Betting on Love [JEONGCHEOL] ✓

Chapter Thirty-nine: A new start

A few hours later, Hyunwoo returns with Seojun, both of them looking exhausted and worn out. Seojun avoids Hyunwoo's gaze, even though Hyunwoo keeps glancing at him, concerned.

As soon as Seungcheol spots his brother, he rushes over, panic evident in his voice. "Hyung! Where were you?!" He frantically checks for any injuries.

Seojun lets out a tired sigh. "Don’t make a big deal out of it, Cheol. I was just working."

Jeonghan walks over to Hyunwoo, his steps cautious as he watches the interaction between Seojun and Seungcheol. He stands beside his brother, feeling the tension in the air.

"Hyung…" Jeonghan starts softly, glancing up at Hyunwoo, who looks tired but resolute.

Hyunwoo sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's been a long night, Jeonghan. Don’t ask me anything."

Jeonghan frowns, seeing the weariness in his brother's face, but he doesn’t push. "Alright," he says quietly, stepping closer to Hyunwoo, offering a silent presence of support.

"For an entire day? Working?!" Seungcheol asks in disbelief, his voice rising with concern. He steps closer to Seojun, his brows furrowed. "Hyung, that’s not normal! You can’t keep doing this!"

Seojun sighs, avoiding Seungcheol's gaze. "It was just one day. Stop making such a fuss."

"How can I not? You didn’t even come home! What if something happened to you?" Seungcheol’s frustration is laced with fear, his emotions raw.

Seojun’s shoulders slump, clearly exhausted. "Seungcheol, I’m doing this for us. We need the money. I’m trying to keep things together."

"But at what cost, hyung?" Seungcheol’s voice softens, his anger fading into worry.

Seojun runs a hand through his hair, his tired eyes finally meeting Seungcheol's. "I don’t have a choice. You know that. If I don’t work these hours, we won’t make it."

Seungcheol's expression softens with guilt, but his concern remains. "Hyung... you don’t have to do this alone. We can figure something out together. I’ll find a way to help."

Seojun lets out a weary sigh, shaking his head. "There’s nothing you can do, Cheol. Just focus on your studies. That’s all I need from you right now."

Seungcheol opens his mouth to protest but then glances at Jeonghan, who has been silently watching the exchange. His gaze flickers with an unspoken tension, knowing that he, too, has something to address.

"Seojun hyung," Jeonghan says softly, stepping forward, "you don’t have to carry everything by yourself. You’re allowed to lean on people sometimes, especially those who care about you."

Seojun stares at him for a moment before letting out a bitter chuckle. "Easier said than done."

Hyunwoo, standing by the door, finally speaks up. "He’s right. There’s a limit to how much you can take, Seojun. I’ve seen where that road leads, and it’s not worth it."

Seojun glances at Hyunwoo, his eyes tired and full of unresolved emotions. "I’m not like you, Hyunwoo."

"No, but you're making the same mistakes," Hyunwoo says firmly. "And I won’t stand by and watch."

Seojun’s jaw tightens as he avoids Hyunwoo’s gaze, the weight of the words hanging heavy in the air. Seungcheol stands between them, torn between the tension and the concern bubbling inside him.

"Hyung," Seungcheol begins, his voice soft but resolute, "you’ve always taken care of me, but you don’t have to do it like this. You don’t have to break yourself down just to keep things going."