Shadows of desire : SVT✅

(122) Crumbling Promises

Yuri and Joshua strolled leisurely through the park, their shoes abandoned a few steps back so they could feel the soft grass beneath their feet. A gentle breeze rustled the trees, and the late morning sun cast a warm glow over everything. Joshua, ever the playful spirit, was teasing her about love, grinning as he did.

"Alright, Mrs Yuri," he said, crossing his arms and giving her a mock-serious look, "if you really love me, then prove it."

Yuri laughed, nudging him with her elbow. “Oh, yeah? And what grand gesture would be enough to satisfy Mr. Hong?”

“Hmm,” he hummed, tapping his chin in mock contemplation. “Maybe…umm a dedicated night where both of us will be lost in each other.”

They laughed together, the easy, comfortable sound filling the air as they continued walking side by side. It felt like the whole world was at peace, with no interruptions, no responsibilities – just them, enjoying a quiet moment. Joshua, with his soft gaze and lighthearted jokes, made her feel safe. She felt warmth from him, a feeling she’d grown to cherish.

She was just about to reply, to tease him back with a playful comeback, but something caught her attention. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a slight movement behind one of the trees just a few yards away. Her eyes sharpened as she tried to focus on what it was, and a cold, terrifying realization hit her. Hidden among the shadows, a man dressed in black held a gun, his gaze locked on Joshua.

Without thinking, her instincts took over. The laughter and warmth drained from her face, replaced by a determination that even Joshua noticed as he looked at her in surprise. But before he could say anything, she closed the distance between them, pulling him into a tight hug, her heart racing.

“Yuri, what are you—” Joshua started to say, confusion clear in his voice. But Yuri only held him tighter, positioning herself so her back was fully exposed to the threat. Her eyes met his for a brief second, full of an emotion he couldn’t quite place but felt intensely. Before he could process what was happening, he heard a sharp crack echoing through the quiet park.

The sound of the gunshot sliced through the air.

Yuri’s body jolted as the bullet hit her back, the impact so strong that it seemed to reverberate through both of them. She clenched her teeth, stifling a cry as the pain spread, fierce and consuming, but her arms held tightly around Joshua. He could feel the change, the subtle tremor in her arms, and his eyes widened in horror.

“Yuri…” he breathed, voice wavering as realization dawned on him.

Slowly, he pulled back just enough to see her face, her expression a painful mixture of determination and love. Her breathing was shallow, and her body began to tremble as she struggled to stay on her feet, clinging to him for support.

"Why…?" he managed to choke out, his voice thick with a mixture of disbelief and heartbreak.

Joshua's breath caught as he heard her faint whisper, her voice barely audible but filled with so much love and sorrow. She leaned closer, her lips brushing his ear, her words soft yet piercing.

"Is this enough... to prove my love for you... my dear husband?" she whispered, her tone laced with a bittersweet smile. A single tear slid down her cheek, catching the light as it trailed slowly before falling, like the last piece of her strength leaving with it.

Joshua’s heart twisted as he felt her begin to relax in his arms, her eyes fluttering as though they were too heavy to keep open. He held her closer, his voice trembling, desperate to keep her with him.

“Yuri, please, don’t go. Stay with me,” he choked, brushing his hand through her hair as he tried to keep her here, in this moment, with him.