Kang Taeyun likely developed a deep sense of guilt, groomed by gaslighting into believing his parents’ deaths were his fault.
Under that crushing pressure his entire life, he might not have even recognized Chairman Kang’s beatings as violence.
It was only natural, considering the abuse started when he was only eleven years old.
Eventually, unable to hold it back any longer, tears began to track down my cheeks.
Even though I had guessed the truth, hearing it directly made my heart ache so much that the tears kept coming.
“That’s why he raised Kang Taeyun so harshly. Even when Taeyun performed far better than others, the Chairman would shower him with insults and violence, claiming it wasn’t enough. He raised him to handle the things the Chairman couldn’t do publicly. You can assume Kang Taeyun is the one cleaning up all the Chairman’s dirty laundry.”
“How could he… he’s still his grandson.”
“I know. He’s a man without blood or tears. That’s why my heart goes out to Kang Taeyun. He’s more pitiful than any of us.”
I had wondered why Kang Taeyun seemed so accustomed to using people and handling dark affairs; now I knew the reason.
As I moved to wipe my eyes, Moon Dowon, who was beside me, used his thumb to brush away the remaining tear tracks on my cheek.
His soothing touch almost made me burst into tears again, but I bit my lip and forced them back.
“Let’s stop. Seo Siho is crying.”
Seeing me sobbing, Moon Dowon shot a warning look at Yoo Joohwan.
Yoo Joohwan stroked my hair, sighing about how soft-hearted I was.
“The reason I brought this up is because I wanted to tell you this. I wanted to tell you the real reason we were drawn to you.”
“…The reason?”
“Until now, I needed someone who would like us with a pure heart, without comparing us based on wealth or traits. Back then, I saw you following us like you were completely obsessed, but I didn’t think that feeling would last. But for three years, you stayed. And the moment I started to get interested, I saw you turning your eyes toward some other guy. It was incredibly irritating—seeing you, who used to be crazy about us, smiling and walking around with someone else.”
“…….”
“So I debated. I wondered if you’d give us your attention again if I got rid of the guy next to you. But I wasn’t the only one feeling that way. Isn’t it strange? That all three of us felt the exact same way about you.”
Yoo Joohwan spoke as if it were a fascinating mystery, but as the one who knew the truth, I couldn’t say a word.
I couldn’t tell him it was all because I had twisted the original plot.
“I didn’t think much of it for three years. But from the day you turned your back on us, I couldn’t stop worrying. I kept thinking about you, wondering what you were doing, and wishing your attention was focused on me. Like I couldn’t exist without you.”
“Now that I hear it, it’s true. I didn’t think much of it when you were stalking us, but the moment you weren’t visible, I started getting annoyed. To the point I suspected it was a tactic to get my attention.”
Moon Dowon stroked his chin, his tone reflecting Yoo Joohwan’s confusion.
It seemed they found it puzzling that all three had developed the same feelings simultaneously.
Just as a male lead is destined to be drawn to the protagonist, these men were giving all their attention to me instead of the original lead.
At this point, I felt I had to accept what I had been denying.
That I had fully become the protagonist of this novel.
“It means you’ve become an indispensable existence to us now. Indispensable enough for us to tell you secrets even outsiders don’t know.”
Yoo Joohwan pulled away from the wall and faced me directly.
His face, devoid of playfulness, was full of gravity, and his downward gaze was uncomfortably straight.
It was enough to make my hard-won resolve waver and make the idea of escaping feel futile.
‘Even if I changed things now, nothing would be different….’
I lowered my eyes slowly, terrified that the sharp-witted Yoo Joohwan would detect my true emotions.
“Congratulations, Seo Siho. With this, you now know all our Achilles’ heels.”
“…….”
“You must never betray us. Because you belong to us until the day you die.”
Obsessive possession swirled in his pitch-black pupils.
With a gaze even more chilling than the madness Moon Dowon had shown before, Yoo Joohwan brushed his hand over my shoulder.
Right where the two imprints were.
“I know it won’t happen, but I’m telling you in advance. We’re terrifying when we lose our minds.”
A cold sweat broke out down my spine, wondering if he said that knowing I planned to run away tomorrow.
As my eyelids trembled, unable to hide my tension, Moon Dowon leaned in close behind me and kissed my earlobe.
“Cute. The way you’re shaking.”
“…….”
“Like a hamster.”
Yoo Joohwan let out a hollow laugh at Moon Dowon’s ill-timed comment.
Seeing his terrifying expression vanish into a much more relaxed one, I felt relieved that they hadn’t caught on to my escape plan yet.
‘Then why did he say those things?’
Perhaps the former was a test, or the latter was a warning to nip any such thoughts in the bud.
These kids were so obsessive; just thinking about how they would react if they found out I’d fled made my skin crawl.
Suppressing my shaking voice as much as possible, I asked Yoo Joohwan.
“If… just in case, I mean. If my heart wanders—”
“Do you think I’m that unobservant at a time like this?”
“Huh?”
“I just told you. Betrayal is not allowed.”
“…Where is betrayal in love? If hearts grow apart, people can break up.”
“You keep saying such impossible things, like a fool.”
Yoo Joohwan frowned slightly and flicked my cheek.
His long, pale, slender hand slid down my jaw to my neck, and suddenly he gripped the nape of my neck firmly.
It was a spot where just a little more pressure would cut off my breath.
“If something like that ever happens, I’ll lock you up until the day you die and make it so you can never step outside. You’ll have no contact with others, and you won’t even know what the weather is like or what time it is.”
“…….”
“If I feel this way, do you think Moon Dowon behind you or Kang Taeyun would be any different? Whatever decision you make, remember that you have to deal with three people, not just one. Every action has a consequence.”
He wasn’t wrong, but their obsession seemed to be growing more intense by the second.
A place where I wouldn’t even know the weather—just hearing it made my knees weak.
“The fact that you’re even asking this means you have those thoughts at least a little bit. But I told you, didn’t I? I’m going to take responsibility for you. No matter what you look like or what state you’re in, I’ll be by your side until the end.”
The word “state” sent shivers across my skin.
The fine hairs on my body stood on end, and my limbs trembled.
The image of Moon Dowon saying he’d break my legs and Yoo Joohwan sitting on the rooftop railing agreeing with him flashed through my mind, turning my blood cold.
“Or we could just put shackles on you.”
Moon Dowon, standing silently behind me, tossed the words out casually.
I swallowed hard against the tension.
As I froze up, stiff as a board, Yoo Joohwan released his grip on my neck.
“Let’s stop. Seo Siho’s going to cry again.”
Yoo Joohwan withdrew his terrifying aura, saying it was pointless to talk about such things.
Only when his hand left my neck did I feel the strength return to my body.
As I stumbled, Moon Dowon, standing steadfast behind me, grabbed my arm firmly.
“Are you okay? You look pale.”
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
I replied as if nothing was wrong, terrified my plan would be discovered.
My white-as-a-sheet face told a different story, but I forced myself to stay sharp and steadied my body.
“He must be fine. It’s not like he’s harboring any dark intentions, so why would Seo Siho have any reason to be nervous?”
Yoo Joohwan smiled meaningfully.
He definitely didn’t know the plan, but the meaning behind that smile felt terrifying.
Instinctively, I rubbed my arm, and Moon Dowon changed the subject.
“So when are we going to Moon Domin’s shop?”
“He said he wanted dessert. We should go now.”
Moon Domin seemed to be Moon Dowon’s brother.
I desperately wanted to rest, but the atmosphere made it clear I couldn’t refuse.
Since I was the one who suggested going, it would be strange if I didn’t go now.
Ultimately, I followed quietly behind them, deciding it was best to keep up the act.
