Silent Cry (Lee Know FF)

Love's Redemption

⚠️Explicit Scene toward middle to end of chapter⚠️
⚠️ Mention of Scars, and mention of SA⚠️
Grab some tissues and buckle up this is my most emotional chapter...

Mina POV

Mina sat at her assigned desk, focusing on a report she was asked to overlook. The hum of the office provided a comforting background noise. Suddenly, her boss, Mr. Kim, called her into his office.

"Mina, could you come in here for a moment?" he asked, his voice carrying through the open space.

She quickly stood up and made her way to his office, curious about what he needed. As she entered, Mr. Kim smiled warmly.

"Mina, I have an old college buddy coming in about an hour. I need you to run and get us two coffees and some donuts. Think you can handle that?" he asked.

"Of course, Mr. Kim," she replied, nodding.

She left the office and headed to the nearby coffee shop. As she waited in line after placing her order, her thoughts drifted to Minho and his words from the other night. "Because I love you!"

"Jung Mina?" The barista's voice pulled her from her reverie. "Your order's ready."

She thanked the barista, collected the coffees and donuts, and made her way back to the office. As she walked into Mr. Kim's office with a smile, it quickly faded when she saw the man sitting in the chair, laughing with her boss. Her heart raced as she recognized him. Choi Seojoon, her old college professor.

For a moment, she almost dropped the coffee and donuts, but she managed to keep her composure. Plastering a smile on her face, she handed them their coffees.

"Thank you, Mina," Mr. Kim said, oblivious to the tension in the room. "You can go back to your desk now."

As she left the office, her heart pounded in her chest, and she struggled to keep her emotions in check.

After work, Mina took the bus home. She tried to keep her breathing steady to avoid breaking down in public or having a panic attack. She had forgotten her vape at home, so she didn't have that to help numb her mind either. She took slow breaths, trying to stay calm. When she got home, she went to her room. Her first instinct was the need to try to erase the thought of Seojoon's hands from her body, but she didn't want to lapse again.

She sat on her bed, tears streaming down her face. She felt a deep ache in her chest as she picked up her phone, her hands trembling. With a shaky breath, she dialed Minho's number.

When he answered, his voice was gentle but concerned, "Mina?"

Her voice was quiet, barely above a whisper, "Minho... I need you."

Minho's heart sank at the sound of her distress. "I'm here, Mina. What's happening? Are you okay?"

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I just... I don't want to be alone. I need you here with me."

Without hesitation, Minho responded, "I'm on my way. Hold on, Mina. I'll be there soon." His voice was filled with care, in that moment nothing mattered more than being there for her.

Lee Know POV

Minho drove through the quiet streets, his mind focused on getting to Mina without drawing attention. As he approached her apartment, he turned off his headlights and parked a little distance away.

He slipped out of his car, moving quickly and quietly through the shadows. The night was still, and he could hear his own heartbeat as he approached Mina's apartment.

When he reached her front door, he knocked softly three times then two louder knocks, a signal they had agreed on. Mina opened the door just a crack, her eyes red from crying. She quickly pulled him inside, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.