IF LOVE HAD A NAME

1. The First Attack

Hana's breath caught in her throat.

The man at her window didn't move.

Didn't blink.

Just stood there, watching her—like a predator toying with its prey.

Then—he smirked.

And that's when she knew.

He wasn't here to scare her.

He was here to take her.

Her body moved before her mind did.

She grabbed the closest thing—a lamp—and hurled it at the man.

But he was fast.

Too fast.

Before the lamp could hit, he was already gone.

Hana's stomach dropped.

Where did he—

A whisper brushed against her ear.

"You should've stayed away from him."

He was inside.

Hana spun—

But a hand clamped over her mouth, yanking her backward.

Her scream died in her throat.

She struggled—kicked—fought like hell—

But the man barely flinched.

"Shh," he murmured, his breath cold against her skin. "No one's coming for you."

Hana's heart pounded.

No.

No, she wouldn't let it end like this.

She bit down—hard.

The man cursed, jerking back just enough for her to twist away.

She stumbled, gasping for air—

And then—

A deafening crash.

The door burst open.

And standing there—

Eyes dark. Breathing heavy.

Ji-hoon.

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2. A Fight Worth Killing For

The moment Ji-hoon saw her—

Saw the fear in her eyes, the bruises on her skin—

Something inside him snapped.

He moved so fast, Hana barely saw it happen.

One second, the man was standing.

The next—

Ji-hoon's fist slammed into his face.

The man staggered back, blood dripping from his mouth.

Ji-hoon didn't stop.

Didn't hesitate.

He grabbed the guy by his collar and threw him against the wall.

"Who sent you?" Ji-hoon's voice was low. Deadly.

The man coughed, grinning through bloody teeth.

"You already know."

Ji-hoon's eyes darkened.

And for the first time—Hana saw it.

The side of him he tried to hide.

The part of him that wasn't afraid to kill.

"Wrong answer," Ji-hoon muttered.

Then—he pulled out a knife.

Hana gasped. "Ji-hoon—"

But he didn't stop.

He pressed the blade right against the man's throat.

"Tell me why you're here," he ordered. "Or I swear I'll—"

"Ji-hoon."

Hana's voice was soft.

Pleading.

His grip tightened—then loosened.

For her.

Just for her.

With a frustrated exhale, Ji-hoon stepped back, shoving the man onto the floor.

"Run back to whoever sent you," he growled. "And tell them—"

His gaze flickered to Hana.

"She's mine."

The man wiped the blood from his lips, smirking.

"This isn't over."

And just like that—

He was gone.

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3. Closer Than Ever

The silence left behind was too heavy.

Hana didn't move.

Didn't breathe.

Ji-hoon turned to her, his expression unreadable.

"Are you hurt?"

Hana shook her head, but her hands were still trembling.

Ji-hoon noticed.

Without thinking, he closed the distance.

And suddenly—

He was too close.

So close she could see the way his lashes framed his dark, stormy eyes.

So close she could feel his warmth, smell the faint scent of smoke and danger.

Hana swallowed.

"You scared me," she admitted.

Ji-hoon's jaw clenched. "You scared me first."

His hand lifted—hesitated.

Then, slowly—

He brushed his fingers against her cheek.

Soft. Careful.

Like she was something fragile.

Hana shivered.

"You're shaking," Ji-hoon murmured.

Hana tried to smile. "You did just fight someone in my living room."

His lips quirked—just barely.

But his eyes stayed serious.

"You can't stay here," he said.

Hana frowned. "Then where—"

"With me."

Silence.

Her heart skipped.

Ji-hoon ran a hand through his hair, looking away.

"Just for now," he muttered. "Until it's safe."

Hana stared at him.

Then—before she could stop herself—

She stepped closer.

Too close.

She tilted her head up, voice barely a whisper.

"Ji-hoon," she breathed.

His gaze snapped to hers.

And in that moment—

She saw it.

The war inside him.

The part of him that wanted to pull her closer.

And the part that wanted to push her away.

Ji-hoon exhaled sharply.

Then—

He leaned in.

For just a second—

Their lips brushed.

Barely.

Almost.

Then—he pulled away.

His hands clenched. His breathing uneven.

"This is dangerous," he muttered.

Hana's lips parted. "You think I don't know that?"

Ji-hoon let out a bitter chuckle.

Then, without another word—

He took her hand.

And led her into the night.

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End of Chapter 7

(Next Chapter: A Night in His Arms)

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