Bound by Shadows .jc

CHAPTER 56

The Last Goodbye

Viktor leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharp yet oddly soft as he regarded Jeonghan, who sat tied and helpless before him. The silence in the room was stifling, only broken by the faint sound of Jeonghan's labored breathing.

"You know," Viktor began, his voice calm and almost conversational, "we should have met long before now. I always intended to meet you, Jeonghan. But, as with most things in life, timing is everything. And now, I fear... it's too late." He sighed, running a hand through his neatly combed hair, his demeanor calm yet laced with unspoken tension. "You, my dear boy, are the most unfortunate distraction to ever cross my path."

Jeonghan's eyes widened, his chest tightening as Viktor's words began to sink in.

Viktor continued, his tone almost nostalgic. "Do you know what it's like to shape someone? To mold them into a weapon so sharp that even their own shadow flinches? That's what I did for Seungcheol. I turned him into the man he is today—the perfect opponent, a man capable of surviving wars that would destroy anyone else. I gave him purpose. I gave him power. I gave him the tools to outlast this world."

There was a flicker of pride in Viktor's eyes, but it was quickly extinguished as his expression hardened. "And then you came along. You," he said, pointing at Jeonghan, his voice dipping into a dangerous whisper, "you came with that foolish thing called love. You made him abandon his legacy, his destiny. You turned my strongest creation into a man who hesitates. A man with... a weakness."

Jeonghan struggled against his bonds, the ropes digging into his wrists as fear and anger churned within him. Seeing his futile efforts, Viktor gestured to his guard. "Take the cloth from his mouth. Let the poor thing speak."

As soon as the gag was removed, Jeonghan sobbed, tears streaming down his pale face. He gasped for air, his voice trembling as he asked, "Why? Why can't you just let us live? Why can't you let him be happy? Why do you have to be so ruthless?" His words cracked under the weight of his fear and pain, his eyes pleading for an answer.

Viktor leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he stared at Jeonghan with a mix of pity and resignation. "Why?" he echoed, chuckling softly. But then his expression darkened, and his voice turned cold, sharp as a blade. "Because there is no such thing as peace in this world, Jeonghan. There is no happiness for men like Seungcheol. He chose this life—a world of power, blood, and betrayal. A world filled with wolves dressed as men. You, my dear, are too soft for it. Too pure."

The room felt colder as Viktor continued, his tone shifting again, almost playful, as he shrugged. "I warned you both, didn't I? But you didn't listen. You saw me as a threat, not a teacher. And now, it's my turn to teach you exactly what I'm capable of."

Jeonghan's tears flowed freely as he glared at Viktor, his voice breaking. "You're wrong," he whispered. "We can still have happiness. We can still find peace..."

Viktor's gaze softened for a moment, and he reached out, his gloved hand brushing away Jeonghan's tears. The touch was gentle, almost paternal, and his eyes held a genuine sadness. "You don't understand, Jeonghan," he murmured. "Even if I let you live, even if I let him have his happiness with you, someone else would come. Someone crueler, someone without my... principles. They wouldn't just take you away—they'd destroy him too. That's the kind of world you've walked into. That's the world he belongs to."

He stood up, his imposing figure casting a shadow over Jeonghan. "So, I'm giving you a kindness," he said, his voice filled with a strange sincerity. "A quick, painless end. Because I know that sooner or later, this world would take you in the most violent, agonizing way imaginable. You're too pure, Jeonghan. Too pure for this life, too pure for Seungcheol. You should have never fallen for him. That," he said with a bitter smile, "is the only mistake you ever made."