Inferno Hearts | Xu Minghao

32. Ink and Redemption

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Nabi's eyelids fluttered as she gradually regained consciousness. The world around her slowly came into focus, and she found herself staring at the ceiling above. The air was heavy with a sense of reality that sent shivers down her spine – everything she had experienced hadn't been just a nightmare.

Memories flooded back – the harrowing moments that led her to this point. But something was different. Her recollection stopped at the point where she had collapsed onto the cold, hard floor. Yet here she was, nestled in a bed that cradled her fragile form. Her journey from darkness to this moment of awakening was a mysterious gap in her memory.

With cautious movements, Nabi pushed herself up, her muscles protesting the effort. She took in her surroundings – the room, the darkness, the soft rustle of fabric. And then her gaze fell on the clothes laid out meticulously on the bed beside her.

Nabi's discomfort surged as she glanced at the neatly laid-out clothes. The very sight of the outfit she had been dressed in filled her with a sense of disgust. It was a stark reminder of the vulnerability and chaos that had surrounded her.

Without hesitation, she gathered the clothes into her arms and moved deliberately towards the bathroom. Every step she took was an act of distancing herself from that haunting outfit.

The fabric slid off her frame, leaving her feeling as though a weight had been lifted. The new clothes, a shield against the discomfort, lay in wait. As she dressed herself in the clean clothes, a transformation occurred. Curiosity, once a persistent flame, had been extinguished by the recognition that dawned with every thread she donned. She knew exactly whose clothes they were and who had brought her to bed. It was him. His smell was all over them.

Even though Nabi was really angry, she still wore his clothes. She did it out of embarrassment, worried that the other members might come into her room and see her in that revealing outfit. Well, it's not like they hadn't seen her in it before. But the thought that she had gotten rid of that outfit, which brought back bad memories, made her feel better.

The group had gathered for breakfast, their attention fixed on the empty seat. All eyes were on one person they were waiting for – Minghao.

Finally, after a short while, Minghao appeared. He was wearing casual sweatpants and a black T-shirt. His fists were wrapped in bandages, a visible reminder of the self-inflicted attack from the previous night.

Minghao softly greeted his fellow members with a hoarse and raspy "good morning." It was evident to anyone paying attention that he hadn't slept a wink, as his tired eyes and rough voice betrayed his sleepless night.

"How are you feeling?" Joshua asked, concern evident in his voice as he looked at his friend.

Minghao took a moment before responding, the silence hanging in the air. "I don't even know, hyung," he finally replied, his words heavy with uncertainty.

"Minghao," Jeonghan said, sensing Minghao's confusion and wanting to help him understand.

"I went through something similar when I abused her," he admitted, showing that he now understood what Minghao had felt the previous night. He looked at Minghao, who appeared exhausted.

"You've always felt this way but held back," he continued, acknowledging Minghao's long-standing struggle. "But when she escaped, it all came crashing down," he said, describing how her escape had finally unleashed Minghao's pent-up emotions.