WHAT HAPPENED TO US ? | KTH FF

CHAPTER 24

YN and Seungcheol sat in their car, returning to their mansion. Seungcheol held the wheel, his gaze occasionally darting towards YN in the passenger seat. Her eyes were red-rimmed, but she held back the tears threatening to spill. Seungcheol, however, couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The thick dress she wore seemed out of character for YN, and she appeared visibly upset. He couldn't resist any longer.

Reaching out, he gently grasped YN's hand resting on her lap. The touch startled her back to reality. She looked up at him, his eyes focused on the road ahead.

"Why are you so quiet, YN?" Seungcheol asked softly. "Is everything alright? You seem very upset."

YN blinked, a flicker of warmth blooming in her chest. It felt good to know that Seungcheol cared, a feeling that had been absent in her life for many years, except for Taehyung, her ex-boyfriend.

"I'm fine," she mumbled, the lie catching in her throat.

"No, you're not," Seungcheol countered, his voice firm. "Don't lie to me."

YN's eyes widened in surprise. He saw right through her. He'd always taken good care of her – a friend, a husband. Yet, she felt an immense guilt for not reciprocating his feelings. He was simply a dear friend, not the husband she envisioned. This undoubtedly hurt him, but Seungcheol always offered a smile. He understood her suffering and wanted her to be happy, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness.

Seungcheol's question, "Did Mom say something to you?" was like a punch to the gut. YN squeezed her eyes shut at the mere mention of her stepmother. The memory of the torture, the muffled screams, sent shivers down her spine. Her soul felt shattered, a reflection of the physical bruises that throbbed with a dull ache. But the physical pain was negligible compared to the emotional and mental torment she was enduring.

"N-no," YN stammered out, her voice barely a whisper.

Seungcheol's frown deepened. He knew her well enough to recognize the telltale stutter – a sign she was hiding something. His gut churned with a growing unease. He pulled a sharp turn into their mansion's driveway, parking with practiced ease.

As YN unbuckled her seatbelt, clearly intending to step out of the car, Seungcheol reached for her arm. His intention was to stop her, but the moment his grip tightened, a sharp gasp escaped YN's lips. Her eyes widened in pain.

The wince on YN's face was immediate, forcing Seungcheol to release his grip. She cradled her arm gently, her breaths quickening and shallow. Her eyes squeezed shut, wracked with pain. Seungcheol's confusion deepened.

"YN? What happened?" he began, concern creasing his brow. "Are you—"

YN cut him off with a choked sob, a weak "Cheol" escaping her lips. Her ragged breaths and trembling body sent a surge of worry through him. He didn't hesitate. Leaping out of the car, he rushed to her side. With practiced ease, he opened the passenger door and scooped her up in his arms, his movements gentle despite the urgency. He carried her swiftly into the mansion, heading straight for their bedroom.

YN's eyelids fluttered open, revealing a flicker of surprise as she found herself cradled in her husband's arms. He deposited her onto the bed, his concern evident in his worried expression and rapid breathing.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice laced with urgency. "Your arm is obviously hurting! Change, please. Let me see."

"Cheol, please calm down," YN managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

"No, please," he insisted. "Let me help you change. I need to see what's wrong."

He rose and walked towards their shared closet, grabbing her nightwear as he did. As he approached the bed, YN's heart ached with guilt and worry for her husband. Another lie. She couldn't let him see the true extent of her pain, not if it meant casting suspicion on her parents, especially her father, who was blissfully unaware of the torment she endured.