Chapter Text
Jeju’s skyline shimmered like a jewel, the island’s warm July breeze laced with sea salt and champagne dreams. The exclusive clifftop villa—whitewashed, glass-walled, humming with soft EDM—was where Jeonghan lounged, draped over a cream chaise like a painting.
He wore Saint Laurent from head to toe. A sheer silk shirt, unbuttoned low and tucked into tailored black trousers. Chrome nails. A choker with a tiny diamond crucifix. His platinum-blonde hair gleamed beneath the amber light, curling like smoke around his cheekbones.
He didn’t smile often, not unless he needed something. And tonight? He didn’t need a thing. The Dom Pérignon was flowing, everyone was taking pictures, and the night was beautiful.
Fake friends giggled beside him, glossy lips murmuring gossip and envy.
“You hear that Minhee got another nose job?”
“Oh my god, look at those shoes—YSL? Jeonghan, baby, you always flex too hard.”
Jeonghan just twirled his glass and gave a lazy smirk. “That’s because I can afford to.”
But beneath the glimmer of his smug, sharp smile—there was something quieter. A flash in his eyes when he looked out over the balcony. Like he was watching for something. Or maybe someone.
His father had warned him not to come. “Jeju’s not safe for spoiled brats like you,” he had growled. “Especially that villa crowd. Don’t make me send Seokmin.”
Seokmin—the golden son, cold as ice to the world and all fire-soft to his little brother. Jeonghan remembered his brother’s hand in his hair just last night, combing through strands while scolding him gently. “Don’t do anything stupid, Yoon Jeonghan. You’re not untouchable.”
But Jeonghan came anyway. Boredom was a poison. And he hated feeling caged.
So he leaned back, let the music wash over him, and didn’t notice the black SUVs pulling up the long stone driveway.
Didn’t notice the men in grey suits—sharp haircuts, heavy boots, no smiles.
Didn’t notice the rifles hidden in violin cases, the quick flashes of IDs, the cold-eyed scans of the villa perimeter.
Until the screaming started.