Arrange Marriage | JC

Chapter 39. Echoes of the Past

Seungcheol stared at Jeonghan, who was sitting in front of him, facing away. This was it. The time to tell Jeonghan everything. He deserved to know.

"Jeonghan," Seungcheol's voice trembled as he reached out to hold Jeonghan's hand. Jeonghan let him, silent and still. It hurt so much to see him sitting there like a lifeless doll.

"My dad, Choi Seungjin, wasn't the kindest person to live with..."

Flashback to Highschool

"She is Daehyung's eldest daughter, about to turn 18 within a month." Seungcheol's eyes hardened as Seungjin slid the photos towards him.

"Daehyung has over 30 stocks running at present," Seungjin stood up, taking his cigar with him, and took a long drag. "Do you know what that means?" His dark voice loomed over Seungcheol as the teenager gulped, his hands fisting over his thighs.

"It means business and profit, which will happen when you marry Sujin." Seungjin continued, and Seungcheol's eyes widened.

Marriage? To a girl? At this age?

"But Dad," Seungcheol stood up, and Seungjin's eyes turned towards him.

"What?"

"I can't marry her," Seungcheol said in a shaky voice, just wanting to place his opinion without making Seungjin mad.

"And why is that?"

"Because—" Seungcheol felt his throat constrict. He didn't want to say the truth. If he did, it would become a bloodbath.

"Because I want to focus on my studies," Seungcheol finally lied, watching as Seungjin stared at him before taking a step towards him, towering over him.

"You better focus on your studies then," Seungjin said, twirling his cigar before pressing it against Seungcheol's forearm, exposed by his short sleeves. Seungcheol hissed, biting his lips.

No argument, or it would get worse.

"Because if I see you playing house with someone else instead of studying, you know what will happen, right?" Seungjin smiled, and Seungcheol knew it. His mistakes would be redeemed by his brothers. He didn't want that.

"Yes, sir," Seungcheol finally said, and the cigar vanished from his forearm, leaving a burnt scar.

"Good. Now get out." Seungjin said, and Seungcheol hurried out.

Seungcheol stumbled out of his father's office, his forearm throbbing with pain. He clutched it tightly, trying to keep his breathing steady.

The hallway seemed darker, the shadows longer, as if the house itself absorbed the cruelty within its walls. He made his way to his room, every step heavy with the weight of his father's words.

Closing the door behind him, he leaned against it, sliding down until he was sitting on the floor. He stared at the burn mark, feeling a mix of anger, fear, and hopelessness.

How was he supposed to get out of this? How was he supposed to protect the people he cared about when he couldn't even protect himself?

"Hyung..." Seungcheol raised his head at the sound of the voice. The 15-year-old, brown-haired boy stood before him, his eyes filled with concern.