"The Enigmatic Connection"

The heavy silence between them stretched on, thick with unspoken words. The three of them sat there, eyes locked, waiting for someone to break the tension.

Jae Ahn finally leaned forward, his voice calm but laced with something unreadable. "You… you're my brother's friend. Am I right?"

Do Hwan's fingers clenched slightly, his gaze unwavering. A long pause followed before he finally spoke, his voice lower than usual.

"Do Hwan… brother."

The words hung in the air, carrying weight neither of them could quite grasp yet.

Do Hwan still didn't believe it. His instincts told him to stay cautious. But if he agreed, he could stay close, watch their every move, and uncover what Jae Ahn was really up to. So, with a slight nod, he said, "Fine. Do whatever you want."

Before the conversation could end, Do Hwan stood up, his tone indifferent. "If there's nothing else important to say, I'm leaving." Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.

Jongsuk remained silent for a moment before exhaling. "I'm going to take a look around the house," he muttered, slipping away shortly after.

Just as the silence settled in, Jae Ahn's phone buzzed. His eyes narrowed as he checked the notification. The video of his brother's murder had gone viral.

A chill ran down his spine. Suddenly, the faint murmur of voices filled the air. Whispers. Low and indistinct at first, but growing louder. Everywhere.

"Did you see that?"

"That video… is it real?"

"They say the case was never solved..."

Jae Ahn's grip on his phone tightened. His heart pounded as he realized—this wasn't just a secret anymore. It was a storm, and it had already begun.

Jae Ahn was wondering who posted the video and why.

The house was a storm of chaos and pain.Jae Ahn's mother, her face twisted with rage, struck him repeatedly, each blow fueled by years of pent-up resentment. Do Hwan, having returned to confront the viral video, rushed to intervene, but she shoved him aside, locking him out.

Inside, the violence escalated. Jae Ahn's attempts to defend himself only seemed to enrage her further. A misstep sent him crashing into a table, a glass shattering and slicing his hand. Another blow forced him against the wall, where a photo frame's jagged edge cut deep into his neck. Blood soaked his shirt, the crimson stark against the fabric.

Jongsuk arrived just in time, frantically entering the gate code. He and Do Hwan burst into the room, their faces pale with shock at the scene before them. Jongsuk grabbed Jae Ahn, trying to shield him, while Do Hwan restrained their mother.

"You haven't had peace yet," she screamed, her voice breaking. "You've killed your brother. What else do you want?"

Desperation etched on his face, Jae Ahn pushed Jongsuk away, yanked open a drawer, and thrust a knife into his mother's hand. "Kill me," he demanded, his voice trembling.

For a heartbeat, she hesitated, then lunged. Jongsuk intervened, the blade piercing his shoulder. Their mother gasped, horror dawning in her eyes, and fled the house, leaving a trail of shattered trust and unspoken anguish.

In that harrowing moment, it became painfully clear how deep her resentment ran, willing to forsake her own son in a blind quest for vengeance.

At the hospital, a doctor from the orphanage approached Jae Ahn, inquiring about his well-being and whether he was adhering to his medication regimen. Jongsuk, overhearing this, was puzzled. "Medication?" he thought. "What condition does Jae Ahn have?"

Seeking answers, Jongsuk consulted the doctor privately. "Why does Jae Ahn need medication?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

The doctor sighed, choosing his words carefully. "Jae Ahn exhibits symptoms that are psychological in nature. Individuals with such conditions are at a higher risk of severe outcomes, including self-harm or developing antisocial behaviors."

Jongsuk's heart sank. "Is his life in danger?"

"The risk is present," the doctor admitted. "It's imperative he continues his treatment and has a strong support system."

Distressed, Jongsuk left the conversation, his mind racing. As he exited, he spotted Jae Ahn, his wounds freshly bandaged, sitting with a young child. Despite the recent turmoil, Jae Ahn's face bore a gentle smile as he engaged the child in lighthearted conversation.

Observing this, Jongsuk felt a pang of sorrow. "He carries so much pain behind that smile," he mused. "Could someone like him be hiding such deep scars?"

Nearby, Do Hwan approached Jongsuk. "Aren't you going to get your injuries treated?" he asked, noting the unattended wounds on Jongsuk.

Before Jongsuk could respond, Jae Ahn's gaze met theirs. Seeing Jongsuk's concerned expression, tears welled up in Jae Ahn's eyes, but he quickly blinked them away, forcing a strained smile. "Let's focus on analyzing the video," he suggested, diverting the attention.

The trio decided to investigate the distinctive bracelet that had surfaced repeatedly in their inquiries. They visited a local jeweler, presenting a sketch of the bracelet.

The shopkeeper examined it and nodded. "Ah, this piece is from a limited edition collection, imported from abroad. Only four or five were ever sold here."

Curious, Jae Ahn asked, "Do you have records of the buyers?"

The shopkeeper retrieved a ledger, listing the purchasers. As Jae Ahn scanned the names, his breath caught. There, among the few entries, was his own name.

"Why is my name here?" he murmured, bewildered.

Jongsuk and Do Hwan exchanged uneasy glances. The revelation cast a shadow of doubt, intertwining their pasts in ways they had yet to comprehend.

A heavy silence enveloped them, each grappling with the unsettling implications of this discovery.

Jae Ahn's phone buzzed, displaying an unknown number. Hesitating briefly, he answered, only to hear a distorted voice whisper, "You wouldn't want those close to you to disappear, would you?" The line went dead before he could respond. A cold sweat formed on his brow as he stared at the phone, the room's shadows seeming to close in tighter around him. Completely shocked, he looked up at Do Hwan and Jongsuk, his eyes wide with unease.