Chapter: Family Chains and Black Suits
The house fell silent after the laughter faded.
William and Tim crashed into the guest room, face-first into their beds.
"Don't wake me until next year," Tim muttered, already half-asleep.
William didn't even respond—he was snoring within minutes, one leg hanging off the bed, still holding his lollipop stick like a trophy.
Meanwhile, East had already left, crisp in a black shirt, heading toward the company building. His day wasn't over. Neither was Jun's.
---
Family Dinner
At the long, polished dining table, Jun sat with his mother and aunt. The smell of roasted duck filled the air, but Jun barely touched his food.
"Your father wants you all to attend the charity gala tomorrow," said his aunt between bites, tone casual but sharp. "I've already informed East. All of you are going."
Jun frowned. "I don't want to go."
His mother glanced at him. "You'll be there. Tim and the others will too. I told them."
Jun rubbed his temple. "I have a headache. I don't think I should—"
His aunt interrupted, this time with a smile too sweet to be kind.
"If you're not going, then maybe you should go with your mother. I can't accept you staying here if you're going to keep hiding."
Jun's eyes widened. "Aunt, don't do this—"
"Then go to the party," she said firmly, her eyes locking with his. "It's one night. That's all."
Defeated, Jun slumped back in his chair.
"Fine."
---
Jun's Room
Steam rolled through the room as Jun stepped out of the shower. Drops of water still clung to his collarbone as he sat on the bed, towel around his neck.
His eyes wandered to the window, unfocused.
Yan…
The name echoed again in his head like a whisper he couldn't shake.
Before he could spiral deeper, the door creaked open.
"Mom?" Jun blinked.
His mother walked in, holding a folded black suit.
"I told East to keep an eye on you," she said softly. "You're clumsy. And reckless. You never take your medicine. You never sleep enough. Your father worries more than he says."
Jun looked down. "…I'm fine."
She walked to him and cupped his cheek gently.
"Then show him. Go to the party. Try to live."
---
East's Call
Far across the city, East stood outside the company building when his phone buzzed.
"Hello?"
"It's me," his mother said.
"Yes, Mom," East answered automatically.
"I want you to make sure Jun goes to that gala," she said. "Don't let him sneak off again."
East's voice lowered. "…That's going to be hard."
"Then do the hard thing," she replied. "You're his cousin. It's your job."
A long silence followed.
"…You told him?"
"Not yet. That's your decision. But I raised both of you like my own."
East looked up at the darkening sky. "He deserves to know."
"Oh, and about William," she added with a teasing tone.
East sighed. "Still sleeping. Doesn't lift a finger."
His mother chuckled. "He's a baby. But your baby, remember?"
East muttered, "Whose decision was that again?"
"You'll never stop regretting it, huh?"
"Every day."
They both laughed.
"I mean it," she added. "Tell Jun. And make sure William and Tim don't mess this up. I'm trusting you."
East stared into the city lights.
"…Got it."
---
The Gala
The grand ballroom of the luxury hotel shimmered under golden chandeliers. Champagne glasses sparkled. Laughter echoed. But when the doors opened—
Everything stopped.
Four figures entered in perfect sync.
Black suits. Black shoes. Black eyes that didn't blink.
Jun. East. William. Tim.
The crowd turned.
Girls gasped. Boys stared. Heads turned in waves.
They looked like four princes from a shattered fairytale.
Tim flipped his hair and smirked.
William adjusted his cufflinks like a model.
East walked with a storm in his eyes.
Jun? Jun just walked like he wasn't fully there—because his mind wasn'
t on the party.
It was still with Yan.
And in the sea of glitter and gold, someone… was already watching them.
End of Chapter