<Rose Quartz HQ>

"What is it, Seokmin?" Joshua asked as he sat across the desk in the younger's cabin.

"Hyung, first of all, I'm really sorry for what happened that day." Seokmin paused, "But now I've a solid reason for what I did. It- it wasn't me who behaved like that. Please listen to me once and believe me."

Joshua lowkey knew where it was going, "Yeah, go on."

"These pills-" Seokmin held them up to show the older, "They are not for curing anxiety or trauma."

"Then what are these for?" Joshua hesitantly asked.

"I don't know exactly but they are manipulating me with this. Each time I say or do something aggressive or stupid, it's not me, it's the pills." Seokmin replied.

"They?" Joshua questioned.

"Yeah, Dr. Hails!" Seokmin retorted, "The one who was supposed to treat me but instead of that, he's playing really dirty! I wonder if uncle and aunt know about this. I need to talk-"

"Seokmin!" Joshua stood up and walked around the desk as he poured some water for the younger, "Have this and listen to me very carefully."

Seokmin gulped down the glass of water as he nodded.

"Your uncle and aunt know." Joshua revealed, "In fact they are the ones who are behind all this."

"W-what?" Seokmin stuttered, his stomach dropping. "My uncle and aunt... They're behind all this?! But... but why?! And how do you know about this?"

Joshua pulled a chair to sit in front of the younger after turning his chair, "At first, even I felt like Mr. Choi, your brother, is just putting up an act to get rid of his sentence but I should now break it to you, he's actually innocent.

It's all Choi Sunwoo's masterplan and he has everyone in his strong hold. It's not just a dispute over property, Seokmin, it's much more than that. The pills which you were consuming are not even something the world is aware of. They are just some lab tests, being carried out on Sunwoo's demands.

They are using you as a bait, to test their experiments as well as to threaten your brother. It's all too complicated. When Jeonghan tried to report the unusual things going on in the mansion, Sunwoo threatened him as well and even trapped him to stay in the mansion. Jeonghan told me that Sunwoo just wants Seungcheol to be in control soon so that he can continue his experiments on him.

As for me, I'm still pretending that I'm against Seungcheol but secretly helping Jeonghan and Woozi in this case. Hoshi also knows all of this. All we needed was your support to make our team stronger."

Seokmin sat in stunned silence, his mind reeling from the barrage of information that Joshua had just dropped on him. As the truth of the situation sunk in, his stomach twisted into knots and his heart pounded in his chest. The sense of betrayal and anger was overwhelming, and the thought of being used as a pawn in his uncle's ruthless games made him feel sick to his stomach.

"Why..." he whispered, his voice shaky. "Why would my uncle do this? And my aunt... How could they manipulate me like this?"

Joshua inhaled a deep breath, "There's another thing you need to know. The ones who died were neither Seungcheol's real parents nor the ones who adopted you. They were just substitutes who had to face a brutal murder because they went against all this."

Seokmin's eyes widened even further, his jaw dropping open in shock. "What...?" he gasped, the words nearly failing him. "They... They were just substitutes? They weren't even my real parents? And they were killed because they opposed all of this?"

Joshua nodded slowly, "And your uncle and aunt, who are behind all these plannings are Seungcheol's real parents and the ones whose decision was to adopt you. You were not told anything about all this."

Seokmin's mind was in a state of complete disarray. Every revelation was like a punch to the gut, shattering his reality into a thousand pieces. "How... How can this be true? All this time, I've been living a total lie...?"

"I know it's too much to take." Joshua held the younger's hand, "But it's the truth and I'm glad that you know about all this now. To make you aggressive with me that day was actually our plan to make you doubt the pills and hence try to test them, which you did and found out all this. I'm sorry but it but it was necessary to bring you on our side."

Seokmin gripped Joshua's hand tightly, grounding himself in the older man's presence. He understood the necessity of the plan, but that knowledge didn't make the pain and shock any less intense.

"I..." he began, his voice hoarse. "I don't even know what to think or feel right now. I feel like everything is crashing down, everything I believed in, everything I thought I knew, it was all a lie. It's just too much to process all at once..."

Joshua nodded, "We've a few proofs for these things. Of course they are nothing in front of Sunwoo's power in the legal system but they are enough to make you believe us."

Seokmin took a shaky breath, desperate for any proof, anything to cling to amidst the confusion and betrayal consuming him. "Yeah," he mumbled, his voice wavering. "Show me. I need to see it... to know the truth, no matter how twisted and painful it is."

Joshua stood up to bring his bag and opened it to pull out his laptop. He turned it on and after several security checks he was able to open a folder. He opened a document on it, "Here is the medical report of the pills you had been taking. It's pretty obvious that this is something much more like an experimental drug rather than anti-anxiety pills."

"Experimental drug..." Seokmin repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. "So they've been using me, manipulating me, all for some twisted experiment..."

"As soon as Jeonghan reported to the authorities that Seungcheol was being mistreated, Sunwoo made them pass orders for Jeonghan to stay in the mansion. Before the case was closed, two lawyers had taken Seungcheol's side and as usual, they disappeared. There's nothing wrong in believing that Sunwoo was behind that as well." Joshua explained.

Seokmin clenched his fists, his voice filled with anger and determination. "This has to stop. I don't know exactly how, but we have to find a way to expose my uncle and bring him to justice. We can't let him continue this any longer."

"Yes, exactly." Joshua nodded, "A good point is that we've secretly established connection with a few members of the research team obliged to work for Sunwoo. They'll change the pills from the main source. All you have to do is to act as if you're still taking the real ones."

"I'll do it," Seokmin confirmed, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "But what's the next step? How do we use the information we have, the proofs we've gathered, to take down my uncle?"

"It won't be that easy, Seokmin." Joshua stated, "Our first step was to bring you on our side and the second is to extract the truth, completely. Only then we can frame a plan to trap Sunwoo in it."

"Okay, so the first step is complete. I'm on your side." Seokmin took a deep breath, bracing himself for the next step. "Now, what do we need to do to extract the truth? I'm ready to do whatever it takes, no matter how difficult it might be."

"Have patience, Seokmin. We've to be cautious rather than being reckless. Sunwoo should never know that you are helping us." Joshua retorted, "He should still think that you are against your own brother."

Seokmin nodded with a scoff, "I will. Can I- Can I meet Seungcheol hyung?"

"You can, I guess." Joshua stated, "All you have to do is to act angry while leaving his room so that the ones who notice you meeting him should believe that you just fought with him."

"Alright." Seokmin agreed.

<Choi Mansion - Seungcheol's Room>

"Who's here at this time?" Jeonghan stood up from the couch after putting down his book while Seungcheol was resting on the bed as it was late at night.

Jeonghan opened the door, revealing Seokmin, "Mr. Lee?"

Seokmin nodded as he stepped in and closed the door shut behind himself, "Nice to see you here, Dr. Yoon."

Jeonghan paused for a moment, "You- here?"

"Must be willing to curse me again." Seungcheol muttered without opening his eyes as his back rested against the headboard.

"Hyung-" Seokmin muttered.

Seungcheol's eyes shot open as he sat up straight, "Jeonghan? Am I hearing things or did Seokmin actually say that?"

"He did." Jeonghan scrunched his brows in confusion.

"Yeah, I did." Seokmin walked closer to Seungcheol's bed, "H-how are you doing-?"

Seungcheol gazed the younger for a moment, "What's wrong with you? Are you sad that they stopped torturing me every night?"

Seokmin's eyes welled up with tears as he realised how much he had hurt the older.

Jeonghan approached Seungcheol and held his shoulder from one side, "Seungcheol, listen to him once? Please?"

Seokmin wiped off his tears, "Yes please, hyung."

With a heavy sigh, Seungcheol relented, "Alright, I'll listen. Talk."

"I- I know about the pills. I know what they have been doing to me. I know that they planted this hatred within me against you. They made me believe the lie that you were guilty." Seokmin gulped hard, "It was all because of that manipulation, hyung. Although, it's still my fault that I let my sane self, get influenced by my manipulated one. I'm really sorry."

Seungcheol's face hardened at the mention of those cursed pills.

As Seokmin confessed, Seungcheol found himself torn. Part of him wanted to remain stern, to hold onto the betrayal. But another part - a surprisingly strong part - yearned for forgiveness.

"Those pills," Seungcheol muttered gruffly, "They messed with your mind, didn't they? You're just realising this now?"

Seokmin nodded, "I witnessed it myself yesterday. I decided to skip the pills and attend the therapy session. That's how I found it out. Today, I talked to Joshua hyung in the morning and he told me everything. I- I'm now with you in all this, hyung."

Seungcheol looked down. He was well aware of the pills and manipulation being at fault but he couldn't just forget the fact that the brother he had adored for his entire life didn't bat a single eye even when Seungcheol was at the verge of losing his life due to those tortures.

"Hyung, please say something?" Seokmin insisted.

Seungcheol's voice was quiet, filled with a heavy mix of pain and disappointment. "You... You just let me go through that? You didn't even notice... You didn't even question... Anything?"

"I-"

"Months." Seungcheol intervened, "It took you months to get that mere doubt and trust your brother. I know the effect of those pills Seokmin but that won't change the fact that you just let me suffer when I needed your help. A revelation won't heal those deep scars which had been hurting my heart for months."

Seokmin's gaze was downcast as he inhaled a deep breath, "I know that. I know I can't change any of that but I genuinely want to apologise to you. I want to be the person you used to trust with your heart and soul, once again."

Seungcheol swallowed the lump in his throat. His shoulders trembled lightly, the weight of Seokmin's words hitting him hard.

"It's not so easy, Seokmin." He murmured, his voice hoarse. "I- I can't just let go of all that pain so easily."

Jeonghan gently rubbed a comforting hand on Seungcheol's back, "It wasn't his fault Seungcheol. Although I understand your feelings but both of us know that those pills are way too dangerous."

Seungcheol leaned back against Jeonghan, feeling his reassuring touch.

"I know but..." He said, his voice still tinged with raw emotions. "It's just... hard, Jeonghan. I spent months being tortured, and the one person I thought I could trust- He... He just turned away from me."

He looked up at Jeonghan, the pain in his eyes evident. "How am I supposed to just... forgive and forget all of that?"

"I'm not asking you to do so either." Jeonghan gently muttered, "All I'm asking you is to know that Seokmin doesn't hate you, he still loves you like ever before. The manipulation made him stand against you. It will take time to get over it but at least you are assured that he isn't against you anymore."

Seokmin nodded in agreement, "I'll regain your trust, hyung. I know it will take a lot of time and effort but I'm ready for all of it. You're still the person I admire the most and take inspiration from. My brother, my role model, my family."

Seungcheol exhaled slowly, the words from Jeonghan and Seokmin sinking in. His heart felt slightly lighter, knowing Seokmin wasn't his enemy anymore. But the pain and betrayal were still there, raw and deep.

"I..." Seungcheol looked up at Jeonghan first then at Seokmin, "I need time, Seokmin. I can't just... act as if nothing happened. I can't... I can't trust you right away."

Jeonghan's hand continued its soothing motions over Seungcheol's back.

Seokmin rushed towards the bed and snuggled into the older's embrace as Seungcheol's cuff's chain ruffled, "Take it all, hyung. I won't dare to complain but- but please don't turn your back on me like I did. Please."

Seungcheol froze for a moment as Seokmin rushed into his arms. The gesture felt both familiar and foreign. After a moment of hesitation, Seungcheol returned the embrace, his cuffed hand resting on Seokmin's back.

"I... I won't," He whispered, his throat constricting with emotions. "Just... give me some time, please, Seokmin. Let me... process everything."

"Yes, of course!" Seokmin looked at the older, "I'll go now or they'll find it suspicious."

Seungcheol nodded, his hand gently patting Seokmin's back.

"Be careful out there," He murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Jeonghan moved a fraction closer to Seungcheol, his presence a steady comfort.

Seokmin looked up at Jeonghan, "Joshua hyung told me that I should act like I had a fight with Seungcheol hyung while leaving, in case someone notices me."

"Yeah, he did great by saying that." Jeonghan nodded.

Seokmin agreed, "I'll go. Please take care." He left slowly with some relief, sharp determination and a lot of guilt in his heart.

As the door closed, Seungcheol broke down in tears. Jeonghan rubbed his back, "Calm down, Seungcheol, please!"

Seungcheol's sobs echoed through the room, echoing the turmoil of his mixed emotions. Jeonghan's comforting hold was a soothing presence, anchoring him amid the storm of his thoughts.

"I-I'm trying," He choked out between tears. "It's just... it's so hard, Jeonghan. The pain. The guilt. The- the hope. It's so... overwhelming!"

Jeonghan wrapped his arms around the older, "I know that, Seungcheol. It's not your fault. Scars like that take time to heal. Just trust the process."

Seungcheol turned, his cuffed arm wrapping around Jeonghan as he buried his face into Jeonghan's chest. The tears continued to fall, his body shook with sobs.

"I- I just want this agony to end," He confessed, his voice cracking. "The pain, the fear, the uncertainty... I can't take it anymore, Jeonghan!"

Jeonghan caressed the older's hair gently, "It will end soon! We even have Seokmin on our side now. We're gradually heading towards the best! All of this will be over soon."

Seungcheol's sobs slowly calmed beneath Jeonghan's touch and soothing words. He clung to Jeonghan like he was a lifeline, finding comfort in his presence.

"How... How do you remain so hopeful, Jeonghan?" Seungcheol mumbled against Jeonghan's chest, his voice still shaky. "How do you always seem to find that silver lining in every cloud?"

"For you." Jeonghan mumbled out, "For us."

Seungcheol pulled back from Jeonghan's embrace just enough to look into his eyes, his own teary. "You're... You're my strength, Jeonghan. My light in this endless darkness. I don't know where I'd be without you," he whispered, his voice hoarse from crying.

"You don't need to think about that." Jeonghan helped the older to lay down, "Sleep, okay? You need to rest!"

Seungcheol nodded, never leaving the younger's hand, "Just stay close to me."

"Always." Jeonghan chuckled lightly.

A/n : And here I thought my braincells can frame this story perfectly but nvm😫😫

Anyways take care everyone!
-Jeonghanneyonghaseyo