𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 & 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐡𝐞𝐦 || 𝐉𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐥 (𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐈𝐈)

10.2 - Seungcheol

My father laughs, and then he bolts, rushing behind Jeonghan and grabbing his arms, hauling them behind his back. He brings his knife up to his neck, pressing the bloody blade against his throat.

My entire body freezes, turning to stone as I stare at my father hold a knife to Jeonghan's throat.

I take a step forward, and he takes one back, pressing the knife harder to Jeonghan's throat. "Ah, ah, ah, son, careful where you step. This knife might slip and nick a main artery."

I grip the handle of my knife harder, feeling the blood cut off from my fingers. "Don't you fucking dare."

He smiles behind Jeonghan's back. "Why don't you walk out of here, Seungcheol. I'm sure you don't want to see this."

My eyes flit to Jeonghan's, and I can see the fear through his mask. My father reaches forward, pulling his mask below his chin. His face is pale, not an ounce of blood left beneath his skin.

"Please help me," he whispers.

And the thought goes through my mind on how I can possibly allow anyone to put any ounce of fear inside of him.

"Put the knife down, Dad," I command.

His eyes narrow slightly, the humor wiped from his face. "You couldn't possibly think I'd allow him to walk out of my house, right? You're an idiot to think otherwise. This was all a setup, Seungcheol. From the man I sent to your house, to changing my security code to your birthday, to bringing a whore here. Life isn't that easy, Seungcheol, I just made it seem to be that way."

He's an idiot. Of course this is a setup. My father might be an idiot, but he's one of the smartest men I've ever met in my entire life. Never in a million years would anyone be able to walk into his house and stab him in his bed.

He's a clever man, and I'm almost disappointed he would think otherwise.

I stare at Jeonghan, telling him with my eyes exactly what I need him to do. We're the same, and he instantly knows, swallowing and narrowing his eyes slightly.

Prove it to me, Hannie. Prove to me you can do this.

"Let him go, and I might spare you," I lie effortlessly, turning my gaze back to his.

His shoulders drop slightly, "You're disappointing me, Seungcheol. I figured you would put up more of a fight for he—" Jeonghan grabs the second blade from the back of his pants, swinging it back into my father's thigh. The knife drops from Jeonghan's neck, and he stumbles back a step, his hand flying to his thigh. "Fucking bitch," he growls, lifting his gaze to Jeonghan.

I step forward, grabbing onto Jeonghan's arm and pulling him behind me. "No. That was the first and only time you'll ever put your hands on him." I tear my mask from my face, since there's no reason to hide from him. He shouldn't die at the hands of the masked man, the slasher. No, he should die at the hands of his son, his heir, his fucking weapon.

His own weapon that's turned on him.

Fear trickles into his gaze, and he stumbles back, blood trailing down his thigh. "Get the fuck out of here, Seungcheol. You're going to regret it."

I shake my head, taking another step toward him. "I can assure you, this will be the last thing in the world I regret. I'll very much enjoy taking your life."

He lifts his knife, pointing it at me. "I'll kill you. Don't think I won't do it." He stumbles back another step, tripping over air.

I lunge toward him, my free hand grabbing his neck. He darts the knife forward, and it swipes against my arm. I ignore the stinging pain as I squeeze his neck as hard as I can. He chokes, the knife falling from my arm as they grow limp at his sides.