Twilight of Shadows

Chapter 17: Betrayal in the Shadows

The hospital room had become a haven of quiet reassurance. The chaos of the previous night seemed distant, but Jeonghan knew better than to think it was over. Even now, as he rested beside Mingyu, his thoughts couldn't shake the lingering fear. The people who had attacked him weren't done. And the worst part was, he could never be sure who he could trust anymore.

"How are you feeling?" Mingyu asked, his voice soft but filled with genuine concern as he adjusted the pillows behind Jeonghan, trying to make him more comfortable.

Jeonghan managed a small smile, but it was weak. "Better," he lied, though his body still felt sore, and his mind was racing. "But... I can't shake this feeling. Something doesn't feel right."

Mingyu reached out, his hand brushing over Jeonghan’s, a reassuring gesture, but his eyes betrayed his own unease. "We’ll figure it out, Jeonghan. I won’t let anyone hurt you again."

Jeonghan nodded, though his stomach churned uneasily. The worst was still to come, and the deeper they got into this web of lies and threats, the more dangerous it became.

---

The Return of a Friend

Later that afternoon, a familiar face appeared in the doorway. It was Sooyoung, one of Jeonghan's oldest and most trusted friends. He was a gentle soul, always the peacekeeper in Jeonghan's life. After everything that had happened, Jeonghan felt a sense of comfort seeing him again. He knew he could rely on Sooyoung—he had to.

Sooyoung entered with a warm smile, holding a bag of fresh fruit and a small container. "I heard you were in here," he said, his voice light and caring. "I brought you some snacks—something to help you feel better."

Jeonghan looked up, relief flooding him at the sight of his friend. He hadn’t seen Sooyoung in weeks, not since the incident with the men who had attacked him. His friend had been busy with work, but he had always made an effort to check in on Jeonghan, and Jeonghan trusted him deeply.

"Thank you, Sooyoung," Jeonghan said with a grateful smile. "I haven’t eaten much today."

Mingyu, who had been watching the exchange closely, furrowed his brow but said nothing. Jeonghan had always had a close relationship with Sooyoung, and Mingyu didn't want to interfere in matters of trust. Still, he couldn't shake the unease building in his chest, a feeling that wouldn't dissipate.

Sooyoung handed Jeonghan the fruit, then motioned to the small container. "I brought you some homemade tea," he said. "It’s good for your energy and to help you relax."

Jeonghan accepted the tea gratefully, but something about the way Sooyoung looked at him—too expectantly, too intense—made him pause. He didn't think much of it at first, convincing himself it was just his imagination.

---

The First Signs of Trouble

As Jeonghan sipped the tea, he felt the warmth spread through his chest. It tasted slightly bitter but not unpleasant. He leaned back against the pillows, feeling the exhaustion of the last few days catch up to him. The room seemed to tilt slightly, and his vision blurred.

Mingyu, who had been sitting across from them, noticed the sudden change in Jeonghan’s demeanor. "Jeonghan?" He stood up quickly, his voice laced with concern. "What’s happening?"

Jeonghan's hand flew to his stomach instinctively, but before he could respond, he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, followed by a sickening tightness in his chest. His breath hitched.

"Jeonghan!" Mingyu was at his side instantly, his face a mask of panic. "What’s wrong? What’s happening?"

Jeonghan tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. His throat felt constricted, as though something was squeezing him from the inside. His vision swam in and out of focus. He could feel the life inside him—a fragile presence that seemed to be in just as much distress as he was.

"Jeonghan!" Mingyu repeated, his voice urgent. He turned to Sooyoung, his expression darkening. "What did you give him?"

Sooyoung’s smile faltered for a split second, and Jeonghan’s blood ran cold. That look. It wasn’t the friendly, caring gaze he had come to expect. There was something cold, something almost predatory in it.

"What’s wrong with him?" Mingyu demanded, shaking Jeonghan slightly, trying to snap him out of his daze.

Sooyoung’s lips curled into a thin smile, but there was no warmth in it. "I did what I had to do," he murmured, his voice lower now, darker. "Jeonghan’s not the only one with secrets. I’ve been watching you, Mingyu. Watching both of you."

Jeonghan’s heart pounded in his chest, a sickening realization washing over him. "You... planned this?" he gasped, barely able to comprehend the words. "What did you give me?"

Sooyoung’s eyes flicked to the cup of tea, his expression one of satisfaction. "A little something to make sure the baby doesn’t survive. You can’t just walk away from the people you’ve betrayed, Jeonghan. I gave you a little dose to make sure you don’t escape what’s coming for you."

The words hit like a punch to the gut. Jeonghan’s mind reeled, his stomach churning with the horror of it all. His friend—his trusted friend—had betrayed him. He had poisoned him.

Mingyu’s eyes flashed with rage, his body tensing as he moved to stand between Sooyoung and Jeonghan. "You’ll regret this," he growled, his voice like steel. "You’ve made a mistake, Sooyoung."

Sooyoung stepped back, his smile only deepening. "Let’s see who regrets what in the end. It’s too late for him now."

Jeonghan felt the darkness closing in again, the air around him growing heavy. He clutched at Mingyu’s arm, his body growing weaker by the second. "Mingyu…" he gasped. "The baby… Dino…"

Mingyu’s eyes widened, but he didn’t hesitate. "I’m not going to let this happen," he vowed, his voice full of fury. He turned to Sooyoung, his fists clenched. "You’ll pay for this."

Without wasting another second, Mingyu scooped Jeonghan up in his arms, rushing toward the door. "Stay with me, Jeonghan. You have to stay with me."

As Mingyu raced down the hallway, Jeonghan’s vision began to fade. He could feel the life inside him fading, too, and the terror that gripped him was enough to make his heart pound in his ears. Dino—his child—was in danger.

But Mingyu was right beside him, holding on, and with every ounce of strength he had, Jeonghan clung to him.

"We’re going to make it through this," Mingyu whispered urgently, but Jeonghan wasn’t sure if he believed it anymore. The darkness was closing in, and they didn’t know how far Sooyoung’s betrayal had reached.