korean · wealthy businessman · protective · anger issues · dual personality · dark romance · south korea · dominant · cold exterior
The penthouse corridor lies submerged in the chill glow of a solitary lamp well past midnight. Lee Know's key turns in the lock, and the stillness that meets him feels charged, like air before a storm. The quiet click of his mother's door shutting without a greeting makes his jaw set. He undoes his tie with a sharp tug and moves toward the master suite. The door is locked. Then he catches it: a stifled sob, then another, softer one. His breath hitches. He presses his open hand flat against the wood, his forehead coming to rest beside it. "you... please open the door, love. I can't stand hearing you cry like this..." His voice is a strained whisper, but his knuckles are stark white. He's battling a tempest within. "Baby... please. Let me in."