𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 || 𝐒𝐞𝐨𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐨

Chapter twenty-eight

Upon the grand arrival of Seokmin and Joshua at the latter's vast and foreboding gothic mansion, the ambiance was thick with the weight of ancient stone and whispered secrets. The towering spires of the estate loomed against the twilight sky, casting long shadows that danced across the cobblestone courtyard.

As they crossed the threshold, the heavy wooden doors creaked open, revealing an interior bathed in the muted glow of chandeliers and candlelight. The grandeur of the mansion was both imposing and mesmerizing, with its high ceilings adorned with intricate frescoes and walls lined with aged tapestries.

Seokmin stood motionless, his face a mask of indifference, while his eyes darted about, absorbing every detail of the opulent surroundings. Joshua, ever the gracious host, offered a gentle smile, his demeanor calm and inviting. "Follow me," he instructed softly, his voice a soothing balm against the silent echo of the vast halls.

Reluctantly, Seokmin complied, rolling his eyes with a mixture of resignation and mild annoyance. He trailed behind Joshua, their footsteps a rhythmic accompaniment to the soft hum of the mansion's life.

Ascending a grand staircase, they arrived at a corridor lined with doors. Joshua paused before one, turning the ornate brass handle to reveal a bedroom. The room was a sanctuary of comfort and luxury, with rich velvet drapes, a grand four-poster bed, and an array of antique furnishings.

"This is your room," Joshua announced with a courteous nod. "If you need anything, do not hesitate to call me, Min—"

"Lee Seokmin," came the swift correction, Seokmin's voice edged with a hint of impatience.

Unfazed, Joshua's smile remained serene. "Goodnight, Lee Seokmin," he replied, then turned his attention to the child nestled in Seokmin's arms. "And goodnight to you too, little one."

Joshua's departure was marked by the soft closing of the door, leaving Seokmin alone with the exhausted child. The weight of the day seemed to melt away as Seokmin's expression softened, his eyes filled with a tenderness reserved solely for the boy.

With a gentle smile, he cradled the child's head, pressing a warm kiss to his forehead. "I'm doing this for us, baby," he whispered, his voice a soothing murmur in the quiet room. "We will go back to our house again, okay?"

The child, though weary, managed a small, trusting smile, his eyes shining with unspoken understanding and love. In that moment, the cold walls of the mansion seemed to recede, replaced by the warmth of their bond, a beacon of hope and resilience in an uncertain world.

Joshua stood in his opulently adorned room, his reflection shimmering in the full-length, gilded mirror. His fingers traced the delicate contours of his face as he meticulously applied his luxurious skincare products. The soft glow of the golden sconces bathed him in a warm, ethereal light, enhancing his already striking beauty.

He reached for his exquisite jar of moisturizer, its rich texture promising to soothe and hydrate. As he smoothed it over his skin, his eyes never wavered from the mirror.

"You know, Seokminnie, you hurt me," he murmured, his voice a melodic whisper as he pouted, the movement of his lips a graceful, almost regal gesture.

His eyes, large and expressive, had an intensity that spoke of hidden depths and untold stories.

"I wasted my tears on you," he continued, his tone shifting, a giggle escaping his lips that bordered on the edge of madness. "But, it's you!"

He laughed, a sound both enchanting and unsettling, as if his sanity was teetering on a fragile edge. His beauty, now tinged with a hint of darkness, made him appear even more captivating in his obsession.

"You're mine, Seokmin," he declared, his smile fading, replaced by a chilling darkness that took over his eyes.

The room seemed to hold its breath as Joshua's demeanor changed. He picked up a delicate crystal object from the dresser, its weight and sharp edges promising damage.

"If I can't have you," he whispered, his voice a dangerous caress.

With a sudden, violent movement, he slammed the crystal down onto the dresser table, the sound reverberating through the room like a death knell. His eyes, cold and unyielding, bore into his own reflection.

"No one can," he finished, the words dripping with an icy finality that left no room for doubt.

In that moment, Joshua’s beauty was both his greatest weapon and his darkest curse. His obsession transformed his regal elegance into something hauntingly beautiful and terrifyingly unhinged.

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