***************Trigger Warning****************
Later, in the van…
The members sat in heavy silence until Mark broke it. "Hyung, what did you mean when you said to Seungmin that this business is hard?"
Hanbin sighed. "Do you really want to know?"
"Of course," Winner pressed. "What's so secret?"
Hanbin looked down. "You all know I'm the sixth born in my family."
They nodded.
"And you know I have many half-siblings."
"Yes," Mark said. "We know."
"You've always asking why I chose to be an idol instead of living a peaceful, wealthy life. But trust me… even with all the suffering we went through as a group, it's better than that world." His voice dropped. "That world is terrifying. People there…they are crazy and Heartless. They can't feel emotions.they.... they sell their own kids to other businessmen. For nights. For weeks. To drug them. To use them. Even if they're minors. Even if they're adopted, stepchildren—or their own blood. If it means a good deal, then it's worth it to them. And more crazy is that Wives, too—they give them away like bargaining chips."
The van went silent, horror spreading through them.
Winner's hands shook. "Hyung, are you serious? This is insane."
Mark's voice trembled. "Every child goes through this…?"
Hanbin nodded grimly.
Jiwoong whispered, "I used to think being rich would be fun. I was jealous of you for supporting us with your money. But now…"
Mark hesitated, then asked, "Hyung… you never talk about yourself. So this was the reason.?
The others glared at him for asking, but hanbin lifted a hand. "It's okay. You guys are my brothers. I can tell now. I'm tried of carrying this weight all alone."
He stared ahead, voice calm but heavy. "My father didn't pay me much attention. I wasn't cute like my other siblings, so I was useless to him. I lived with a secretary—you all know him, Mr. Hwang. He raised me. Sometimes my father's wife came home and beat me, angry at me for being the mistress's son. But it was fine. I studied, came home, slept. Until I was twelve."
His voice lowered further.
"My father came home with 2 men. At first, I thought they were just guests. We had dinner. They were polite. But when my father left, the men stayed. That night was… horrible. Sorry guys i can't tell the deal but all i have to say is that. I screamed, begged, for help called for Mr. Hwang. No one came.
From then on, when I was laying on the ground all alone. Unable to get up. I promised myself I would escape, i ran so many times from home but no matter how many times.they dragged me back. I tried running, again and again, but they always found me.
"One day, outside school, a man gave me a card for an audition. I kept the card with me. At first i though this will also not work for me because i was bad at singing dancing but i was also scared of it happening again. So i learned some dance and tired some vocals and i passed. I stayed at the company instead. That saved me."
The van was silent, filled with tears.
"People say s*x is pleasure," hanbin continued. "But i think, it was nothing but pain. That's why I never say anything when you guys talk about dating. I don't want you dragging women into this misery."
The members cried quietly.
Mark's voice shook. "Hyung… how can you say this so calmly? I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. For blaming you for keeping us in the band… I didn't know what you had been through."
Hanbin tried to lighten the air. "Why are you all crying? It's was all in the past."
But Mark and jiwoong broke down, sobbing. Simon hugged hanbin tightly, tears streaming. The rest followed, holding onto him. Hanbin didn't cry. He refused to—because he knew if he cried, his brothers would break completely.
So he held them all, strong, as they cried in his arms.