Bound by Shadows .jc

CHAPTER 6

Beneath the Surface

The walls of Dino's room felt suffocating, as if they were closing in on him, leaving him no space to breathe, no space to think. He had tucked himself into the corner, knees drawn up to his chest, head buried between them as his breath hitched in uneven sobs. He tried to keep his breathing quiet, muffled, so that no one would hear him—though deep down, he wondered if anyone even cared enough to come looking.

His mind was a storm of regret and self-loathing. Every mistake he had made over the past few weeks came rushing back to him. The firewall he had failed to secure during their last mission had been the last straw. It wasn't just a mistake; it was a catastrophic failure that could have cost lives. His brothers had covered for him, but the disappointment in their eyes had been too much to bear. Especially Seungcheol's. His cold, unforgiving gaze still haunted Dino's mind, replaying in his head over and over like a broken record.

He bit his lip hard, trying to stifle the sob that rose from his throat. I'm weak. I'm useless, he thought bitterly. I'm a burden.

A soft knock on the door made him freeze. His heart pounded in his chest as he hastily wiped at his tear-streaked face, trying to compose himself. He didn't want them—whoever it was—to see him like this. His brothers already thought he was a failure; he didn't need to add more fuel to that fire.

The knock came again, more insistent this time.

"Dino," Wonwoo's voice called from the other side of the door, calm yet commanding. "Come to the living room. Seungcheol wants to talk to everyone."

Dino swallowed hard, trying to steady his breathing. He couldn't let them see how broken he felt inside. With a shaky hand, he pushed himself to his feet, running his palms over his clothes in an attempt to smooth out the wrinkles. His heart raced as he made his way to the door, dread curling in his stomach. What could Seungcheol possibly want now?

Is he going to yell at me again? Tell me I'm useless?

His hands trembled as he turned the doorknob and stepped out of his room. Wonwoo gave him a glance, his expression unreadable, but there was no judgment in his eyes. Just calm indifference.

As they walked to the living room, Dino's mind raced. His brothers had all been so quiet lately, and the silence was crushing him. Seungcheol, who used to at least glance his way, hadn't acknowledged him in days. Hoshi, who had been a source of comfort growing up, now seemed distant. And Hansol—Hansol had been retreating further and further into himself, a silent specter of the person he used to be.

When they reached the living room, Seungcheol was already seated at the head of the long couch, his posture commanding and intimidating as always. Jun, Hoshi, and Hansol sat nearby, their expressions neutral but their eyes sharp. Dino hesitated by the doorway, unsure if he should sit or remain standing. He felt out of place, as if he didn't belong there anymore. Like a ghost haunting the periphery of his own family.

Seungcheol's gaze flicked to him briefly, and Dino's heart clenched. That glance was like a blade—cold and sharp, cutting deep into his insecurities.

"Sit down," Seungcheol said, his tone clipped, leaving no room for hesitation.

Dino obeyed, sitting at the farthest end of the couch, feeling the distance between him and his brothers more acutely than ever. His body was tense, every muscle wound tight as if waiting for the blow to fall.

Seungcheol cleared his throat, his voice steady but with an edge of something Dino couldn't quite place. "I've been thinking," he began, glancing around the room at each of them. "You've all been working hard. The day after tomorrow, you can take the day off."