The next few days were filled with an overwhelming sense of unease.
Despite the warmth of their reunion and the joy that had surrounded Hyunjin's return, the rumors about YoungBok and Sherri continued to spread. The media frenzy was relentless. Every moment they spent together, every picture shared, was twisted into something far darker than it actually was.
YoungBok sat on the couch, his fingers nervously tapping on the armrest. Sherri, seated beside him, was scrolling through her phone, her brow furrowed as she read the latest headlines.
>"Hyunjin's Wife: The Real Reason Behind the Affair Rumors"
It was like a never-ending nightmare — one that kept getting worse no matter how hard they tried to ignore it.
"Are you okay?" Sherri asked, her voice soft but filled with concern as she looked at YoungBok.
YoungBok let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples. "I don't know anymore. It feels like we're drowning in this… mess."
Sherri reached out, placing her hand over his. "We're not alone. We have each other."
"I know," YoungBok said, his eyes clouded with doubt. "But it's hard. I see the way people are starting to look at us, at you."
"I don't care what they think," Sherri replied firmly, her grip tightening around his hand. "We're not here to please them. We're here to live our lives, our love."
YoungBok smiled, a soft chuckle escaping him despite the heaviness in his chest. "You always know how to make me feel better."
Meanwhile, Hyunjin was in the company office, sitting across from his manager. The room was tense, the air thick with unspoken words. Hyunjin's heart was heavy, the weight of the situation bearing down on him.
"They want to control everything," Hyunjin muttered, staring at his hands. "They want me to stay out of the spotlight, keep everything quiet. They think it'll blow over."
His manager sighed, looking at him with a mix of frustration and sympathy. "Hyunjin, I'm just telling you what they're saying. It's not just about the rumors anymore. It's about the group, the company's image. The pressure's getting too much."
"I'm not a puppet," Hyunjin snapped, his voice sharp. "I'm not going to let them dictate my life. I won't hide from the world. I'm married to YoungBok. I'm married to Sherri. I'm not going to lie about it."
"Hyunjin…" The manager's voice softened. "It's not just about you anymore. It's about the whole group. If this continues, it could affect everyone."
Hyunjin's heart ached at the thought. The members of Slay Kids had always been a family to him. They had worked so hard to get to where they were, and now the company was asking him to put it all at risk.
"I won't sacrifice them for this," Hyunjin said, his voice low but resolute. "I won't let them suffer because of my relationship. But I also won't pretend to be something I'm not."
Back at the apartment, the tension between the three of them was palpable. YoungBok was pacing back and forth in the living room, his mind racing. Sherri sat on the couch, her hands clasped together in her lap, lost in her thoughts.
"I just got off the phone with the company," Hyunjin said as he entered the room, his voice weary. "They're not backing down. They want us to keep our distance from the public."
YoungBok stopped in his tracks, his heart sinking. "And what did you say?"
"I told them no," Hyunjin replied firmly, sitting down beside Sherri. "I'm not going to hide."
YoungBok looked at him, a mix of admiration and concern in his eyes. "But what if they fire you? Or the whole group? We can't risk everything we've worked for."
"I don't care," Hyunjin said softly, his gaze intense. "Our family is more important than anything else. I'd rather lose everything than live a lie."
Sherri reached out, her hand finding his. "We'll face it together. No matter what happens, we'll be together."
YoungBok nodded slowly, stepping closer to them. "You're right. I'm not going to let this tear us apart."
The next day, the pressure seemed to grow even more intense. The tabloids had picked up the story again, and now, it was even worse. A photo of YoungBok and Sherri walking out of a café together had been splashed across every major headline.
>"YoungBok and Sherri: The Truth Behind the Affair Rumors"
But this time, there was something different. The rumors were no longer just about YoungBok and Sherri. Now, the press was digging into their personal lives, accusing YoungBok of manipulating Sherri, behind Hyunjin back.
It was a vicious attack, one that threatened to tear them apart.
YoungBok stood in front of the TV, his hands clenched into fists as he watched the news segment. The words hit him like a punch to the gut.
Sherri walked up behind him, her voice quiet but firm. "Don't listen to them."
"I can't help it," YoungBok muttered, his voice thick with emotion. "It's like I'm suffocating. They've turned everything into something ugly."
Sherri placed her hand on his shoulder, her touch gentle but full of strength. "You're not alone. I'm here. Hyunjin is here. We'll fight this together."
YoungBok turned to face her, his eyes dark with frustration. "But I don't want you to suffer because of me. This is my mess."
"It's our mess," Sherri corrected softly, her eyes meeting his. "We're in this together."
Later that night, as the city lights twinkled below, the three of them gathered in the living room. The weight of the world seemed to be pressing down on them, but in that moment, they held on to each other — their love a quiet but powerful force.
Hyunjin sat beside YoungBok, his arm wrapped around him, while Sherri rested her head on his shoulder. The tension was still there, but there was also a sense of calm, a reminder that no matter how difficult things got, they would face it together.
"We'll get through this," Hyunjin whispered, his voice strong and steady.
YoungBok nodded, a small but determined smile tugging at his lips. "Together, always."
Sherri smiled softly, her heart full of love. "We've already won. No matter what happens, we've got each other."