SACCHARIN
CHAPTER 21

 

It wasn’t a pleasant thought that someone else had possession of my personal belongings. The only relief was that I had at least set up a basic lock. Since my phone brand prioritized security, no one but me would be able to unlock it.

As I calmed down a little, my tears began to subside. Wiping away the remaining traces with the back of my hand, I asked him,

“The burner phone in my pocket… what about the data?”

“It’s intact, but it’s been modified to be untraceable. You can only make calls and send messages.”

“And… the charger?”

“When you get to the factory, there’ll be someone to help you. Look for the guy with a scarred face.”

“…That should be easy enough to find.”

I nodded, deciding to go along with it. I wasn’t sure if I should trust Shin Chi-woo so readily, but I had already made up my mind.

“Tell him this—’A new stone has started being carved.’ He’ll understand what it means.”

I had no idea what that was supposed to mean, but I nodded reluctantly. It was likely just a coded phrase between them.

Now wasn’t the time to waste energy deciphering Shin Chi-woo’s cryptic messages. If I went to the island, I might never make it back to the mainland.

I had to show trust in the person offering to get me out—only then would they keep their promise. First, I needed to get through this. Only then could I plan for the future. For now, I should at least act compliant.

“Is the work at the factory… difficult?”

“Depends. It probably varies from person to person.”

“I’d rather it be hard…”

“You’ve never even earned money through labor before. Just don’t start crying when it gets tough.”

“…….”

“Still, it’s better than dying. So cry if you have to, but endure it.”

“What am I supposed to do…?”

If it was grueling physical labor, at least I could momentarily forget about all this misery. No matter how much Shin Chi-woo mocked me, I’d endure it just to prove him wrong. I wasn’t someone who gave up easily when it mattered.

Looking at it optimistically, maybe my time at the factory wouldn’t be the absolute worst. I had a burner phone, and there was supposedly someone there who would help me. If I used Shin Chi-woo’s name, I might even be able to protect myself.

But something felt off. Throughout this tense battle of nerves with Shin Chi-woo, I realized something strange—he seemed to know a lot about me.

How did he know I’d never worked a part-time job?

It wasn’t impossible for him to know I was a grad student who had been raised like a sheltered flower. That kind of information could be picked up in passing because of my father. But no matter how close he had been to my father, I doubted my dad would’ve ever shared trivial details—like my snack preferences.

If, as the chairman had suggested, my father’s betrayal had begun long ago, then it made sense. Shin Chi-woo had likely been observing us for as long as that stuffed bear had been in our home.

And so, I grew curious—just how much did Shin Chi-woo know about Seo Wan-yi, not just as Seo Kyoyong’s daughter, but as a person?

“How do you even know I’ve never earned my own money?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Do you really think Director Seo would send his precious daughter out begging?”

“The way you talk… You’re seriously unbelievable.”

“Unlike you, I wasn’t raised with a silver spoon.”

My bold question was shut down from the very first word. Maybe it was just because I had been crying, but for a moment, he had seemed softer. Yet, if I reminded myself that this man was inherently sharp and cold, everything he said and did became easier to accept.

It was foolish of me to ask in the first place—he wasn’t the type to answer honestly. I stared at the man crouched in front of me, my gaze narrowing into a triangle.

“You know, the way you talk is really obnoxious.”

“I know.”

“Well, at least you’re aware.”

With his pale skin and sharp, cold features, he didn’t have the face of a thug. But that contradiction only made his involvement in all this seem even more fitting.

How long did he plan to sit there, half-kneeling in front of me like this?

“Feeling better now? Not mad at me anymore?”

“No, I still have plenty to be angry about.”

“Then should I do something to cheer you up?”

“No, thanks.”

“How’s the seasickness?”

“…Still nauseous.”

If I was able to have such a pointless conversation, I must have calmed down significantly. As my agitated emotions settled, I realized how close we were.

At some point, he had brushed my hair back, wiped my tears, and even held my hand. When had that happened? His hands, adorned with multiple rings, looked almost ridiculous. I slowly tried to pull mine away when—

“We need to set sail! Enough playing around, Chief Shin.”

Knock, knock. A man’s voice accompanied a light rap on the door. It was the captain, wearing a baseball cap. Shin Chi-woo glanced at the watch on my wrist before speaking in a tone much more subdued than before.

“We can’t delay any longer.”

“…Got it.”

“The chairman will try to smooth things over, considering his history with Director Seo. Just sit tight and behave.”

“You’ll come to get me, right? Like you said?”

“I might not be able to come personally.”

“But… you will get me out of there, won’t you?”

“…Yeah.”

“…That’s a promise.”

I held up my pinky in front of his face. I needed to make sure Shin Chi-woo gave me a clear answer. My fingers felt stiff, weighed down by all the rings, but I raised my pinky again, insisting.

I braced myself for him to scoff at the childish gesture. But to my surprise, he simply hooked his finger around mine.

“Yeah, it’s a promise.”

“…….”

“Happy now?”

“Uh… yeah.”

This wasn’t the first time I had held hands with Shin Chi-woo or touched fingers with him, but something about it felt strange. His hands were big—I knew that already. But the way he reassuringly pressed his thumb against mine in a childish seal of the promise made me feel oddly unsettled.

“There, a stamp.”

He even smiled—a real one. It wasn’t his usual dry smirk or mocking grin, but something bright and boyish. Seeing him like this, I realized he wasn’t entirely devoid of emotion.

For a moment, I found myself staring, mesmerized. His smooth forehead, the sharp arch of his dark brows, and the thick lashes beneath them—I could see everything up close. Too close. My brain finally sounded a warning alarm.

“Here, take this first.”

Suddenly, he reached into his trench coat pocket. My gaze instinctively followed his hand, noticing the slight tension in his fingers as he pulled something out. There was a faint pop as a cap was removed, and then his hand emerged from his pocket—holding a pink pill.

“Take it.”

“What is this…?”

“It’ll make you feel better.”

“…What? No way, I’m not taking some random pill!”

He pressed a finger to my lips, the pill balanced at his fingertip. If he pushed even slightly, it would end up in my mouth.

I had seen what looked like drugs back at the hotel. My first thought was that he was trying to force me to take something like that. Even if it wasn’t drugs, there were plenty of dangerous substances out there.

Refusing was the only rational thing to do. My lips instinctively sealed shut.

“It’s nothing weird.”

“…….”

“I was just joking. It’s for seasickness. Take it.”

The pill was small, but its pink color set off alarm bells in my head. I had once read online that some drugs were disguised as colorful, candy-like pills.

“…You’re lying. You’re trying to trick me into taking something weird, aren’t you?”

“I told you, it’s not like that.”

“I… I still don’t trust you.”

“We don’t have time for this. Just take it.”

With an exasperated sigh, he used his other hand to grip my chin. His fingers pressed against my jaw, forcing my lips to part slightly.

“If I use force, your jaw might break. Wan-yi, please.”

I clenched my teeth tightly, refusing to give in. It was strange—he had no problem causing a deliberate car crash earlier, but now he was worried about hurting me? That contradiction only fueled my growing suspicions.

“Open your mouth.”

“Mmph! Nnngh!”

“Open and stick out your tongue.”

“Mmph!”

I shook my head, resisting with everything I had. He tried to force my mouth open once or twice but stopped, seemingly afraid I’d get hurt.

Instead, he changed his approach.

His fingers softened, tracing my lips lightly. He was trying to coax me into submission.

“If you don’t want to stick out your tongue, just open up. I’ll do the rest.”

“…Nnngh! No!”

“If you keep resisting, I’ll have no choice but to force you.”

I tensed my entire body to resist him. But there was only so much strength I could muster.

At some point, his fingers slipped partway into my mouth. A bitter taste touched the tip of my tongue. If I wasn’t careful, I might actually end up swallowing the pill.

The sensation was humiliating—like I was sucking on his fingers. My face burned with shame, but I couldn’t afford to let my guard down now.