Mokyeon sat sprawled across the couch, tattoos stretching along his pale arms as he watched Nanjo with a lazy smirk. His soft grey eyes followed every move the CEO made, taking pleasure in the stiffness of Nanjo’s shoulders as he stood by the window.

“You really should relax,” Mokyeon murmured, voice dripping with amusement. “he isn’t even here tonight. It is just the two of us.”

Nanjo turned, his expression sharp as glass. “You are only here because of the bet. Do not pretend otherwise.”

Mokyeon laughed quietly, tilting his head. “Right. The bet to keep your little darling safe. You sacrifice yourself, Nanjo, letting me stay close, letting me touch what is supposed to belong to someone else.” His smile widened, almost cruel. “But you are the one who keeps giving in to me, not him.”

Nanjo’s fists clenched. Every word dug into him because it was true. He had agreed to Mokyeon’s game so the other would remain out of harm’s reach. He told himself it was only a deal, only an arrangement. Yet his body had already betrayed him countless times, too easily collapsing into Mokyeon’s arms when exhaustion overtook him.

“Do not talk about him,” Nanjo said quietly, his voice tight with suppressed anger. “You do not have the right.”