Part 33
Hyunjin drove to his family estate first. When he arrived, the maid opened the door with a respectful bow. He intended to head straight upstairs but his parents were waiting in the grand foyer, their presence heavy and expectant
"Hyunjin" Mr. Hwang called out, his voice echoing with authority
Hyunjin stopped and turned back toward the living room. His mother looked at him with a mix of concern and lingering shock "My son, where did you disappear to yesterday without saying a word?"
"I was at my place with some friends" Hyunjin replied smoothly, his face a mask of cool indifference
"I see. Then go upstairs and change quickly" Mr. Hwang said, standing up and smoothing his tailored suit
"Yes, Father" Hyunjin said, bowing slightly
Mrs. Hwang took her husband's arm, a hopeful smile touching her lips "I just hope our lives can finally go back to the way they were before all of this" she whispered
Upstairs, Hyunjin found a sharp black suit laid out on his bed. He showered, the steam filling the room and then dressed with mechanical precision.
He slicked his long black hair back, strapped on a luxury watch and finished with a spray of his signature cologne. When he descended the stairs, his mother gasped at the transformation, he looked every bit the powerful, commanding heir. His father's satisfied smile made it clear he was proud of the image his son projected
They were attending a high-profile wedding for a family of immense wealth and influence. Mr. Hwang wanted the world to see his son to show everyone that Hyunjin was starting a new life, untainted by the past
Hyunjin's entrance at the wedding was nothing short of a theatrical event. Dressed in a razor-sharp black suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and commanding height, he looked like a dark prince reclaiming his throne. His long black hair was slicked back, exposing the cold, aristocratic lines of his face. Every eye in the grand villa turned toward him. some guests whispered in hushed, shocked tones about his sudden reappearance while others were simply mesmerized by his lethal beauty. To the public, he was the perfect, reformed heir but behind his dark eyes, a storm was brewing
While his father, Mr. Hwang, navigated the room like a seasoned predator shaking hands and cementing business deals Hyunjin stood beside him like a silent, decorative statue. He gripped a crystal glass of vintage wine, the liquid swirling as he listened to the endless, mind-numbing chatter of mergers and profit margins. Each word felt like a drop of lead in his ears.
He eventually moved away, leaning against a tall cocktail table, his mind miles away
He couldn't stop thinking about Felix. He replayed Felix's hateful words over and over. Was this love? Or was he just obsessed? Maybe it was because Felix was so stubborn and Hyunjin just wanted to break him? But in the end, it felt like Hyunjin was the one who had broken first, falling into a deep, dark love he didn't know how to handle
A sudden, firm hand on his shoulder broke his train of thought. A tall, elegant woman stepped into his space, her presence commanding attention
"Oh, look who I find here. You're finally free" she said, her voice dripping with a polished, upper-class charm
It was Yang Minji. Her long brown hair was styled to perfection and her dark, narrow eyes held a sharp intelligence. Her deep blue dress, slashed high at the thigh, shimmered under the chandeliers. Hyunjin didn't flinch, he merely shifted his gaze toward her with a look of profound boredom
"Hello, Minji," he replied, his voice a low, uninterested drone
Minji didn't miss a beat. She snatched a glass from a passing waiter, her eyes never leaving Hyunjin's face "When were you released? Why didn't you let us know? We could have celebrated"
Minji had been in the same high school as Hyunjin and her father, Mr. Yang, was Mr. Hwang's closest business ally. They were essentially two sides of the same coin.
"I didn't have time," Hyunjin stated, taking a slow, deliberate sip of his wine
Minji let out a dry, mocking laugh that didn't reach her eyes "No time? Not even for a phone call? Regardless, I'm glad to see you"
"Thanks" Hyunjin muttered
"You look absolutely miserable" she noted, leaning in close enough for him to smell her expensive perfume "know you didn't come here by choice. You just want this to end so you can leave"
Before Hyunjin could respond with a stinging retort, his parents swept toward them like a looming shadow
"Oh, what a beautiful sight! The two of you together again, it feels like destiny" Mrs. Hwang exclaimed, her eyes beaming with a terrifyingly transparent joy
Hyunjin let out a sharp, frustrated exhale, turning his face away to hide the flash of disgust that crossed his features. Soon, Minji's parents arrived and the air became thick with the sounds of laughter and the clinking of glasses.
Hyunjin knew exactly what was happening, his family and Minji's family were trying to arrange a marriage between them
He remained silent, ignoring the way Minji kept staring at him. Soon, the wedding ceremony officially began.
Taejin and Jae-bum were on the road, heading toward Jae-bum's apartment. The atmosphere inside the car was thick with tension and the lingering smell of cigarette smoke
"So when can I see Felix?" Jae-bum asked, his voice trembling with suppressed rage "Do you think I'm an idiot? I know you know where they are"
"God damn it, how many more times are you going to ask?" Taejin snapped, gripping the steering wheel tighter "I don't know exactly where they are right now. All I know is that Hyunjin said he'd let you two meet eventually"
"Why did you do it? Why did you trick me and hand Felix over to that bastard?" Jae-bum's voice rose
"He asked me and I agreed. Is there a problem with that? He's my cousin so I helped him out" Taejin replied casually as if they were talking about the weather
"Felix is trying to prove his innocence! If things stay like this, everything will be ruined" Jae-bum said, his heart aching at the thought of Felix trapped
"Ah stop talking like I'm the one in charge" Taejin groaned "Hyunjin won't let Felix get arrested again that easily"
Jae-bum let out a deep, frustrated sigh and fell silent for a moment, staring out the window
"Where is the evidence?" Jae-bum asked suddenly
"I handed it over to Hyunjin" Taejin stated
"You son of a bitch!"Jae-bum shouted, turning in his seat to face him " How could you do that?"
"I should kill Hyunjin first for dragging me into this mess with you" Taejin muttered irritably before shouting back "When you see that bastard yourself, ask him! Got it?!"
Jae-bum gritted his teeth "And where is my phone?"
"When will you stop with the questions?" Taejin sighed. He gestured toward the glove compartment. Jae-bum opened it and found his phone lying there
"Before you ask another question, I copied all the evidence from that phone before I deleted the originals. They're safe with me for now" Taejin added, his tone unreadable
Jae-bum ground his teeth in fury, his hand tightening into a fist but he knew he couldn't do anything while Taejin was driving
Eventually, they arrived in front of Jae-bum's place. Jae-bum kicked the door open and stepped out, the cool air doing nothing to soothe his anger. He turned back to the car
Taejin leaned his head toward the open window, a mocking smirk plastered on his face.
Without saying a single word, Taejin raised his middle finger high
"I'll kill you, you worthless piece of shit!" Jae-bum screamed
Taejin didn't even blink. He just smirked again, stepped on the gas, and drove away, leaving Jae-bum standing alone in the street
Two hours later, the wedding finally drew to a close. As the grand villa disappeared into the rearview mirror, Hyunjin sat in the back of the limousine with his parents, the silence of the car feeling heavier than the noise of the party
"Minji has truly grown into such a beautiful and refined lady. She was stunning tonight, wasn't she, Hyunjin?" Mrs. Hwang asked, her voice hopeful as she looked at her son, trying to spark the conversation she had been waiting for all night
Hyunjin let out a sharp, weary sigh "I didn't look at her much" he replied, his voice dripping with boredom and a hint of ice
The smile on his mother's face faltered, turning into a thin, disappointed line. She turned her gaze to the window and they completed the journey to the main estate in a chilling silence
The moment the car stopped, Hyunjin stepped out and moved with purpose. He went straight to his room, his movements fast and jagged. He grabbed a small travel bag and tossed a few essential clothes into it
He stood before the mirror for a split second, his fingers trembling slightly with a strange mix of adrenaline and anxiety as he undid the top buttons of his shirt, loosening the suffocating grip of the formal attire
Once finished, he grabbed the bag and headed back downstairs
"Where are you going now, my son?" his mother asked, her brows knitted in confusion as she saw him heading for the door again
"I promised my friends I'd meet up with them tonight" Hyunjin said, not slowing his pace
"But you must be exhausted" she pleaded, reaching out a hand "Go tomorrow instead"
Hyunjin opened his mouth to argue, but his father's voice intervened from the study door
"Leave him be, my dear" Mr. Hwang said, his tone unusually permissive "He's only just gotten out. Let him do as he pleases for now"
A ghost of a smile touched Hyunjin's lips not out of gratitude but out of the relief of escape. Without another word, he walked out into the cool night air, the heavy doors of the family estate closing behind him.
Felix was sitting stiffly on the soft sofa, the plush cushions offering a small mercy to his aching back. He buried his face in his hands, his mind a chaotic mess of unfinished business. How could he gather more evidence now? How could he possibly meet that Chinese businessman? Hyunjin wasn't just his captor, he was a wall standing between Felix and the justice he desperately craved
The fear of the police catching him lingered but the fear of what Hyunjin would do if he tried to run was even greater. He felt paralyzed
Felix stood up, his legs feeling heavy, and began to wander aimlessly through the vast, silent mansion. He was searching for something his gun. He had looked everywhere but it was as if the weapon had vanished into thin air
He explored the upper floor, passing a room with a large double bed and two other guest rooms. He couldn't help but wonder why Hyunjin lived in such a massive place all alone. What was the point of all these empty rooms?
Finally, his feet led him to Hyunjin's bedroom. He hesitated at the doorway, his heart fluttering painfully as memories of last night rushed back. The bed was still slightly disheveled, a haunting reminder of the sweat and the forced intimacy they had shared. Despite his hatred, a strange impulse took over. He found fresh linens and blankets in a cupboard, intending to clean the mess
Halfway through pulling the sheets, he froze "What am I doing?" he whispered, a bitter, self-loathing smile touching his lips "He's just going to do it again anyway"
His eyes shimmered with unshed tears but he forced himself to finish. He couldn't stand the sight of the filth
As he moved around the room, a small framed photograph on the dresser caught his eye. It was a young Hyunjin, perched happily on his father's shoulders with his mother smiling brightly beside them. It was a picture of a pure, perfect family. In the photo, Hyunjin looked like an angel, his smile was bright and innocent. Felix stared at it, aching with the realization that when he looked at the Hyunjin, he saw nothing but a monster. The image made him think of his own lost family and a heavy sigh escaped his chest as he turned away.
Seeking air, he stepped out onto the balcony. The night wind was sharp and cold, biting at his skin but the view of the city lights was beautiful
Felix closed his eyes, hugging himself tightly, trying to find a moment of peace in the breeze
Suddenly, the silence was broken by the low hum of an engine. Felix snapped his eyes open
Below, a car pulled into the driveway. Hyunjin stepped out, carrying a small bag. As if sensing he was being watched, Hyunjin tilted his head back and looked directly up at the balcony. Their eyes met for a fleeting, electric second
Felix's heart lurched. He didn't wait for a reaction, he immediately spun around and retreated into the darkness of the room, shutting the balcony door behind him.
Hyunjin stepped through the front door, His eyes had first fallen on the dining table, seeing it untouched, cold and exactly as he had left it. The thought that Felix hadn't eaten a single bite while he was away made his irritation flare
When he threw open the bedroom door, Felix spun around, the sound of his own heart nearly deafening him. Felix swallowed hard, his entire body bracing for the impact of Hyunjin's presence
"Why haven't you eaten anything?" Hyunjin's voice was jagged, laced with a bitter exhaustion
"I'm not hungry" Felix replied, his voice clipped and cold, though his hands were trembling behind his back
Hyunjin lunged forward. The space between them vanished instantly. Felix's breath hitched, convinced that the cycle of violence and touch was about to begin again
"Why do you have to be so stubborn, huh?!" Hyunjin roared, the sound echoing painfully against the walls
Felix looked up, startled. He studied Hyunjin's disheveled state, the open collar, the wild eyes. Hyunjin's hand shot out, gripping Felix's neck not to choke him but to pull him so close their noses brushed. Felix could smell the sharp, expensive sting of wine on Hyunjin's breath
Hyunjin shoved him back onto the freshly made bed. He buried his face in the crook of Felix's neck, inhaling deeply. Felix squeezed his eyes shut, his fists clenching the sheets. He prepared for the worst
Hyunjin pulled back just enough to strip off his suit, tossing it blindly to the floor. He traced Felix's lower lip with a heavy thumb. Felix turned his face away, refusing to meet his gaze
"Why won't you look at me?" Hyunjin muttered, his voice thick with drink
"If you're going to do it, just do it," Felix spat, his voice trembling with hatred "You don't need to drag it out"
Hyunjin's fingers clamped onto Felix's jaw, forcing his head back around
The devil was back in Hyunjin's eyes that dark, possessive glint that terrified Felix
"Don't act like I'm being so cruel to you right now" Hyunjin hissed
"Oh? Should I tell you you're a good person instead?" Felix let out a sharp, mocking laugh that cut through the tension
"You keep pushing me! You keep making it impossible for me to be gentle with you! Why can't you just obey?!" Hyunjin screamed directly into his face
Felix flinched, his eyes snapping shut before opening again with a defiant fire "Then do it! Just do it and get it over with, damn you!" he yelled back
Hyunjin's eyebrows shot up. A dark, predatory smirk curled his lips. "If that's what you want... then I'll gladly comply"
He slid a hand under Felix's shirt, his palm hot against Felix's skin. He crashed his lips onto Felix's, kissing him with a bruising, desperate hunger. Their saliva mixed and trailed down Felix's chin as Hyunjin consumed his breath. He broke the kiss for a second, panting, rubbing his nose against Felix's in a terrifyingly intimate gesture
But then, abruptly, Hyunjin froze. He looked at Felix's face, the tears, the defiance, the pain. Without a word, he pulled away and stood up
Felix lay there, gasping for air, his mind reeling from the sudden rejection. He watched in total shock as Hyunjin ran a frustrated hand through his hair, looking lost
"I... I..." Hyunjin stammered, his back to Felix. He was searching for a reason, a lie to cover the sudden pang of guilt in his chest "You're still... you're still in pain from ... from before. So I won't do it"
He didn't even believe his own words. He just knew he couldn't look at Felix for another second. Without looking back, Hyunjin stormed out of the room, leaving Felix alone in the deafening silence of the bedroom.
Hyunjin stumbled down the stairs, his footsteps heavy and uneven. He collapsed onto the sofa in the living room, burying his face in his trembling hands. The silence of the house felt like it was mocking him
"Damn it... I don't even know what I'm doing anymore" he whispered hoarsely into the darkness "Why couldn't I just do it? Why did I stop?"
He was warring with himself, the predator was still there but something else, something softer and more painful, was beginning to take root
Seeking a distraction from his own thoughts, he pulled out his phone. He opened the files and voice recordings Taejin had sent him earlier.
He lowered the volume and pressed the phone against his ear, listening intently. As the recordings played, Hyunjin's expression shifted from irritation to absolute, frozen shock. The betrayal he was hearing, the depth of the corruption, it was far worse than he had imagined
He stayed as still as a statue for a long time after the audio finished. The realization of what Felix's uncle had done made Hyunjin's blood boil with a new kind of protective rage
"That worthless, pathetic piece of trash" Hyunjin hissed, his eyes dark with a lethal intent.
He immediately dialed Taejin's number "Meet me tomorrow morning" Hyunjin commanded as soon as the line picked up "At the café near my place. We need to talk" He didn't wait for an answer before hanging up
The adrenaline began to fade, replaced by a crushing exhaustion and the lingering effects of the wine. Hyunjin rubbed his temples, his head throbbing. He lay back on the sofa, too tired to go back upstairs and face Felix again. A slight chill ran through his body, but he ignored it, closing his eyes. Slowly, the darkness of the room pulled him into a heavy, troubled sleep.