The black SUV cut through the rain-soaked streets like a phantom, its tinted windows hiding the two passengers inside.
Jun-seo sat silently beside Ha-eun, watching her fragile form beside him. Her breathing was shallow but steady. The scarf around her shoulders smelled faintly of lavender — a small comfort in the cold storm raging both outside and within their lives.
"We'll be safe soon," Jun-seo whispered, more to himself than her.
Ha-eun nodded faintly, but her mind was a whirlwind of doubt. Who was that woman? Why did her own family want her memories erased? And most terrifying — what was she running from?
Jun-seo's phone buzzed on the dashboard. He glanced down, heart tightening at the caller ID: Kang Hee-jin — her elder sister.
He ignored it.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, voice heavy with regret. "I should have protected you sooner."
Ha-eun's eyes locked onto his. "It's not your fault."
"No," he whispered. "But it's mine now."
The SUV turned off the highway and slowed as it climbed winding mountain roads.
Ha-eun leaned her head against the window, watching the dark forest blur past. Somewhere in the shadows of the trees, answers waited. But so did danger.
A sudden ping from Jun-seo's phone startled them both.
A text message.
"She left. Follow immediately. Do not let her out of sight."
Jun-seo's fists clenched.
"Who sent this?" Ha-eun asked.
"Someone who doesn't want us to live freely," he said grimly.
She reached for his hand.
"We'll face it together."
Outside, the rain showed no sign of stopping.
But inside the car, two hearts began to beat as one — ready to fight the darkness that had chased them for far too long.
The SUV rolled to a stop in front of a small, weathered cottage tucked away between towering pines. Its faded white paint and creaky porch gave it the look of a forgotten place — exactly what they needed.
Jun-seo helped Ha-eun out of the car, supporting her as her legs wobbled beneath her.
"Stay here," he said softly, unlocking the door. Inside, the faint scent of pine and old books greeted them.
Ha-eun sank onto the worn sofa, exhaustion finally catching up with her. Jun-seo paced, restless.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed again. This time, a video message.
He opened it cautiously.
The screen showed a blurry figure slipping something into Ha-eun's drink at a family gathering months ago.
The label on the bottle read: Memory suppressant.
His blood ran cold.
Ha-eun's voice trembled, "So they really did this to me…"
Jun-seo knelt beside her, determination blazing in his eyes. "We're going to uncover everything. No more lies."
A long night stretched before them — filled with whispered confessions, painful truths, and the faint hope that love could heal even the deepest scars.
But somewhere beyond the forest, unseen eyes watched their every move, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Jun-seo stared at the screen, heart pounding as the blurry footage played over and over. The dim lighting made it hard to identify the figure, but the movement was deliberate—calm, practiced.
Ha-eun's fingers trembled as she reached for his hand. "I remember… a toast at the family dinner. I felt dizzy after that."
Jun-seo tightened his grip. "They wanted to keep you under control. To erase you."
A sudden noise outside the cottage made them both freeze.
Jun-seo moved to the window, peering into the rain-drenched woods.
Nothing. Just shadows shifting in the storm.
"We can't stay here long," he said. "They'll track us."
Ha-eun nodded, swallowing her fear. "Then let's find out what really happened that night. The accident, the memories — everything."
Jun-seo pulled out a folder from his bag—old documents he had secretly gathered. Medical reports, police files, even a few photos from that night.
"Look at this," he said, spreading them on the coffee table. "The official story says you slipped on the stairs. But the X-rays show trauma inconsistent with a fall."
Ha-eun's breath hitched. "So, what?"
Jun-seo met her gaze. "Someone wanted to hurt you. Maybe even kill you."
The weight of the truth settled heavy between them.
Ha-eun whispered, "Then we need to find who."
Jun-seo nodded. "And I swear, I'll protect you. No matter what it takes."
Outside, thunder rumbled—a storm both literal and emotional raging around them.
But inside that small cottage, hope flickered.
Because sometimes, love wasn't just a feeling.
It was a promise to fight for the truth, even when it was the hardest thing to do.
Jun-seo closed the folder and looked at Ha-eun, his eyes burning with determination.
"We can't trust anyone from your family," he said firmly. "They're the ones hiding the truth."
Ha-eun nodded slowly, gathering her strength. "Then we have to be smarter. We need allies."
Jun-seo pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
After a few rings, a calm voice answered. "Jun-seo? Are you safe?"
"I am now," he replied. "But Ha-eun's life is in danger. I need your help."
"Where are you?"
"Secluded. I'll send the location."
As he ended the call, Ha-eun watched him with a flicker of hope.
Maybe, just maybe, they could fight this—together.
But deep in the shadows, a pair of cold eyes watched them on a surveillance screen.
The message was clear: no matter where they ran, the past would catch up. And the truth would cost them everything.
Jun-seo's phone buzzed again—this time, a message with a location pinned: a small café on the outskirts of the city.
"We have to move," Jun-seo said, urgency sharpening his voice. "This is where someone who knows the truth is waiting."
Ha-eun stood, steadying herself. "Who is it?"
"An old friend… someone your family hasn't silenced yet."
The rain eased as they stepped outside, but the weight of unseen eyes pressed down.
The journey to the café was tense, every shadow feeling like a threat.
When they arrived, a woman with sharp eyes and a calm demeanor waited. She extended her hand.
"I'm Ji-won," she said softly. "I've been trying to reach you."
Ha-eun hesitated, then took the hand.
Ji-won's voice dropped. "The truth about your accident… it goes deeper than you know. And if you want to survive, you'll have to confront it."
Jun-seo exchanged a look with Ha-eun.
The past was no longer just a mystery. It was a battlefield.
And they were ready to fight.
Ji-won led them to a secluded corner, her eyes darting around as if expecting someone to overhear.
"I'm the one who leaked the documents you found," she whispered. "I couldn't stay silent anymore."
Ha-eun's heart pounded. "Why? Who are you really?"
Ji-won hesitated, then said, "I used to work for the Kang family — as a personal assistant. I saw things no one should. Secrets. Lies."
Jun-seo leaned in. "Tell us everything."
Ji-won pulled out a small flash drive. "This has evidence — recordings, messages, proof that your accident was no accident. Someone wanted you erased."
Ha-eun's hands shook as she took it.
"Why now? Why help us?" she asked.
Ji-won looked haunted. "Because they're coming for me next. And if I fall, so do you."
The café's door swung open suddenly.
A cold voice said, "Looking for me?"
They all turned.
A tall man in a dark suit stepped inside — eyes sharp, smile cruel.
Ji-won's face paled.
"He's from the family. And he's not here to negotiate."
Jun-seo grabbed Ha-eun's hand.
"We leave. Now."