly.

“And you know I’ll protect her. With my life.”

Nabi nodded, but fear flickered in her eyes.

Jun-seo left the room—but he didn’t go far.

He sat outside, leaning against the wall, keeping watch.

Across the city, in a dark, silent room…

A man placed Nabi’s photograph on the table.

“She’s finally back,” he said, smiling faintly.

Another man leaned forward.

“What about the child?”

The first man’s smile widened.

“That child… is the reason she’ll never run again.”

Morning came slowly.

Sunlight filled the bungalow, birds chirping softly.

“Mumma!”

Dae’s voice echoed as she ran down the hallway.

Nabi stepped out of her room just in time to catch her.

“Mumma!” Dae hugged her tightly.

“I missed you,” Nabi whispered, holding her close.

Jun-seo watched from a distance, his heart tightening.

She carries too much alone, he thought.

During breakfast, Baek-hyun yawned dramatically.

“Why does it feel like something bad is about to happen?” he asked.

“Because you watch too many dramas,” Duri replied.

But Jun-seo didn’t laugh.

His eyes were on Nabi—who kept glancing at the window.

At the road.

As if expecting someone.

Later that day, Nabi stood alone on the balcony.

The city stretched endlessly before her.

“I’m back,” she whispered.

“And this time… I’m not afraid.”

But somewhere nearby, unseen eyes were already watching.

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