𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞 // Enhypen Heeseung [18+] (✓)

71: Breaking Under Pressure

Two weeks since the dating scandal spread like wildfire. Two weeks since I last saw Heeseung.

In that time, things had changed. Heeseung had been forced to make a public statement, denying that he was dating anyone. He apologized to the fans, saying he never meant to make them feel betrayed.

I watched the video of his statement and even though I knew it was necessary, it still hurt. Seeing him stand there, denying us, pretending like we were nothing... it was painful. But that's just how it is when you date a K-pop idol. You have to live in the shadows, always afraid that if people find out, their career—and even their group—could suffer because of it.

But this situation had left scars on our relationship.

When Heeseung returned to Korea, he finally got his phone back. He tried to text me as often as he could, sending sweet messages throughout the day. But with the time difference, his packed schedule and his constant exhaustion, our conversations became shorter, our calls rare. And when we did manage to talk, it felt rushed, like he barely had time to breathe.

He was trying, I could see that. But I couldn't help but wonder... was it too much?

Was I making his life harder? With the pressure from fans, the expectations placed upon him and the guilt he must have felt for even being in a relationship—was I just another burden?

I didn't want to be something that drained his energy. I didn't want to be the reason he felt stressed. I didn't want to make his life harder.

Maybe... maybe I should let him go.

That thought haunted me for days. And when Heeseung finally got an afternoon off, we agreed to have a call.

When the screen lit up with his name, I hesitated before answering.

"Chloe," Heeseung breathed, a small, tired smile forming on his face the moment he saw me. "I missed you so much."

His voice was warm, but I could hear the exhaustion in it.

"I missed you too," I said softly, though there was a weight in my voice that I wasn't sure he noticed.

He stretched slightly and let out a breath. "I finally got some free time today. It feels so good to just lie down for a bit." He smiled. "And hearing your voice makes it even better."

I smiled faintly, but my thoughts were elsewhere.

How long would he be able to keep doing this? How long could we last like this? Was this fair to him?

Heeseung frowned slightly. "Sweetheart? You're really quiet today."

I swallowed. "I just... I've been thinking a lot."

Heeseung shifted on his bed, his full attention now on me. "What's wrong?"

I hesitated, feeling a lump in my throat. "I just... I feel like I'm a burden to you."

His eyes widened. "What? No—Chloe, don't say that."

I looked away, blinking quickly. "But it's true. Ever since the scandal, things have only gotten harder for you. You barely have time for yourself and then when you do, you have to worry about calling me. The fans, your career, your group—everything is more important than me and that's how it should be."

Heeseung sat up straighter. "Chloe, stop. That's not true. You're important to me."

"But I make things harder for you," I said, my voice trembling. "I don't want you to feel guilty for being with me. I don't want to be the reason you're stressed."

Heeseung's brows furrowed and I could see the panic in his eyes. "You're not a burden. I want to be with you."

I shook my head, my chest tightening. "But wouldn't it just be... easier if I wasn't here?"

His face fell. "Chloe..."

I took a shaky breath. "Maybe... maybe it would be better if we—"

"No," Heeseung interrupted, his voice suddenly firm. "Don't say it."

I bit my lip. "Heeseung—"

"No," he repeated, his voice cracking slightly. "You don't mean that."

Tears welled up in my eyes. "I just... I don't want you to have to choose between me and your career."

"You're not making me choose anything," he said desperately. "I love you, Chloe. Don't you see that? I want to be with you, no matter how hard it is. You're not a problem, you're not a mistake, and you're not a burden."

His voice was raw, filled with emotion.

I wiped at my eyes. "I love you too, Heeseung. That's why I don't want to make things harder for you."

He ran a hand through his hair, his breathing unsteady. "You think leaving me will make things easier? Do you think I'd be happier without you?"

I didn't answer.

Heeseung let out a shaky laugh, but there was no humor in it. "You're wrong. It would kill me, Chloe. I don't care how hard things get—I'd rather go through all of it with you than be without you."

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