BLOSSOMED | SEOKSOO FF ✔️

PART 06

The moment Jihoon’s car pulled into driveway, the atmosphere was already tense. Jisoo sat trembling in the passenger seat, his bandaged head and bruised neck a silent testimony to his suffering. Jeonghan stormed out of the building, his sharp eyes immediately scanning the situation, and his jaw clenched when he saw Jisoo’s state.

“Jisoos!” Jeonghan’s voice cracked as he ran to the car, his usually graceful demeanor replaced with sheer panic. He yanked the door open and cupped Jisoo’s face, his fingers trembling as they traced the faint marks on his brother’s neck. “What the hell happened? Who did this to you?”

Jihoon climbed out of the driver’s seat, his voice grim. “It was Seokmin.”

Jeonghan froze, his expression darkening. He took a step back, his hands balling into fists. “Seokmin? Your brother.. Seokmin? The one I trusted with Jisoo?” He turned to Jihoon, his voice rising. “How could you let this happen? He’s your brother!”

“Don’t you dare pin this on me!” Jihoon shot back, his own frustration bubbling to the surface. “I didn’t know how bad it was until now. The moment I found out, I got him out of there.”

Jeonghan shook his head in disbelief, pacing back and forth. “This can’t be happening. How long has this been going on? How could Jisoo hide this from me?”

Jisoo looked away, shame and fear etched into his face. “I didn’t had a choice.. And I didn't wanter to burden you…”

“Burden me?” Jeonghan practically shouted, spinning toward him. “You’re my brother! Your safety is the only thing that matters. And you’ve been living in hell while I was busy… what? Dating? Decorating my house? I should’ve been there for you.”

The sound of a car screeching to a halt on the street interrupted Jeonghan’s tirade. Everyone turned to see Soonyoung, leaping out of his car. His face was a mix of confusion and panic as he rushed toward the group.

“What’s going on?” Soonyoung demanded, his eyes darting from Jihoon to Jisoo’s injuries. “Why is Jisoo hurt? And why is everyone looking like they’re about to kill someone?”

Jeonghan let out a bitter laugh, his hands on his hips as he glared at Soonyoung. “Your precious Seokmin is what’s going on. He’s been abusing Jisoo, and Jihoon just brought him here after rescuing him.”

Soonyoung blinked, his mouth opening and closing as if struggling to process the accusation. Then, he scoffed. “No. That’s not possible. Seokmin would never do that. You’re mistaken.”

Jihoon stepped forward, his voice sharp. “It is Seokmin behind all these marks.”

“You’re lying!” Soonyoung shouted, his voice breaking. “Seokmin is the kindest person I know. He wouldn’t hurt a fly, let alone Jisoo.”

Jeonghan stepped between Jihoon and Soonyoung, his voice dripping with venom. “Are you seriously defending him right now? Look at Jisoo! Do these look like the injuries of someone who wasn’t abused?”

Soonyoung’s eyes darted to Jisoo, who was shrinking into himself, and his lips quivered. “Maybe it was an accident. Seokmin would never intentionally—”

“Accident?” Jeonghan exploded, his voice echoing in the driveway. “An accident doesn’t leave bruises around someone’s neck. An accident doesn’t bash someone’s head against a wall until they’re bleeding! Open your damn eyes, Soonyoung!”

Tears welled up in Soonyoung’s eyes as he turned to Jihoon. “Tell me this isn’t true. Tell me Seokmin isn’t the monster they’re making him out to be.”

Jihoon’s expression softened, but his voice remained firm. “Soonyoung, I love you. But you need to face the truth. Seokmin isn’t who you think he is. He is my brother.”

“No!” Soonyoung cried, shaking his head violently. “This is some kind of misunderstanding. Jisoo, tell them! Tell them Seokmin wouldn’t hurt you!”

Jisoo flinched at being addressed directly. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. His silence spoke volumes.

Jeonghan let out a bitter laugh, turning to Soonyoung with fire in his eyes. “There’s your answer. He can’t even defend Seokmin because the truth is too horrific. How can you still stand there and defend him?”

Soonyoung stumbled back, as if Jeonghan’s words had physically struck him. “I… I don’t know what to believe…”

Jeonghan stepped forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Believe this: if you side with Seokmin, you’re no better than he is.”

“Enough!” Seungcheol’s commanding voice cut through the chaos as he stepped out of the elevator. He walked over to Jeonghan, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “Jeonghan, calm down. This isn’t helping.”

Jeonghan shoved his hand away, his eyes blazing. “Don’t tell me to calm down, Seungcheol. My brother was nearly killed, and this idiot is standing here making excuses for the bastard who did it.”

Seungcheol turned to Soonyoung, his tone firm but measured. “Soonyoung, I know this is hard to hear. But Jihoon wouldn’t lie about something like this, and Jisoo’s injuries speak for themselves. You need to stop defending Seokmin and start thinking about what’s best for Jisoo.”

Soonyoung looked at Seungcheol, then at Jisoo, who was barely holding himself together. Finally, his shoulders slumped, and he whispered, “I need to talk to Seokmin.”

“No, you don’t,” Jeonghan snapped. “You need to stay the hell away from him.”

“I just… I need answers,” Soonyoung said, his voice shaking. “I need to hear his side of the story.”

“His side?” Jeonghan repeated incredulously. “The only side you should care about is Jisoo’s. Or does your loyalty to your brother-in-law outweigh your compassion for humanity.”

Jihoon stepped forward, placing a hand on Soonyoung’s shoulder. “I’ll go with you if you really feel the need to confront him. But right now, Jisoo needs us.”

Soonyoung hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. “Okay. Okay, you’re right. Jisoo comes first.”

Jeonghan let out a sigh of relief, though his anger still simmered beneath the surface. He turned to Jisoo, his voice softening. “Let’s get you inside, Jisoos. You’re safe now.”

Jisoo nodded weakly, allowing Jeonghan and Seungcheol to guide him into the house. As they disappeared inside, Jihoon turned to Soonyoung, his voice low. “You really didn’t know, did you?”

Soonyoung shook his head, tears streaming down his face. “I trusted him. I thought he was perfect. How could I have been so blind?”

Jihoon’s expression softened, and he placed a comforting hand on Soonyoung’s back. “None of us wanted to see it. But now that we know, we have to do something about it.”

Soonyoung nodded, wiping his tears. “For Jisoo.”

“For Jisoo,” Jihoon agreed.