Don't Blame Me || Jeongcheol

Chapter 45

The air was thick with tension as Jeonghan and Seungcheol led the group out of the headquarters, the weight of their mission hanging over them like a dark cloud.

The cold night air hit them as they stepped into the alleyway, their footsteps quick and deliberate as they made their way toward the vehicles waiting for them. The urgency in the air was palpable, each of them fully aware of the danger they were about to face.

The sound of engines revving echoed in the narrow streets as the cars pulled out, their headlights cutting through the darkness.

Jeonghan’s mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts. He kept his focus forward, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Haneul, still clinging to Joshua. His son’s sobs echoed in his ears, the image of Haneul’s tear-streaked face burned into his mind.

The boy had no idea what his father was about to do tonight. The guilt, the weight of the promise he had made to keep his son safe, gnawed at him with every passing second. But there was no turning back now.

“We need to move fast." Seungcheol’s voice broke through the tension, his tone sharper than usual. His grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles white as he led the convoy. “We can't afford to waste any time.”

Jeonghan nodded, his jaw clenched. He couldn’t let his emotions slow him down, not now. But every moment that passed felt like an eternity. The closer they got to the docks, the more the weight of the situation pressed down on him.

Every twist and turn of the journey felt like they were being led further into Kyun's web, but there was no choice. Kyun had to be stopped. If they failed tonight, the consequences could be catastrophic.

The docks were a maze of rusted shipping containers, dark corners, and looming shadows. It was the perfect place for someone like Kyun to hide, and Jeonghan couldn’t shake the feeling that they were walking straight into a trap.

But there was no turning back now. Every step toward the docks was a step closer to ending this madness, to bringing justice for everything Kyun had done.

As they arrived, the vehicles came to a screeching halt. The team moved with military precision, each member sliding out of their car and into position. Jeonghan’s heart hammered in his chest, his senses heightened as the adrenaline coursed through him.

Seungcheol was the first to speak, his voice low but commanding. “Spread out. Stay alert. We don’t know what we’re walking into.”

The group fanned out, moving silently through the maze of containers. Jeonghan’s hand rested on the hilt of his gun, his body tense and ready for whatever came next.

Every footstep echoed in the silence, every shadow a potential threat. His mind was focused, but the image of Haneul’s face still haunted him. It was hard to shake the memory of his son’s desperate cries as Joshua had held him close, the promise he made to protect him forever ringing in his ears.

“Stay close, but don’t get too comfortable." Wonwoo said, his voice steady. “This place reeks of danger. Kyun could have his people waiting.”

Jeonghan barely registered the words. His mind was focused entirely on the mission. The only thing that mattered now was taking down Kyun, ending the threat that had already cost them so much.

They moved deeper into the docks, the air growing colder, the silence more oppressive. The group paused near a series of shipping containers stacked high, their shadows stretching long and ominous in the moonlight.

Then, there was a sound.

A soft scrape, almost imperceptible, but it was enough to make Jeonghan’s heart skip a beat. He held up a hand, signaling the group to stop. His eyes darted around, searching for the source of the noise.