Bound by Obsession || Jeongcheol ||

Part Eight -Fractured Loyalties

The tension in the university had shifted dramatically after the gruesome fate of "The Entitled." Fear now ruled the campus. No one dared speak a word against Seungcheol, and Jeonghan's mere presence sent students scurrying out of his path. He had become a symbol of Seungcheol's untouchable control, but the weight of this "protection" was suffocating.

Joshua and Seokmin, Jeonghan's only remaining lifeline to normalcy, grew increasingly worried. They had heard rumors of what Seungcheol had done, the horrifying punishments he had exacted on the boys who had hurt Jeonghan. It was as though the university had been claimed by an invisible warlord, one who operated in shadows, enforcing a brutal regime. They knew they had to do something, anything to save their friend from this madness before it was too late.

It was late in the evening when they finally cornered Jeonghan in his dorm room. His fragile demeanor, the haunted look in his eyes, told them everything they needed to know: Jeonghan was trapped. They couldn't stand by any longer.

"Jeonghan," Joshua said softly, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "We need to talk. Please, tell us the truth. What's really going on between you and Seungcheol?"

Jeonghan looked at both of them, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. He had been holding this secret for too long, and the weight of it was breaking him. "It's not what you think..." he whispered, voice trembling. "He won't leave me alone. No matter what I do, he's... always there, watching, controlling everything."

Seokmin clenched his fists, anger rising in him as he saw the fear and exhaustion in Jeonghan's face. "We can't let this go on, Jeonghan. We need to find a way to protect you. We're your friends. We won't let him control you any longer."

The three of them huddled together, hearts pounding as they whispered their plan. Joshua and Seokmin wanted to confront Seungcheol head-on, to make him see that Jeonghan wasn't a possession he could own. They hoped that, by showing a united front, they might appeal to whatever humanity Seungcheol had left. But deep down, they knew it was a desperate gamble.

Just as they were outlining their ideas, a familiar, icy presence filled the room. The door swung open without warning, and Seungcheol stepped inside, his cold, calculating gaze sweeping over the trio. The atmosphere shifted instantly, thick with fear and tension.

Jeonghan's heart skipped a beat, dread curling in his stomach. How had he known? How was Seungcheol always so perfectly timed?

"Planning something without me?" Seungcheol's voice was low, dangerous, as he casually walked into the dorm. His dark eyes flickered to Joshua and Seokmin, sizing them up like prey.

Joshua swallowed hard, standing up to face Seungcheol, though his legs shook beneath him. "We were just... talking," he said, his voice faltering for a moment. "Jeonghan's our friend, and we're worried about him."

Seokmin nodded in agreement, though he couldn't quite meet Seungcheol's eyes. "He deserves to live his life, Seungcheol. You can't keep him locked in your world forever."

For a long, tense moment, the room fell deathly silent. Seungcheol's expression didn't change, but there was something simmering beneath the surface, something lethal. Jeonghan could feel the storm brewing, his anxiety spiking as the two most important parts of his life clashed before him.

To everyone's surprise, Seungcheol didn't lash out. He simply crossed his arms, watching Joshua and Seokmin with an air of detached amusement. "So, you're telling me how to handle what's mine now?" he asked, voice dripping with a cold amusement that made the air thick with danger. "I didn't know Jeonghan's friends had grown so brave."

Joshua and Seokmin froze, exchanging nervous glances. This was it. They had crossed the line, and they knew it. Yet, for Jeonghan's sake, they stood their ground, even though their hearts pounded with fear.

Seungcheol moved closer, standing right in front of them now, his face hardening. "Jeonghan may care about you, and that's the only reason you're still breathing. But don't mistake his affection for your safety," Seungcheol growled, his voice lowering to a deadly whisper. "You will never speak to me like this again. You will respect your place, or I will make sure you regret it."

Seokmin, though terrified, couldn't stay silent. "We're not asking for much, Seungcheol. Just let him have a life outside of you. You... you can't keep him in a cage."

Seungcheol's eyes darkened further, his fists clenched. For a split second, it seemed like he might lash out, but instead, he smiled, a smile that chilled the blood. "A life outside of me?" he repeated mockingly. "That's where you're wrong. Jeonghan doesn't have a life outside of me. And you two..." His gaze hardened as it passed over Joshua and Seokmin. "You mean nothing to me."

Jeonghan's breath hitched in his throat as he watched Seungcheol's calm façade slip into something more terrifying. "But I'll let this slide," Seungcheol continued, his tone suddenly soft and almost mocking. "Just this once. For Jeonghan's sake. But hear me, both of you... the next time you cross me, I won't be so merciful."

Joshua and Seokmin stood paralyzed by the intensity of his words, their bravery faltering under Seungcheol's unrelenting gaze. He took a step closer, looming over them. "I could end you right here," Seungcheol murmured, his voice a low threat. "But I won't, because Jeonghan cares about you. However, remember this: I care about him, not you. You two are expendable."

His final words hung in the air like a death sentence. Seungcheol turned to Jeonghan, his expression softening, but his control still absolute. "They should know their place, Jeonghan. They should be grateful I've allowed them this much. But don't mistake my patience for weakness. If they cross me again, I won't hesitate to separate them from you. Permanently."

Jeonghan's heart sank. The chilling reality of Seungcheol's words was impossible to deny. He looked to Joshua and Seokmin, both of whom were pale and trembling but still standing by his side. They had risked everything for him, but the price for defying Seungcheol had never been clearer.

Without another word, Seungcheol left the room, leaving behind a suffocating silence. The moment the door clicked shut, Jeonghan collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down his face. He was trapped, even more than before, and no amount of love or friendship seemed strong enough to break the chains Seungcheol had wrapped around his life.

Joshua and Seokmin knelt beside him, their faces pale with fear, yet they wrapped their arms around Jeonghan, determined to protect him no matter the cost. But deep down, all three of them knew, this was only the beginning.

Seungcheol's warning was clear: Jeonghan's friends were disposable. And next time, they might not be so lucky.

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