𝐢 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 ; 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐡𝐲𝐮𝐜𝐤

𝐭𝐞𝐧

The morning light filtered through Donghyuck's window, casting long shadows across the room. He had barely slept, his mind racing with plans and contingencies. Today was the day he was going to come clean to Mark, to lay everything out and seek his help. But as he got ready to leave, his phone buzzed with a text message that sent a chill down his spine.

Unknown Number: We have him. If you want to see him alive, come alone.

Attached was a photo of Mark, bound and gagged, his eyes wide with fear. Donghyuck's blood ran cold. Jaebum had made his move.

Donghyuck's mind whirled with fear and anger. He had to act fast, but he couldn't afford to let his emotions cloud his judgment. He quickly texted Jeno, giving him a brief rundown and instructions to be on standby. Then, with a deep breath, he headed out, determination hardening his resolve.

The address Jaebum had sent led him to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. It was a perfect place for a trap, and Donghyuck knew he had to be on high alert. He approached the building cautiously, his senses tuned to every sound and movement around him.

As he stepped inside, the dim light revealed Jaebum standing in the center of the room, flanked by his men. Mark was there too, tied to a chair and looking disheveled but unharmed.

"Hyuck, you're here," Jaebum said with a smug smile. "I knew you'd come."

"Let him go, Jaebum," Donghyuck demanded, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. "This is between you and me."

Jaebum chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, it's not that simple. You see, Mark here is leverage. He's my insurance that you'll do exactly as I say."

Donghyuck's hands clenched into fists. "What do you want?"

"I want you to back off. No more interference with my operations, no more trying to undermine me. You stay out of my way, and I'll let Mark go."

Donghyuck's mind raced. He couldn't trust Jaebum, but he had to find a way to get Mark out of here safely. He took a step forward, his eyes locked on Mark's. "I'll do whatever you want, just let him go."

Jaebum's grin widened. "Good. That's what I like to hear. But first, a little demonstration of your loyalty."

He snapped his fingers, and one of his men approached Donghyuck, handing him a gun. "Take it," Jaebum said. "And shoot him."

Donghyuck's heart pounded in his chest. "What?"

"You heard me," Jaebum said, his voice cold. "If you're serious about protecting him, you'll do as I say. Shoot him, or I'll do it myself."

Donghyuck felt the weight of the gun in his hand, the cold metal a stark reminder of the stakes. He looked at Mark, who was shaking his head vehemently, his eyes pleading. Donghyuck's mind raced, searching for any way out of this nightmare.

"Do it, Hyuck," Jaebum taunted. "Show me you're serious."

Time seemed to slow as Donghyuck raised the gun, his hand trembling. He couldn't do it. He couldn't hurt Mark. But he had to find a way to convince Jaebum he was serious. His eyes flicked to Jeno's men outside the warehouse, barely visible in the shadows, waiting for a signal.

Donghyuck's mind raced, and he made a split-second decision. With a sudden movement, he swung the gun around and aimed it at Jaebum instead. "Let him go, or I'll shoot."

Jaebum's eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed in anger. "You're making a big mistake, Hyuck."

"I'm done playing your games, Jaebum," Donghyuck said, his voice steady now. "This ends here."

A tense standoff ensued, the air thick with danger. Jaebum's men moved to draw their weapons, but Donghyuck held his ground, his finger hovering over the trigger. He knew he couldn't afford to hesitate.

Just as the tension reached its peak, a loud crash echoed through the warehouse. Jeno and his men burst in, guns drawn, shouting commands. The room erupted into chaos as Jaebum's men were quickly overpowered and disarmed.

Jaebum's smug facade crumbled as he found himself surrounded. "You think you've won, Hyuck? This isn't over. Not by a long shot."

Donghyuck kept his gun trained on Jaebum, his eyes blazing with determination. "You're done, Jaebum. It's over."

The police arrived soon after, and Jaebum was taken into custody along with his men. As the dust settled, Donghyuck finally allowed himself to breathe. He rushed over to Mark, who was being untied by Jeno.

"Are you okay?" Donghyuck asked, his voice trembling with concern.

Mark nodded, his eyes filled with relief and gratitude. "Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks to you."

Donghyuck pulled Mark into a tight hug, the fear and tension of the past hours finally giving way to relief. "I'm so sorry, Mark. I never wanted you to get involved in this."

Mark hugged him back, his voice soft but firm. "I know, Hyuck. But we're in this together now."

As they stood there, holding onto each other amidst the chaos, Donghyuck knew that things would never be the same. But with Mark by his side, he felt a renewed sense of hope and determination. They would face whatever came next together, and nothing could tear them apart.