IF LOVE HAD A NAME

---

1. A Dangerous Decision

Hana's words lingered in the air.

You're mine.

Ji-hoon had faced countless fights. Battles that left him bruised, bleeding, broken.

But nothing—nothing—hit as hard as that.

His fingers twitched at his side, like he wanted to reach for her. Hold her.

But he couldn't.

Because love was a weakness.

And in his world, weakness got people killed.

He exhaled sharply.

"Hana… don't say things like that."

She didn't back down.

Her gaze burned.

"Why not?"

Ji-hoon clenched his fists.

"Because if you do…" He looked away. "I won't be able to let you go."

Silence.

Then—

"Good," Hana whispered.

Ji-hoon's breath hitched.

And in that moment, he knew—

He was already too far gone.

---

2. The Call That Changed Everything

Ji-hoon's phone buzzed.

A single message.

Meet me. Now.

No name.

But he didn't need one.

It was Min-jae.

Hana saw the tension in his face.

"You're going." It wasn't a question.

Ji-hoon's lips pressed into a thin line.

"I have to."

Hana inhaled sharply.

Then—

"I'm coming with you."

"No."

"Yes."

Their eyes locked.

Stubborn against stubborn.

Ji-hoon sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"You don't know what you're asking."

Hana stepped closer.

"I know exactly what I'm asking."

Her hand brushed his.

A quiet plea.

Ji-hoon cursed under his breath.

Then—he gave in.

"Fine."

But deep down, he knew—he would regret this.

---

3. The Meeting with the Devil

The warehouse was cold.

Dark.

The kind of place where deals were made and lives were lost.

Ji-hoon walked in first, Hana by his side.

Min-jae leaned against an old metal table, smirking.

"Well, well. Look who finally showed up."

Ji-hoon didn't waste time.

"You sent the message. What do you want?"

Min-jae's eyes flickered to Hana.

Then—he grinned.

"She's cute."

Ji-hoon moved.

Fast.

Slamming Min-jae against the table.

The smirk never left.

"Ooh. Protective, aren't we?" Min-jae laughed, pushing Ji-hoon off him. "Relax. I'm not here to fight."

Ji-hoon didn't trust him.

Min-jae never did anything without a price.

Hana stepped forward.

"What do you want from him?"

Min-jae's gaze lingered on her.

Then—he chuckled.

"Not from him." He tilted his head. "From you."

Hana's breath caught.

Ji-hoon froze.

"What?"

Min-jae smirked.

"You want to protect him, don't you?" His voice was smooth. Dangerous.

Hana swallowed.

"Yes."

Min-jae's eyes darkened.

"Then make a deal with me."

---

4. A Price Too High

Ji-hoon snapped.

"No."

Min-jae barely looked at him.

His gaze stayed on Hana.

"Think about it," he said, voice low. Tempting.

"I don't need to," Hana shot back. "I'd do anything to keep him safe."

Ji-hoon grabbed her wrist.

"Hana, stop."

She turned to him.

And in her eyes—determination.

"I won't let you do this alone."

Ji-hoon's grip tightened.

"This isn't your fight."

Hana's voice shook.

"Neither was falling in love with you."

Ji-hoon's breath caught.

Min-jae's grin widened.

"Oh, this just got interesting."

Ji-hoon ignored him.

His heart pounded.

"Hana…"

She smiled, just a little.

Soft. Unbreakable.

"I'm not afraid," she whispered.

And that terrified him more than anything.

---

5. A Kiss Before the Storm

They left the warehouse without a deal.

Ji-hoon refused to let her sacrifice anything for him.

Not now. Not ever.

But Hana knew—this wasn't over.

Min-jae wouldn't give up that easily.

The storm was coming.

She just didn't know who would survive it.

Ji-hoon pulled her into a dark alley, away from the world.

"Hana."

She looked up.

Before she could speak—

He kissed her.

Not like before.

Not slow. Not hesitant.

But desperate. Needing.

Like it was the last time.

Like he was trying to memorize her.

Hana clung to him.

Silent promises between their lips.

And when they finally pulled apart—

Ji-hoon whispered against her skin.

"No matter what happens… I love you."

Hana's heart stopped.

Then—she smiled.

"I love you too."

But neither of them knew—

That love alone wouldn't be enough to save them.

---

End of Chapter 19