Bound by Obsession || Jeongcheol ||

Part 22-Shadows of Desperation

The next day, just as Seungcheol had planned, he took Jeonghan shopping for their wedding attire. He seemed at ease, exuding a calm satisfaction that belied the twisted possessiveness beneath the surface. Jeonghan, trapped under his watchful gaze and surrounded by Seungcheol's loyal guards, could do nothing but comply, choosing outfits that pleased both of them. With each piece he tried on, a deeper dread settled over him, his life, now fully under Seungcheol's control, seemed like a performance played to Seungcheol's twisted whims.

Suddenly, Seungcheol's phone rang, and he stepped away, speaking in low tones to someone on the other end. Jeonghan's heart raced as he watched him, a sliver of hope stirring within him. The guards nearby seemed distracted, oblivious to his furtive glances and rising tension. He seized the opportunity, approaching the guards with forced nonchalance.

"I'll just check out some more clothes," he said, keeping his tone steady. The guards exchanged glances, but with Seungcheol preoccupied, they let him pass.

As he slipped out of sight, Jeonghan's heart hammered in his chest. He mapped his escape route carefully, avoiding the main corridors and slipping through quiet corners where CCTV cameras couldn't track him. The layout of the mall flashed in his mind; he had studied every detail from the moment they entered, searching for an opening just like this. Moving quickly but silently, Jeonghan slipped down a flight of stairs, weaving through the shadows until he reached an exit.

Back upstairs, Seungcheol ended his call and returned to find Jeonghan gone. His eyes narrowed as he turned to his guards, barely containing his fury. "Where is he?"

One of the guards stammered out a response, but before he could finish, Seungcheol's rage erupted. He lashed out, fists slamming into the guard's jaw, his voice a deadly whisper filled with seething anger. "You let him out of your sight? Do you have any idea what you've done?"

His fury echoed through the mall, and the other guards scrambled, searching every corner, every floor. But Jeonghan was gone. Seungcheol's chest heaved, his mind consumed by a toxic mix of fear and rage. How could he have been so careless? He clenched his fists, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "You'll pay for this, Jeonghan. You betrayed me, and you will see the worst side of me."

Meanwhile, Jeonghan sprinted through the winding streets outside, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He had no idea where he was going, but he knew he had to keep moving. Every step took him farther from Seungcheol's oppressive grip, but the realization slowly set in, he was a stranger here, lost in a city that belonged to Seungcheol. He could feel Seungcheol's reach stretching out like invisible chains around him, and fear clawed at him as he navigated through darkened streets and unfamiliar alleys.

As the hours passed, exhaustion began to weigh on him. His breaths came in gasps, his limbs growing heavy as he stumbled into a narrow, shadowy alley. The quiet was unsettling, the silence heavy and filled with an unspoken menace. He leaned against a wall to catch his breath, his mind racing, panic finally sinking in.

Then, footsteps echoed down the alley, drawing closer. He froze, pressing himself against the wall, hoping to disappear into the shadows. But it was too late. A group of young men emerged from the darkness, their eyes gleaming with sinister intent as they took in his vulnerable state.

"Well, look what we have here," one of them sneered, stepping closer. Jeonghan's heart pounded, fear seizing him as they closed in, their laughter sending chills down his spine.

He backed away, trying to keep distance, but they circled around him, taunting him, their voices cruel and mocking. One of them reached out, grabbing his wrist, and Jeonghan flinched, trying to pull away. But they only laughed harder, their grip tightening as he struggled.