Liliana Valehart didn’t sleep.
She lay awake long after Ryang‑ha drifted off, replaying the anonymous message over and over in her mind.
We know who you are.
It wasn’t a threat.
It was a promise.
By sunrise, she was already up, dressed, and pacing the living room.
Her nerves were sharp, her movements precise, her mind racing.
Ryang‑ha emerged from the bedroom, hair messy, shirt half‑buttoned, looking far too relaxed for someone who might be murdered in the next forty‑eight hours.
“You’re up early,” he said, voice still rough with sleep.
“I didn’t sleep.”
He studied her for a moment. “Because of the message.”
“Because someone out there knows we’re coming,” she corrected. “And we don’t know who.”
Ryang‑ha stepped closer, his expression shifting from casual to serious.
“We’ll handle it.”
“You keep saying that.”
“Because it’s true.”
Liliana exhaled sharply. “You can’t guarantee that.”
“No,” he said softly, “but I can guarantee I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Her heart stuttered.
She hated that it did.
---
🧳 Preparing for Departure
Lucy had arranged everything: forged passports, wedding rings, matching luggage, and a cover story so detailed it felt like a real history.
Liliana flipped through the documents.
“Married for eight months,” she read aloud. “Met at a charity gala. Fell in love instantly.”
Ryang‑ha smirked. “Instantly? Sounds unrealistic.”
“Exactly.”
He shrugged. “Maybe you’re just hard to impress.”
She shot him a look. “And you’re too easily impressed.”
“Not by everyone.”
The way he said it made her pulse jump.
She quickly changed the subject. “We need to rehearse our story.”
“We already did.”
“Not enough.”
He stepped closer. “Liliana, we’ve spent the last twenty‑four hours holding hands, staring into each other’s eyes, and almost kissing twice. I think we’re convincing.”
Her cheeks warmed. “That was training.”
“Sure,” he said, voice low. “Training.”
---
💍 The Rings
Ryang‑ha opened a small velvet box and held out two simple gold bands.
“Put it on,” he said.
Liliana hesitated.
The ring felt heavier than it should.
She slid it onto her finger.
It fit perfectly.
Ryang‑ha watched her, something unreadable in his eyes.
“You look… good with it,” he said quietly.
She swallowed. “It’s just a prop.”
“Maybe.”
But he didn’t sound convinced.
---
🚗 The Drive
They left the apartment in a sleek black car Lucy had provided.
The city blurred past them as they drove toward the private airstrip.
Liliana stared out the window, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
Ryang‑ha glanced at her. “You’re quiet.”
“I’m thinking.”
“About the mission?”
“About everything.”
He nodded. “You don’t have to do this alone.”
“I’m not used to relying on anyone.”
“Then start.”
She turned to him. “Why do you care so much?”
He didn’t answer immediately.
When he finally spoke, his voice was softer than she’d ever heard it.
“Because I know what it’s like to go into a mission with no one watching your back. I won’t let that happen to you.”
Liliana looked away, unsure how to respond.
---
🛫 The Airstrip
Lucy was waiting for them beside a private jet, arms crossed, sunglasses hiding her eyes.
“You’re late,” she said.
“We’re early,” Ryang‑ha replied.
“I didn’t ask for commentary.”
Liliana stepped forward. “Lucy, about the message—”
“I know,” Lucy said. “We traced it. It came from inside the Marquez network.”
Liliana stiffened. “So they’re expecting us.”
“Or they’re expecting someone,” Lucy corrected. “Your job is to make sure they never suspect it’s you.”
Ryang‑ha nodded. “We’re ready.”
Lucy’s gaze flicked between them. “You’d better be. Once you step onto that plane, you’re no longer Liliana Valehart and Ryang‑ha Song. You’re Mr. and Mrs. Song. Newlyweds. In love. And under constant surveillance.”
Liliana inhaled slowly. “We understand.”
Lucy stepped closer, lowering her voice.
“And one more thing. The syndicate has a new enforcer. No name. No face. Just a reputation.”
Ryang‑ha raised a brow. “What kind of reputation?”
“The kind that leaves bodies behind,” Lucy said. “If they suspect you, they won’t hesitate.”
Liliana felt a chill crawl up her spine.
Lucy continued, “Trust each other. Or you won’t survive.”
---
✈️ Boarding the Plane
As they climbed the steps to the jet, Liliana felt Ryang‑ha’s hand brush hers.
She looked at him.
He didn’t smile.
He didn’t tease.
He didn’t smirk.
He simply intertwined their fingers.
A silent promise.
A silent warning.
A silent beginning.
Liliana squeezed his hand back.
Not because she had to.
Not because it was part of the mission.
But because, for the first time, she wanted to.
---
🔥 The Final Moment Before Takeoff
Inside the jet, Liliana buckled her seatbelt.
Ryang‑ha sat beside her, watching her with an intensity that made her chest tighten.
“You okay?” he asked.
“No,” she admitted. “But I will be.”
He reached over, brushing his thumb across her hand.
“We’ll get through this,” he said. “Together.”
She didn’t pull away.
The engines roared to life.
The plane lifted off.
And Liliana realized something terrifying:
The mission hadn’t even started yet…
and she was already in too deep.
---
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