Bound by Shadows .jc

CHAPTER 28

The newfound leverage 

The brightest room in the otherwise shadowed mansion, Jeonghan's room, felt out of place amidst the cold, looming halls of the mansion. The chandelier bathed the room in soft golden light, casting delicate reflections on the pale walls and plush furnishings. It was an odd sanctuary, but even here, the tension in the air was palpable.

Jeonghan sat on the edge of the table, his untouched dinner cooling on the porcelain plate before him. Across from him, S.Coups reclined in his chair, his sharp gaze occasionally flicking to Jeonghan. His presence, though cold and commanding, filled the room with a weight Jeonghan couldn't ignore.

Between them, an unspoken tension simmered, heavy and uncertain. Jeonghan shifted nervously, his fingers tightening around the edge of his chair. His mind was a storm of questions he had tried to push away but could no longer contain.

Finally, his voice broke through the silence, quiet and trembling. "Who... who are you people?" His words were rushed, almost desperate. "Why is this happening to me? What did I do to Viktor?" He swallowed hard, his eyes glistening with unshed tears as his voice cracked. "I just want to understand—what did I do to deserve this?"

S.Coups stilled, his fork hovering mid-air before being set down with a sharp clink. His jaw tightened, the cool detachment in his expression faltering for the briefest moment. He didn't want to answer, didn't want to bring Jeonghan closer to the darkness that surrounded him.

"Some things," he said after a pause, his voice low and firm, "are better left unknown."

Jeonghan's shoulders sagged, his face crumpling with frustration and hurt. "How can you expect me to trust you if you won't tell me the truth?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

S.Coups' gaze hardened, but beneath the surface, an unrecognizable flicker of emotion stirred. He didn't understand it—this strange, protective instinct Jeonghan awakened in him. It frustrated him, gnawed at his carefully constructed walls.

Pushing back his chair, he stood and walked to Jeonghan, who now looked smaller, fragile in the glow of the light. Without a word, he guided Jeonghan toward the bed, his hand firm but strangely gentle on his shoulder.

Sitting beside him on the edge of the bed, S.Coups reached out, his fingers brushing through Jeonghan's soft hair. "Viktor is not someone to joke about," he said, his voice lower now, almost like a warning. "Don't make any mistakes, Jeonghan. Stay here. Stay safe. I'll solve this as soon as I can."

Jeonghan didn't reply. He simply stared at S.Coups, his trust unwavering despite the cryptic reassurance. Something about S.Coups' presence made him feel, for the first time in days, that he wasn't entirely alone. He didn't understand why, but he believed this man would protect him from anything.

Moments later, exhaustion claimed Jeonghan, and his head rested lightly against the pillow. His breathing evened out, his face softening in peaceful sleep.

S.Coups sat frozen, staring at Jeonghan's serene expression. The sight stirred something deep within him—a possessive ache, a need to shield this fragile person from the horrors of his world. But there was a bitterness to it as well. He knew, even as he vowed to end Viktor's threat, that he wasn't generous enough to let Jeonghan go.

He didn't know what to do with the turmoil Jeonghan had brought into his carefully ordered existence. All he knew was that Jeonghan had become a tether—one he wasn't ready to sever.

----------------------------------------------------

Wonwoo's POV 

The office was dim, bathed in the faint glow of a desk lamp and the pale silver of moonlight streaming through tall windows. I stepped inside, closing the heavy door behind me with a soft click. S.Coups stood by the window, his silhouette rigid, hands buried in his pockets. He didn't turn to greet me. Typical. His mind was elsewhere—probably tangled in the web of enemies, allies, and the unexpected variable that was Jeonghan.

I slid into the chair across from his desk, the leather cold against my back. "You called," I said, my voice calm and steady. No need for niceties. Not with him.

For a long moment, silence. Then he spoke, his voice low, almost detached. "What's the situation with Viktor?"

The question was expected. Viktor was always on his mind these days. "He's making moves," I replied, leaning back slightly. "Nothing obvious yet, but it's clear he's laying groundwork. The men can feel it—tension's in the air, thick enough to choke on."

He finally turned, his sharp gaze cutting through the dim light. "And Jeonghan?"

Jeonghan. His name lingered between us, a weight heavier than it should've been. "Safe," I said curtly. "For now. But Viktor isn't our only problem."

His brow twitched, just enough to signal curiosity. "Go on."

"Sofia stopped by the café today," I continued, watching for his reaction. His face remained impassive, but I knew him well enough to notice the faint shift in his posture.

"What did she want?" he asked, his voice cool.

"To remind us she's watching," I said, my tone as flat as his. "And to deliver a warning—subtle, but clear. She didn't mention Jeonghan outright, but I'd bet my life she knows something. She's waiting for the right moment to strike."

He absorbed this in silence, his jaw tightening ever so slightly.

"And Daniel?" he asked, his voice quieter, but no less sharp.

I sighed internally. Of course, Daniel would come up. He always did. "He's moved out of the penthouse," I said. "Settled into his mansion. He wants to appear distant, but we both know better. He's close enough to keep an eye on everything. And yes, he knows about Jeonghan."

That struck a nerve. His expression barely shifted, but I saw it—the slightest flicker of tension in his eyes.

"I expected as much," I added. "Daniel supervises all of us. Always has. He collects information, stores it like a miser hoarding gold. Weaknesses, secrets, leverage—he thrives on it. And when the time comes, he'll play his cards."

He was silent for a beat, then asked, "Is that advice?"

"Call it a warning," I said, leaning forward. "Jeonghan is more than a pawn now. Daniel's turned him into a trump card. One he'll use against you the moment he sees an opening."

S.Coups's gaze darkened, but he didn't argue. He knew I was right.

"And you?" he asked suddenly, his tone unreadable.

"Me?" I raised an eyebrow. "I know my role. And I know how Daniel operates. What I don't know is why you're letting Jeonghan get under your skin."

He didn't respond to that, and I didn't expect him to. Instead, he shifted the conversation. "There are rats among the guards or staff," he said. "I need them found and eliminated. Jun will assist you. You have one week."

I nodded, already cataloging suspects in my mind. "Understood."

As I stood to leave, I paused, glancing back at him. He'd turned back to the window, his reflection blurred in the glass. "One more thing," I said, my voice cutting through the silence. "Jeonghan isn't just a liability. He's Daniel's leverage now. Be careful how you play this, S.Coups. One misstep, and he'll take more than Jeonghan from you."

He didn't respond, but the weight of my words lingered.

I left the office, the door closing softly behind me. The corridor was quiet, but my mind was anything but. Cleaning up the rat was simple enough. Navigating the storm brewing around Jeonghan? That was a different kind of game entirely.

And in games like this, there was no room for emotions. No room for mistakes.

---------------------------------------------

6k guys<3 

thank you for the love and support and motivation 

please keep supporting and vote 

comment your thoughts and feelings 

yours lovingly <3 Author <3