The contract [Yeongyu]

chapter-16

Beomgyu only nodded weakly, unable to lift his gaze. His hands were trembling as he tried to wipe away the tears, but they just kept falling.

Yeonjun walked closer, boots heavy on the marble floor, stopping right before the bed. He grabbed Beomgyu’s chin and forced him to look up. The younger whimpered softly, his face pale, his lips trembling.

“Look at me,” Yeonjun demanded. “ you lied to me, and then you expect me not to be angry?”

“I–I’m sorry, daddy,” Beomgyu whispered, his voice raw from crying. “I didn’t mean to lie. I was just… scared.”

“Scared?” Yeonjun repeated, his tone still cold. “You keep saying that word but never tell me of what.”

Beomgyu’s eyes widened slightly, panic flickering behind them. He pressed his lips together, clutching the bedsheet in his fists.

Yeonjun exhaled slowly through his nose, frustration tightening his jaw. “Speak, Beomgyu.”

Beomgyu only shook his head. “P-please i'm sorry,” he whispered, the fear in his tone making Yeonjun pause.

For a long moment, Yeonjun said nothing. The silence was thick only the soft hum of the air conditioning and Beomgyu’s trembling breaths filled it. Then Yeonjun reached out, brushing the back of his hand against Beomgyu’s cheek. His fingers came back wet tears and heat.

“You’re running a fever,” Yeonjun muttered under his breath. His expression softened only slightly as he pressed his palm against Beomgyu’s forehead. “Damn it, doll…”

Beomgyu flinched at the touch, but didn’t move away. His eyes darted to the side, body tense, as if still expecting to be punished again.

Yeonjun’s hand lowered to his shoulder, his voice dropping. “What happened to you in that office?”

Beomgyu froze. His throat tightened instantly, and his fingers twisted in the fabric of his skirt. The memories of Mingyu’s hands, his smirk, his words everything came flooding back, but the fear to speak was stronger.

“Answer me.”

“d-daddy, sorry i can't,” Beomgyu whispered, barely audible .

Yeonjun’s brows furrowed deeply. “You can’t or you won’t?” His voice was sharp again, though something uncertain flickered behind it.

Beomgyu only buried his face in his knees, sobbing quietly. His voice came muffled through his trembling arms. “I promise I didn’t do anything wrong… please believe me, daddy…”

Yeonjun’s jaw clenched hard. He hated the way his chest ached at those words the way the sight of the boy’s trembling body made something twist painfully inside him.

He turned away, running a hand through his hair, trying to cool the storm building in his head. When he spoke again, his tone was still strict, but quieter. “Fine. Don’t speak now. But you will tell me, Beomgyu. I’ll find out, one way or another.”

Beomgyu didn’t answer. His small, broken figure just curled tighter, his tears soaking into the sheets.

Yeonjun exhaled sharply, then walked to the door. “Rest,” he said firmly. “If I see you still crying when I return, you’ll regret it.”

The door closed with a low thud, leaving Beomgyu alone as he broke crying in pain, scared of both the world outside the room and the man who claimed to protect him.

°°°