Light Between Shadows

Chapter 9: Fissures

The silence in the room was thick, and Hyesoo could feel the tension like a vice tightening around her chest. Seven and Jihyun hadn't taken their eyes off each other since the moment Seven had walked in, and the air between them crackled with something dangerous, something unspoken.

Jihyun stood by the window, his posture rigid, while Seven hovered closer to Hyesoo, his protective stance unmistakable. It was subtle, but she could feel it—the way Seven positioned himself, as if trying to shield her from Jihyun.

"Why don't you just say it, Seven?" Jihyun's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that Hyesoo hadn't heard before. He wasn't angry—not yet—but there was something simmering beneath the surface. "You think I'm a threat to her."

Seven's amber eyes flickered with something dark, something dangerous. He opened his mouth, but for a second, he hesitated. His usual light-hearted demeanor was gone, replaced by something much colder.

"I don't think you're a threat, V," Seven said finally, his voice low and measured. "I know you are."

Hyesoo's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't expected the direct confrontation, and the weight of Seven's words hit her like a freight train. The tension between the two men was growing, becoming something volatile, something she wasn't sure she could control.

"I told you before," Jihyun said, taking a step closer to Hyesoo, his eyes never leaving Seven's. "I'm not going to hurt her."

Seven scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "That's the thing about you, V. You always think you're in control. You think you can fix everything. But you've done nothing but drag people into your messes."

Hyesoo stood frozen, her eyes darting between the two of them. She could see it now—the hatred, slowly growing between them, simmering beneath the surface. And she was at the center of it, the unspoken reason for their animosity.

"I've made mistakes," Jihyun admitted, his voice quieter now, but no less intense. "But I'm trying to protect her."

Seven's lips curled into a bitter smile. "You think dragging her into your world is protection? She's better off staying as far away from you as possible."

Hyesoo's heart pounded in her chest. She hated this—being caught between them, not knowing who to trust. But one thing was becoming clear: they both cared about her in ways that went beyond friendship, and neither of them was willing to back down.

Before she could speak, Jihyun turned to her, his blue eyes softening as he reached out, his hand hovering just above her arm. "Hyesoo, I'm sorry. I never wanted to put you in this position."

His hand was so close she could feel the heat radiating from his skin, and for a moment, her heart skipped a beat. The way he looked at her—it was different from Seven's intensity. It was softer, filled with something deeper, something that made her stomach twist in a way she couldn't explain.

But then, a voice in the back of her mind reminded her: Don't trust him. Don't trust anyone.

Her father had taught her that lesson long ago, even though he hadn't stuck around to reinforce it. Men left. Men lied. And no matter how much they said they cared, they always abandoned you in the end.

She stepped back, breaking the moment, her eyes narrowing. "I don't need your protection. From either of you."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, neither Jihyun nor Seven said anything. But the look in Jihyun's eyes—the brief flash of hurt—told her she had hit a nerve.

"I'm not a damsel in distress," she continued, her voice firm. "I can take care of myself."

Jihyun's hand dropped to his side, and he nodded slowly, though the sadness in his eyes remained. Seven, meanwhile, stayed silent, watching her carefully, as if gauging her reaction.

Hyesoo's heart was pounding in her chest, but she refused to let them see her falter. She had been through too much to let herself be caught in their mess. She wasn't going to let them tear her apart.

But deep down, she knew that the lines were already blurring. She was starting to feel something for both of them, something dangerous.

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writer note:  yes I do have daddy issues lmao