Downfall || Seongjoong

- fifty-nine -

Hongjoong || Seonghwa

That night, sleep was an impossible dream. I lay there, my mind racing with fear and anxiety, my body aching from the day's torment. 

Every time I closed my eyes, images of Hongjoong's face filled my mind. I couldn't shake the gnawing dread that my father might have already hurt him. The thought made my stomach churn, my heart clench painfully in my chest.

I tossed and turned, unable to find a comfortable position with my hands still cuffed behind my back. The cuffs dug into my wrists, a constant reminder of my captivity. 

But the physical discomfort was nothing compared to the mental anguish. I kept replaying the conversations I'd seen on my phone, the messages between my father and Wooyoung, and Yeosang. How could they do this to me? How could they betray me like this?

Wooyoung's messages had been so cold, so calculated. He had given my father detailed advice on how to break me, exploiting every weakness he knew I had. 

And Yeosang, even though he'd seemed hesitant, had still gone along with it. He had helped my father use my love life against me, feeding him intimate details that were now being twisted into weapons.

The betrayal cut deep, and I felt a mix of anger and sadness. But even through the hurt, I couldn't stop worrying about them. What if my father decided they were no longer useful? What if he turned on them next? Despite everything, I couldn't bear the thought of them being hurt because of me.

I stared at the ceiling, the shadows playing tricks on my tired mind. The hours dragged on, each minute feeling like an eternity. I tried to focus on my plan, to remind myself that there was still hope. But the fear kept creeping back in, whispering that it might already be too late.

Hongjoong. Wooyoung. Yeosang. Their faces swam before my eyes, and I felt tears slipping down my cheeks. I was beyond exhausted, but sleep wouldn't come. My mind was too busy conjuring up worst-case scenarios, each one more terrifying than the last.

Would Hongjoong forgive me if he knew the truth? Would Wooyoung and Yeosang ever understand the pain they'd caused? And most importantly, would we all make it out of this alive?

I didn't know the answers to any of these questions. All I knew was that tomorrow, I had to act. Tomorrow, I had to find a way to protect the people I loved, even if they didn't love me back. 

The morning began in an abrupt, freezing shock. I was wrenched from my restless, scant sleep by icy cold water being poured onto me. 

My body jolted awake, and I scrambled back, the chill seeping deep into my bones. My father stood over me, a sneer curling his lips as he emptied the glass onto my shivering form. "You actually slept? Seems like you aren't scared enough of me."

In truth, I had managed only thirty minutes of sleep before his latest punishment. But to him, it was too much. 

Before I could even catch my breath, another bucket of ice-cold water was dumped on me, sending a fresh wave of shivers through my already trembling body. My father stretched lazily, looking at the servant with a dismissive wave. "Have him shower in freezing water and get him in that white outfit again."

I knew that white outfit signaled the arrival of the black-clad man with the suitcase. But strangely, I felt detached from the immediate threat. 

I stared at the floor, my mind fixated on the plan I had to execute later today. The physical torment didn't matter anymore. I had to be free tonight. I had to protect my loved ones.

The servant moved quickly, avoiding eye contact as he helped me to my feet. My body felt like ice, every movement a fresh agony as the cold water dripped from my clothes.