Jao's eyes were sharp as he spoke, the kind of intensity that made Ajin lean forward in her chair, hanging on every word.
"There's more," he said, lowering his voice. "I tracked Seonghee… and found her retreating figure on the CCTV at your old residence. The house where you lived before coming here."
Ajin's eyes narrowed, a flicker of unease crossing her otherwise calculating expression. The palace, the royal life she now enjoyed, the control she had over Myun Hyuk's world—it had all made her feel untouchable. Yet this new information reminded her that shadows from her past were never truly gone.
"She was there?" Ajin asked, her voice a whisper.
Jao nodded gravely. "Yes. Late at night, sneaking in, careful not to be seen. But the cameras caught her. She was… looking around, searching for something—or someone."
Ajin's mind raced. Looking for me…? Or Myun Hyuk…? The thought sent a shiver down her spine, though her face remained calm. Behind her eyes, a storm brewed—a mixture of fear, fury, and strategic calculation.
"She knows my past," Ajin murmured. "She knows where I lived. She knows things I thought were buried."
Jao leaned closer, tone firm. "Exactly. And if she's willing to go to such lengths… to sneak into your old home… you know she's dangerous. She's not just angry—she's planning, plotting. Whatever she wants, she's prepared to get it."
Ajin's lips curved into a faint, calculating smile. The chaos that had overtaken her the previous day—the destroyed vases, the overturned furniture, the breakdown—felt distant now. This was something tangible. Something she could use, manipulate, and control.
"Then it's simple," she said softly, almost to herself. "I know where she's been. I know her habits. And now… I can make her move exactly where I want."
Jao studied her carefully, sensing the shift in her energy. The haunted, fragile Ajin of yesterday was gone—replaced by the cold, methodical strategist who could turn threats into tools.
"And if she discovers you're aware?" he asked.
Ajin's eyes glittered with dark amusement. "Then she'll think she's controlling the game. But in reality… I've already written the rules."
The palace around them was quiet, but in Ajin's mind, a storm was brewing. The past had followed her through the CCTV lens, but she was ready. Every shadow, every threat, every whisper from Seonghee—Ajin would use it. And when the time came, she would strike.
Jao stood by Ajin's side in the quiet of the palace hall, his presence steady and grounding. His eyes met hers with unwavering loyalty.
"I'll stay by your side, Ajin," he said firmly. "No matter what Seonghee—or anyone else—tries, you won't face it alone."
Ajin gave him a faint smile, almost imperceptible, but it carried a flicker of relief. Yet, beneath it, her mind was elsewhere. Thoughts of Myun Hyuk drifted through her consciousness—his calm, composed demeanor, the secrets he seemed to carry, the hidden rooms in his mansion, the strange behaviors she had glimpsed in the past days.
What is he hiding? she wondered silently. And how much of it affects me… or threatens me?
Jao noticed her distant expression but didn't press. With a nod, he took a step back, his role clear: protector, observer, and silent ally.
"I'll be around," he said softly, then turned and left, leaving Ajin alone with her thoughts.
She leaned against the marble railing of the palace balcony, the morning sun glinting off the ornate carvings, and allowed herself a brief moment to contemplate the enigma of Myun Hyuk. His life was polished and royal, yet she sensed shadows lurking beneath the surface—past dangers, secrets, perhaps even betrayals she had yet to discover. Her mind raced with possibilities, plotting, anticipating, and calculating.
Meanwhile, in a completely different part of the world, Jun-seo sat in a quiet café, sipping his coffee as Jao approached him. Jun-seo's expression was calm, almost indifferent, though his eyes flicked briefly toward Jao.
"Jun-seo," Jao began cautiously, "I need to tell you something. Ajin… she was attacked. By Seonghee."
Jun-seo's eyes flickered briefly but betrayed no real concern. He set his cup down, folding his hands on the table. "I see," he said, voice steady and unshaken.
Jao blinked, unsure whether to press further. "She… she's alive, but it was dangerous. You should—"
"I don't care," Jun-seo interrupted, his tone clipped but calm. "Ajin married Myun Hyuk. She's living peacefully, enjoying a life I can't—or won't—interfere with. That's her choice, her world now."
Jao's jaw tightened. He knew Jun-seo's feelings toward Ajin had always been complicated, yet this level of detachment surprised him. "But… she was attacked—she could have been hurt."
Jun-seo leaned back in his chair, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips. "She's always been resourceful. If anyone can handle Seonghee, it's her. My concern… is not for her, but for myself and what I choose to carry forward. Some things are better left in the past."
Jao studied him for a moment, sensing the cold finality in Jun-seo's tone. There was no anger, no regret—only quiet resolution. He nodded slowly. "As you wish, Jun-seo. Just… be aware. Some things from the past have a way of catching up."
Jun-seo's gaze remained steady, distant. "Then let them. I have my own path now."
The palace corridors were silent, almost oppressively so, as Ajin approached Myun Hyuk's study. Her steps were measured, controlled—though inside, a storm of frustration and suspicion raged. The events of the past days, the strange behaviors of the servants, the hidden floors, and the unsettling aura of the mansion—all pointed to one undeniable truth: Myun Hyuk was hiding something.
She stopped at the doorway and met his gaze. He looked up from the papers strewn across his desk, calm and composed as ever, but she could see the tension coiled beneath his polished exterior.
"Myun Hyuk," she began, voice steady, "we need to talk. Ever since… the incident, I've noticed… strange behaviors. The stress you've been keeping… it's affecting everything. And me."
He didn't flinch. Instead, his eyes narrowed slightly, calculating, as if weighing every word she spoke. "Ajin," he said smoothly, "if you truly want to be with me… you need to walk the path I show. Everything I do, every rule, every expectation… it's for us. For this life we share."
Ajin's heart tightened—not in fear, but in anger. "Walk your path? And if I refuse?" she asked, her voice cold and unwavering.
He leaned back slightly, a shadow crossing his otherwise composed face. "Then… your life will be miserable," he said quietly, the words deliberate and cutting. "Even now, it's not easy. You've seen the world you've entered… the consequences of choices. If you defy me… it will only get worse."
Ajin felt a surge of fury. Her hands clenched at her sides, nails biting into her palms. "You think you can control me with threats? With fear?" she snapped. "I may have come into your world, but I am not… I will not be manipulated. Not by you, not by anyone."
His eyes darkened, his calm facade slipping just enough to reveal the force behind his words. "Ajin… I am offering you a choice. Compliance… or chaos. You can enjoy the comforts, the luxury, the life I've provided. Or you can resist… and live in constant uncertainty, where every step you take has consequences you cannot predict."
Ajin took a slow breath, her gaze locking onto his. "And what makes you think I will ever bow to fear? I've survived worse than your threats. I've survived manipulation, betrayal, attacks from people far crueler than you. My life may be complicated, but I will not hand my will over to anyone—not even you."
For a long moment, the room was silent except for the ticking of the ornate clock on the wall. Myun Hyuk studied her, a mixture of surprise and calculated respect flickering across his face. He realized that the woman in front of him—the one he had thought of as pliable, controllable—was far stronger, far sharper, than he had anticipated.
"And yet," he said finally, voice low, almost a growl, "even the strongest people must decide: will they bend… or break?"
Ajin didn't respond immediately. Her mind raced, turning his threat into a puzzle, a challenge. She wasn't afraid. Fear had no place here. But she understood one undeniable truth: in Myun Hyuk's world, survival required strategy, patience, and the ability to wield even the darkness he offered as a weapon.
And Ajin… was already thinking three steps ahead.
The afternoon sun glinted across the marble floors of the villa, casting long reflections on the walls. Ajin stood by the indoor pool, her eyes locked on Myun Hyuk, who approached with deliberate calm. There was something in his aura—cold, commanding—that made the air feel heavier, thicker.
"You don't understand, Ajin," he said, voice low and measured, almost hypnotic. "I know you… better than you think. Your miserable life, your murdered father, the chaos that followed… I know it all."
Ajin felt her stomach tighten, anger bubbling beneath the surface. How dare he speak of her past as if he owned the memories she had struggled to survive?
He continued, taking a step closer. "I pitied you, once. That's why I married you… to save you, to let you enjoy royalty, luxury, a life you've never known. But there's a price, Ajin. You are mine… a doll in my world. A beautiful, perfect doll to stay by my side for your entire life."
His hand gestured sharply, and before she could react, he grabbed her by the arm. The sudden movement was strong enough to throw her off balance. Before she could protest, he propelled her toward the shimmering waters of the pool.
Ajin splashed into the cool water with a gasp, the force of the fall soaking her expensive dress. Water dripped from her hair, clung to her skin, and yet, despite the shock, her mind raced faster than ever.
She surfaced, blinking against the sunlight reflecting off the water, and glared at him. "You… you think fear will control me? That forcing me into your little game makes me yours?" Her voice cut through the air, sharp and defiant.
Myun Hyuk's expression remained calm, almost amused, but there was a dangerous edge beneath it. "Fear is part of life, Ajin. Obedience… loyalty… these are what will keep you safe. You may think you're strong, but in my world… strength is measured by how well you submit."
Ajin wiped the water from her face, taking a slow, deliberate breath. Every instinct screamed to retaliate, to fight, to turn this moment into leverage—but she reminded herself: control her emotions, watch him, learn. This was not the first time she had been under someone's power, and it wouldn't be the last—but unlike the past, she wasn't helpless.
Her lips curved into a small, almost imperceptible smirk. "A doll, you say?" she murmured, her voice soft but laced with ice. "Then let me remind you… dolls can bite."
She dove under the water, moving with grace and precision. Every muscle tensed, every thought sharpened. In that moment, Ajin realized that this was no longer just survival—it was a game of strategy, of power, and of shadows.
And even in the water, soaked and momentarily disoriented, she knew one thing with certainty: she would never truly be his doll. Not fully. Not ever.
Here's the expanded continuation, Yuna 🌙, focusing on Ajin's near-drowning in the pool, the flashback of her terrifying past, and her inner struggle:
🌊 Ajin — Chapter: "Drowning Memories"
The cold water of the pool enveloped Ajin, shocking her senses. For a moment, the sounds of the villa, the commanding voice of Myun Hyuk, and the glinting sunlight all vanished. Her mind was consumed by darkness—silent, suffocating, and familiar.
As she struggled to the surface, gasping for air, images began to flash before her eyes. Memories she had buried deep inside, memories she had fought to suppress, rose violently.
Her father. His face twisted in anger, eyes burning with rage. The sharpness of his voice, the cruelty of his hands, the fear that had once consumed her entire childhood—every detail felt as vivid as the moment itself.
She remembered the nights she had spent hiding, trembling under the bedcovers, praying he wouldn't find her. The smell of alcohol mixed with sweat, the echoing threats, the sharp sting of his punishments… it all came flooding back in a torrent of fear and anger.
Water filled her ears as she thrashed, the pool suddenly feeling like an endless abyss. For a brief, terrifying moment, Ajin thought she might not surface, that the weight of her past and present would drag her under forever.
And yet, somewhere deep inside, a spark ignited—a survival instinct honed from years of manipulation, betrayal, and struggle. She remembered how she had fought through every impossible situation in her life: the loss of her father, the chaos of her youth, the attacks and manipulations she had endured. She could survive this too.
With a sudden surge, she kicked forcefully, breaking through the surface. Her chest heaved as she drew in air, eyes wide and burning with renewed determination.
The flashback left her shaken, but it also awakened a clarity she hadn't felt in days. Myun Hyuk's threat, the pool, the power he believed he held over her—it was nothing compared to what she had survived.
She pushed herself up, water dripping from her hair, her soaked dress clinging to her body. The anger and fear coiled together inside her, not as weakness, but as a weapon.
Her gaze sharpened as she finally looked at Myun Hyuk. "Do you see now?" she said, voice low but strong, dripping with ice. "I've faced monsters far worse than you. And yet, here I am. You may try to control me… to drown me… but I will rise. Always."
In that moment, the pool was no longer a trap—it was a crucible. And Ajin emerged from it not broken, but refined, her resolve hardened like steel.
Her ears filled with " ajin you are vulnerable and miserable and mostly pathetic"