Deadly Devotion | Heesunsun

Chapter 29 | S1: Caught Red-handed

Sunoo's POV

The morning sun painted a soft radiance across the room, gently waking me from my slumber. My eyes landed on Heeseung, a mere whisper of the formidable figure I once knew. The damp towel on his forehead hinted at the relentless fever that refused to release its grip. As I observed him, conflicting emotions surged within me. Was my concern still an act, or had ir morphef into a genuine emotion?

Heeseung stirred, his eyes meeting mine with a playful glint. "Why are you staring at me like that?" he teased, his voice barely audible.

Caught off guard, I stumbled over my words. "I-I was just... checking if you're okay," I managed, my uncertainty betraying me.

Heeseung's weak chuckle filled the room. "Well, I appreciate the concern, but you don't need to play nursemaid. You have school, don't you?"

The idea of escaping this luxurious cage appealed to me, but an unexpected sense of responsibility kept me rooted. "I... I can stay," I found myself offering, surprising even myself.

Heeseung's eyes softened, a hint of gratitude in his gaze. "You don't have to, Sun. I'll be fine."

A silence lingered, pregnant with unspoken truths. As I weighed the options, a peculiar warmth tugged at me, a desire to ensure Heeseung's well-being that transcended the bounds of our forced alliance.

"I'll go to school," I finally acquiesced, gathering my belongings. "But if you need anything, call me."

Heeseung nodded appreciatively, and as I prepared to leave, a familiar tension lingered between us. Despite my initial intentions, a genuine connection seemed to be weaving itself into the fabric of our interactions.

"Sunoo," Heeseung called as I reached the door. I turned to face him, my expression expectant. "Be careful out there, okay?"

A genuine concern echoed in his words, momentarily catching me off guard. "I will," I replied, a soft smile playing on my lips.

The school day stretched endlessly before me, each passing minute marked by a growing irritation. Why was I so concerned about Heeseung, a man stained with the blood of others? My mind battled with conflicting thoughts, attempting to reconcile my empathy for his weakened state and the reality of his dark deeds.

As the final bell echoed through the halls, I made my way towards the exit, my internal turmoil overshadowing any attempt at concentration. Just as I reached the gate, a mysterious figure emerged from the shadows, wearing a black mask and cap. A surge of apprehension coursed through me, and I instinctively clutched my ballpen as a makeshift defense.

The figure signaled for me to follow, and reluctantly, I trailed behind as we ventured into the secluded space behind the school.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Tension hung thick in the air as I demanded answers, my voice edged with a mixture of fear and frustration. The figure turned around, and as the cap and mask were removed, I was confronted with a face I had believed to be lost forever...

Minho.

Time stood still as disbelief washed over me. "Minho?" I uttered, my voice barely audible, my eyes searching his face for any sign of deceit.

He nodded solemnly. "Sunoo..."

A whirlwind of emotions erupted within me - shock, relief, anger. "But... I thought Heeseung killed you," I stammered, unable to comprehend the unexpected turn of events.

Minho's eyes bore into mine, revealing a depth of pain I had never seen before. "I was never dead. Someone saved me. I've been in hiding, waiting for the right time to reach out."