BOUND BY OBSESSION|| L.HS X S.JY

T W E N T Y

CHAPTER TWENTY: ILNESS AND UNREVELED CONTROL

the soft glow of the morning sun streamed through the large windows of Heeseung’s penthouse, casting a warm light across the room. But instead of feeling the comfort of the day, Heeseung was on edge. He had barely slept, his mind consumed with thoughts of Jaeyun. He sensed something was off; the usually vibrant young man had been quieter and more withdrawn lately, and the anxiety gnawed at Heeseung.

He paced the floor, his fingers running through his hair in frustration. Just as he was about to storm out in search of Jaeyun, he heard a faint sound from the adjoining bedroom—a soft thud followed by silence. Heeseung’s heart raced as he rushed to the door, flinging it open.

The sight that met his eyes sent a chill down his spine. Jaeyun lay sprawled on the floor, his face pale and sweat-soaked, unconscious. Panic gripped Heeseung as he rushed to Jaeyun’s side, kneeling beside him.

“Jaeyun!” Heeseung’s voice was sharp and panicked, shaking the younger man gently. “Wake up! Please!”

There was no response, and Heeseung’s anxiety spiraled into fear. He could see the pallor of Jaeyun’s skin, the way his brow glistened with sweat. Heeseung’s chest tightened as he lifted Jaeyun’s head into his lap, cradling him as he checked for signs of a fever.

“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath. “What’s wrong with you?”

Heeseung’s mind raced through possibilities. Had he not been paying enough attention? Had Jaeyun been hiding something? The thought of losing Jaeyun sent a wave of nausea through him, and he couldn’t shake off the feeling that this was somehow his fault.

He hesitated for a moment, then pulled out his phone, dialing the private doctor Heeseung kept on retainer. He felt a sudden surge of desperation. As the phone rang, he continued to monitor Jaeyun’s condition, brushing a damp strand of hair from his forehead.

“Hello? This is Dr. Kim,” came the voice on the line.

“Heeseung,” he snapped, his voice tight. “Get to my place, now. Jaeyun fainted, and I think he’s sick.”

“Is he responsive?” Dr. Kim asked, the calmness in his voice a stark contrast to Heeseung’s frantic state.

“No!” Heeseung shouted, panic rising again. “He’s not waking up. Just hurry!”

“Okay, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Heeseung hung up, his heart pounding as he focused on Jaeyun’s still form. “Please, wake up,” he whispered, his voice softer now, filled with an urgency he couldn’t suppress. He brushed his fingers along Jaeyun’s cheek, feeling the heat radiating from him. The touch sent a jolt of worry through Heeseung; he had never seen Jaeyun like this.

Time felt like it stretched endlessly as Heeseung waited, anxiety coursing through him. He glanced out the window, seeing the world outside carrying on, completely oblivious to the chaos inside his penthouse. He was completely unprepared for this moment, and the realization sent a wave of anger through him—anger at himself for not noticing, for letting this happen.

Finally, the sound of hurried footsteps broke through the silence, and Dr. Kim rushed into the room, his medical bag in hand.

“Step aside,” he said, quickly kneeling beside Jaeyun. Heeseung reluctantly moved, watching as Dr. Kim examined Jaeyun, checking his pulse and breathing.

“What happened?” Dr. Kim asked, focused and professional.

“He just fainted,” Heeseung replied, his voice strained. “I don’t know why. He’s been acting off for days.”

Dr. Kim’s brow furrowed as he worked quickly, pulling out a thermometer and checking Jaeyun’s temperature. “He’s burning up,” he muttered, then glanced up at Heeseung. “Has he been eating? Drinking?”

Heeseung shook his head. “I didn’t know. He kept saying he was fine.”

Dr. Kim nodded, quickly writing notes. “We need to get him fluids and check for any underlying infections. He may have a virus.”

As Dr. Kim worked, Heeseung felt helpless, pacing back and forth. His usual control was slipping, and it infuriated him. Why had he not done more to take care of Jaeyun? The very thought of losing him sent a wave of dread crashing over Heeseung, and for the first time, he realized how much Jaeyun had come to mean to him.

Minutes felt like hours, but finally, Dr. Kim looked up, relief easing his features. “He should be okay. I’ll set up an IV for fluids and monitor his vitals. It looks like he just needs rest and care.”

Heeseung nodded, the weight on his chest lifting slightly. “Thank you.”

As Dr. Kim prepared the IV, Heeseung knelt beside Jaeyun again, taking his hand in his own. “Stay with me, Jaeyun,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “You have to wake up. I can’t… I can’t lose you.”

In that moment, Heeseung felt an unfamiliar vulnerability wash over him, the walls he had built around his heart cracking just a little. It was terrifying, and yet, he couldn’t ignore the truth: he cared deeply for Jaeyun, more than he had ever intended.

As the IV dripped steadily into Jaeyun’s arm, Heeseung vowed silently to do whatever it took to keep him safe. No more mistakes. No more neglect. He would protect Jaeyun, even if it meant facing his own demons in the process.

For now, all he could do was wait and hope that Jaeyun would wake up soon. The game had changed, and for the first time, Heeseung found himself on the edge of something he hadn’t expected: a desperate need to love and protect, rather than control.