In Between Us || Zhanyi

|| 33 ||

Note: The chapter is bit long with 2.8K words, and have some repeated dialogues, sorry but that is required for the plot or maybe I feel so like that. I tried my best to bring out the character's emotions but I know no one is perfect so as me. Please forgive me as I fall short.

 

Chapter: The Weight of Guilt and the Responsibility of Love

The sound of Yibo's trembling voice rang like a gong in Zhan's ears. "No!!!"

The words sliced through the thick haze of jealousy and rage that had consumed him moments ago, as if shattering the walls of a burning room to reveal the damage within.

Zhan stumbled back a step, the weight of those words suffocating him. He stared at Yibo, his chest heaving, eyes wide and blank with fear. The sofa seemed to engulf Yibo's small frame, his body trembling like a fragile leaf caught in a storm. His hands still tied, his head was buried in his knees, as if trying to shrink into nothingness. It was a sight Zhan could never forget, one that would haunt him for the rest of his life for sure.

Even Yibo forgive him, will Zhan ever forgive himself, only time will tell.

'What have I done?'

His hands, which had moments ago grasped Yibo with force, now felt heavy with the imprint of guilt. He could still feel Yibo's push, a moment of defiance that spoke louder than any words. Yibo's push had been small, barely enough to unbalance him, but it was as though the entire world had tilted under Zhan's feet. That single push wasn't just resistance; it was a mirror to Zhan's actions, reflecting his shame in the harshest light.

In an instant, the fog cleared, and he saw—truly saw—the person before him. Yibo was curled on the sofa, the sight of him, so small and broken, was like a dagger to Zhan's heart.

Zhan's breathing stuttered, his chest tightening as guilt and shame surged within him. 'What had he done? What kind of monster had he become?'

Zhan dropped to his knees, careful not to make any sudden movements that might startle Yibo further. His body stiffened, voice softened, the ferocity of earlier completely replaced by an overwhelming need to make things right.

"Yibo..." His voice broke, and he swallowed hard, fighting the storm raging inside him as he called but Yibo was lost already.

"Stop! Please... it hurts."

Yibo's whisper, hit Zhan like a thunderclap, reverberating through his chest with a pain so acute it made him stumble. 'He's afraid of me,' Zhan realized with a sickening lurch in his stomach. The thought alone made him want to claw at his own skin, to tear apart the man who had caused this. He had seen Yibo's flinches before—small, involuntary movements that spoke of unease—but this? This was something deeper. Something worse.

He clenched his fists at his sides, his nails biting into his palms as self-loathing consumed him. He wanted to fall to his knees, beg for forgiveness, but the pitiful figure on the sofa demanded his immediate focus.