𝓕𝓪𝓿 | 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐡𝐲𝐮𝐜𝐤

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧

Mark paced the length of his office, phone pressed to his ear, as he tried to focus on his conversation with Jaemin. But his mind kept drifting back to Haechan, to the hurt in his eyes when Mark had pushed him away that morning. The decision weighed heavily on him, even though he knew it was for the best. Or at least, that's what he kept telling himself.

On the other end of the line, Jaemin's voice brought him back to the present.

"He left without saying anything," Jaemin said, his tone a mix of frustration and confusion.

Mark sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe you should talk to him."

"I didn't get his number," Jaemin replied, sounding even more exasperated.

"Bro..." Mark muttered, half-annoyed and half-amused despite the tension he was feeling.

"That's why I was going to ask Haechan," Jaemin continued. "But... I didn't think it would be a good idea."

"Yeah, don't do that," Mark warned, his voice growing more serious. "He's mad at me right now."

Jaemin was silent for a moment, then asked quietly, "Please don't tell me you pushed him away."

Mark closed his eyes, guilt washing over him. "I can't help it, Jaemin. He's amazing, but I'm dangerous. I can't ruin his life."

A heavy silence settled between them, the weight of Mark's words hanging in the air. Jaemin finally broke it, his voice tinged with sadness. "You know your brother is probably rolling in his grave right now, right?"

Mark flinched at the mention of his brother, the wound still fresh despite the time that had passed. He was about to respond when something caught his attention—a faint noise from somewhere in the mansion. His body tensed, instincts kicking in immediately.

"Hold on," Mark said, his voice dropping to a whisper as he strained to listen. "I hear someone in the house."

Jaemin's tone shifted, becoming sharper. "Mark, what's going on?"

Mark didn't answer right away. Instead, he quietly moved through the office, trying to identify where the sound was coming from. His mind raced with possibilities—he had enemies, plenty of them, and he knew better than to assume he was safe, even in his own home.

The sound grew louder, more distinct—a creaking floorboard, the soft shuffle of footsteps. Whoever was in his house wasn't trying to be stealthy anymore. They wanted him to know they were there.

"Jaemin," Mark whispered urgently, his heart pounding in his chest. "Someone's here. I have to go."

Before Jaemin could respond, Mark ended the call, slipping the phone into his pocket as he reached for the gun he kept hidden in his desk drawer. His pulse quickened as he carefully exited the office, trying to stay as silent as possible.

But as soon as he stepped into the hallway, he was hit with the unmistakable smell of smoke. Mark's eyes widened in shock as he realized what was happening.

The house was on fire.

Panic surged through him as he turned the corner and saw flames licking up the walls of the hallway, the fire spreading rapidly. He could hear the crackling of wood, the roar of the flames as they devoured everything in their path. The heat was intense, oppressive, and Mark knew he didn't have much time.

He moved quickly, his mind racing as he tried to find a way out. But the fire was spreading faster than he could navigate through the mansion, blocking off exits and filling the air with thick, suffocating smoke.

Mark's lungs burned as he coughed, struggling to breathe. His vision blurred, the smoke stinging his eyes as he stumbled through the house, desperately searching for a way out. But every turn he took seemed to lead him deeper into the inferno.

Just as the flames closed in around him, Mark heard a loud crash—glass shattering as the fire finally consumed the windows. He shielded his face with his arm, his thoughts turning to Haechan, to Jaemin, to the life he had fought so hard to protect but was now slipping away.

In the chaos, Mark wasn't sure if he'd made it out, if he'd find an escape, or if this would be the end. The fire raged on, a beast consuming everything in its path, and Mark's world turned to ash.

The last thing he remembered was the overwhelming heat, the smoke filling his lungs, and the sound of flames roaring all around him before everything went black.