To Byul (Omegaverse)-Chapter 126: Who did this to you, Yun-tae?

Yun-tae would’ve run out of the shop right away because of all the eyes on him but his legs felt weak.

He felt like if he stood up at that moment, he would only fall to the floor. And if he fell, he might not stand anymore.

He would stay on the floor, defeated and crying like a lost child.

It was painful that he had to endure a man like that as his father for so many years. And just when he thought he had gotten his freedom, when he thought he was finally free from him, he had found him again to ruin his life.

’I need to... I need to pick myself up. I can’t.. ’ he cried, trying to clean his tears with the handkerchief Woo-bin had given him earlier but the tears wouldn’t stop falling. ’I can’t stop hurting. What should I do? I’m in so much pain. Someone,’ he grabbed his chest, biting his lip. ’Please, help me.’

He cried even more, pressing the handkerchief to his face as he began to sob into the handkerchief, his sobs muffled and his shoulders hiking up with each breath he took over his tears.

In an agonizing voice, he asked,

"What sin did I commit to deserve this?"

Suddenly, someone yanked his hand and it startled him. His gaze was forced towards the man who had been standing in front of him for a while now.

He had not noticed but... He was there. That guy. And he had a very angry and hurt expression on his face.

He looked like he was angry but... Why was he here?

And why at a time like this?

Yun-tae was shocked.

While Yun-tae had been deeply invested in his emotions and his pain, someone walked towards his table in a rather good mood but as soon as they got to where Yun-tae was, their face twisted.

It was Myung-woo. Was it a coincidence? Not quite. But it was a coincidence that he caught Yun-tae at a time when he was so hurt.

Myung-woo, who had walked in, watched Yun-tae weeping bitterly and silently while trying hard to endure and cover-up. His face twisted in anger.

Why was Yun-tae crying? Who did this?

He looked around but they were all staring with that discomfort on their faces.

Did someone hit him?

Myung-woo’s eyes narrowed as he watched Yun-tae struggle to contain his emotions. He could see the pain and hurt etched on Yun-tae’s face, and it made his blood boil.

And then, the words that slipped out of Yun-tae’s lips crushed his heart to pieces, forcing him to act.

"What sin did I commit to deserve this?"

As much as he wanted to be level-headed, his heart betrayed him, and he reached for Yun-tae’s hand and yanked it without thinking.

Yun-Tae turned to him in shock and found a rather disturbed expression on his face. His eyes flashed with a fierce protectiveness towards Yun-tae.

Yun-Tae saw this and turned his head away, trying to clean his tears and act composed, Myung-woo asked with a rather low and soothing tone,

"Who did this to you, Yun-tae?" he asked, his words dripping with a quiet menace.

For someone who looked pissed beyond recognition, his tone was low and soothing. Was he being considerate?

He probably didn’t want to scare Yun-tae by asking harshly but...

Yun-tae’s eyes dropped, and he looked away, staying in silence as he continued to wipe his tears.

Yun-tae looked up, startled, and tried to compose himself. "It’s nothing," he muttered, trying to brush it off.

But Myung-woo wasn’t buying it. Like hell, anyone would buy that. He was crying so painfully, how could he say it was nothing?

"Don’t lie to me," he said rather gently even though his eyes raged. "What’s going on?"

Yun-tae sighed, feeling a lump form in his throat. He didn’t know how to explain the complicated emotions swirling inside him. He didn’t even know if he wanted to share this with Myung-woo.

He was still basically a stranger so why was he interfering in his life so much?

Why was he even here at a time like this?

It was embarrassing to be caught crying by someone who was acquainted.

"It’s no--" Once again, he was about to deny it even though there was clear evidence on his face, but Myung-woo interrupted him, taking a seat right next to him and gumming their bodies together.

"I get it that you don’t trust me yet." Myung-woo said, his gaze fixed on his face with a little agony in his eyes. "But how can you say it’s nothing when you’re such a mess? Seeing you like this..." He reached his hand towards his face and lightly stroked his cheeks, his thumb going to his eyes as he rubbed underneath his eye that was already swollen. "... Hurts me more than you can imagine."

Something about Myung-woo’s kind yet agonized eyes and genuine concern made Yun-tae want to open up. His heart grew lighter like the bolder pressing heavily on his heart had been slightly lifted.

Yun-tae’s eyes locked onto Myung-woo’s, and he felt a lump form in his throat. He was taken aback by the warmth and kindness in Myung-woo’s expression and words.

Looking into the face of someone who was genuinely concerned made so much of a difference after crying out so much from pain.

No one had ever looked at him like that before, with such genuine concern and empathy. Someone who really wanted to ’help’ him.

He never opened up about his pains, so he was never the one in need of help, but this time...

More tears streamed down his cheeks. He didn’t even know if he was crying from the pain or if it was relief that made his eyes tear up.

Myung-woo saw this and almost panicked. He did not know what was wrong but it didn’t look like he had been hit by anyone.

He took out his own handkerchief and helped Yun-tae wipe his tears. Softly and gently. His touch was warm and comforting, making Yun-tae cry even more.

"What’s this? Does your face hurt? Am I doing it wrong?" He asked frantically but Yun-tae shook his head. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"No, you’re not doing anything wrong. I just... Can’t help it." He said.

He tried to wipe away his tears, but they kept falling, betraying his efforts to compose himself.

Myung-woo watched him as he tried to stop his tears. It didn’t look like he was hurting anymore so that was fine but... He couldn’t let this slide. Whatever the issue was... He was going to do something about it.

He had to do something about it.

"Yun-tae," he called and Yun-tae looked at him.

He had this firm and compassionate gaze buried in Yun-tae’s face.

"I’m a very good listener." He said.

Yun-tae felt a surge of emotions, and his eyes began to well up with tears but he bit his lips, holding them back. He looked away, trying to compose himself, but Myung-woo’s gentle voice drew him back.

"Yun-tae, you don’t have to say anything if you’re not ready," Myung-woo said softly. "But I’m not going to let you be with your problem either. So, I’ll wait here. I’ll sit right here and wait till you’re ready to speak to me. I will..." He placed his hand on Yun-tae’s chin and drew his gaze back to him. "...make sure to save you."

Those words took Yun-tae’s breath away and his face suddenly flushed.

At a time like this, the thought that crossed his mind was that this guy was so handsome and romantic.

It was probably the wrong time to be having such thoughts but didn’t this mean his presence was working wonders?

His feelings had suddenly shifted from the pain of his father’s words to his presence.

A sense of relief washed over him. Maybe, just maybe, he could trust Myung-woo with his problems. He looked up at Myung-woo, and their eyes met again.

He blinked his eyes twice and then looked away. Myung-woo was silently and patiently waiting for him to speak but... He just didn’t feel like talking about it.

Not with someone like Myung-woo. So, instead of that, he decided to thank him.

"Thank you," Yun-tae whispered as he blushed, his voice barely audible but it was enough for Myung-woo to hear.

A little smile played on Myung-woo’s lips and he nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime, Yun-tae. Anytime."

They sat in that cafe a while longer and in silence, too.

Since Myung-woo said he would wait patiently, he decided to do just that. He gave Yun-tae just enough time to relax and collect his thoughts.

He did not allow him to dwell on his thoughts for too long though. He ordered a few more sweets, suggesting it would make him feel better.

Though Myung-woo wore a mask of composure and calmness on that handsome face of his, his insides burned with anger and a deep-seated desire to protect Yun-tae from the person who had hurt him so badly.

He couldn’t figure it out. What or who could make Yun-tae cry so much?

He was sure he wasn’t crying until Woo-bin left so why all of a sudden?

It was as if he had gotten a text that his favorite grandma died or something. But this was too deep. And if he wanted to cry over the deceased, he wouldn’t stay in a public place, would he?

Myung-woo glanced around.

There were few customers here and he was hardly noticeable because of the way he styled his hair so they could stay there for as long as they wanted.

He would stay beside him.