The next day, Joshua felt a little lighter. The shadows of heartbreak still lingered around him, but thanks to Mingyu's constant support and effort, he had begun to feel just a little bit better. Deciding he couldn't hide away forever, Joshua got ready to return to university. Mingyu insisted on accompanying him, acting as his silent but strong support. They walked onto campus together, with Mingyu staying close, making sure Joshua felt safe and comfortable.
At university, Joshua couldn't help but notice Jeonghan and Seungcheol together. It hurt to see the two of them, but Joshua kept his head down and tried to ignore the ache in his chest. Sometimes, he and Jeonghan would accidentally lock eyes across the courtyard or in the hallway. Whenever that happened, Joshua would quickly look away, his heart twisting painfully. Jeonghan, on the other hand, felt a pang of guilt each time he saw Joshua's downcast expression. He wanted to apologize, to explain, but he knew that Joshua wasn't ready, and Jeonghan feared making things worse.
Mingyu had been watching Joshua struggle with his emotions, and he knew that his friend needed closure. One evening, Mingyu approached Joshua gently. "Shua-hyung," he said softly, "I think... you need to talk to Jeonghan. Even if it's hard, even if it hurts, you deserve to speak your truth and find some peace."
Joshua hesitated, fear and sadness flickering in his eyes, but he knew Mingyu was right. Reluctantly, he nodded. The next day, Jeonghan showed up at Mingyu's apartment, nervously fidgeting and looking remorseful. Joshua sat on the couch, his posture tense and uncertain. Mingyu sat beside him, his hand resting lightly over Joshua's, providing silent reassurance. The warmth of Mingyu's touch grounded Joshua, and he knew he wasn't facing this moment alone.
Jeonghan took a deep breath, his voice trembling as he began to speak. "Joshua," he started, his eyes filling with regret. "I... I should have never done what I did. I shouldn't have hurt you like that." He swallowed hard, his own pain evident. "I broke up with Seungcheol. I thought being with him would make me feel whole again, that it would bring me happiness. But it didn't. The moment you walked away from my life, everything became... hell."
Jeonghan's voice cracked as he looked at Joshua with pleading eyes. "I'm so, so sorry," he continued. "I've realized how much you mean to me, how deeply I've messed up. Please, can we try again? I promise I'll work hard, harder than ever, to make things right. I want to make you the happiest person in the world."
Mingyu's heart clenched as he listened to Jeonghan's words. Jeonghan's sincerity was undeniable, and it was clear he felt genuine regret. But Mingyu couldn't ignore the protective instincts surging within him. The thought of Joshua returning to a relationship where he had once been so deeply hurt terrified him. He wanted Joshua to be happy, of course, but he couldn't bear the idea of Joshua being betrayed again. As much as he hated to admit it, Mingyu knew he was a little selfish. He loved Joshua so much that the thought of him getting hurt once more felt like a knife to the heart.
Joshua listened to Jeonghan's apology, tears pooling in his eyes. The memories of the betrayal, the broken promises, and the overwhelming pain came rushing back. His voice shook as he replied, "Jeonghan... I trusted you with everything. I gave you my heart, my whole self. And you broke me. I can't just go back to that place, to that hurt. I can't be with someone who shattered me when I needed them most."
Tears spilled down Joshua's cheeks, and he squeezed Mingyu's hand, drawing strength from the warmth and comfort it provided. "I can't trust you again, not like that," Joshua continued, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm not strong enough to risk being hurt that way again. I'm sorry, but I can't come back to you."
Jeonghan's face crumpled with regret, but he couldn't argue. He could see the depth of Joshua's pain, the raw wounds that hadn't healed. He wanted to fight for Joshua, to promise him the world, but he knew deep down that some scars didn't fade easily.
