You are quite like a wilted flower,
neglected,
dried out,
and crumbled into pieces.
But, why did you still catch my attention with that beyond-belief beauty of yours?
All you need is a little love to bloom,
a little care to grow colorful,
and a litt...
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XXIX: Wilted Flower
Wounds Unseen | Hidden emotional and physical agony, revealing the deep inner struggles of the characters that aren't visible on the surface.
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Heavy silence hung in the air as Iris sat down, her head bowed low in front of the two men whose figures towered over her.
After days away, she returned, the shame and pain etched in her chest made it hard to meet their gazes. They waited patiently, a tense anticipation filling the space.
"That man was your father, Iris, wasn't he?" Minho's deep voice sliced through the stillness, laced with barely contained anger.
All she could manage was a small, terrified nod.
Minho exhaled sharply, his frustration evident as he rubbed his face, struggling to rein in his rage. He began to pace back and forth, tension radiating from him.
"Why didn't you tell us that he hurts you?" His words were sharp, spat through clenched teeth.
"I- I didn't want to worry you," Iris finally managed to say, her voice trembling.
"Iris." Riki sighed, placing his large hand on her back for comfort. "You should have told us, regardless." He lowered his gaze to meet hers, concern etched on his face.
"But my father is too powerful. You saw how easily he hurt you in mere seconds," she broke down, hugging her knees tightly to her chest.
Riki leaned closer, his voice steady. "We would die for you if we had to, Iris. Believe me."
Finally, Minho took a seat beside them, his expression softening as he turned her face toward him.
"Iris, listen. We'd do whatever it takes to protect you. You're worth fighting for, and we're not going to let anyone hurt you again." He searched her eyes, his gaze filled with unwavering determination.
The girl sobbed harder, throwing herself into Minho's large embrace, her tears soaking his shirt. He gently rubbed her back, trying to comfort her, but unease hung in the air.
"Also, I want to apologize for... what happened last time," Minho whispered, his voice laced with guilt.
Iris lifted her head slightly, her eyes searching his. "H-Hm? What do you mean?" she asked, confusion mingling with her tears.
"Don't you remember? When I asked if something was wrong, and you left... angry? I never got the chance to apologize." Minho's brow furrowed, concern deepening in his gaze.
"I don't know, Minho. I can't remember," she murmured, wiping her tears but still looking lost.
Minho exchanged a glance with Riki, both feeling an unsettling shift in the atmosphere.
"Maybe she's just too worn out to recall," Riki suggested quietly, nodding at Minho.
Iris nodded faintly, rubbing her face as if trying to erase the fog clouding her mind.
"Anyway," she cleared her throat, "I'm not mad at all. You don't need to apologize for anything... do you?"
"Are you sure?" Minho asked, the concern etched on his face hinting at deeper worries.
"Yeah, really. I don't even know where that came from." She looked at them, her expression both defiant and uncertain.
"Oh," was all Minho could manage, his mind racing with questions.
"You can sleep on my bed, Iris. Minho and I will stay here," Riki offered, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of caution as he gestured upstairs.
Too drained to argue, she nodded and walked away slowly, a cloud of uncertainty hanging over her.
"Something feels off," Riki said, watching her leave, his instincts alert.
"I know," Minho replied, his voice barely above a whisper, as a chill crept into the room.
