When Kim was very close to Seo-ah, she suddenly stiffened. The shyness in her eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by a chilling coldness. She pushed Kim's hand away and moved back slightly, sitting on the bed at a distance.
Seo-ah (in a very low but clear voice):
"Kim, don't misunderstand me. Last night was a mistake. I don't like anyone—not you either. I prefer to live this way. Alone, without being tied down by anyone's affection."
The sweet smile on Kim's face disappeared instantly. His blue eyes—those Sapphire Eyes—narrowed in disbelief. He never imagined Seo-ah could change her feelings so quickly.
Kim (his voice trembling slightly):
"What are you saying, Seo-ah? What I saw in your eyes last night—was all of that just an act? Your breath, your touch—was everything a lie?"
Seo-ah (coldly):
"This is who I am, Kim. I don't live by emotions. Ever since my parents died, I turned my heart into stone. I don't want to be in any relationship. Last night, I was just weak. Nothing more."
Seo-ah stood up and picked up her white dress from the floor. There were no tears in her eyes now, no embarrassment—only an impenetrable wall.
Kim remained seated on the bed. His blue eyes burned with humiliation and pain. He couldn't tell whether Seo-ah truly hated him or if she was lying just to protect herself.
Kim (clenching his teeth):
"So you're saying I'm just a stranger to you? After everything?"
Seo-ah didn't answer. She slipped into her dress and stood with her back to him, facing the window.
The room grew cold in an instant. After putting on her dress, Seo-ah turned toward Kim and spoke in an icy voice.
Seo-ah:
"Yes, Kim. I don't love you. What happened last night was nothing but a moment of weakness. There is no place for love in my life."
For a moment, Kim turned to stone. His proud Sapphire Eyes trembled with humiliation and pain. He stepped off the bed and stood right in front of Seo-ah, his tall figure casting a heavy shadow over her.
Kim (in a restrained growl):
"Look me in the eyes, Seo-ah. Look straight into my blue eyes and tell me that the touch last night, the tears—were all an act. Can you really be that heartless?"
Seo-ah flinched for a brief second, but she didn't look away. She knew that if she showed even a crack of weakness, she would lose control. She hardened her green eyes like stone.
Seo-ah:
"I told you, Kim. This is how I am. Getting attached to someone isn't in my nature. Now let me go."
Kim suddenly took a step back. A painful smile appeared at the corner of his lips. He realized Seo-ah had built an unbreakable wall around herself.
Kim:
"Fine. If you want me to be nothing but a stranger to you, then so be it. But remember this, Seo-ah—these blue eyes have recognized you. No matter how hard you try to hide, you will never escape my shadow."
He turned away and grabbed his shirt from the wardrobe. His muscles were tense with rage. Seo-ah walked toward the door, but inside her chest everything was shattering.
Just as she grabbed the door handle, Kim suddenly grabbed her wrist from behind. Seo-ah completely lost control. She forcefully shoved his hand away and screamed.
Seo-ah:
"Don't touch me, Kim! Who do you think you are? Do you think you can buy everyone's life with your money and those blue eyes? I'm not your toy—someone you can caress at night and expect obedience from in the morning!"
In a fit of rage, she slammed the expensive crystal vase from the table onto the floor. The glass shattered with a loud crash.
Kim (shouting):
"A toy? Do you really think I see you as a toy? I loved you with everything I had, Seo-ah! And you think I was trying to buy you? Your stubbornness and pride have blinded you!"
Seo-ah:
"It's not pride, Kim—it's my fight to survive! Someone raised in palaces like you would never understand the pain of being alone! Your family took everything from me, and now you want to take my freedom too? I hate you, Kim! I hate you!"
Seo-ah began pushing against Kim's chest. Her eyes burned with rage, but behind that rage, tears poured relentlessly. Kim grabbed her wrists and slammed her back against the wall.
Kim (gritting his teeth, veins bulging):
"You hate me? Then why did you cry on my chest last night? Why did you hold me? Did your lips hate me when I kissed you?"
Seo-ah:
"That was a mistake! I told you—it was a disgusting mistake! I want to be free from this room, from your life!"
Seo-ah was crying uncontrollably, gasping for breath. Kim's Sapphire Eyes darkened, turning almost black with rage. The furniture lay scattered and broken—just like their hearts.
The sound of shattered glass still echoed through the room. As Seo-ah screamed again and again that she hated Kim and that last night was a "disgusting mistake," Kim's patience finally snapped. Years of guilt, love, and humiliation collided inside his mind.
Suddenly, Kim's hand rose through the air—and a sharp slap landed across Seo-ah's face.
The shouting stopped instantly. Only Kim's heavy breathing could be heard.
Seo-ah's face turned to the side. The red imprint of Kim's fingers stood out clearly on her pale cheek. She stared at the floor in disbelief. A single tear fell from her eye, landing on the broken glass below.
Kim stared at his own hand. It was trembling. His Sapphire Eyes were no longer filled with rage, but with deep horror. What had he done? He had struck the very person he had sworn to protect.
Kim (hoarsely, reaching out):
"Seo-ah… I… I didn't mean to. I just—"
Seo-ah slowly lifted her head. There was no anger in her eyes now—only a deep, hollow emptiness. She wiped the blood from the corner of her lips and gave a strangely cold smile.
Seo-ah:
"Thank you, Kim. Thank you for showing me your true face. Now I have no hesitation left to walk away."
Without another word, Seo-ah staggered toward the door. Kim stood frozen like stone, feeling as if the ground beneath his feet was collapsing.
The pain from Kim's slap was nothing compared to the pain that tore through his own heart. As Seo-ah staggered toward the door in her broken state, Kim felt as if he was losing the very last hope of his life.
Before Seo-ah could reach the door, Kim rushed forward like a storm and wrapped his arms around her from behind. He held her so tightly, as if she would disappear like smoke the moment he let go. Kim buried his head against her shoulder, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.
Kim (crying uncontrollably, his voice completely broken):
"Seo-ah… forgive me. Please, don't go! I—I don't know what I did. I just couldn't control myself when you said you hated me."
Kim's tears soaked the shoulder of Seo-ah's white shirt. The man who had always been the symbol of elegance and composure was now crying like a helpless child.
Kim:
"I've gone mad, Seo-ah. I can't carry the weight of my family's sins against your parents anymore. And on top of that, your indifference is destroying me. Don't kill me like this—do whatever you want—but don't disappear from in front of my eyes."
Seo-ah stood frozen. The sound of Kim's sobbing shook the stone-like heart she had forced herself to build. She could feel his heart pounding against her back like a hammer.
Slowly, Seo-ah loosened his grip and turned around. Kim's Sapphire Eyes were bloodshot from crying. She touched her own cheek, where the burning pain hadn't faded yet, but seeing the complete surrender in Kim's eyes, tears welled up in her own again.
Seo-ah (in a very low voice):
"Why do you always do this, Kim? Why don't you ever let me live in peace?"
She raised her hand to wipe away Kim's tears—but stopped halfway. Between them still stood a massive wall of guilt and love.
When Kim clung to her legs and begged for forgiveness, Seo-ah's hardened heart melted for a brief moment. She bent down, held his trembling hands, and pulled him up. Kim's Sapphire Eyes were red with tears, and the red mark on Seo-ah's cheek was still clearly visible.
Seo-ah looked straight into Kim's eyes. There was no anger left in her voice now—only deep exhaustion.
Seo-ah (calm, steady, painfully gentle):
"Kim… I forgive you. Not for that slap—but for your tears. I know you love me. But we can't be together anymore."
Kim shook his head frantically, as if he couldn't accept the truth.
Kim:
"Why, Seo-ah? Why not? I apologized! I'll fix everything. We'll go somewhere far away—"
Seo-ah (placing her hand over his lips to stop him):
"No, Kim. Love isn't just about touch—it's about respect. Today you raised your hand. Tomorrow, it might be something else. And besides… every time I look into your eyes, I'll see my parents' blood and your family's dark history. Our relationship is like broken glass—no matter how much you try to fix it, the cracks will always remain."
Seo-ah stepped back. Her white dress looked faded in the light of dawn.
Seo-ah:
"Let me walk my own path, Kim. I'm grateful to you for giving me shelter, but now I need freedom. For myself—and for you."
Kim no longer had the strength to stop her. He slid down the wall and collapsed onto the floor. Tears poured from his blue eyes, but not a single sound escaped his lips.
Seo-ah looked at him one last time and stepped out the door. The sound of her footsteps faded down the corridor, leaving behind only shattered glass and a room filled with silent agony.
Three years later
One of the city's most luxurious hotels. A VIP room. Heavy rain poured outside—just like the night Seo-ah had walked away from Kim. But today's Seo-ah was completely different.
She wore a black shirt, the top two buttons undone. Her tomboy look was sharper now—more dangerous, more alluring. A glass of expensive wine rested in her hand as she stared out the window at the city below. Her green eyes were deeper than before, colder.
Suddenly, the VIP room door opened loudly. Seo-ah didn't turn around—she knew who it was.
The sound of heavy boots echoed across the room. That familiar perfume. That commanding presence. The newcomer stopped right behind her.
Seo-ah spoke calmly.
Seo-ah:
"It's been a long time, Mr. Kim. Did someone give you permission to enter this VIP room?"
From behind her came that deep, restrained, pain-filled voice.
Kim (calm but sharp):
"It took me three years to find you, Seo-ah. Did you really think you could hide behind a black shirt and a VIP room and I wouldn't recognize you?"
Seo-ah turned around. Kim's Sapphire Eyes looked darker than ever. He, too, was dressed in black. The two of them stood like reflections of grief and revenge.
Seo-ah (smiling faintly):
"So what if you recognized me? I'm not the old Seo-ah anymore—the one who cried and ran away after your slap. This city now moves at my command."
Kim stepped closer. In his gaze, the old love mixed with a new madness.
Kim:
"You couldn't forget these blue eyes either, Seo-ah. Beneath that black shirt, your heart still beats for me."