Chapter 4: The Price of Survival

Nabi clenched her fists.

“I didn’t come here for small talk,” she replied, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

“What do you want?”

The man tilted his head.

“You survived. That alone makes you interesting.”

He took a slow step closer.

“I should’ve finished the job that night.”

Her heart pounded—but she didn’t step back.

“You thought I was weak,” Nabi said.

“That’s where you were wrong.”

He laughed softly.

“No,” he corrected.

“I thought you were disposable.”

Silence fell between them—thick and dangerous.

“Why now?” Nabi asked.

“Why let me live, only to hunt me again?”

His eyes darkened.

“Because five years ago, you were nothing,” he said.

“Now you’re someone. And someone like you always pays a higher price.”

Nabi’s phone buzzed in her pocket.

A message.

Unknown Number:

Your daughter is beautiful.

The blood drained from her face.

“You stay away from her,” Nabi hissed.

“This is between you and me.”

The man smiled—slowly, cruel.

“Everything about you is connected to her now,” he said.

“That’s the cost of survival.”

Before she could react, footsteps echoed from outside.

The man stepped back into the shadows.

“This city is my playground, Nabi,” his voice floated back.

“And you just walked in willingly.”

He disappeared.

Back at the bungalow, Jun-seo paced the living room.

“She’s been gone too long,” he said sharply.

“You’re worrying too much,” Baek-hyun replied, even though he looked uneasy.

Dae sat quietly on the floor, clutching her doll.

“She’ll come back,” Duri said gently.

But Dae suddenly looked up.

“Jun Uncle…”

“Yes, Dae?”

“Mumma is scared,” she whispered.

“I can feel it.”

Jun-seo’s chest tightened.

Nabi returned at dusk.

Her face was calm—but her eyes were not.

Jun-seo noticed immediately.

“Where were you?” he asked.

“Taking care of unfinished business,” she replied.

Jun-seo stepped closer, lowering his voice.

“Nabi… are we in danger?”

She met his gaze.

“Yes,” she said honestly.

“But I won’t let it reach you. Or Dae.”

Jun-seo shook his head.

“You don’t get to decide that alone anymore.”

Their eyes locked—something unspoken between them.

Across the room, Dae ran toward Nabi and hugged her tightly.

“Mumma… don’t go away again.”

Nabi held her daughter close, her jaw tightening.

I won’t, she promised silently.

Not this time.

Outside, a car engine started.

And somewhere in the dark, someone was already planning the next move.

Night settled heavily over the bungalow.

The lights were dim, the house unusually quiet. Dae had finally fallen asleep after clinging to Nabi longer than usual, as if afraid she might disappear again.

Nabi sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her hands.

They were steady now—but only because she forced them to be.

A soft knock broke the silence.

“Nabi?”

Jun-seo’s voice.

“Come in,” she said.

(Writer:- hey guys , sorry to disturb you between the story but please comment and tell me if there is any mistake or something I should change in it ,so I can imporve )

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