𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐀 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄 │𝗸𝘁𝗵 ✅

59│ Obedience

The glass panes of the greenhouse were cracked, fogged over with time and decay. Vines had clawed through the walls, swallowing what was once beautiful in tangled, suffocating green. The air was thick, damp, and filled with the scent of rot.

Yn stepped in cautiously, every muscle in her body wound tight. Her footsteps echoed on broken tiles. The silence felt wrong-too still.

Then she saw him.

Jougsuk stood at the far end, leaning against a rusted table, a single rose in his hand. He twirled it slowly between his fingers, the thorns drawing tiny lines of blood.

"Right on time," he said, voice smooth, dangerous.

Yn's fists clenched. "What do you want from me?"

He didn't answer right away. Just smiled.
The kind of smile that made her blood run cold.

"I wonder where you find that fearless act," he said, voice dripping venom.

"Because I remember a girl who shattered-who shook just from seeing me breathe the same air."He stepped closer, the rose in his hand now crushed, thorns cutting deep into his skin.

"I miss her," he whispered.

"The one who looked at me like I was a nightmare she couldn't wake from. But this?" His gaze locked onto hers.

"This terrified little act, trying to play brave in a haunted greenhouse?" He let out a low, cruel laugh. "This is even better."

Yn's jaw tightened, but her hand trembled by her side.

"I can hear your heart, you know. It's screaming louder than your mouth ever could. You think you're hiding it well-but fear lives in your eyes, Yn. It always has. And I love it."

He leaned in, voice now a ghost against her ear.
"You're so beautiful when you're pretending not to fall apart."

"You look tired," he said casually. "Worn out. Aren't you?"

She didn't reply.

Jougsuk stepped forward, closing the distance inch by inch. "You've been so busy protecting everyone. Harin. Your parents. But no one's protecting you."

"Is that what this is?" she hissed. "You pity me now?"

"No," he said, voice dropping to a whisper. "I want you."

Yn froze.

"I've watched you. Every step. Every tear. Every time you fake a smile and pretend everything's okay. You fascinate me, Yn. You burn like a star trying not to collapse."

"You're sick."

"I am," he admitted, unflinching. "But I know you. I see you. The fire in you. The fury. You're so used to being strong-but what happens when even your strength betrays you?"

He stepped closer. She didn't move.

"I called you here," he murmured, "because I wanted you to see what it feels like. To be hunted. Cornered. Powerless."

"Why?" Her voice was shaking, but her eyes were sharp. "So you can feel strong?"

"No," he said, his smile fading into something colder. "So you can understand the truth. You're already mine, Yn. The world's already chosen your fate-you just haven't realized it yet."

He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. She flinched back.

"Touch me again, and I swear-"