Friday morning, I woke up to Dae-Hyun's lips on my shoulder.
Soft kisses trailing up my neck.
"Mmm… five more minutes," I mumbled, burying my face in the pillow.
He laughed against my skin. Low, warm, happy.
"No way. You promised pancakes."
I opened one eye. "I said maybe pancakes."
He rolled me over, pinning my wrists gently.
"Take it back or I tickle."
"You wouldn't dare."
He did.
I squealed, squirmed, laughed until tears.
Ended with him kissing me quiet.
Slow.
Deep.
Morning breath and all.
Perfect.
We made pancakes.
He burned the first batch.
I teased.
He flipped the next perfectly.
Show-off.
Ate at the counter.
Legs tangled.
Syrup on fingers.
He licked mine clean.
I licked his.
Hot.
Then his phone rang.
Lawyer.
Face serious.
"Put on speaker."
We listened.
"Found something. Old storage unit. Father's things. Video tape. 1998."
My heart raced.
"Play it."
Lawyer: "Sending now."
Video file.
We watched on laptop.
Grainy.
Old camcorder.
Mother.
Younger.
Father's office.
She signed papers.
Took check.
Big one.
Looked at camera.
Smiled.
"No contact. Ever. Full rights gone."
Father's voice off-camera.
"Say it clear."
She did.
"For money. I choose money."
Signed.
Left.
No tears.
Cold.
We stared.
Dae-Hyun's hand tight in mine.
"That's it."
Lawyer: "Legal gold. Proves abandonment for cash. Clause void."
I grinned.
"Game over."
He exhaled.
Long.
Like weight lifted.
Kissed me hard.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Being here."
I smiled.
"Always."
Girlie group chat exploded.
Me: WE HAVE THE TAPE. She sold him for money. On video. Nari: HOLY SHIT Seoyeon: Send send send Ara: Justice baby Jiwon: Proud of you girls Me: Meeting lawyer 2 p.m. Come?
All yes.
2 p.m. Lawyer office.
Big table.
Girlies in full force.
Lawyer played tape.
We watched again.
Mother's cold smile.
Nari: "Ice queen."
Seoyeon: "Evil."
Ara: "Sad for her kids now."
Jiwon: "But she chose."
Lawyer: "File today. Injunction lifted. Shares stay."
Dae-Hyun nodded.
"Thank you."
Lawyer smiled.
"Pleasure."
Girlies cheered.
Hugged him.
He laughed.
Awkward but happy.
First time.
My heart full.
Evening.
Penthouse.
Celebration.
Takeout.
Soju.
Girlies crashed.
Dancing bad.
Singing worse.
Dae-Hyun watched.
Smiled big.
Joined.
Drunk a little.
Danced with me.
Slow.
In living room.
Girlies filmed.
Teased.
We didn't care.
Kissed in front of them.
They screamed.
Happy screams.
Night ended.
Girlies left.
Tipsy.
Uber.
We alone.
Shower together.
Slow.
Hands.
Soap.
Kisses.
Bed.
Hot.
Sweet.
His whispers.
"You saved me."
"No. You saved yourself. I just loved you."
He kissed deep.
Made love.
Slow.
Perfect.
Fell asleep tangled.
Happy.
Next day.
Mother called.
He answered.
Speaker.
Her: "Saw filing. Withdraw or I go public harder."
Him: calm.
"Play the tape?"
Silence.
Her: "You wouldn't."
"Already did. Court. Press tomorrow."
Her: panic.
"Please."
Him: "You taught me no please."
Hung up.
She didn't call back.
Ever.
Win.
Weekend.
Jeju.
Secret trip.
Private villa.
Beach.
Just us.
No phones.
No work.
Swam.
Laughed.
Made love on balcony.
Under stars.
Talked dreams.
Future.
Kids maybe.
Marriage someday.
No rush.
Just us.
Perfect.
Back Monday.