Arrange Marriage

CHAP 10

The house was unusually quiet that night, with a tense stillness in the air as Mingyu paced by the large window, his gaze occasionally flicking toward the door, hoping to hear Wonwoo’s footsteps. He knew Wonwoo was on a dangerous mission that night—a confrontation with one of the Jeon family’s oldest rival gangs. He tried to distract himself with his class notes, music, anything that could keep his mind off the lurking fear that came with being the spouse of a mafia boss. But as each minute ticked by, unease settled heavier in his chest.

Then, finally, the door creaked open.

The first thing Mingyu saw was blood. Wonwoo stood in the doorway, slouched slightly, his suit jacket torn and soaked in red, his face pale and taut with pain. Two bodyguards helped him inside, gripping him carefully by his uninjured arm and supporting his weight. Mingyu felt his entire world lurch, his heartbeat stalling as he took in the sight of his husband—the man who was always so composed and untouchable—injured, wounded in a way he’d never seen before.

Wonwoo looked up, catching Mingyu’s gaze. There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes as he registered the look on Mingyu’s face—an expression he’d never seen before. Mingyu’s usual confidence and playfulness were gone, replaced by a look of pure, unfiltered fear. And it wasn’t fear of Wonwoo or his world, as he’d imagined he might someday see. No, this was the fear of losing him.

“Mingyu…” Wonwoo’s voice was rough, low, as if he could barely manage the effort to speak.

Mingyu didn’t respond with his usual lightheartedness or teasing. Instead, he simply stepped forward, his hands trembling as he gently took Wonwoo’s arm from the guards and guided him into the living room. “I’ve got him from here,” he murmured to the guards, his voice steady but barely above a whisper.

As soon as they left, Mingyu led Wonwoo to the couch, helping him sit down carefully before dashing to the bathroom to gather medical supplies. He returned, his face unreadable as he kneeled beside Wonwoo, who had started to unbutton his bloodstained shirt with one hand. His shoulder wound was nasty—a deep gunshot wound, still oozing blood. Mingyu winced, swallowing hard as he gathered the courage to look at it directly.

He worked in silence, unusually calm and focused, his hands surprisingly steady as he cleaned the wound, his fingers gentle yet firm. Every now and then, his eyes would flicker to Wonwoo’s face, taking in the grimace of pain he was trying to hide.

Wonwoo watched him quietly, the sting of his wound forgotten as he focused on the way Mingyu’s jaw was set, his brows furrowed in an expression of deep concentration and worry. He could see that Mingyu was holding something back, something raw and painful that he wasn’t ready to let slip. Wonwoo reached up with his good hand, placing it lightly over Mingyu’s, forcing him to pause.

“Mingyu,” he murmured, his voice soft. “You’re… you’re shaking.”

Mingyu froze, his eyes darting up to meet Wonwoo’s. For a moment, his usual composure cracked, his lips parting as though he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. He blinked, his gaze dropping back down to the wound as he resumed his work, his hands a bit steadier but his expression still strained.

“I’m fine,” he whispered. “Just… just let me finish.”

Wonwoo stayed silent, watching Mingyu with a newfound understanding. He had always known that Mingyu cared for him in his own unique, easygoing way, but this was different. This was Mingyu in a state he’d never seen—vulnerable, worried, barely holding himself together. And for once, Wonwoo felt himself on the receiving end of someone’s protectiveness, someone’s fear.

As Mingyu carefully wrapped a bandage around his shoulder, Wonwoo reached out again, this time brushing his fingers gently along Mingyu’s jawline, tilting his face up so their eyes met.

“Hey,” Wonwoo murmured, his voice softer than it had ever been. “You don’t have to hold it in.”

Mingyu’s eyes shone, and for a fleeting moment, Wonwoo saw the depth of his pain reflected back at him—the fear, the helplessness, the silent agony of seeing someone he loved hurt. He clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening slightly as he fought to keep his composure.

“I’ve always known what you do,” Mingyu whispered, his voice shaky. “I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to marry you. I knew the risks.” He swallowed, his gaze dropping to Wonwoo’s bandaged shoulder. “But knowing it… it doesn’t make seeing you like this any easier.”

Wonwoo’s heart twisted, an unexpected warmth pooling in his chest as he realized the depth of Mingyu’s care for him. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. “I didn’t mean to make you worry.”

Mingyu let out a shaky laugh, his expression softening as he looked up at Wonwoo with a mix of exasperation and affection. “You’re ridiculous,” he murmured, reaching up to brush a stray lock of hair from Wonwoo’s forehead. “Getting yourself shot and then apologizing for it.”

Wonwoo chuckled, the pain momentarily forgotten as he watched Mingyu’s lips curve into a soft smile. “I know. But seeing you like this… it’s the first time I’ve really understood how much you care.”

Mingyu’s cheeks flushed slightly, his gaze dropping again. “I just… I don’t ever want to lose you, Wonwoo. That’s all.”

Wonwoo felt his chest tighten, the honesty in Mingyu’s words hitting him harder than any bullet could. He reached out, pulling Mingyu gently toward him until Mingyu was leaning against his uninjured side. Mingyu settled against him, his hand resting lightly on Wonwoo’s chest, as if reassuring himself that Wonwoo was really there, alive and breathing.

“You won’t,” Wonwoo murmured, wrapping his arm around Mingyu and pulling him closer. “I’ll always come back to you. No matter what.”

They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other’s arms, the silence between them filled with unspoken promises and newfound understanding. For the first time, Wonwoo realized that he wasn’t alone in his world of danger and shadows—he had someone by his side who, despite the risks, was willing to face it all with him.

As Mingyu’s breathing evened out, his eyes finally closed in exhaustion, Wonwoo felt a warmth settle over him, a calm assurance he hadn’t known he needed. He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Mingyu’s forehead, a quiet vow whispered into the night.

“I’ll protect you, too,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “For as long as I live.”