Chapter 14
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Yewon refused to release her hold on Lee Doha’s sleeve, pulling him deeper into the emotional chaos.
Children always undid him. With reluctance building inside, he stifled his breath and met her gaze once more.
“What draws you to acting?”
“Performing brings me joy. Nothing beats seeing eyes light up with wonder.”
Lee Doha remembered her confession about adoring photos of people, those instants when gazes ignited.
“Acting grips me the way songwriting claims you, Uncle.”
Reality settled over him at last.
Over a decade of pushing away family ties.
In this instant, those links wrapped around Lee Doha without mercy.
Yet the connection he’d fought so hard no longer pushed him away.
He felt anchored instead.
“Your passion suits you. Success awaits, Yewon.”
“Does it run in the family?”
Her delicate fingers twisted into his fabric, stirring an urge to clasp them close.
Memories surfaced of his lonely youth, craving any touch to steady him, Lee Doha mused.
That desperation lingered in his bones.
“Exactly. My traits live in you.”
Deep down, perhaps he yearned for her grasp most.
Lee Doha entered the living room and froze at the sight of Weon.
Despite swearing to depart alone the night before, Weon had arranged blankets neatly and collapsed across them, snores echoing loudly.
Why linger in this home instead of his own?
Taeyoung’s exit from GLEET had driven Weon away years ago, suffocated by Lee Doha’s intensity.
No overnight here since that split.
Yewon had wheedled him last night.
The huge space terrified her solo with Uncle Lee Doha—ghosts everywhere.
Uncle Weon projected strength, perfect for ghost-hunting.
Weon swelled with bravado, vowing her safety under his watch.
She’d pressed further, chaining nights ahead, doubting his edge over Uncle Lee Doha.
He proclaimed dominance fiercely.
Blind to her cunning trap—
Lee Doha leaned in to stir him awake.
Dawn visits never happened.
Tension creased his brow as he tapped the wall screen.
One known face filled the display.
Should he grant entry?
Her sudden words jolted him upright.
“Uncle, what’s with the shock?”
“Forgive me. Company feels foreign still.”
Understanding dawned in her nod.
News of another bandmate sparked joy across her features.
Irritation prickled unexpectedly.
Why let her preferences stir him?
Whether she welcomed strangers or not, his concern baffled him.
“Uncle Eon? Uncle Yeonho maybe?”
“Every name rings familiar?”
“Who hasn’t heard of GLEET’s stars back home?”
Her grave delivery, softened by toddler-like sounds, cracked him open with mirth.
Adult mimicry from such youth charmed him.
Peers lagged behind her clarity, yet childish limits held.
One laugh sent her bristling.
“Pure impulse to chuckle.”
Yeonho’s mention drew her intrigue.
Expected—he dodged spotlights relentlessly.
Among GLEET’s quiet profiles, he vanished deepest.
“Social graces escape him entirely.”
Awkwardness defined the man.
“Meeting him clarifies.”
A subtle grin touched Lee Doha at her innocent probe. He triggered the entry.
“Word spread you perished. Showed up anyway.”
Yewon and Lee Doha faced raw bluntness incarnate.
Lee Doha shimmered like elegant feline grace.
Weon slinked as crafty fox with sharp bark.
Yeonho loomed a colossal predator wolf.
He dwarfed their heights easily.
Gym-sculpted mass, shoulders like ridges, radiated raw power.
Idol mold cracked; he fit rugged antihero roles.
Yewon staggered under his shadowy lead aura.
His look pierced coldly, stripped of welcome.
Doha and Weon’s eyes held softness for her amid rivalry.
Yeonho’s scanned blank, object-neutral.
Seo Yeonho plodded past, prodding Weon’s covers.
Grumbles boiled from beneath.
“Hey—wait, Yeonho hyung?”
Sleep-rimmed eyes widened on Weon.
“Swift response. Blood pumps in you yet, sprinting over fake death?”
“Such pranks test limits.”
“Yeow! Hyung, words first! Oof!”
Cheer failed; Yeonho’s boot connected firm.
“Desperate tactics—you surface only for disasters off-duty!”
“You tune out talk. Action calls.”
“That leg power kills! Murder charge, not battery!”
“Stitch those lips?”
Beats dragged until Yeonho eased.
Bored calm settled as he yanked the fridge door.
Lee Doha’s stunned query met flat retort.
Yewon gaped at the enigma.
“Stocking that? Unlikely here.”
“Self-neglect confirmed. Prepped for split news—scout jobs ahead.”
“Ian’s return decides survival.”
Empty chill met Yeonho’s tongue-click. He claimed the table perch.
Towering frame normalized the perch.
Yewon soaked in his mythic form.
Blunt “kid?” demanded counters.
Cower behind Doha? Or charge ahead introducing.
“Hyung, tone down—she’s spooked—”
Weon began.
Yewon surged upfront bold.
Such types yielded to nerve over flight.
Family to Uncle Doha, she declared crisp.
