He closed the distance again.
But this kiss...
Was softer.
Gentler.
It was deeper.
More deliberate.
A quiet assertion, not force, but undeniable presence.
His hand moved to steady her against the wall, not pinning her painfully, but keeping her from retreating.
Ji Eun's mind blanked for a split second.
Her heartbeat thundered wildly in her ears...
Until....
She pushed against him.
Hard.
Breaking the kiss.
Her breath was uneven now. Her cheeks flushed. Eyes blazing, not just with anger anymore.
Something else sat beneath it.
Unwanted.
Unacknowledged.
"You..." she started, but the words tangled.
For once...
Song Ji Eun faltered.
Hyun Woo didn't step away immediately.
He watched her carefully.
Satisfied.
Not smug.
Just… contented.
"You react like this," he said quietly, "and you still think this is just hatred?"
Her eyes snapped sharply to his.
"Don't flatter yourself," she shot back.
But her voice wasn't as steady as it sounded earlier.
Not entirely.
This time...
He stepped back on his own.
Giving her space.
Not because he had to.
But because he chose to.
Ji Eun straightened immediately, regaining control piece by piece.
Her pride stitched back together in seconds.
Her chin lifted.
Her expression hardened.
"Congratulations," she said coldly. "You've just guaranteed I'll destroy you properly next time."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"That sounds promising."
She narrowed her eyes at him.
"You think this is a game."
"I think this is inevitable," he corrected.
"you...destroying me"
She took a step forward.
Now she closed the distance.
Not retreating.
Not intimidated.
Fighting.
"I meant what I said tonight," she told him. "I will make you regret underestimating me."
Her voice dropped, low and dangerous again.
"And the next time I hit you…"
A faint pause.
A sharp, cold smile curved her lips.
"It won't be your face."
Silence fell.
The tension between them stretched - tight, unbreakable.
Hyun Woo held her gaze.
Unmoved.
Unshaken.
Then...
He said quietly:
"I look forward to it."
And that...was the most infuriating answer of all.
Ji Eun stared at him for a second longer. Then turned sharply. Walking past him.
But as she disappeared back inside, her fingers brushed her lips unconsciously.
Just for a moment.
And behind her, Park Hyun Woo remained on the balcony.
Watching.
Waiting.
Certain.
Because now...
It wasn't just war anymore.
It was something far more dangerous.
And neither of them intended to surrender.