BACK FROM THE DEAD

CHAPTER 6: PARTNER

Taewook saw my screen. He saw Minho’s text.

He didn’t flinch. He just set his whiskey down and looked at me.

“Delete it,” he said.

“Why?”

“Because you don’t owe him replies. Ever again.”

I deleted the whole chat. Blocked him for the second time today.

Taewook’s jaw relaxed a little. “Good.”

The restaurant was empty now. Chairman Kang left. Staff pretended not to stare.

“Eat,” Taewook said, pushing a plate of steak toward me. “You look like you haven’t eaten in days.”

I hadn’t. Not in 5 years.

I picked up the fork. My hand was steady.

“You’re not scared of him,” Taewook said. It wasn’t a question.

“No,” I said. “I’m done being scared. He shot me. He stole from me. He killed me. Fear is a luxury I can’t afford.”

He studied me for a long time. Then he smiled. Not the sharp one from the cafe. A real one. Small.

“You’re dangerous, Mrs. Kang.”

“Only to people who deserve it.”

He leaned back. “Then we’ll get along.”

We finished dinner in silence. But it wasn’t awkward. It was… strategic. Like 2 generals planning war.

*11:30 PM. Back at the penthouse.*

The shopping bags were already in the guest room. 12 of them. With tags I couldn’t afford in 3 lifetimes.

Taewook dropped his keys on the table. “Same rules. Door open. Don’t leave.”

I nodded. But before I could walk away, he stopped me.

“Soyeon.”

I turned.

He pulled something from his suit pocket. A phone. New. Black. No SIM.

“Use this,” he said. “Your old number is compromised. Minho has it. Jihye has it. Half of Seoul probably has it.”

I took it. “Why are you helping me?”

“Because if you die again, my plan dies with you,” he said flatly. Then he added, quieter: “And because you reminded me what it feels like to win.”

He walked to his room. Door closed this time.

I stood there holding the phone like it was a weapon. Because it was.

I turned it on. One contact saved.

`Taewook.`

I typed a message.

_To: Taewook_

_`Thank you. For believing me.`_

3 dots appeared instantly.

_From: Taewook_

_`Don’t thank me yet. Tomorrow, we go to war.`_

I set the phone down and lay on the bed. Door open. City lights through the glass.

My phone buzzed again. Unknown number.

_Jihye: Soyeon please. I’m scared. Minho is going crazy. He says you’re with him. Is it true? Can we meet? Just 5 mins. For old times?_

Old times. Right. The old times where she handed him my bank password.

I didn’t reply. I took a screenshot. Sent it to Taewook’s new number.

_From: Soyeon_

_`She’s biting. Should I let her?`_

_From: Taewook_

_`Yes. But not alone. We use her.`_

Use her. Same words he said to me.

I smiled in the dark.

*6:00 AM. Next morning.*

I woke up to the sound of someone in the kitchen.

Taewook. In a gray shirt, sleeves rolled up, making coffee. No suit. No tie. He looked… human.

“You’re up early,” I said.

“You’re awake,” he said, not turning. “Coffee?”

I sat at the counter. He slid me a cup. Black. No sugar. Just how I liked it in my past life.

“How did you know—”

“I pay attention,” he cut in. “Clause 2. I collect data on everything that matters.”

My heart did something stupid.

He put a folder on the counter. Photos. Documents.

“Minho,” he said. “His accounts. His mistress. His debts. He’s 4.2 billion won in debt to loan sharks. He was going to marry you for your mother’s shares to pay them.”

I flipped through. My hands didn’t shake this time.

“Jihye,” he continued. “She signed the fraud papers. Her fingerprint is on them. She’s the weak link.”

I looked up. “You want me to meet her?”

“Yes,” Taewook said. “Cry. Beg. Apologize. Make her think she won. Then record everything.”

He slid a pen across the counter. It wasn’t a pen. It was a recorder.

“Act 19,” he said. “Weak. Broken. The girl he shot.”

I took the pen. My fingers closed around it.

In my past life, I played 19 and innocent and got killed.

This time, I’d play 19 and innocent… and kill them back.

“Fine,” I said. “But after this, I want something from you.”

Taewook raised an eyebrow. “What?”

I met his eyes. No fear. No flinch.

“I want you to stop calling me leverage. And start calling me your partner.”

He stared at me. 3 seconds. 5.

Then he picked up his coffee and clinked it against mine.

“Deal, partner.”