Bound by Shadows .jc

CHAPTER 60

Shattered Butterflies

The room felt heavy, weighed down by the unspoken words, the grief, and the suffocating tension. Seungkwan sat in his chair, his eyes darting to every corner, taking in the fragmented pieces of his broken world. He glanced at Seungcheol, who sat beside Jeonghan's bed, his trembling hands gently brushing back stray strands of hair from Jeonghan's pale face. Dino was clinging to Seungcheol's arm like a lifeline, his small body shaking with muffled sobs.

In the corner, Vernon stood, his face unreadable but his posture stiff, as if he were preparing for something inevitable. Hoshi and Wonwoo had disappeared on their so-called mission, Jun was out checking the hospital's security, and Joshua was folded into Seokmin's arms, tears streaking his face as Seokmin whispered soft reassurances. Minghao and Mingyu sat silently on the couch, their gazes fixed on the floor, lost in their own turmoil.

It was too much. The anger, the sorrow, the betrayal—it all boiled over inside Seungkwan until he couldn't take it anymore. He stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor, and strode toward Vernon with determined steps. Without a word, he grabbed Vernon's wrist, yanking him toward the door. Vernon didn't resist. He followed silently, his head bowed, his feet moving as if on autopilot.

They reached the terrace, the cool midnight air biting against their skin. Seungkwan let go of Vernon's wrist as if the contact burned him and turned away, gripping the railing tightly. He tilted his head back, staring at the endless expanse of the night sky, and fought to control the tears that threatened to spill. But it was no use. The dam broke, and the tears came in a relentless wave.

Vernon stood a few steps behind him, his heart pounding as he watched Seungkwan's shoulders shake. He wanted to say something, anything, but the words refused to come. His chest ached, the weight of guilt crushing him.

After what felt like an eternity, Seungkwan turned around, his tear-streaked face illuminated by the dim glow of the terrace light. His voice was trembling, but his tone was sharp, laced with bitterness.

"So," Seungkwan began, his words cutting through the silence like a blade, "I told you, didn't I? Every single day, I told you how much I missed Jeonghan-hyung. How much it hurt not knowing where he was. And you... you knew. You knew all along."

Vernon swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to the floor. He couldn't deny it. He didn't even try.

Seungkwan let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "You knew everything, Hansol. And you said nothing. You let me cry, let me grieve, let me look like a fool while you stood there pretending to care."

"I did care," Vernon said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Did you?" Seungkwan snapped, his voice rising. "Because it sure doesn't feel like it! You even came to the café, didn't you? To spy on us. To spy on me. That was your real reason for being there, wasn't it?" His voice cracked, the pain behind his words cutting through the night.

Vernon hesitated for a moment before lifting his gaze to meet Seungkwan's. "Yes," he admitted, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his chest.

Seungkwan's breath hitched, and he took a step back as if Vernon's admission had physically struck him. A bitter smile played on his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. "And here I thought you came for me." His voice broke, and he wiped at his tears angrily. "What a fool I was."

"You're not a fool," Vernon said quickly, his voice laced with desperation.

"Then what am I?" Seungkwan demanded, his voice trembling with rage and heartbreak. "Someone you used? Someone you manipulated? Did you even care about me at all, Hansol?"