𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓 : 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐥

chapter 35

● [Private Jet – En Route to Italy]

(The private jet hums softly, slicing through the clouds, but inside, the atmosphere is anything but calm. Wook sits by the window, his eyes fixed outside. He hasn’t blinked since takeoff—maybe because if he does, he might not be able to stop the tears threatening to fall. The silence in the cabin is deafening, filled only with the unspoken emotions that weigh heavy on all of them.)

(Dongwook and Won exchange a look. They know what’s going on in Wook’s mind. Rui is their priority—but for Wook, she is his everything. Without her, he isn't just lost… he's barely breathing.)

Won: (softly) “Wook…”

(No response. Wook continues staring outside, unmoving, as if trapped in his own world. The pain in his eyes is evident, but he refuses to let it spill over.)

Dongwook: (softly) “Son… look at me.”

(Still nothing. This time, Won places a hand on Wook’s shoulder, shaking him slightly.)

Won: (a little louder) “Wook.”

(Wook finally blinks, as if snapping out of a trance. His gaze shifts toward Won, and for the first time, his hyung sees it—the raw pain, the unshed tears, the storm raging inside him. But in the next second, Wook straightens, quickly wiping his face before any tears can fall.)

Wook: (forcing a smile) “Hm? What happened, hyung?”

(Won's heart clenches. He knows this mask too well. The same one Rui wears when she’s breaking inside. And just like her, Wook refuses to let anyone see his pain.)

Won: (softly) “You don’t have to pretend, Wook. You can cry if you want. No one here will judge you… you’re my little brother.”

(For a second, Wook looks away, his jaw clenching as if holding himself together. Then, he lets out a small, bitter chuckle.)

Wook: “No, hyung… I’ll only cry when I hold her in my arms again.”

(Silence falls over the cabin. Wook turns back to the window, his fingers gripping the armrest tightly.)

Dongwook: (sighing) “Wook… at least eat something. It’s been two days since you’ve properly eaten or even taken a breath.”

(Wook shakes his head with a small smile, his voice calm yet laced with deep longing.)

Wook: “I’ll take a breath when she’s back in my arms.”

(Another silence. This time, it’s Won who speaks first, his voice filled with quiet reassurance.)

Won: “She’s fighting too, Wook. I know Rui—she’s strong. She isn’t waiting to be saved. She’s fighting to return.”

(Wook closes his eyes for a moment, flashes of Rui’s smile, her laughter, and the way she always hid her pain behind those bright eyes flooding his mind. When he speaks again, his voice is barely above a whisper.)