Minra’s breath was shallow.

Her heartbeat pounded in her ears.

She had just said it.

The one thing she wasn’t supposed to say.

The one thing she had been desperately hiding.

And now—

Shuun knew.

She braced herself.

For more questions.

For more demands.

For him to push her further now that he had her truth.

But instead—

Shuun exhaled softly, leaning back slightly, arms still crossed.

And then—

“Now everything finally makes sense.”

Minra blinked.

That was it?

No interrogation?

No prying deeper?

She hesitated, waiting for him to say more.

And he did—

“Alright.”

Minra stared.

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.

He didn’t sound surprised.

Or smug.

Or even victorious.

Just—understanding.

Like everything had finally clicked into place for him.

And that was it.

No pressure.

No threat.

No intention to expose her secret.

Just a simple, calm—“Alright.”

Minra’s stomach twisted.

Because she had prepared for everything else.

For mocking.

For taunting.

For him to dangle this information over her head.

But this?

This threw her completely off balance.

She hesitated. “That’s it?”

Shuun shrugged, tilting his head slightly.

“What else do you want me to say?”

Minra opened her mouth.

Closed it.

Because—what was she expecting?

Wasn’t this better?

Wasn’t this exactly what she wanted?

For him to drop it and move on?

So why—

Why did this feel so unsettling?

.

She had spent days avoiding him.

She had been frustrated with his challenges.

She had felt cornered every time he tested her.

And now—he was letting it go.

Just like that.

And suddenly, Minra felt something she hadn’t expected.

Guilt.

Because all of this—all of it—

Was because of her.

She had gotten worked up over his games.

She had snapped at him, pulled him away, confronted him—

All for her own selfish reason.

To protect herself.

To protect her cover.

And now that she had finally told him—he wasn’t even mad.

If anything, he seemed more understanding than she had ever imagined.

And that?

That made it worse.

.

Minra inhaled sharply, watching him carefully.

“…You’re not going to tell anyone?”

Shuun raised an eyebrow. “Why would I?”

Minra hesitated. “Because you could.”

A beat of silence.

Then, Shuun smirked—but it was different this time.

Not teasing.

Not smug.

Just—knowing.

“It’s not my story to tell.”

Minra’s breath hitched.

Because that—

That wasn’t the answer she was expecting.

.

Shuun finally pushed off the clothing rack, stepping past her toward the door.

But before he left, he paused.

And without turning back, he said—

“You don’t have to keep avoiding me now.”

Minra stiffened.

Shuun chuckled, glancing at her over his shoulder.

“Unless you still want to?”

Minra’s jaw tightened.

Because damn him.

Even when he let go—he still made her feel trapped.

Shuun nodded once, then walked out.

Leaving Minra standing there—

Feeling far more exposed than when she had been hiding.

Meanwhile, Outside…

Jang Yohan leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.

He had been waiting.

Waiting for Minra to come out.

Waiting for Shuun to leave.

Waiting to find out what the hell had just happened behind that door.

Because Minra had made the first move.

She had grabbed Shuun’s wrist.

She had pulled him inside.

And when Shuun finally walked out—he didn’t look like he won anything.

But he also didn’t look like he lost.

And that?

That bothered Yohan more than anything.

Because he had been waiting for Minra’s attention.

And yet—

Shuun had already taken it.

.

Chapter 12: The One Who Knows Too Much