When The Phone Rings

As time passed, Heeju found herself increasingly isolated.

She no longer wanted to answer calls from her sister or Director Hanjoon, who were both worried about her mental state. Once again, she shut herself away at home.

Yet, before the phone could even finish ringing—Ring—!—she would answer it with the speed of a squirrel.

"Hello?"

—...

The breathing on the other end was different this time. It sounded like it caught mid-inhale, as if something was stuck.

"Why do you only call once a day?"

—...

"Can’t you call more often?"

—...

Call her crazy.

Call it a mental illness.

With her eyes tightly shut, Heeju spoke.

"I’ll find you."

—...

"So just wait for me."

—...

"No matter where you are, I’ll come and find you."

Even if it’s a ghost, I’ll find you.

She clutched her phone with all the strength she could muster.

***

The prison was stark and cold, a place she had never set foot in before.

Heeju fidgeted with her neatly arranged clothes, tugging at them nervously as she sat in the visitation room, waiting.

Before long, a man appeared with a guard. It was Park Do-jae, Baek Saeon’s former personal aide.

Heeju knew all too well how close he had been to Baek Saeon.

"Hello," she greeted softly.