A thousand roses | SS

Chapter 17: Healing

Joshua's gaze locked onto the figure before him, a mix of disbelief and recognition swirling in his eyes. He could sense the tension radiating from Wen Junhui, evident in the subtle shift of his expression, a hint of embarrassment tinting his features.

This was the same man who had shattered his heart, leaving him exposed and vulnerable before the scrutinizing eyes of the world. Wen Junhui, his former lover, or perhaps more accurately described as the runaway groom. The man Joshua had once cherished deeply, whose absence had left a void in his envisioned future.

And now, there he stood, face to face with Joshua, cradled in the arms of another man who had become Joshua's husband. The intensity of the moment hung heavy in the air, the weight of the past hurt and betrayal palpable between them, threatening to consume the fragile peace Joshua had fought so hard to rebuild.

"Joshua, are you okay, baby?" Seokmin's voice broke through the tumult of Joshua's thoughts, pulling him back to the present moment.

"Huh? Yes... yes," Joshua mumbled, his mind still reeling from the unexpected encounter. He shifted in Seokmin's comforting embrace, allowing the other man to help him regain his footing.

As Joshua steadied himself, he couldn't shake the whirlwind of emotions churning inside him. His heart raced with a mixture of confusion, hurt, and a lingering ache for what once was. Seokmin's steady presence grounded him, offering a sense of stability amid the storm.

"I've got you," Seokmin whispered softly, his arms wrapping around Joshua in a reassuring embrace.

Joshua leaned into the comforting warmth, grateful for Seokmin's unwavering support. Despite the unexpected reunion with his past, he found solace in the certainty of the love and strength that surrounded him in the arms of his husband.

"Joshua?" Jun's voice pierced the moment, pulling Joshua's attention away from Seokmin and back to the figure before him. His gaze remained stoic, though beneath the facade, a tumult of conflicting emotions churned within him.

How could he not feel the urge to grab Jun by the collar and unleash his pent-up frustration? This was the same man he once shared tender moments with, the same man he had kissed until the sun dipped below the horizon.

"You know him?" Seokmin's voice broke through his thoughts, prompting Joshua to acknowledge the situation. He couldn't hide anything from Seokmin; there was no room for distrust between them.

"Yeah, this is Wen Junhui," Joshua replied, his voice steady despite the storm raging within him. Seokmin froze at the mention of Jun's name. Wen Junhui—the man Joshua was supposed to be married to now. Seokmin felt a sudden wave of unease wash over him, as if he were suddenly out of place in this tangled web of past and present.

As the tension thickened in the air, Joshua felt the weight of the moment pressing down on him. Jun's presence stirred up a whirlwind of memories, both bitter and sweet, threatening to engulf him once again. But beside him stood Seokmin, a pillar of strength and unwavering support, grounding Joshua in the present.

Seokmin's grip tightened around Joshua, a silent reassurance that he was not alone in this. Despite the flood of emotions crashing over him, Joshua found solace in the warmth of Seokmin's embrace.

Jun's eyes flickered between Joshua and Seokmin, a myriad of emotions dancing across his face. For a brief moment, the three of them stood locked in a silent standoff, each grappling with their own inner turmoil.

Jun couldn't help but notice how Joshua remained firmly in the embrace of the unknown man. Who was he? Jun wondered, eager to unravel the mystery.

"Joshua, can we talk?" Jun's voice cut through the tension, his desire to reach out to Joshua battling with the knowledge that he had no right to do so. He couldn't bring himself to disrupt the fragile peace Joshua had found in someone else's arms.