𝟮 𝗛𝗢𝗧 | 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗵𝘆𝘂𝗰𝗸 || 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗪

𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗼

The night was quiet as Mark pulled into the gas station, the soft hum of the pumps and the occasional flicker of fluorescent lights casting a serene glow over the desolate scene. He was running low on fuel and needed to refuel before heading back home. As he stepped out of the car, he noticed another vehicle parked nearby—an old, beat-up sedan that looked all too familiar.

Mark's heart skipped a beat when he saw the driver's side door swing open and Jeno step out. The tension between them was palpable, and Mark's jaw clenched as he approached the pump. Jeno was someone from his past he had hoped never to see again.

Mark filled up his tank, trying to maintain a calm exterior. He hoped the encounter would be brief, but fate had other plans. As he finished, Jeno approached him, his expression a mix of regret and defiance.

Mark's voice was taut with suppressed anger. "You almost got me locked up, Jeno."

Jeno's eyes met Mark's, and he sighed deeply. "And I'm sorry, Mark. I really am."

Mark's gaze hardened as he tightened the gas nozzle. "I thought of you like a brother, and you switched sides. How could you do that?"

Jeno looked away, struggling with his own emotions. "Things were complicated. I needed to make choices for survival, and it wasn't as simple as you think."

Mark's frustration flared. "Family doesn't lie or betray each other. You're supposed to have each other's backs, no matter what."

Jeno's shoulders slumped as he stared at the ground. "I know, man. I messed up. But I did what I thought was necessary at the time. It wasn't about betraying you—it was about trying to keep myself afloat."

Mark's expression remained steely, his disappointment evident. "Well, you're not the only one who has to deal with the consequences. I'm trying to move on from that life, and here you are, stirring up trouble."

Jeno's eyes flashed with a mixture of guilt and defensiveness. "I didn't come here to cause trouble. I just wanted to talk. I see your new life, and it's like you've forgotten about your past—about me. It hurts."

Mark shook his head, his voice cold. "You can't expect me to forget what you did. You made your choices, and now you have to live with them."

Jeno's voice softened as he took a step back. "I'm sorry for everything, Mark. I just hope you can find it in you to understand, even if you can't forgive."

Mark's eyes remained fixed on Jeno, a mix of anger and sadness in his gaze. "I don't know if I can. But I appreciate that you're trying to make amends. Just stay out of my life from now on."

Jeno nodded, a pained expression crossing his face. "I'll keep that in mind. Take care, Mark."

With that, Jeno turned and walked back to his car, leaving Mark standing alone at the gas pump. The encounter had stirred up old wounds and left Mark feeling unsettled. As Jeno drove away into the night, Mark couldn't shake the feeling that his past was closing in on him once more.

Mark finished up at the gas station, the weight of the conversation lingering in his mind. He returned to his car, his thoughts consumed by the complex web of relationships and betrayals that had marked his past. As he drove away, he knew that dealing with Jeno was only the beginning of the challenges he faced.

The night was quiet, but Mark's mind was anything but peaceful.