Two days had passed since Kim's terrifying misunderstanding and Ci-A's sacrifice.
The night was deep.
Victor and Ci-A were asleep in the same bed, wrapped in a heavy, unnatural silence. Victor's arm was still tightly around Ci-A, as if he wanted to prove that she belonged to him.
Suddenly, Ci-A woke up.
Her chest was pounding violently. When she turned to look at Victor, her entire body froze.
Victor's eyes were open—but there was no life in them.
His body was motionless, cold like ice.
A small, sharp dagger was lodged in his chest, glinting even in the darkness. Bloodstains had soaked and painted the white bedsheet crimson.
Ci-A screamed in terror—
"Victor!"
She grabbed his body and shook him desperately.
Su-ha (crying uncontrollably):
"Wake up, Victor! What happened?! Victor! Open your eyes! Who did this to you?!"
But there was no response.
Victor would never wake up again.
Ci-A's hands were trembling. It felt like she was trapped inside a nightmare. All around her was Victor's congealed blood and the icy stench of death.
Slowly, Ci-A climbed down from the bed. Her eyes fell on the dagger.
Was this her doing?
Had she stabbed him in her sleep?
She couldn't remember anything like that.
But then—who could kill Victor inside such a heavily guarded palace?
Victor's Story (If He Had Woken Up)
If Victor had woken up, he might have told Ci-A about the darker sides of his empire.
He might have confessed how Kim had hated him since childhood, how he had tried to steal everything Kim loved.
He might have said that he never loved Ci-A—that he only used her to hurt Kim.
But Victor lay lifeless now.
All his secrets were buried with him.
Sitting beside Victor's cold body, Su-ha (Ci-A) broke down in uncontrollable sobs. Her tears mixed with Victor's blood.
She wasn't crying because she loved him—
she was crying out of terror for her uncertain future.
Su-ha (grabbing Victor's collar, shaking him):
"Why? Why did you leave like this? Why did you leave me alone with all these questions? What will I tell the world now? What will happen to this child? Everyone knows him as your son!"
Su-ha knew that with Victor's death, the palace's security would collapse.
If Kim returned now, he might believe Su-ha had killed Victor.
And Victor's enemies would seize this opportunity to eliminate both her and the orphaned child.
Su-ha:
"Did you free me… or did you trap me in an even bigger cage, Victor? Will this innocent child now have to carry the burden of your sins?"
Just then, heavy boots echoed outside the room.
Someone shouted,
"Why is Master Victor's room lit up? Go inside!"
Su-ha looked down at her hands—they were stained with Victor's blood.
If she didn't escape now, she would be branded a murderer.
She ran toward the child's room.
The baby was still asleep, unaware that his "shadow father" was gone forever.
A Shadow in the Darkness
As Su-ha reached to pick up the child, someone pulled aside the window curtain and stepped inside.
He carried no weapon—but his Sapphire Eyes gleamed like diamonds in the dark.
Kim:
"Stop crying, Su-ha. The man who dragged you through hell doesn't deserve your tears."
Su-ha looked up at Kim in shock.
There were bloodstains on his clothes.
Had he come to rescue her… after killing Victor?
Kim froze for a few seconds.
The woman he had come to save was now accusing him of murder.
Pain and disbelief constricted his eyes.
Su-ha clutched the child tightly to her chest and stared at Kim with tear-filled, piercing eyes.
Su-ha:
"Why did you kill my husband, Kim? Whatever he was, he sheltered me and your child for three years! What will I tell the world now? Do you know how vulnerable we are without him?!"
Kim stepped forward, his jaw clenched. His Sapphire Eyes trembled with wounded pride.
Kim (low, grave voice):
"Husband? The man who caged you, abused you like an animal—he's your husband now? And I, who fought death for three years just to return to you… am I only a murderer?"
Kim extended his blood-soaked hands toward her.
Kim:
"Yes, I killed him! I was forced to—because tonight he planned to poison both of you. If he died, he wanted you to die with him. I tried to save you, Su-ha!"
Su-ha:
"But without his name, this child has no identity! You closed every path for me by killing him!"
Kim suddenly grabbed her shoulders.
She shuddered at his touch.
Kim:
"You want identity? From today on, I am his father. I will erase Victor's sins and give him my legacy. But can you forgive me, Su-ha? Or do you still pity that beast?"
Gunshots and guards' screams echoed outside.
Victor's loyal assassins had surrounded the palace.
Kim knew they only had minutes.
Two Months Later
Two months after escaping Victor's cursed palace, Kim reclaimed his kingdom and began a new life with Su-ha and their child at a secure mountain resort.
That morning felt different.
Su-ha wore a soft cream-colored silk dress. Her long black hair cascaded gently down her back.
The once tomboyish Ci-A had transformed into a breathtakingly beautiful woman.
Standing before the mirror, Su-ha applied light makeup—subtle lipstick on the center and corners of her lips, its red glow casting a magical warmth on her fair face.
Kim leaned against the doorway, mesmerized.
His Sapphire Eyes held no rage now—only tenderness for her.
Kim (smiling softly):
"You look beautiful in that lipstick, Su-ha. It feels like I've found the Ci-A I lost three years ago."
Su-ha smiled at him through the mirror and adjusted his tie.
Su-ha:
"It's all for you, Kim. Without you, I'd probably be rotting in some dark cell."
Kim kissed her forehead and led her to the bed, where their child slept peacefully.
Seeing the tiny limbs spread in sleep, Kim smiled with deep satisfaction.
This child was now his greatest treasure.
He wrapped an arm around Su-ha's waist and sat beside the baby.
The hatred and misunderstandings of two months ago had transformed into deep love.
Night Drive
The night sky was clear.
Kim and Su-ha walked hand in hand down a quiet road. Their luxurious black car stood nearby, its headlights glowing through thin mist.
There were no secrets between them anymore.
They laughed, reminiscing about Ci-A's tomboy stubbornness.
Kim suddenly stopped.
Kim:
"We've come a long way, haven't we?"
Su-ha nodded.
They sat in the backseat.
Soft blue interior lights made Su-ha's lips even more alluring.
Silence deepened.
Kim leaned closer.
He brushed her cheek, tucked her hair behind her ear—and kissed her gently.
Three years of pain, longing, and separation melted into that single kiss.
When they pulled apart, both blushed.
Kim (smiling shyly):
"It's just… it's been a long time."
Su-ha (softly):
"Let's go home. The baby's alone."
Kim started the car, smiling.
As he drove, Su-ha noticed his eyes watching her through the rearview mirror.
Their eyes met.
Time seemed to stop.
Kim smiled mischievously.
Kim:
"What are you looking at? Or were you trying to catch me watching you?"
Su-ha (embarrassed):
"No! I was just checking the time."
Neon lights danced across the car as sweet tension filled the air.
Three Years Earlier (Truth Revealed)
Three years had passed.
Su-ha was now a world-famous model—but a prisoner inside Victor's palace.
One day, while nursing her three-year-old child, Kim stormed into the palace.
Seeing Su-ha as Victor's child's mother broke him.
Kim (roaring):
"You traitor! I'll drag you out of this filthy life—or I'll end you!"
Su-ha cried and begged him to leave for the child's future.
Kim left in humiliation.
The Night of Blood
Days later, Ji-Han entered silently and stabbed Victor in the chest.
Victor died instantly.
At dawn, Su-ha found his cold body.
She screamed and wept.
Victor had been her abuser—but also the child's social father.
She didn't know whether Ji-Han acted alone or was sent by Kim.
The Breaking Point
Later, Kim confronted Su-ha while she cried holding Victor's locket.
Drunk with jealousy and pain, he ripped it from her neck.
She slapped him.
He left—heartbroken and vengeful.
Su-ha collapsed.
She almost ended her life—
Until her child cried.
That cry pulled her back from death.
She hugged the child tightly.
Su-ha:
"Don't cry… Mommy's here. I'm not going anywhere."
She realized she must live—for her child.