Criminal Judge

Chapter 7: The Accident

Ethan sat in his room, writing about the whirlwind of events that had overtaken his life. Everything had happened too quickly, and he felt his former self slipping away. The sensation gnawed at him, unsettling and unfamiliar.

It all felt strange—helping Mr. Kim fend off those thugs. I brushed it off as something normal for a former mafia lord. But saving Mr. Kim from kidnappers… I did it all alo—

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.

“Who’s there?” Ethan called, his voice calm but commanding.

“Sun-deok,” came the reply from the other side.

Ethan sighed, placing his notebook down before moving to the door.

“Won’t you let me in?” Sun-deok asked, tilting her head in mock confusion.

“And why would I let the opposite gender into my humble abode?” Ethan quipped, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

“Because this ‘opposite gender’ is your beloved friend,” Sun-deok retorted, lightly tapping his cheek.

Ethan sighed again. “Fine. Come in.” He returned to sit on the bed.

Sun-deok crossed her arms, assuming a motherly stance. “What was that stunt you pulled back there?”

“Something I regret,” Ethan muttered, lying back against the bed.

“You could’ve gotten backup, but no—you had to play the lone hero,” Sun-deok scolded. “Do you even care about your life?”

“Played the hero?” Ethan scoffed, his voice turning icy. “That’s what you call saving your father?”

Sun-deok stammered, taken aback. “Well… I-I was just worried about your safety, you idiot!” she snapped, smacking his arm.

“Hey! What was that for?” Ethan glared at her.

“Because you’re impossible, Mr. Ethan,” she teased, clearly enjoying his irritation.

‘Pa!’ A pillow landed square on her face.

“Ah!” Sun-deok staggered dramatically, clutching her cheek.

Ethan leaned forward, concern flashing in his eyes. “Hey, are you okay?”

“Of course I am.” A mischievous grin spread across her face as she grabbed a pillow of her own.

‘Pa!’

Ethan froze for a moment before narrowing his eyes. “You’ve crossed the line this time.”

The pillow war escalated, filling the room with laughter and flying feathers. Eventually, Sun-deok stopped, standing so close to Ethan that he hesitated mid-throw.

“Ethan,” she murmured, her tone softening. “You’re the first man who’s ever mesmerized me like this. You’ve shattered my idea of men. Risking your life for someone like Mr. Kim—someone who just rents you a room—you’re… remarkable.” Her voice broke, and she threw her arms around his neck.

Ethan stood frozen, unsure of how to respond. Slowly, he hugged her back, his emotions a storm he couldn’t untangle.

“I’ll head home now,” Sun-deok said, stepping away with a wry smile.

“I’ll drive you,” Ethan offered, masking his feelings with a neutral tone.

---

In the Car

The Lamborghini stood out like a sore thumb among the old, rickety cars in the garage.

“You’re killing its self-esteem parking it here,” Sun-deok teased. “I can feel its annoyance.”

Ethan rolled his eyes as he got in. “A car doesn’t have feelings. You’re weird for thinking it does.”

Sun-deok sighed, pretending to pity the car as she climbed in.

The engine roared to life, its smooth hum a testament to its power. Ethan drove with practiced ease—neither too fast nor too slow—his hands steady on the wheel.

“You’re a good driver,” Sun-deok remarked, watching him closely.

“You just noticed?” Ethan replied, not taking his eyes off the road.

“Well, we’re usually busy with other things,” she admitted. “I never really paid attention before.”

Ethan chuckled softly. “My dad was a sportsman—a car racer. He loved BMWs. I was more of a rogue, though. One day, I took one of his cars out with no real experience. All I knew was what I’d seen from our driver.”

“And? Let me guess—you crashed into something?” Sun-deok laughed.

“Worse. I ran into a grocery store. Thankfully, it was closed.”

“A grocery store?” Sun-deok burst into laughter. “How’d your dad react?”

“He paid for the damages and told me to never touch his cars again.”

Sun-deok grinned, but her expression soon turned thoughtful. “If your dad was so rich, why did you come to Korea? Didn’t you have everything back home?”

Ethan hesitated. He glanced at the rearview mirror instinctively, a habit from his old life. Something felt… off. “Well—”

A deafening crash cut him off as the car lurched sideways. The screech of metal on metal echoed in the air.

“Are you okay?” Ethan asked urgently, turning to Sun-deok.

“I’m fine, but you’re not!” she exclaimed, pointing to the blood trickling down his forehead.

Ethan stared at his hands in shock, trembling as he registered the crimson streaks. “Blood…” he murmured. “I’ve never—”

“Come on!” Sun-deok pulled him out of the car and flagged down an ambulance that had just arrived.

---

At the Hospital

“He’ll be fine,” the nurse reassured Sun-deok, who was pacing nervously.

“Thank God,” Sun-deok breathed, sinking into a chair.

The police were investigating, and initial reports from traffic cameras revealed that the collision wasn’t an accident. The truck had deliberately rammed into them.

Sun-deok’s fists clenched. “They’re desperate,” she whispered, fear and anger flickering in her eyes.

As she sat there, lost in her thoughts, a figure slowly emerged from the ward, his forehead wrapped in a bandage.

“Ethan!” Sun-deok ran into his arms.

“Hey, stop behaving like I died,” Ethan teased, a soft chuckle escaping his lips and brushing against her ear.

“What if you did? I mean, you didn’t, but I don’t want to lose you!” Sun-deok stammered, her worry showing in her voice.

“And who said you’re losing me?” Ethan said with a small smile. “I’m right here.”

“C’mon, let’s get you home,” he added, his tone lighter, though his eyes held a glint of seriousness.

“No, I’m not going home, Ethan,” Sun-deok said, shaking her head.

“Why?” Ethan asked, a hint of concern creeping into his voice.

“I’m afraid. What if they come after us again?” she replied, her fear evident.

Ethan rested his hands gently on her shoulders, his touch steady and reassuring. “Alright. Stay at the motel for now, okay?”

Sun-deok hesitated, her gaze lingering on his bandaged forehead. Finally, she nodded. “Okay.”

Ethan gave her a slight grin before quickly adding, “Now, onto the next problem—how’s my car?”

Sun-deok’s gaze shifted awkwardly. “Well… that question…”

---

Later at the Garage

“My… babyyyyy!” Ethan cried out dramatically, running toward the car. The whole side was crumpled, looking as though it had been through a war zone.

“Just how hard did the truck hit us to cause this much damage?” Ethan asked, his voice full of disbelief as he inspected the wreckage.

“The police said we’re lucky. We were supposed to…” Sun-deok trailed off, biting her lip. “We were supposed to be dead.”

Ethan sighed, placing a hand on the damaged car. His fingers lingered as though he were mourning a fallen comrade. “Guess this old girl took the hit for us,” he muttered softly.

“It’s just a car, Ethan,” Sun-deok said, nudging him gently.

“Just a car?” Ethan shot her a mock-offended look. “She was family!”

Rolling her eyes, Sun-deok slipped her arm through his. “Come on, drama king. Let’s go.”

Ethan chuckled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Fine, but I’m driving something bulletproof next time.”

As they walked away, the faint sound of a camera shutter echoed from somewhere nearby. Ethan froze, his gaze darting around the dimly lit garage. He didn’t see anyone, but his instincts told him otherwise.

“What’s wrong?” Sun-deok asked, sensing his tension.

Ethan’s jaw tightened. “Nothing,” he lied, brushing it off. But deep down, he knew this was just the beginning. Whoever had sent that truck wasn’t done with them. Not yet.

For now, though, he let it slide, pulling Sun-deok a little closer as they stepped into the cool night air.

"Bulletproof," he murmured again, the word lingering like a promise.