Chapter: 58

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As soon as Wonwoo heard the sound of hurried footsteps fading down the corridor, his heart sank. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"Damn it," he whispered harshly, his voice barely audible over the pounding in his chest. He turned slowly, his glare cutting through the space between him and Yewon.

There she stood, calm and poised, her arms crossed as if she had just won a game she had no right to play. But it was her smirk, a small, cruel curve of her lips that twisted the knife in his chest.

"You knew," he said, his voice low and trembling with restrained fury, "You knew she was there."

Yewon's smirk widened, unapologetic, "Of course, I knew," she said smoothly, her tone dripping with mock concern.

"That's why I said it.", she tilted her head, eyes alight with malice, "Oh no, don't tell me your precious Miyeon didn't know about your little secret? What a shame."

Wonwoo's hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms as he tried to keep his composure. His chest burned, anger and regret swirling together in a storm that he struggled to contain.

"Yewon," he started, his voice dangerously low, "I've always respected you because you're Daehan's sister and he loved you. But you've crossed a line today.", he took a step closer, his glare unwavering.

"My friendship with Miyeon might have started because of Daehan's last wish, but don't you dare reduce it to that. She means more to me than you could ever understand. Your words? They're hollow. They don't mean a damn thing to me."

Yewon's smirk faltered slightly, but she held her ground, masking whatever vulnerability might have crept in.

He turned to leave, his heart pulling him in the direction Miyeon had run, but he stopped mid-step. He looked back over his shoulder, his eyes filled with a quiet fury that sent a chill down Yewon's spine.

"And Yewon," he said, his tone final, "don't even think about trying to come between us again. The only reason I put up with you was Daehan. But he's not here anymore." His voice cracked slightly, but his resolve remained firm, "And neither is my patience."

With that, he strode away, his footsteps heavy as he disappeared down the hallway.

Yewon stood rooted to the spot, her composure crumbling the moment he was out of sight. Her chest tightened, and a strangled sob escaped her lips. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks as she clutched her arms, her nails biting into her skin.

She hated herself. Hated the bitterness that had consumed her, hated the way her actions were driven by jealousy and pain she couldn't escape.

But most of all, she hated Miyeon.

Not because it was easy. Not because Miyeon was an easy target. But because of something deeper, something no one else knew.

Miyeon had everything Yewon had lost. Everything she had loved.

And Yewon hated herself for resenting her.

Miyeon had been the one to hold onto Daehan's love, even after his death. While Yewon, the one left with nothing, was drowning in the void he had left behind. The pain of losing the only family who loved her enough was greater.

"Just if they knew," she whispered brokenly, her voice swallowed by the empty hallway.

The sound of footsteps snapped her out of her spiraling thoughts. She turned, her guard snapping back into place, only to find Nari standing a few feet away, her brows furrowed and her face filled with concern.

"Shit," Yewon muttered under her breath, quickly wiping at her eyes again.

"We need to talk," Nari said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"I'm busy, Nari. Later." Yewon tried to sidestep her, her voice softer, but Nari stepped in her path, stopping her from escaping.

"No," Nari said, crossing her arms with a frown, "We're talking now."

Yewon sighed, glancing away as if the conversation was more of an inconvenience than anything else, "What is there to talk about?" she muttered, her voice lacking conviction.

"You know exactly what," Nari replied, her gaze unwavering. "And I'm not letting you walk away from this again."

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Miyeon's feet carried her out of the gymnasium, the voices and noise fading into a dull hum behind her. Her vision blurred with tears, but she didn't stop.

The ache in her chest grew with each step, suffocating her, yet she couldn't bring herself to slow down. She just needed to be alone-to let the weight of everything crush her without prying eyes.

To process everything.

She didn't want to believe what she had heard. No, it couldn't be true. Not Wonwoo. He wouldn't do that. Right?

Doubt gnawed at her heart, relentless and cruel, tearing apart the foundation of trust she had built over the years. Her mind was a whirlwind of questions, each one sharper and more painful than the last.

Was it true? Had he been staying by her side out of obligation? Out of guilt?

The thought alone made her chest tighten, a hollow ache spreading through her. She wanted to scream, to force the noise in her head to stop, but the pain wouldn't relent. It was like a tidal wave crashing over her, pulling her deeper into its suffocating depths.

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to keep herself together. The last thing she wanted was to break down where anyone could see her. The idea of their pitying stares, their whispers, was unbearable.

But the pain was too much. It felt as if someone had reached inside her chest and crushed her heart in their fist, leaving her gasping for air. Her legs felt weak, her head spinning as she staggered forward, desperate for solitude.

All she wanted was to escape. To find a quiet corner where she could crumble, away from the eyes of the world, and let the storm inside her rage. But even as she walked, her thoughts followed her like shadows, each one heavier than the last.

'Was it all a lie? Was I just a responsibility to him?'

The questions, the doubts, and the betrayal-real or imagined-ripped her apart, leaving her raw and fragile, pushing on the edge of collapse.

By the time she reached the open ground outside the gymnasium, her legs felt like jelly, her breaths shallow and uneven. But just as she wiped her cheeks, trying to compose herself, she heard familiar voices.

"Miyeon?", she froze, it had been a while since she heard that voice.

Her head snapped up to see Dokyeom, Seungkwan, and Hoshi standing a few feet away. Their faces shifted from smiles to immediate concern as they noticed her tear-streaked face and trembling figure.

"Miyeon, what happened?", Dokyeom asked, stepping closer, his normally bright demeanor replaced with worry as he reached his hand pat her back softly.

Hoshi furrowed his brows, his eyes scanning her as if searching for visible wounds, "Who made you cry?", he demanded softly, his tone protective but tender.

The care in his voice, the worry laced in his tone-it was too much. It pierced through her already fragile defenses, unraveling the composure she was desperately trying to find.

A fresh wave of sobs wracked her body, harder and more painful than before and she was thankful for the emptiness of the large grounds that no people were there to witness her breakdown.

The weight of everything crushed her, but now, a bitter thought wormed its way into her mind, one that made her chest ache even more.

Is this real?

She clutched at her arms, her nails digging into her skin as doubt overtook her. 'Is this just another show? Another lie?'

The sight of her breaking down once more made their eyes widen in alarm. The silent tears she had been trying to suppress had turned into full, uncontrollable sobs, shaking her small frame.

They exchanged a quick, concerned glance, unspoken worry passing between them. This wasn't just sadness-it was something deeper, something heavier. The kind of pain that words couldn't touch, the kind that felt like it was eating her alive.

"Miyeon, hey, come here.", Seungkwan said softly, his voice steady but laced with concern. Without waiting for a response, he pulled her into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around her securely, "It's okay. I am here. We're here."

The warmth of Seungkwan's embrace broke the fragile dam she had been holding up, and she sobbed quietly into his shoulder. She felt his hand gently rubbing her back, his other hand reaching up to wipe the tears from her cheeks as he whispered, "Cry it all, Miya. We're here as long as you need us to be."

Dokyeom's hands clenched at his sides, his normally cheerful expression twisted in worry, "We can't leave her like this," he murmured, looking at Hoshi, who nodded in agreement both of their eyes rested on the girl wrapped in Seungkwan's arms.

Hoshi stepped closer, his voice gentle. "Let's get out of here. We'll take you somewhere quiet, okay?"

Miyeon didn't respond verbally, but the slight nod of her head was all they needed. The three boys guided her out of the campus, shielding her from curious stares of few people who lurked around, their protective presence forming a barrier around her.

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"Miyeon!", Wonwoo called out into the empty corridors, his voice echoing as he searched every corner of the building. His heart pounded in his chest, panic clawing at him with each second she was out of his sight.

He pushed through the gym doors, stepping onto the open ground outside, his eyes scanning the area desperately.

But she was gone.

"Fuck.", he muttered, raking a hand through his hair. He turned in every direction, his mind racing with thoughts of where she could have gone.

The weight of his own silence earlier crushed him now, the image of her running away etched painfully into his mind. He clenched his fists, cursing himself for letting Yewon's words linger without denial-for letting Miyeon doubt the bond they shared.

"I need to find her," he whispered to himself, his voice cracking as he turned back toward the campus, his steps hurried and determined.

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