"Mama, mama!"

Saeran was spying on MC and her son again, per Rika's orders.

Rika hadn't given him his "treatment" yet. Saeran guessed that was the reason she sent him to get more photos of MC. After the drugs are administered, the victim would be down and out for awhile, therefore rendering Saeran useless for the time being.

And Rika needed Saeyoung to cooperate, so here he was.

However, Saeran was way closer to the mother and child then he should have been. He only needed to get pictures of them via the drone.

Saeran didn't know what it was that drew him in. He hadn't felt such strong emotions in years, he couldn't remember what it felt like. He almost wanted to take Rika's drugs again just so the emotions would dull again.

But...he didn't want to go back. Never again.

So here he was. Spying on his brother's wife and child.

Seyong had just shown MC whatever was inside the makeshift tent. MC lifted him into the air, smiling at the adorable giggles her son was making. Saeran could hear the child from where he hid.

He watched as MC made airplane noises, playing happily with her son. That was the only word he could use to describe them, whenever he saw them. Happy.

They slowly made their way to the house, finally stopping at the porch. Saeran crept up closer, curious. He couldn't help himself.

Seyong pattered his way inside, and MC turned to look at the stars. She leaned against the porch rails, face uplifted. She looked beautiful and peaceful. Saeran could see why his brother fell in love with her. She wore her heart on her sleeve.

Then she looked down and sighed. Saeran felt a pang in his chest at the sight. He knew the reason for that sigh. Her love wasn't beside her, looking at the stars with her.

And I'm the reason she hurts inside.

MC walked out to the yard. Saeran followed in her wake, stopping at the porch.

Again, he didn't know why he did so. He just felt a strong urge to do...something. He wanted to get on his knees and beg for MC's forgiveness.

But he knew it would be useless. So when MC turned back to the house, he just kept silent.

"Saeran?" MC asked, her voice trembling. He felt another pang at how scared she sounded.

He walked down the steps, unable to speak.

"Why are you here?" Her voice began to calm as she got a hold of herself.

He couldn't do the same however. He was fighting to get out all the questions swirling in his head.

"Saeran?"

"Don't you hate me?" He finally asked, voice almost inaudible.

"...What?" she replied, confused.

"For what I did to you. For what I did to Saeyoung."

"What? Why did you show up here? Are you going to take us away?"

He paused at that question. "...I don't know." It was all he could say without explaining why he was there.

So he just walked away and disappeared. As soon as he left, he could hear MC scrambling to find Seyong, her voice frantic.

She thought I stole him away... I don't blame her, he thought sadly. He could understand how she felt, now that he had someone of his own to protect.

He lingered, waiting until MC returned to her room. Watched as she picked up Saeyoung's old coat and tried not to cry.

I did this. I did this to them.

~☆~

MC was on the move. Saeran had hacked into her phone, so he could see where she was at all times. Luckily Rika had given Saeran a few days, so she wouldn't be suspicious of his absence.

MC had visited Mint Eye's old base first. It was where she had lost Saeyoung, so it made sense for her to go there. He shifted uneasily.

She is doing all this because I just had to show myself. Idiot, what were you thinking?

He was getting concerned. While he could see her location, that was all he could do without alerting her. He didn't have access to audio or the camera. She had taught herself to hack a bit, so her phone security was higher than most other people.

Then he saw her move again. Getting into his own car, he began following her some miles behind. He traced her into the nearby city. He expected her to stop at the decent hotel, but she kept going, entering into the most dangerous part of the city.

What does she think she is doing?

She then proceeded to book a room in a cheap motel. It was then when he noticed all her luggage. She brought a lot more with her than just clothes and a toothbrush. What is she planning?

After an hour of waiting, without movement from MC, Saeran started getting anxious. He didn't know what she was doing, why she was there, or where she was going next.

After some hesitation, he brought out his laptop. He found her IP address and started hacking. Luckily for him, MC wasn't a incredible hacker. She was decent, to be sure. But she never noticed he was there.

And Saeran saw everything. MC was getting all the information she could on Rika and Mint Eye. Last known locations, new possible locations, victims of Mint Eye, rumors, everything. Saeran knew none of it was very accurate, Saeyoung had seen to that. But the fact that MC was hacking into all that info could get her on Rika's radar.

So he hid all he could without her noticing. But she mostly wanted information on locations, Rika and Saeran. It made sense why she was looking into him, but he didn't know what she was going to do with the information. Other than the locations, it was all pretty useless info.

He sighed. I'm going to have to keep a close eye on her.

And he did. He stayed in his car and watched over her, making sure she didn't get her hands on anything too dangerous. But after she got the initial files she wanted, MC stayed quiet. It wasn't until the next night that she started making her next move.

And it puzzled Saeran more than anything. She went to a bar? Is she that freaked out? I don't think I've ever seen her drink before.

He waited outside the bar for an hour, sitting in his car. It was dark, and he was getting more worried.

Finally, Saeran saw her leave the building. He breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he saw what MC was wearing as she exited the bar. It was a very provocative dress, short skirt, low cut.

What the hell, MC?! What does she think she is doing, wearing that in a place like this??? In a panic, he got out of his car and followed her on foot. She was staggering drunkenly, stumbling a little every other step.

He noticed the three men tailing her. Saeran didn't know what to do. He didn't want to show himself to her and confirm that he was following her.

But I can't let them hurt her...

Suddenly MC stumbled and started retching. The men stalking her immediately closed in on her, taking advantage of her when she was at her weakest.

One of them spoke, and Saeran saw her reply. Next thing he knew, the thug slammed her against the wall of the building.

No!

He started running towards her. All thoughts of stealth left him. All he knew was he needed to help MC immediately.

He saw her try to kick the thug, to no avail. One of the other men shouted something. The main thug then started brandishing a knife, holding it to MC's throat.

Saeran was too far away to do anything.  He began making sure his gun was ready, but he couldn't use it yet for fear of hitting MC.

The thug nicked MC, making her go still. He then brought it up to her cheek, nicking her again.

Bastard!

He heard MC spit out a reply, and the thug swung the knife towards her other cheek.

Bam!

Saeran finally took the shot. He stood still, almost trembling with rage.

"Don't you ever touch her," he said, voice deadly calm.

He pointed the gun at the two thugs remaining.

"You two. Get out of here. Now."

They ran off without a second thought, leaving MC and Saeran alone.

He turned to her, disbelief shaking him to the core.

"You idiot," he said.

~☆~