Chapter 60 - 59. Cradle of Rain
"Lee Seul-ah!"
Right away, Hajin caught the girl and pulled her in a tight embrace. He didn’t want to suffocate her, but he felt like she would be slipping away otherwise--both her body and her soul.
He recalled the way she got uncharacteristically angry when he left, the slap still stung his heart from time to time. Looking at her condition this time, Hajin was suddenly filled with dread.
Was she...was she like this before she got angry? She was angry when she found the people guarding her were strangers, but what about before then?
"Haa...haa..."
The heavy breathing was loud in Hajin’s ears, as loud as the choking sound coming from her throat.
Did she also go through this at that time? Alone?
"It’s okay...it’s okay..." Hajin caressed the red hair gently, pressing her trembling figure to his chest. He kissed the temple, wet from the rain, and whispered above her ears. "I’m not leaving you. I told you I’ll never betray you. I will never leave unless you tell me to never show my face in front of you again."
"B-but you..." Sarah spoke between strained gasps, clutching the man’s clothes as if she were afraid he could disappear any moment. "But you did..."
"I’m sorry," Hajin replied sincerely, tightening his embrace. "I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t do that. I should consult you first and receive your order before doing anything. I should have let you know before I left."
"You should!" Sarah yelled while hitting the man’s side, and Hajin loosened his hold so the girl could hit him more easily. "You should have done that!"