IF LOVE HAD A NAME

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1. A Decision to Break the Rules

Hana paced the small apartment, her heart pounding.

Ji-hoon had told her not to follow him.

But she couldn't just sit here and wait.

She grabbed her phone, checking the time. 11:27 PM.

Midnight. That was the deadline.

I can't just do nothing.

Her fists clenched.

She knew where Ji-hoon was going.

Knew the address Seok-jin had given him.

And if she didn't stop him now…

She might never see him again.

Without another thought, Hana grabbed her coat—

And ran out the door.

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2. A Dangerous Road

The city streets were eerily quiet at this hour.

Hana moved fast, her breath visible in the cold air.

Her heart hammered.

Her mind raced.

Ji-hoon wasn't a killer.

But Seok-jin had backed him into a corner.

And Ji-hoon would do anything to protect her.

Even if it meant losing himself.

Her fingers gripped the paper with the address.

Just a few more blocks.

Please, let me make it in time.

Then—

A shadow moved.

Hana froze.

From the alley beside her—

A figure stepped out.

Tall. Dark.

And smiling.

"Going somewhere, sweetheart?"

Her stomach dropped.

It was Seok-jin.

And he wasn't alone.

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3. A Trap Set in Motion

Hana took a step back.

Seok-jin's smirk widened.

"Relax. No need to be scared."

His men flanked him, eyes sharp, dangerous.

"You were heading somewhere important, weren't you?"

Hana didn't answer.

Seok-jin tsked.

"Don't worry. Ji-hoon will come back. The question is—"

He took a step closer.

"Will you still be here when he does?"

Hana's blood ran cold.

This wasn't just about Ji-hoon's job.

This was about her.

Seok-jin wasn't just testing Ji-hoon.

He was controlling him.

And now—

Hana was his leverage.

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4. The Moment Everything Changed

The men closed in.

Hana's pulse spiked.

She had to do something.

She wasn't some helpless girl.

Ji-hoon had taught her how to fight.

She just needed a chance—

Seok-jin reached for her.

Hana moved.

Fast.

A sharp elbow to his ribs.

A twist—breaking free from his grip.

For a split second, she thought she could run.

Then—

A strong hand grabbed her wrist.

Yanked her back—hard.

Hana gasped.

Seok-jin wasn't smiling anymore.

His eyes were cold.

Dangerous.

"Bad move, sweetheart."

Then—

A gun pressed against her ribs.

Her breath hitched.

"Now," Seok-jin murmured, voice calm, almost amused.

"Let's see how much Ji-hoon really cares about you."

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5. A Heart-Stopping Arrival

The sound of footsteps.

Fast.

Sharp.

And then—

A new voice.

"Let. Her. Go."

Hana's heart leaped.

Ji-hoon.

He stood at the end of the alley.

Face unreadable.

Eyes burning.

Seok-jin smirked.

"Well, well. That was fast."

Ji-hoon didn't respond.

Didn't blink.

His focus was only on her.

And the gun against her side.

Hana swallowed.

She could see it in his face.

The fury.

The desperation.

And the terrifying, dangerous calm.

Seok-jin chuckled.

"You know the deal, hyung."

He pressed the gun harder into Hana's ribs.

"One life for another."

Ji-hoon's fists clenched.

His voice was low.

Deadly.

"Let. Her. Go."

Seok-jin smiled.

"But then… who's going to pay your debt?"

Silence.

Thick.

Suffocating.

Then—Ji-hoon took a slow step forward.

And dropped his gun.

Hana's breath caught.

Ji-hoon was surrendering.

Seok-jin's grin widened.

"Smart choice."

But then—

Ji-hoon moved.

Fast.

Before anyone could react—

His fist slammed into Seok-jin's face.

A crack.

A grunt.

The gun dropped.

Hana broke free—stumbling back.

Ji-hoon didn't stop.

Didn't hesitate.

Another hit—harder.

Seok-jin staggered.

Ji-hoon caught him by the collar.

And his voice—low, cold, terrifying—

"If you ever touch her again—"

Seok-jin coughed blood.

But still—he smirked.

"Too late, hyung."

Ji-hoon froze.

Seok-jin laughed, voice ragged.

"You're already mine."

Then—sirens.

Loud. Close.

Flashing lights at the alley entrance.

Police.

Seok-jin wiped the blood from his mouth.

"Guess that's our cue."

Ji-hoon's heart stopped.

No.

This wasn't a coincidence.

Seok-jin had planned this.

And now—

Ji-hoon was trapped.

"Hana," Ji-hoon said, voice sharp.

She turned.

His eyes—fierce, desperate.

"Run."

Hana shook her head.

"No, I won't—"

Ji-hoon grabbed her shoulders.

"Go. Now."

Hana's throat tightened.

The police were closing in.

Seok-jin was already smirking.

Ji-hoon was about to be arrested.

And there was nothing she could do.

She looked at him.

One last time.

His fingers brushed her cheek.

Soft.

Fleeting.

Then—

He shoved her away.

And turned to face the flashing lights.

Hana's legs finally moved.

She ran.

But even as she disappeared into the night—

Her heart stayed behind.

With him.

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End of Chapter 10

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