Crave You Forever
Chapter 105: I was so scared

Chapter 105: I was so scared

The city air was brisk as Yeongsoo stepped out of the hotel, the familiar hum of bustling traffic and distant conversations filling the void left by the silence in the suite. His steps were measured, unhurried, as though he had merely concluded a business meeting. The scent of rain lingered in the air, mingling with the faint metallic tang of blood still clinging to his hands despite the thorough cleaning.

He tightened the cuffs of his shirt, his expression unreadable. Yet beneath his composed demeanor, a storm churned. The weight of his actions wasn’t lost on him—he’d crossed a line that could never be uncrossed. But for Haeun and their child, there had been no other option. Bai Youran had left him no choice.

A sleek black car pulled up to the curb, its polished surface reflecting the city lights. The driver stepped out and opened the door without a word, his gaze trained forward. Yeongsoo slid into the back seat, the faint scent of leather greeting him. The door shut with a soft click, sealing him inside the quiet sanctuary.

"Where to, sir?" the driver asked, his voice low and respectful.

Yeongsoo glanced out the window, his fingers tapping absently against his thigh. "Home," he said, his voice steady but laced with exhaustion. "Drive slowly."

The car eased into the flow of traffic, the city lights casting fleeting shadows across Yeongsoo’s face. His mind wandered to Haeun and Suho, the thought of their smiling faces grounding him. He imagined Haeun’s teasing smirk as he scolded him for coming home late, Suho’s sleepy eyes lighting up at the sight of him.

But what would they think if they knew?

His jaw tightened. No, they didn’t need to know. They couldn’t. This burden was his alone to bear.

The driver’s voice broke through his thoughts. "Sir, we’re approaching the estate."

Yeongsoo nodded, straightening in his seat as the car slowed to a stop in front of their home. The warm glow of the porch light spilled onto the driveway, a stark contrast to the darkness he’d just left behind.

He stepped out, the cool night air brushing against his skin. For a moment, he stood there, staring at the house. His sanctuary. His reason.

As he entered, the familiar scent of home greeted him—soft lavender and the faint aroma of breakfast lingering from earlier in the day.

Haeun stood by the window, his figure outlined in the faint light from the streetlamps outside. He hadn’t even turned around when the door opened, but Yeongsoo knew the tension in the air was palpable. His stomach churned.

Haeun’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and biting. "Where the hell have you been?" His words were more than just a question; they were a demand, a reprimand that stung.

Yeongsoo hesitated, stepping forward. "I—I had to take care of something," he said softly, his voice strained, but it did little to soothe the rising tension between them.

"Take care of something?" Haeun repeated, his back still turned, his voice rising with every word. "You’ve been gone the whole day. I tried calling you, but your phone was off. Do you have any idea how worried I was? Do you even care?"

The anger in Haeun’s voice cut through him, and Yeongsoo flinched, a heavy weight pressing on his chest. He wanted to say something to explain, but he couldn’t find the words. Not when he had done this—when he had left without a word, knowing full well how it would make Haeun feel.

"I’m sorry," Yeongsoo whispered, though it felt like too little, too late. He moved closer, reaching out to Haeun, but his touch was met with a sharp, almost violent recoil. Haeun finally turned to face him, his expression twisted with anger and hurt, the familiar warmth in his eyes replaced by something more distant.

"Sorry?" Haeun’s voice cracked with disbelief. "You just disappear, and all you have to say is ’sorry’? Do you think that fixes anything?" His chest heaved with the force of his emotions, his fists clenching at his sides.

Yeongsoo opened his mouth to speak again, but no words came out. He could see the hurt in Haeun’s eyes, the tears that were threatening to fall. He knew he deserved this—he deserved the anger, the frustration. He’d put Haeun through all of this, and for what?

"I was so scared," Haeun continued, his voice quieter now but still trembling. "I didn’t know if something happened to you... I don’t know what I would’ve done if—" His voice broke, and for a moment, the anger faltered, replaced by the raw vulnerability underneath. "I can’t... I can’t do this again, Yeongsoo. I can’t keep worrying every time you disappear like this."

Yeongsoo’s throat tightened as he looked at Haeun, his heart aching. He stepped forward again, this time more cautiously, as if he could somehow make up for his absence with the sincerity of his presence. "I’m here now," he said softly, his hand reaching for Haeun’s, his grip firm but gentle. "I promise you, I won’t leave again. I’ll never make you feel this way again."

But Haeun didn’t look at him. He pulled his hand back, shaking his head slowly, eyes downcast. "I don’t know if I can trust that anymore," he whispered, his voice small but heavy with the weight of everything unsaid. "You left me here... all alone... again."

Yeongsoo looked away, his jaw tightening. "I didn’t want to drag you into something you don’t need to deal with," he said finally.

Haeun let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through his hair. "That’s not your decision to make," he said, his voice cracking. "We’re in this together, remember? You don’t get to leave me in the dark like this. I don’t care what it is—we deal with it together."

Yeongsoo’s shoulders sagged, the fight draining out of him. "I’m sorry," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Haeun stared at him for a long moment, his chest heaving as he struggled to steady his breathing. Then, without warning, he reached out and grabbed the front of Yeongsoo’s coat, his fingers twisting in the fabric.

"Don’t do this again," Haeun said, his voice low and fierce. "Don’t make me go through this again. I may not go with you but at least let me know where you are."