My Secret Billionaire Bodyguard

Shadows Behind the Light

A white light blurred everything.

Uwan groaned as his eyelids fluttered, the brightness stabbing into his skull like needles. He winced and turned his head slightly. The sterile scent of antiseptic hung in the air. He could barely recognize the ceiling above him—flat, white, and too clean.

“Where… am I?” he whispered, his throat dry and voice hoarse. “Why are there… so many lights?”

Before he could gather his thoughts, the door opened with a gentle creak.

Footsteps echoed softly.

Uwan blinked against the glare, struggling to focus—

Then his eyes widened.

A familiar figure stood by the door, holding a glass of water.

“Rein…?” Uwan muttered in disbelief.

Rein smiled faintly, walking in. He was soaked too—his coat dripped onto the tiled floor—but his usual mischievous grin was still there, though dimmed by something heavier. He walked over and sat beside Uwan’s bed.

“How are you now?” Rein asked, trying to keep his tone light. “Still as dumb as ever, huh? Walking in the rain like a depressed anime protagonist.”

Despite everything, Uwan chuckled—a dry, cracked sound.

“You brought me here?” he asked, his voice heavy with something unspoken.

Rein handed him the glass. “Who else? You think I’d let some ambulance driver drag you around like trash? I knew you'd pull something like this.”

Uwan stared at the glass for a moment before setting it aside untouched. His expression darkened.

“You didn’t have to,” he muttered. “You should’ve let me be. If you haven’t heard—everyone thinks I killed my sister. The girl you used to call your sunshine.”

Rein’s smile faded just slightly, but he didn’t look away. There was a flicker of pain in his eyes—hidden, but real.

“I know what people are saying,” he said quietly. “And I don’t care.”

Uwan looked up, surprised.

“You… don’t?”

“No,” Rein said, voice firmer now. “Because I know you. I’ve known you my whole damn life. So I’m asking just once—did you do it?”

Silence hung thick in the room.

Uwan’s lips trembled. His hands clenched the blanket, eyes filling with tears that refused to fall. His chest ached like it might burst under the weight of grief.

He didn’t answer.

He couldn’t.

Rein stood, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he said gently. “I got my answer.”

He turned, heading for the door. Just as he stepped out, he looked back one last time.

“Rest. Heal. Then fight. You still have people who believe in you, even if you don’t.”

The door closed with a soft click, leaving Uwan alone with his silence.

Uwan whispered under his breath, barely audible:

“Believe me, Rein… I don’t even know if I believe in myself anymore…”

---

Elsewhere in the city...

The sun bathed the skyline in gold as the evening painted the horizon with fire.

On an open set near the edge of the city, lights flashed and cameras rolled. Laughter buzzed behind the scenes as everyone turned their gaze to the center of attention—Soya.

She stood before the camera in a crisp office uniform, portraying a young working woman. Her hair shimmered like a black waterfall, cascading perfectly down her shoulders. Her smile could stop hearts. Her eyes sparkled—but few noticed the hollowness behind them.

"Action!" the director called out.

Soya began her lines flawlessly, moving with grace, her tone natural—yet something cracked inside her halfway through.

A crewmember whispered near the lights, thinking she couldn’t hear.

“Look at her. So perfect. Fame, money, beauty—what more could she want?”

“Must be nice,” someone replied. “No real problems…”

Soya’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second. Just enough for the director to cut the take.

“I’m sorry,” she said gently. “I’m ready now. Let’s try again.”

The director waved it off with a smile. “It’s fine, Soya. If you need a break—”

“No,” she interrupted, straightening up. “I’m okay. Let’s roll.”

The scene resumed—and this time, she nailed it. Every word, every movement. Flawless.

“Beautiful!” the director clapped. “That’s why you’re the lead! We’re having dinner tonight to celebrate.”

Soya offered a polite smile. “I’m sorry. I have a lot of work waiting. Maybe next time.”

She turned swiftly and walked off toward her van. Her assistant and close friend, Ina, hurried behind her, worry in her eyes.

“Soya… are you okay?” Ina asked softly once they were alone.

Soya sat on the vanity seat inside the van, slowly removing her earrings. Her hands trembled just slightly.

“I’m fine,” she said with a hollow smile.

“But… I heard what they said. Don’t let it get to you—”

“I’m used to it.” Soya stared at herself in the mirror. Her reflection smiled back, but her eyes… her eyes looked like they hadn’t truly smiled in years. “People always love a lie more than the truth.”

She paused.

Then whispered so only Ina could hear—

“Especially when they don’t know what I’ve done.”