Chapter 13: Endless Night

Moon Woo-seok sat in his luxurious office, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the surface of his desk as he reviewed documents.

His assistant entered, bowing slightly before delivering a piece of news that made Woo-seok's movements freeze.

"Sir, we've confirmed that DreamCatcher Entertainment was the first to find the mysterious performer who sang with three children in the park."

Woo-seok's eyes darkened.

"...Who is it?"

"The performer's name is Bi-yong, but it's most likely a screen name," the assistant reported. "DreamCatcher Entertainment purchased his song and will use it for Lighthouse's comeback."

A sharp silence filled the room.

Woo-seok's grip tightened on his pen. A small, unfamiliar irritation crawled into his chest.

The fact that someone with raw talent had slipped through his grasp didn't sit well with him. And for them to sell their work to a smaller company rather than approaching him—Moon Woo-seok—directly?

Unacceptable.

He exhaled slowly and closed his eyes, feeling the beginning of a familiar tension creeping into his head. If he let this uneasiness fester, it would only trigger another sleepless night.

"...Contact Jin Yu-jin," he ordered, his voice sharp and controlled. "Tell him to come to my house discreetly at 10 PM tonight."

His assistant bowed and quickly left the office to fulfill the request.

Meanwhile, at a luxury hotel...

Jin Yu-jin lazily scrolled through his phone, lounging on a hotel bed with a smirking man beside him. The sheets were slightly disheveled, the air carrying a lingering scent of expensive cologne.

Yu-jin's phone suddenly buzzed with a call.

Moon Woo-seok's assistant.

Yu-jin smirked and answered. "I see. Tell him I'll be there."

He hung up and was immediately met with a soft chuckle from the man next to him.

"Looks like your CEO is calling for you again," the man teased, resting his chin on Yu-jin's shoulder.

Yu-jin turned to him, brushing his hair back with an amused expression. "Jealous, Si-hyuk?"

Kwon Si-hyuk—a well-known music producer from Dawn Entertainment—chuckled as he traced invisible patterns on Yu-jin's wrist.

"Not at all," Si-hyuk mused. "After all, I know you love him, not me."

Yu-jin's playful smile faded slightly, replaced with something unreadable. "...Yes, I do."

Si-hyuk only laughed.

There was no anger, no resentment—only amusement.

"Well, go then," Si-hyuk waved a hand. "But be careful. If my wife starts getting suspicious, things could get messy."

Yu-jin clicked his tongue and stood up, fixing his clothes. "Then don't overstay here. Go home."

"Tsk. I only spent the night with him because his wife didn't like me and ignored me all the time. This was just an act of revenge against her for being arrogant. What a loser, Ahn Hyuna!" Yu-jin thought to himself.

With that, he grabbed a black cap, sunglasses, and a face mask, slipping them on before disappearing out the door, leaving Si-hyuk alone in the dimly lit hotel room.

---

Jin Yu-jin stepped out of his sleek black car, exhaling sharply as he adjusted his high-collared coat. The Moon estate loomed before him, an imposing mansion bathed in moonlight, its cold elegance reflecting the temperament of the man inside.

A butler greeted him at the entrance, bowing slightly before motioning him inside. As they walked through the grand corridors, the butler spoke in a measured, almost detached voice.

"Mr. Jin, there are a few things you should remember," he began, barely glancing at Yu-jin. "You are here to sing, and nothing more. Do not overstep your boundaries."

Yu-jin frowned slightly but said nothing.

The butler stopped just before a large, double-door bedroom and turned to him. His sharp gaze carried a warning.

"I will be guarding outside," the butler continued. "If you attempt anything inappropriate, you will be removed immediately."

Yu-jin's jaw tightened, but he forced a polite smile.

"Understood."

The butler opened the door.

The bedroom was dimly lit, with the only source of illumination being a small bedside lamp. Moon Woo-seok lay on the large, luxurious bed, dressed in simple yet elegant sleepwear. His face was turned slightly away, and his breathing was slow but alert.

Even with his eyes closed, he was aware of Yu-jin's presence.

Yu-jin's gaze lingered on him for a moment. Woo-seok looked almost vulnerable like this, his sharp features softened by the faint glow of the light. It was rare to see him at rest, and an odd feeling stirred in Yu-jin's chest.

Acting on impulse, he stepped closer and reached out, placing a hand on Woo-seok's chest.

A sudden, iron grip clamped around his wrist.

Yu-jin's breath hitched.

Woo-seok's eyes remained closed, but his voice was low and threatening.

"Don't touch me!"

Yu-jin swallowed, a flicker of fear running down his spine.

Woo-seok finally opened his eyes, and the piercing gaze that met his was cold, unyielding.

"If you touch me again, you will be in breach of our contract," he said, his grip tightening for a moment before he let go. "And if that happens, every condition and privilege I granted you will be revoked."

Yu-jin forced a smile, trying to mask the humiliation burning inside him.

"I understand."

Woo-seok leaned back against his pillows. "Sing."

Yu-jin took a deep breath, composing himself before beginning. His voice was smooth, well-trained—practiced to perfection.

"Endless Night"

Under the silent moonlight, I stand alone,

Tracing the shadows where you used to be.

Every whisper of the wind, every fading star,

Echoes the emptiness inside of me.

If I reach out, will you take my hand?

Or will you fade like mist into the dawn?

Tell me, tell me... is this love or just a dream?

Endless night, call out your name,

But the silence is all that remains.

If I chase the light, will it lead me to you?

Or will I be lost... in this endless night?

Woo-seok listened in silence, his sharp eyes watching Yu-jin's every move.

And as the song continued, something became clear.

The voice was technically flawless—but there was no warmth, no depth. It was a voice polished to shine on a stage, not one that carried true emotion.

A flicker of displeasure crossed Woo-seok's face.

Yu-jin, sensing the shift in energy, tried harder. He added more longing to his voice, more passion to the words.

But to Woo-seok, it wasn't longing.

It was desperation.

The realization made something inside him tighten—not with comfort, but with discomfort.

Woo-seok raised a hand. "Stop."

Yu-jin's voice faltered. "But—"

"Enough."

Woo-seok turned to the butler and gave a curt nod. "See him out."

Yu-jin's eyes widened. "Woo-seok, please! Give me another chance!"

But the CEO's expression didn't change. His bored indifference cut deeper than any insult.

"No."

The butler motioned for the bodyguards. Two tall men stepped forward, their presence unmistakable.

Yu-jin clenched his fists, his face twisting in frustration. But he knew better than to fight.

With a final glare, he turned on his heel and stormed out, his footsteps heavy with anger and humiliation.

He shoved open the doors, marched down the hall, and sped away in his car, gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Back in the bedroom, Woo-seok let out a tired sigh.

He turned onto his side, eyes staring at the ceiling, exhaustion tugging at his mind.

Yet, he was still awake.

With a slow breath, he reached for his phone and scrolled through his notifications.

That was when he saw it—

A trending video.

A small frown creased his brow as he tapped on it.

The video opened with a scene in the park. A lone performer, accompanied by three children, stood beneath the soft glow of streetlights. The sound quality wasn't perfect, but the voice—

The moment the first note hit, Woo-seok felt his chest loosen.

There was something raw about it—something unpolished yet achingly real.

He let the song wash over him, a strange warmth settling in his stomach.

For the first time in years...

His eyes grew heavy.

"I will find you..." he murmured weakly, his voice barely above a whisper, before succumbing to exhaustion and losing consciousness.