Betrayal within love || JEONGCHEOL

CHAPTER 1

The betrayal

The air in Seoul was thick with the weight of the year 1940. It was a time when shadows were long and the city's usual vibrance seemed muted under the strain of ongoing turmoil.

Jeonghan's apartment, a modest but cozy haven tucked away in a quieter part of town, was one place where he found comfort. The soft glow of the lanterns and the smell of jasmine tea often filled the space, offering a sanctuary from the outside world.Seungcheol, with his stoic demeanor and broad shoulders, had been Jeonghan's rock for years. Their love was a steady beacon amidst the chaos, or so Jeonghan thought.

Their evenings together were filled with laughter and shared dreams, but lately, something had shifted. Jeonghan had sensed a distance that he couldn't quite place.That evening, Jeonghan was alone, preparing dinner when he noticed an unfamiliar envelope peeking out from beneath the clutter on the kitchen table. It was unmarked, but something about it made his heart race. He picked it up, turning it over in his hands, feeling a chill of unease. When he carefully opened it, his eyes fell on a letter written in a hurried, almost frantic scrawl.

"Seungcheol, I can't wait to see you again. The nights are too long without you. Yours, Joshua."Jeonghan's breath caught in his throat. Joshua. The name struck him like a thunderclap. Seungcheol had been distant lately, and Jeonghan had chalked it up to the pressures of his responsibilities. But now, the evidence of betrayal was glaringly clear. His hands trembled as he set the letter down, a wave of betrayal crashing over him.

When Seungcheol arrived that evening, the usual warmth of his presence was overshadowed by the cold tension in the apartment. Jeonghan was waiting, the letter held tightly in his grasp. The confrontation was inevitable.

"Seungcheol," Jeonghan said, his voice steady but filled with hurt. "I need to talk to you."

Seungcheol's brow furrowed as he noticed the letter in Jeonghan's hand. His face went pale as realization dawned on him. "Jeonghan, I can explain," he began,

Jeonghan cut him off with a sharp look."Explain?" Jeonghan's voice broke, the veneer of composure cracking. "How do you explain this?" He thrust the letter towards Seungcheol.

Seungcheol's shoulders sagged as he read the letter. He closed his eyes, knowing there were no words that could undo the damage. "I'm so sorry," he said quietly. "I never meant for this to happen. I was weak, and I-"

"Don't," Jeonghan interrupted. "Don't try to make excuses." His heart felt like it was being torn apart. "I need some time away from you."Seungcheol reached out, but Jeonghan stepped back. "No, Seungcheol. I can't do this. I can't stay here."

In the days that followed, Jeonghan moved out of the apartment he had shared with Seungcheol and into Mingyu's place. Mingyu, who had been a quiet but steadfast friend, offered a haven from the storm.

As Jeonghan settled into his new surroundings, he found a sense of peace in Mingyu's presence. Mingyu's home was a refuge, filled with the warmth and understanding Jeonghan needed.One evening, as they sat together in Mingyu's cozy living room, Mingyu turned to Jeonghan with a gentle smile.

"You're safe here, Jeonghan. I'm here for you, always."Jeonghan looked at Mingyu, gratitude and affection mingling in his eyes. "Thank you, Mingyu. I don't know what I would have done without you."

The days turned into weeks, and Jeonghan began to heal, finding solace in Mingyu's unwavering support. The pain of betrayal was still there, but it was now softened by the kindness and love that Mingyu offered.As the city continued to face its trials, Jeonghan started to see a glimmer of hope for the future, finding a new rhythm in life, supported by those who truly cared.