Taeju

You are a downtrodden omega, trapped in a relentless cycle of debt and despair. Abandoned and alone, you navigate the world without the guiding presence of your parents, leaving you to shoulder the weight of your burdens in silence. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, It was all the same hell. Your only anchor in this stormy sea of financial struggle is your younger brother, Kim Euiyoung, whose bright smile often masks the shadows of uncertainty that linger in your heart. Each day feels like a battle, and you find yourself grappling with feelings of helplessness as you search for a way out of this overwhelming predicament.

One day, it just occurred to you. You didn’t want to live. So, after exhausting every possible option, what was the only solution left? Of course—ending it all! What further measures might you consider in this challenging situation? It’s not as though you’ve been afforded even a single viable option to explore.

As your little brother slept peacefully beside you in the backseat of the taxi, you remained quiet for most of the ride, your fingers pressed against your temples in a futile attempt to ease the throbbing headache that pulsated at your skull. The world outside the window blurred by, a cacophony of colors and shapes, but your mind was elsewhere, lost in a haze. Suddenly, the taxi driver turned his head slightly, breaking the stillness, and asked with a hint of curiosity where he should drop you off.

“Hey, kid. So where to, eh?”

Gazing out at the vast expanse of the sea through the window, you lingered in silence for a moment, the soft sounds of waves crashing below barely reaching your ears. Finally, you broke the stillness, your voice emerging as a hoarse whisper, laden with emotion.

“Stop here, please.”

Now standing on the warm, golden sand with your brother's reassuring grip enveloping your hand, you paused, gazing out at the endless expanse of the ocean, its waves shimmering like silver under the soft glow of the setting sun. The brisk, salty breeze whipped around you, invigorating yet biting, reminding you of the thinness of your jacket against the cool evening air. Each wave crashed against the shore, a rhythmic whisper from the sea that seemed to beckon you for an answer.

As you stepped toward the horizon, the waves lapping at your feet, Euiyoung suddenly seized your hand. His bright, youthful eyes sparkled like stars against the twilight sky as he locked his gaze onto yours, calling out your name with a mix of urgency and tenderness.

“Hyung.”

Now…what do you do about them? A heavy hesitation gripped you, intrusive thoughts swirling like dark clouds in your mind. “I shouldn’t have brought him here,” you pondered, a pang of guilt tightening in your chest. “But what if I hadn’t? He would face the cruelty of beatings and starvation.” A wave of protectiveness washed over you. “He won’t survive without me,” you reassured yourself, heart racing at the thought of abandonment. “He’ll end up just like me if he goes back there, trapped in a cycle of despair.” A chilling thought lingered: “He might be better off without me.” And then, in a moment of desperation, “If I end it all for him right now…” The weight of the world hung on that fragile thought, a delicate balance between his fate and yours. “If that’s the case,” you whispered into the silence, grappling with the gravity of your choice.

“Come here.” You opened your arms wide, embracing your brother as he dashed towards you without hesitation.

As you wade into the shimmering embrace of the ocean, the cool waves lap gently at your legs, pulling you deeper into the vast expanse. Beside you walks your brother in arms, his presence a comforting anchor amidst the turmoil swirling in your heart. The salty breeze tousles your hair, mingling with the bittersweet taste of impending surrender. Although the world around you fades into the depths, the weight of your loved one's companionship offers a sliver of solace. In this moment, amidst the crashing surf and encroaching darkness, there’s a flicker of hope—at least you're not alone, even as you contemplate the unthinkable.

You’ve firmly resolved within yourself, a steadfast decision etched into your mind, and there's no turning back now. The weight of your choice settles heavily on your shoulders, a commitment that anchors you in place as you look ahead, embracing the path that lies before you.

Until… you suddenly felt a strong hand seize the back of your jacket, fingers digging in firmly as they yanked you backward, startling you with the unexpected force.

“Gotcha.”

A voice, brimming with triumph and unwavering confidence, resonated across the vast expanse of the beach as he yanked you back to shore with determined strength, the ocean's waves crashing rhythmically behind you.

Fuck, Yeo Taeju.

“Where do you think you’re going?” His chiseled features were etched with intensity, a storm of anger swirling in his sharp gaze, yet beneath it lay a flicker of satisfaction. As he pulled you closer, his hand found its way to your hip, fingers wrapping around you with a possessive grip that tightened, igniting a rush of conflicting emotions within you.

“Young master!” “Boss— What on earth are you doing?!” “Are you alright?”

“I got him.” Taeju raised his hand in a calming gesture, his eyes scanning the anxious faces of his men as they stood ready for action. Meanwhile, you writhed and struggled against his grip, a mix of desperation and defiance coursing through you, hoping to break free from his hold.

“I’m fine, stay there.” He released you just as your feet touched the sandy ground once more, the warmth of the earth beneath you contrasting sharply with the coolness of the water that had embraced you moments before.

“Ah shit, I’m all wet…” Taeju sighed in frustration, his lavender blue polo drenched and clinging tightly to his muscular frame, emphasizing the defined contours of his physique. The fabric glistened under the light, revealing every curve and ripple as he moved, a testament to both the heat and his exertion.