𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 | 𝗦𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝗿.𝟮 ✓

6

Inside the lavish private dining room, the atmosphere was thick with a blend of opulence and tension. Rich red and gold hues adorned the space, from the silk curtains to the velvet cushions that lined the ornate chairs. The light from a crystal chandelier cast a warm glow over the room, giving everything an almost ethereal quality. The aroma of freshly prepared food lingered in the air, tantalizing the senses with the promise of gourmet flavors, a stark contrast to the heaviness that was slowly creeping into the hearts of those who occupied it.

Ho-Seok sat at the table, his hands gently cradling the delicate silverware. His normally confident and playful demeanor was subdued, his usually bright eyes slightly downcast, betraying the storm of emotions churning inside him. He had tried to push away the gnawing feeling of guilt that had settled in his chest, but no matter how much he tried to focus on the food before him, he couldn’t ignore the weight of what was about to unfold. The food, no matter how delicious, tasted bland to him now. Pregnancy cravings were something he could hardly ignore—his body demanding sustenance, but his heart and mind were elsewhere. The thought of Woo-Seok walking through that door, of this painful truth being revealed, made his stomach churn.

Across from him, Yoon-Gi watched his boyfriend with a faint smile, his hand wrapped around a glass of water. His eyes were sharp, though, constantly flicking toward the door, his nerves growing by the second. His brother was on his way, and he knew the moment the man stepped inside, the tension would rise to unbearable heights. Every minute that ticked by felt like an eternity. As if to calm himself, Yoon-Gi took a sip of water, his fingers lightly tapping on the glass. His usually composed demeanor was slipping, and his heart was racing faster than he cared to admit. He knew this moment would come eventually, but now that it was finally here, he could barely hold onto his resolve.

Then, the door to the private dining room swung open, and Woo-Seok entered, his presence immediately commanding attention. Dressed in a sleek black suit that seemed to highlight his broad shoulders, he exuded an aura of authority. His gaze swept over the room, landing on his fiancée, Ho-Seok, with an almost instinctive warmth. His posture was impeccable, but the moment his eyes found Yoon-Gi, a flicker of confusion crossed his sharp features. He hadn't expected to see both of them here—especially together.

His face softened, and without a second thought, he walked over to Ho-Seok and pulled him into a tight, affectionate hug. “Hey, baby. You’re with Yoon-Gi?” His voice was warm, but the undercurrent of surprise was unmistakable. He hadn’t anticipated this. Ho-Seok’s presence, coupled with Yoon-Gi’s, made his instincts twitch. Something didn’t feel right.

Ho-Seok smiled faintly, though there was a deep sadness hidden behind his eyes. His hand rested gently on Woo-Seok’s back, but there was no real enthusiasm in his touch. His heart was beating too loudly in his chest to ignore the discomfort swirling inside him. He wanted to speak, to ease the tension, but no words seemed adequate.

"Yeah! He’s part of the conversation too," Ho-Seok said, the way he spoke made Woo-Seok pause. There was an undertone to his words that made his stomach twist. Something was off.

"Hi, hyung. Please have a seat," Yoon-Gi said softly, his voice betraying none of the unease he felt inside. With a deliberate motion, he gestured to the seats at the table. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he watched his brother take a seat, his sharp eyes searching for any sign of what was coming. It was time to face the truth, no matter how difficult it would be.

They all took their seats, the atmosphere heavy, the silence stretched thin. Yoon-Gi reached over to squeeze Ho-Seok’s hand under the table, his fingers brushing against his boyfriend in a silent show of support. Ho-Seok returned the gesture, offering a small, sad smile before turning his gaze toward Woo-Seok. The look in his eyes was a mixture of regret and resolve. It wasn’t easy, but it was time.

"Hyung," Ho-Seok began, his voice trembling slightly despite his best efforts to remain calm, "we want to tell you something."

Yoon-Gi’s grip on Ho-Seok’s hand tightened, his thumb lightly rubbing over his boyfriend’s knuckles, offering quiet reassurance. He could see the uncertainty in Ho-Seok’s eyes, and his own heart was tight with apprehension. He had known this day would come, but nothing could prepare him for the raw pain that was about to unfold.

Woo-Seok’s brow furrowed in confusion as he looked between them, his sharp gaze switching from one face to the other. "What is it?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion, though there was a deep concern in his eyes. He could feel the tension in the air now, and a wave of unease washed over him. This wasn’t just a casual conversation.

Yoon-Gi looked at his brother, his voice steady but resolute. "He doesn’t want to marry you," he said, his words hanging in the air like a weight.

Woo-Seok’s heart seemed to stop for a moment. His eyes widened, and his face paled as he looked at Ho-Seok, searching his expression for some sign that this wasn’t true. His breath hitched in his throat, and the pain in his chest was immediate, raw. "W...Why? Ho-Seok, what happened, baby? Did I do something wrong?" The desperation in his voice was unmistakable. He was grasping for answers, trying to understand why the person he loved was pulling away.

Ho-Seok’s lips trembled, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. He felt as if his heart was being torn from his chest, but the truth had to come out. "You did nothing wrong," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You’re great, Woo-Seok hyung. But my heart... it doesn’t belong to you. I’m in love with Yoon-Gi hyung. I have been for a long time."

Woo-Seok blinked in disbelief, his world starting to crumble beneath him. The truth, so brutal and unyielding, hit him like a freight train. His mind struggled to process the words, his body reacting with a cold, empty numbness. His gaze flickered between his brother and Ho-Seok, his heart shattered.

Yoon-Gi continued, his voice barely above a whisper, but it carried the weight of years of silence. "We’ve been in a relationship for five years. We wanted to tell you, to tell Mom and Dad, but we were scared. And then... two years ago, when you proposed to Ho-Seok... he wanted to reject it, but you did it in front of so many people, with the media watching. He couldn’t turn you down in front of all of them."

The memories of that day hit Woo-Seok like a wave, his heart breaking all over again. He remembered it clearly—it was his birthday, and he had proposed to Ho-Seok in front of thousands of people. The weight of the public’s gaze had forced Ho-Seok into silence, into acceptance. Woo-Seok had been blind to everything that had followed. Now, the truth stood before him, raw and painful.

Tears welled in Woo-Seok’s eyes, and for a moment, he couldn’t breathe. The pain of losing the person he loved was unbearable, but the realization that his brother had been hiding his own feelings for so long was a wound that cut even deeper.

"I’ll talk with our parents," Woo-Seok finally said, his voice breaking, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and betrayal. He stood up, unable to stay seated any longer, the weight of the situation too much for him to bear. Without another word, he turned and walked out, leaving the room in stunned silence.

Ho-Seok and Yoon-Gi sat there, their hearts heavy, the raw emotion of the moment settling over them like a thick fog. They both knew that the consequences of their actions would ripple through their family, but the love they shared for each other was something they couldn’t deny. The truth had been painful, but it had been necessary.