Beneath The spotlight

Chapter 32: Shadows of the Past

Later that night, after Kian had fallen asleep in his bed, Joong sat on the couch, staring blankly at the television. The program flickered in front of him, but he wasn’t paying attention. His mind was elsewhere, replaying the day’s events.

Fourth’s words about not having to figure everything out echoed in his ears, but they brought little comfort. He wasn’t just a brother or a friend anymore—he was a father. Every choice he made rippled out to Kian, and with Dunk back in his orbit, those ripples were threatening to turn into waves.

His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts. It was a message from Fourth.

Fourth: Made Gemini his favorite dessert to cheer him up. He’s back to being his usual bossy self. Thanks for earlier.

Joong smiled faintly and replied.

Joong: Good to hear. Try not to lose him again, huh?

Fourth’s reply came almost instantly.

Fourth: Haha. Very funny. Don’t forget, I’m not the only one with a complicated love life.

Joong rolled his eyes but didn’t respond. Fourth had a knack for poking at sensitive topics, and tonight, Joong didn’t have the energy to defend himself.

Instead, his thoughts drifted back to Dunk. The moment Dunk saw Kian’s face earlier had been burned into Joong’s memory. Dunk’s shock, confusion, and the unspoken questions in his eyes had been impossible to ignore.

Joong had avoided answering those questions for so long, but he could feel the walls he’d built cracking. Dunk wasn’t someone who let things go easily, and Joong knew it was only a matter of time before he came back demanding answers.

Joong sighed, leaning back on the couch and running a hand through his hair. He had left the acting world to protect Kian from this exact scenario—chaos, media frenzy, and the complicated feelings surrounding his relationship with Dunk.

But Dunk wasn’t the only problem.

Kian was growing up. He was asking more questions, piecing things together. He was already curious about Dunk, and Joong wasn’t sure how much longer he could dodge the truth.

As if on cue, a small voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Daddy?”

Joong looked up to see Kian standing in the doorway, rubbing his eyes and clutching his stuffed bunny.

“Kian? Why are you awake, sweetheart?” Joong asked, sitting up.

Kian shuffled over to him, climbing onto the couch. “Had a bad dream,” he mumbled, snuggling into Joong’s side.

Joong wrapped an arm around him, holding him close. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Kian shook his head, resting his cheek against Joong’s chest. “Just wanna stay here with you.”

Joong kissed the top of his head. “Okay. I’ve got you.”

They sat in silence for a while, the soft hum of the television filling the room. Kian’s breathing slowly evened out, and Joong thought he had fallen asleep until he spoke again.

“Daddy?”

“Yeah, bud?” Joong replied softly.

“Is Mr. Dunk mad at you?”

Joong stiffened. “Why do you ask that?”

Kian shifted to look up at him. “He looked sad today. And… you looked sad too.”

Joong swallowed hard, forcing a smile. “It’s complicated, Kian. Sometimes grown-ups have things they need to work through. But you don’t have to worry about it, okay?”

Kian nodded, though his small face remained thoughtful. “I like him. He was nice to me.”

Joong’s heart clenched. Dunk had been unexpectedly gentle with Kian, and seeing them together had stirred feelings Joong thought he had buried long ago.

“I’m glad you liked him,” Joong said softly.

Kian yawned, his eyelids drooping. “Do you think he’ll come back?”

Joong hesitated, stroking Kian’s hair. “Maybe,” he said finally. “But for now, let’s just focus on us, okay?”

Kian murmured a sleepy “Okay” before drifting off, leaving Joong alone with his thoughts once more.

He looked down at his son, his heart aching with a mix of love and guilt. Dunk would come back—Joong knew him too well to believe otherwise.

And when he did, Joong would have to make a choice: keep protecting the life he had built with Kian, or face the truths he had been running from for the past six years.