Beneath the Surface: Secrets of an Obsessed Heart-Chapter 160 - 159

After Hiro’s family scandal, many of them had wanted to help. Hiro had always been kind and generous. Although he was a quiet and shy kid, he was the kind of friend who always remembered birthdays and shared notes and made everyone feel welcome.

Besides, none of them believed Hiro was involved in what happened with his parents’ company. After all, Hiro wasn’t even part of the business and even if he were, friendship was friendship and they never abandoned each other.

Until Raiden appeared in their lives.

When the truth about the embezzlement and corruption came to light, and Hiro’s family name was dragged through the mud, they had reached out to Sora, offering to help but one by one, Raiden had gone to each of them.

Daiki still remembered how it happened to him. The invitation to a private room. The glass of untouched wine on the table. The photos Raiden slid across with his gloved hand—pictures Daiki had buried long ago. He didn’t even know how Raiden was able to get his hands on them but he was shocked to the bone. He thought his past was buried, long forgotten, but Raiden had unearthed his secrets and forced him to do his bidding.

The threat wasn’t loud. It didn’t have to be. Raiden simply smiled, and Daiki had known that if he didn’t cut Hiro off, his career and reputation would be in ashes by dawn.

Some were blackmailed, like him. Some who refused to comply were financially ruined. A few had family members threatened so they all backed off and watched from afar as their lovely classmate suffered.

And years later, when Hiro returned—eyes red, hands trembling, begging them to help his sister—it was almost too cruel. Many of them wanted to help. They thought that this was a matter of someone’s life. Surely Raiden won’t stop them this time. They could also use the opportunity to explain what had happened before and be on good terms with Hiro but Raiden appeared again.

This time, his warning was exceptionally clear.

He said that it was a life for a life. Anyone willing to give up theirs can go right ahead and save Saika.

And just like that, they had all backed away again. Some had even gone further just to make sure Hiro never comes back. Mocking him publicly, slamming doors in his face, pretending to hate him—because that was safer than pity. When it came to Hiro, Raiden was as serious as a heart attack.

Now, Daiki stood there, staring at the man who had ruined everything, whispering sweet promises into Hiro’s ear as if he hadn’t been the very reason Hiro was abandoned in the first place.

“Tch!”

He poured himself another drink, hands shaking, jaw clenched. He had to find a way to tell Hiro everything but it would be difficult because Raiden hadn’t left Hiro’s side since they stepped in. Not even for a second.

Still, he would make sure to find a way. He couldn’t let Hiro be with a beast.

********

The chatter in the ballroom and the lovely music hushed as the sound of footsteps echoed from the grand staircase. Heads turned, and an enthusiastic round of applause erupted as the anniversary celebrants descended in elegant poise.

Raiden tensed immediately, and Hiro felt it first in the way Raiden’s hand froze on his back, the fingers that had been tracing slow, comforting circles going still. Then he saw the way Raiden’s body stiffened, his shoulders drawing tight, like a bowstring pulled taut. When Hiro pulled away and followed his gaze, he understood why.

Descending the marble steps were Raiden’s parents. His Father and his stepmother.

Raiden’s father was every bit the image of power and prestige. He was dressed in a sharply tailored black suit with a deep crimson tie. He stood tall and straight, his features strikingly similar to Raiden’s. The same chiseled jawline, the same high cheekbones and strong nose. Even the way he held his head, exuding quiet dominance and confidence, reminded Hiro of Raiden. But his eyes were different.

Where Raiden’s were an arresting shade of smoky grey that could grow stormy with emotion, the man’s eyes were a deep, unshaken brown, cold and unreadable. Hiro quickly concluded that Raiden must have gotten his eyes from his mother. He wished he could see her picture. Maybe he would ask Raiden later.

Beside Raiden’s father, the evil stepmother floated like a queen. Her gown was an elegant ocean-blue silk, fitted and jeweled at the collar and cuffs, flowing like water around her frame. Her dark brown hair was swept into a graceful twist, and her diamond earrings glittered beneath the chandelier light. She smiled, graciously nodding at guests, waving delicately like she were born for this stage.

Gasps of admiration and more applause filled the room as they reached the base of the stairs and began to greet guests with warm, rehearsed smiles.

Hiro glanced up at Raiden, noting how the expression on his face had transformed and he didn’t like it. Although Raiden had said that he was going to be okay, he could tell that Raiden was far from that. There was a storm brewing behind his smoke-grey irises.

So he stepped in front of Raiden without hesitation, standing on his toes to cup his face between his palms. Gently, he tilted Raiden’s head down to meet his eyes.

“Raiden,” he called softly, his thumbs brushing the sharp ridges of Raiden’s cheekbones. “Don’t look at them. Look at me.”

At first, Raiden didn’t respond. His gaze was fixed somewhere far away. Back in a house of shadows. It was like everything had disappeared. The lights, the music, the laughter, even Hiro—gone.

Only silence remained.

Everywhere had gone dark and it was him alone, standing in the large room. But this time, he was small. Just a kid. He heard the doorbell ring, a sharp, echoing chime that made his heart thunder in his chest. Panic surged through him and he began to sweat, and shake, knowing what was coming.

He heard the door open and he scrambled to hide behind the grand, curling staircase, curling into himself, hugging his knees tightly, praying that he wouldn’t be found.

“Where is he?!” His father’s voice boomed like a gunshot. “Where is that little brat?! Where is that killer?! Where is he?!”

Little Raiden could hear the servants trembling, voices cracking. “W-We... we don’t know, sir.”

“Fuck!” His father cursed, throwing the bottle of alcohol he was holding. Little Raiden flinched as it exploded against the floor near the stairs, shards slicing into his exposed skin. He stifled a groan, the sting of fresh wounds layered atop older ones that hadn’t yet healed.

“What was that?” He heard his father ask and he quickly slapped his hands over his mouth, trying not to make a sound but it was too late.

The heavy footsteps sounded like a death sentence as they approached and the next thing Raiden felt was the painful yank of his hair as his father caught and dragged him, his small body scraping over broken glass.

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