Shadows Of Stardom

Chapter 46

The familiar rhythm of our lives had settled back into a comforting routine. Lisa, the energetic spirit of our group, had returned home after filming, and her lively presence was a welcome sight. Rosé had also come back to her apartment, but there was a subtle tension surrounding her. We hadn't confronted the unspoken issues. Jisoo, always the calming influence, was back in her own space too, and the familiarity of our routines enveloped us once more after weeks apart.

Life felt… normal. Or as normal as it could be for four pop stars navigating the chaotic yet exhilarating world we inhabited. I wasn't one to wallow in self-pity or overanalyze our relationships. Instead, I focused my energy on my work, letting the music, choreography, and performances absorb the unspoken anxieties that sometimes threatened to overwhelm me.

However, there was one conversation I could no longer postpone. It was something that had been building up, a knot in my stomach that needed to be untangled. It was about my brother, and the longer I delayed, the heavier the weight felt.

I approached his office door, the polished wood reflecting the soft light from the hallway. Taking a deep breath, I turned the handle, the click of the latch echoing in the otherwise quiet space. What awaited me was, of course, the composed, work-focused scene I had anticipated.

"Are you busy?" I mumbled, my voice hoarse as his gaze remained fixed on the floor.

"It's alright, you're already here," he remarked, his voice deep and laced with a blend of amusement and an emotion I couldn't quite identify.

"Anyway," he continued, adjusting himself in his chair and regarding me with a gentle, curious expression. "What brings you here?"

I glanced around his office, taking in the familiar sight of the cluttered papers on his desk and the family photographs adorning the walls. It felt odd to be here, heavier than I remembered.

Eventually, I settled into one of the chairs in front of his desk, nervously fiddling with the hem of my shirt.

"I need to tell you something," I said, my voice trembling slightly, the weight of my secret making me feel like I was about to burst.

"About what?" he asked, his eyes carefully examining my face, his gaze lingering a moment longer than usual.

His sudden serious tone made me uneasy.

"Are you… pregnant?" he asked abruptly, the question hanging in the air like a flash of lightning.

My eyes widened, and I let out a choked gasp. I hiccuped, struggling to find the right words.

"What? Absolutely not! Why would you think that?" I responded quickly, my heart racing. I couldn't help but overthink the situation. Had I gained weight? Were my eyes red? Did my skin look pale? What led him to suspect I was pregnant?

He let out a soft chuckle, a disbelieving smile spreading across his face.

"Then why do you look so anxious and uneasy?" he asked again, his tone shifting to serious and his gaze piercing. "What’s really going on?"

With trembling hands, I reached into my pocket, pulled out the letter, and slid it across the table to him. He grabbed it immediately, his eyes scanning the contents. His brows furrowed, and a tense silence settled between us.

"I got this from her a few weeks ago," I murmured, barely above a whisper, revealing something I had been reluctant to share. "It was after I got into my van following the concert."

He stayed quiet, his focus locked on the letter. He read it multiple times, his expression unreadable. The silence stretched on, heavy and suffocating, pressing against my ears until he finally let out a deep breath.