Bound by Shadows .jc

CHAPTER 10

The Calm Before the Storm

Jeonghan's Pov:

The first rays of sunlight pierced through the light curtains of my window, casting a soft, golden glow over the room. It was a sight that I always cherished—a reminder that even in the darkest moments, light found its way. I stretched out of bed, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin, and for a fleeting moment, everything felt calm. I closed my eyes, savoring the tranquility before pulling myself out from under the covers.

My morning routine was simple, methodical. I freshened up, brushed away the lingering sleep from my eyes, and dressed for the day ahead. Today would be busy. I had a lot to do, but I also had somewhere important to be later. A place that held memories—pieces of my life that I cherished and held onto, despite everything that had happened. I was planning to close the shop early today. Joshua could handle it for me; he was always dependable like that. I smiled faintly at the thought of him. Good friends were hard to come by, and I was lucky to have him in my life.

The day started as usual. The flower shop was bustling with customers, as it always was during the mornings. People came in with their usual requests—bouquets for loved ones, flowers for special occasions, or just a small bunch to brighten their homes. But as I worked, my mind wasn't really here. It was elsewhere, with the memories of my parents, my childhood, and everything I'd been through. I handed over the shop keys to Joshua in the early afternoon, giving him a small nod of thanks as I told him, "You take care of things here, Josh. I've got somewhere I need to be."

He flashed me a smile, one of those knowing smiles he always had when he understood more than I said. "Of course, Hannie. Don't worry about the shop. I've got it."

With that, I left the shop and made my way to the one place that always left me feeling both at peace and unsettled—my parents. Life had changed so much over the years, and not just for me. Everyone had their own stories, their own pains that shaped them, justified their actions. I was no different. I had endured my fair share of struggles, and while some might say that everything happens for a reason, I wasn't always sure I believed it. Still, there was a small part of me that clung to that belief—that all the hardships, all the challenges I had faced were signs, guiding me to some unknown destiny.

Destiny. That word always scared me. Sometimes, I wondered where mine would lead me. Would I end up in a place where I felt like I truly belonged? Or would I forever be searching?

I arrived at the graveyard late in the afternoon, the sky slowly fading from the bright blue of day to the soft pinks and purples of early evening. The air was cool, carrying the scent of earth and flowers, a bittersweet reminder of both life and death. I walked through the entrance, feeling an overwhelming wave of emotion wash over me as I approached my parents' grave.

It was always the same feeling. A sense of loss, of longing. But also... gratitude. They had given me so much, and even though life had been hard without them, I knew they had done their best to raise me in a way that allowed me to see the world differently. Peacefully. Innocently. It was because of them that I could still find beauty in the world, even when things were dark. They had shown me a version of life that was gentle, calm, and full of love, and for that, I would always be thankful.

I knelt down in front of their gravestone, the grass beneath me soft and cool. I placed two bouquets of roses—one for each of them—on the ground before me and just... sat there for a moment. The silence of the graveyard was almost comforting, like the world had paused just for me, just for this moment.

"I miss you," I whispered, my voice barely audible, as though speaking too loudly would shatter the fragile peace I had found here. "I miss you both so much."