After that spoken silence — the kind that says too much and yet nothing at all — they slipped back into the car, laughter soft and windows fogged with Los Angeles night air.
The ride back to the hotel was peaceful. The chaos of celebration behind them, but the afterglow lingered like glitter in their veins.
Back at the hotel, Choel's room looked like a celebrity museum—flower bouquets, gift boxes in designer wraps, handwritten fan letters, perfumes, plushies, limited-edition items, and more. The room gleamed with admiration.
Choen stepped in and gasped softly, her eyes sweeping the flood of affection. "I… haven't received this many gifts in all my birthdays combined."
Choel chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Then pray for it, Princess. Maybe next year, we flip the script, and you get double this."
She smiled, unsure if he was teasing or if the stars were listening too.
They parted with a quiet goodnight.
In her room, Choen's phone buzzed. Mom calling.
She picked up with a grin. "Eomma!"
Her mother's voice came through, warm and bright. "I saw the clips. You shined today, my girl."
"I was nervous… but it felt right," Choen said, settling on her bed. "Oh, and guess what? They threw Choel a surprise party. It was so… chaotic and sweet."
"You're building memories, not just moments," her mom replied softly. "That's what matters."
They spoke for a little while, laughter tucked between updates, before Choen whispered a sleepy goodbye and drifted into dreams, her phone glowing faintly beside her.
Meanwhile, back in Korea, far from the glowing skyline of Los Angeles…
Dokkaebi sat alone in his dim room, holding the lip balm — the one Choen had unknowingly left behind. It still held her scent… and something else. A presence. A pulse.
He stared at it in silence, mind replaying the celebration video. Her laughter. The way she looked at Choel. That embrace.
The grip on the lip balm tightened. He didn't cry. He didn't speak. He just let the silence sit with him like a ghost.
Hours passed. He eventually drifted to sleep, the balm still near.
And then —
A flash.
Red heels.
A bridal gown — delicate, glowing.
Blood.
So much blood
He heard a scream,
Dokkaebi jolted awake.
Sweat dripping down his neck.
Breath shallow. Eyes wide.
The lip balm was still there. But now, it felt heavier. Like it knew more than it should.
He stared at the shadows in his room.
And for the first time in a long time…
He was afraid.