Shadows of Obsession

Chapter 11: The Breaking Point

After days of torment and bullying, Jukyung finally gathered enough courage to confront Suho. She had tried to keep her head up, but the whispers and the physical harassment had drained her. It was time to face him and plead her case. She hoped that perhaps, just perhaps, he would finally understand how much she cared and choose her over Seojun.

As she waited for Suho to arrive at school, her heart raced. Each tick of the clock felt like a countdown, and she rehearsed what she would say. She could feel the eyes of her classmates on her, the weight of their judgment pressing down as she approached the entrance where Suho usually arrived.

When she finally spotted him walking through the gates, his head held high and his usual cool demeanor in place, she felt a surge of determination. She rushed up to him, her hands trembling slightly.

"Suho! Can we talk?" she called out, urgency coloring her voice.

He paused, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. "What is it, Jukyung?"

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "I need you to understand that I really care about you. I know you're with Seojun, but I want you to choose me. I know we can be great together!"

Suho's expression hardened, and he stepped back as if her words had physically repulsed him. "You don't get it, do you? I'm not interested."

"But Suho—"

"Enough!" he interrupted, his voice sharp. The hallway had grown quiet, other students watching with bated breath.

Jukyung felt her heart sink, but she pressed on, desperation clawing at her throat. "Please! Just think about it! I can be everything you need. You don't have to stick with him just because—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Suho's hand shot out, slapping her across the face with a force that left her stunned. The shock rippled through her, and for a moment, she could only stand there, her mind reeling.

"Don't you ever talk about him like that again," Suho said, his voice low and filled with a rage that surprised her. "I'm tired of your pathetic attempts to come between us."

With each word, Jukyung felt a sharp pain in her chest, her breath hitching as tears threatened to spill over. She hadn't expected this—hadn't expected him to lash out so violently.

"Suho..." she began, but before she could say anything more, he struck her again, a second slap that stung and made her stumble back. The hallway buzzed with murmurs, shocked gasps echoing around her.

"Stop being so obsessed with me," Suho spat, his expression a mixture of anger and contempt. "You need to move on. I don't want you."

With that, he turned on his heel, walking away with a confidence that made Jukyung's heart break all over again.

But Suho wasn't alone. Seojun was right behind him, a smirk plastered on his face as he watched the scene unfold. He leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, clearly enjoying the show. The way he looked at her—like she was nothing more than a plaything—made her stomach churn.

"See you later, Jukyung," Seojun called out mockingly, the amusement clear in his voice. "Maybe next time, try a little harder. You might actually get his attention."

As Suho and Seojun walked away, Jukyung felt the world close in around her. The whispers resumed, louder than ever, but this time, she barely registered them. All she could feel was the sting on her cheek and the ache in her heart.

Her knees buckled, and she sank to the floor, feeling utterly defeated. She had laid her feelings bare, only to have them slapped back in her face—literally and figuratively.

In that moment, Jukyung realized that her pursuit of Suho was not only futile but had turned her into the very person she despised: someone desperate, someone willing to put herself in the line of fire just for a fleeting chance at love.