𝓐𝓬𝓺𝓾𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓭 || ENHYPEN JAKE FF

Chapter 29: A new chapter

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29: A New Chapter.
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Mina sat in the dimly lit living room, her gaze fixed on the packed suitcase resting near the door. The silence of the space weighed heavily on her, mirroring the burden of her decision. She was leaving. Moving in with her mother, Taehee, was the only way she could escape the storm of emotions that had been tearing at her heart. It wasn't what she wanted—it was what she needed.

Beside her, Aerum sat curled up on the couch, her cheeks damp with tears she hadn't stopped shedding since Mina broke the news. Her sobs were soft but constant, a quiet soundtrack to the tension in the room. Across from them, Heeseung sat stiffly, his hands clasped together tightly as if willing himself to stay calm. Though he wasn't crying, the devastation in his eyes betrayed him. Mina knew he was trying to stay strong—for her. They had been her home, her family, and now, she was preparing to walk away.

"You don't have to do this, you know," Heeseung said softly. His voice, though quiet, carried an edge of desperation.

"I know," Mina replied, barely managing to speak above a whisper. "But I need to get away. I'll still see you... at school, if I stay there." She attempted a small smile, but it faltered, unable to mask the pain etched into her features.

Aerum sniffled and wiped at her swollen eyes. "It's not the same, Mina. I don't want you to go."

Before Mina could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the stairs. Ni-ki appeared in the doorway, his expression unreadable as his gaze swept over the room. His presence caused a shift in the air—more tension, more weight. Aerum turned her face away, trying to hide her tears, but Ni-ki caught her wiping at her cheeks.

"What's going on?" he asked, his voice even, though his sharp eyes darted between their faces.

Heeseung straightened, his jaw tightening as he looked at Ni-ki. "Mina's moving out," he said flatly, his tone cold.

For a moment, surprise flickered across Ni-ki's face, but it quickly dissolved into a smirk. "So, you're really leaving, huh?" he said, his voice laced with mockery.

Mina's chin lifted, her expression hardening. "Yeah, I am," she replied firmly, refusing to let him see how much his words stung.

Heeseung's gaze darkened as he turned to Ni-ki, his fists clenched at his sides. "This is on you, Ni-ki. All of it. You're the reason she's leaving."

Ni-ki crossed his arms, leaning casually against the doorframe as if the accusation didn't bother him. "And how's that my fault?" he asked, his tone dripping with indifference. "Last I checked, everyone's responsible for their own choices."

Heeseung's voice dropped, quiet but dangerous. "You messed with her. You hurt her again and again. What did you think would happen?"

Ni-ki's smirk faded, his expression hardening. "Oh, don't act like she's some saint. She wasn't exactly loyal either."

The words hit like a slap, and Mina flinched, guilt flooding her chest. She couldn't deny her own mistakes, but hearing them thrown back at her felt like salt in an open wound.

"Stop," Mina said, her voice trembling but resolute. She looked at Heeseung, her eyes pleading. "Please... let's not make this uglier than it already is. I just want these last moments to be... bearable."

Heeseung sighed heavily, dragging a hand through his hair. His shoulders sagged, his anger giving way to exhaustion. "Fine," he said quietly, his voice softening. "For you, Mina."