Chapter 102: Chapter 102

Ye Jun

We were talking over each other now, voices rising even though we both kept them low because dad could walk in any second. “Because everything you say is twisted!” I snapped back, wiping my face with the back of my hand. “You tie me up, make me come while I am telling you to stop, then you cuddle like we are boyfriends. Pick a lane, Si Woo. Are we fighting or are we fucking or are you just scared some rich alpha is going to treat me better than you ever could?”

“Better?” He barked a short laugh that had zero humor in it. “That soft shit would bore you in a week and we both know it. You cum alive when I get rough. Your body does not lie even if your mouth does. But yeah, fine, the thought of him making you whine all sweet and patient makes me sick. Happy now? I said it. I hate it. I hate him. I would burn everything before I let him have you.”

My chest squeezed tight at that. The vulnerable crack in his voice, the way his hand kept stroking my side like he could not help it, it made that stupid flutter come back stronger. I could almost see it, falling for him for real, letting the possessiveness feel like protection instead of a cage. My eyes welled up again and I hated it. “God, you are such an idiot. Why does hearing you say that make me want to… ugh. Never mind. This is why I am done letting you mess with my head.”

Before I could say more, footsteps sounded in the hall. Heavy ones. Dad’s. My stomach dropped straight to the floor. “Shit, get off,” I hissed, shoving Si Woo with everything I had. He rolled away fast and I scrambled naked across the bed, heart pounding so loud I thought it would give us away. I half fell off the other end, landing in a clumsy heap on the floor between the bed and the wall, pulling the sheet down with me to cover up. Si Woo stayed on the bed, yanking a pillow over his lap just as the door creaked open.

Dad poked his head in. “Hey. Just checking in.”

I stayed low, this was ridiculous. Naked, covered in marks, crying on the floor of what was technically Si Woo’s room too since we shared the space in this weird blended family setup. Si Woo cleared his throat loud, trying to sound normal.

Dad stepped further in, not getting the hint. ” Listen, son, I noticed how you were acting with Ohm earlier. Not very friendly. That is not great. He is a big potential investor for the company, you know? Could change everything for us. I need you to adjust how you are around him. Be helpful. Convince him to do whatever he wants. Smile more, laugh at his jokes, make him feel welcome. That is all you have to do right now. Help the family out. You are good at that kind of thing when you try. Focus on letting Ye Jun satisfy him.” he went on and on, on how that was supposed to be my only use, make them Fall in love with me.

The words landed like punches. I stayed crouched there, sheet clutched tight, tears slipping free again because it felt like he was selling me off without even realizing it. “Dad, I… that is not…” My voice cracked and I swallowed hard. I couldn’t even say it out loud.

Si Woo stayed quiet on the bed. I waited, stupidly, for him to jump in. To say something like “Ye Jun does not have to whore himself out for your deals” or even a half-assed “Back off, he is not comfortable.” Anything to show he gave a damn beyond owning me. But he did not. Instead he let out a sigh and said, voice flat, “You’re right dad, Ye Jun is not exactly pulling weight around here anyway. Might as well make himself useful with the rich guy. After all, what else is he good for right now, apart from taking others hardwork?”

The disappointment hit so hard it knocked the air out of me. I expected it, yeah, but hearing it out loud from him after the half-cuddle and the jealous rambling? It stung worse than the ties had. What did I think was going to happen? That he would suddenly turn into a hero? I laughed once, short and broken, because if I did not laugh I would sob loud enough for the whole house to hear.

“Wow. Thanks for the vote .”

Dad chuckled like it was all a joke. “See? You get it. Keep it up. Dinner in thirty, okay?” He backed out and closed the door, footsteps fading down the hall.

I stayed on the floor for a long second, chest tight, tears coming faster now. Then I pushed up, sheet wrapped around me like a sad toga, and headed for the door without looking at Si Woo. My legs felt shaky and my wrists still ached from the restraints but I kept moving. Part of me hoped he would stop me. Grab my arm, say something, anything to prove he was not just using me like dad wanted me to use Ohm. But he did not. He stayed on the bed, silent, and let me walk out.

I made it to my room and then the bathroom, locked the door, and turned the shower on full blast. Hot water, as hot as it would go. I sat down right under the spray, sheet and all, knees pulled to my chest while the water beat down on my back. Tears mixed with the steam and I did not even try to stop them this time. Loud sobs that shook my whole body because everything hurt at once. The way Si Woo had held me after, the stupid flutter when he admitted the jealousy, dad treating me like an asset, and then Si Woo agreeing like I was nothing. Like I had never mattered beyond what I could do for him or the family.

I cried until my throat felt raw and my eyes burned dry. Laughed once in the middle of it, because how pathetic was this? Me, sitting naked in the shower crying over a guy who tied me up and then threw me under the bus five minutes later. Classic Ye Jun move. Push until it breaks and then act surprised when it does.

The water kept running, turning my skin red, but I did not move. That was it. I was done. Done hoping Si Woo would magically turn into someone who actually saw me. Done with the back and forth, the roughness that left me feeling used, the possessiveness that only showed up when someone else looked my way. I wanted to start fresh. Leave town, find somewhere no one knew me as the stepson or the family bargaining chip. Somewhere I could figure out who I was without Si Woo’s scent stuck to my skin or dad’s expectations weighing me down. Ohm’s gentle way had shown me it did not have to be like this. Maybe I could chase something real instead of this toxic loop.

I sat there until the water started to cool, whispering to myself between shaky breaths, “I am out. New city, new life, no more of this shit.” The decision settled in my chest, heavy but final. No more waiting for Si Woo to chase after me. No more tears over what he would never be. Just me, leaving it all behind. But would I?

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