The Villianess's Redemption (HYUNJIN ff) ✓

16. The Weight of Unspoken Emotions

Chapter 16: The Weight of Unspoken Emotions
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Elsewhere on the estate,

Seungmin's POV

I was walking with Eliza, my arm securely wrapped around hers as we made our way through the gardens. Eliza was still recovering, and I couldn't help but be overly cautious, my protective instincts on high alert after everything that had happened.

"Eliza, you should really be resting," I said, trying to keep my tone light but firm. "I don't want you to push yourself too hard."

Eliza smiled up at me, her eyes filled with warmth. "I'm feeling much better, Seungmin," she assured me, though I could hear the underlying fatigue in her voice. "And besides, it's nice to get some fresh air. Being cooped up in that room all day isn't exactly fun."

I chuckled softly, but my worry didn't ease. "I know, but you've been through so much. We just want to make sure you're fully recovered before you start pushing yourself too hard."

Eliza's smile faltered slightly, and she let out a small sigh. "I know you're all worried about me, and I appreciate it. But I hate feeling like a burden, like everyone has to tiptoe around me because of my health."

"You're not a burden," I said quickly, squeezing her arm reassuringly. "We just care about you, that's all."

"I know," Eliza replied, her voice softening. "I just... I wish I were stronger. Maybe then I wouldn't be holding everyone back."

"You're not holding anyone back," I insisted, stopping to look at her directly. "You've been through a lot, and it's okay to take time to recover. No one expects you to be strong all the time."

Eliza's eyes flickered with a mix of emotions-gratitude, frustration, and something deeper that I couldn't quite place. "I just hate feeling helpless," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

I was about to say something to comfort her when I noticed her gaze shift, her expression suddenly tightening as she stared at something ahead. I followed her line of sight, and my blood ran cold.

There, in the distance, under the cover of darkness, I saw them-Hyunjin and Isabella, locked in an intimate embrace. And then, as if in slow motion, I watched as they leaned in and kissed.

Anger flared up inside me, hot and fierce, and I could feel my fists clenching at my sides. How could Hyunjin do this? How could he be so careless, so heartless?

I was about to storm over there, ready to confront him, but before I could take a step, I felt Eliza's hand on my arm, stopping me. I turned to look at her, and my heart twisted at the sight of the hurt and sadness in her eyes.

"Seungmin," she said softly, her voice trembling. "Please... I just want to go back inside."

Her words cut through my anger like a knife, and I could see how much this was affecting her. She didn't deserve this-none of us did. But as much as I wanted to protect her, I knew that this wasn't the time for confrontation. Eliza needed me, and that was all that mattered.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded and placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Okay," I said gently. "Let's go back inside."