𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 || 𝐒𝐞𝐨𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐨

Chapter Fifty two

The nine months following the incident had passed in a strange, uneasy blur for Mingyu. The tension between that day and now never fully left him, but life continued, and somehow, amid the lingering uncertainty, he and Soojin had planned their wedding. In just a month, they would stand before their loved ones and pledge themselves to each other. It should have been the happiest time of his life, yet a shadow loomed over him, gnawing at his peace.

Today, that shadow returned with full force.

Mingyu sat at the edge of the dining table, his hand trembling as he stared down at the envelope. It looked just like the one from nine months ago, plain and unmarked except for his name scrawled in dark ink. His fingers hesitated before ripping it open, a chill crawling down his spine.

The note inside was longer this time, more detailed, more unsettling.

“I see you. Every day. You can’t escape me, Mingyu. You belong to me, not her. Not anyone else. Remember who you really are, where you really belong. Soon, you’ll come to understand that I’m always watching, always near, waiting for you. You can’t marry her. She’s not meant for you. You are mine."

Mingyu felt his chest tighten, nausea rising in his throat as he read the words over and over. His hands clenched the letter, crumpling it, but his mind was spinning, flooded with dread. This person… whoever they were… they had been watching him this whole time. Even after he thought it was over. Even after he tried to push it out of his mind, to move on.

He couldn’t stay silent anymore. He had to tell someone. And the only person who came to mind was Seokmin. His friend had been by his side through thick and thin, and if anyone could make sense of this, it would be him.

Grabbing his jacket and the crumpled note, Mingyu left the house in haste, trying not to alarm Soojin as she bustled about in the other room. His head was throbbing, his mind racing with what he would say to Seokmin. How could he even begin to explain the nightmare that had started nine months ago and seemed to be far from over?

As he arrived at Seokmin’s place, Mingyu could hear faint sounds of life inside. Taking a deep breath, he knocked, anxiously running a hand through his hair. The door creaked open, and Seokmin’s familiar face, warm yet now lined with concern, greeted him.

“Mingyu?” Seokmin asked, noticing his friend’s distressed state. “What’s going on?”

Before Mingyu could answer, a small figure appeared in the hallway. Seungmin, Seokmin’s nephew, shuffled out of his room, rubbing his eyes sleepily. His small frame, dressed in soft pajamas, was a sight that tugged at Mingyu’s heartstrings. The boy looked up, his bright eyes locking on Mingyu, and suddenly, his face lit up with a radiant smile.

Without a word — as always, for Seungmin was mute — the child sprinted toward him. His small arms wrapped tightly around Mingyu’s legs, and the warmth of that embrace melted all of the fear and anxiety swirling in his chest.

Mingyu knelt down and scooped the boy up into his arms, his earlier distress momentarily forgotten. Seungmin’s silent joy was contagious. He beamed up at his uncle, his expression full of love and innocence, as though nothing in the world could be wrong. Mingyu smiled softly, hugging Seungmin close, feeling the boy’s light weight against him. The turmoil inside him calmed, just for a moment.

“You’ve gotten so big, haven’t you?” Mingyu whispered, his voice hoarse. He brushed a gentle hand through Seungmin’s soft hair, trying to ground himself in this simple, beautiful moment.

Seokmin watched the scene unfold, his brows still furrowed, but he didn’t say a word. He knew Mingyu needed this — this tiny spark of normalcy before whatever was troubling him came spilling out.

Seungmin, still silent, snuggled into Mingyu’s arms, his little hand patting his uncle’s shoulder as if to say, It’s going to be okay. Mingyu’s heart swelled with gratitude and affection. This pure, innocent connection brought him back to earth, away from the dark thoughts swirling in his mind.

But he couldn’t stay in that bubble forever. As Seungmin clambered down and ran off to find his toys, Mingyu’s expression shifted. His smile faded, replaced by the weight of the envelope burning in his jacket pocket.

“I need to talk to you,” Mingyu said quietly, turning to Seokmin with a grave expression. “Something’s been happening… ever since nine months ago. And it’s not over.”

Seokmin’s face hardened. “Come in. Let’s figure this out.”

With one last glance at Seungmin, now playing happily in the corner, Mingyu stepped inside, ready to unburden himself of the nightmare that had followed him for far too long.

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The reason why I'm updating too much is that, I'll be going on a hiatus from tomorrow. My uni starts from the 16th and I have to start working. Hope you understand <3