TWISTED THREAD

Part 20: The Point of No Return

He had to act normal.

So he shoved his phone under his pillow and took a deep breath.

The door opened.

Perth leaned against the frame, watching him. "You good?"

Santa forced a smirk. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Perth narrowed his eyes. "I don't know. You just seem... off."

Santa shrugged. "Just tired."

Perth didn't look convinced.

Santa rolled his eyes. "Relax, Perth. I'm not hiding some big dark secret."

Perth sighed and walked over, flopping onto the bed beside him. "Okay. But if you are, just know I'll find out."

Santa chuckled. "Yeah, yeah."

But his mind was still on that photo.

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Joong was losing patience.

"Where is he?"

Dunk didn't answer.

Joong's jaw tightened. "Dunk."

Dunk finally looked up. "I don't know."

Joong slammed his hands on the table. "You're lying."

Dunk's eyes darkened. "And what if I am?"

Joong exhaled sharply, trying to stay calm. "You know what he's doing, don't you?"

Dunk clenched his fists.

Joong leaned in. "Boom is playing with people's lives. He's setting them up to break, just because he can. And you? You're letting him."

Dunk's expression flickered. "It's not that simple."

Joong scoffed. "It is. You either walk away, or you don't."

Dunk swallowed. "I can't."

Joong's heart sank.

"Why?"

Dunk hesitated.

Joong's voice dropped. "What does he have on you?"

Dunk closed his eyes. "I can't tell you."

Joong stared at him.

Dunk looked away.

And in that moment, Joong realized something.

Dunk was already too deep.

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Phuwin was alone.

Sitting in his apartment, staring at the empty walls.

His heart felt hollow.

Pond was gone.

And Phuwin knew—this time, he might not come back.

He buried his face in his hands.

Had he really lost him?

Had he really messed everything up?

A knock on the door made him jump.

Phuwin wiped his face and got up, pulling the door open—

And froze.

Santa stood there.

Breathless. Eyes burning.

Phuwin's heart stopped.

"Santa?"

Santa swallowed. "We need to talk."

Phuwin couldn't breathe.

Because this—this moment—felt like a nightmare he couldn't wake up from.

He stepped back. "Now?"

Santa nodded. "Now."

Phuwin hesitated.

Then, slowly, he stepped aside.

And Santa walked in.

The door closed behind them.

And everything changed.

⸻

Boom smiled to himself.

Because he knew—this was the moment everything would fall apart.

⸻

To be continued...

⸻

What just happened?!
    •    Pond is breaking. And Boom is pushing him further.
    •    Santa received a photo of his past with Phuwin—but who sent it? (We know it's Boom, but Santa doesn't.)
    •    Joong is desperately trying to pull Dunk away from Boom's influence, but Dunk refuses to leave.
    •    Santa shows up at Phuwin's place—what does he want?

Next chapter? Confessions. Regrets. And a choice that will change everything.

Stay tuned for Part 21!