MALEVOLENT HEART | TK

Chapter Thirtheen

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"You were a friend
Veil torn, now I'm seeing your lies
Full of demise
Blood moon painting red in the sky
Under the surface
Your dark heart leading you to the grave
Beautiful mask
Pure evil behind the charade
I hear the mourning, I hear the cries
Out of darkness into the light
If you want me gone
You pull the trigger yourself
Look me in the eyes

I see who you are, you are my enemy
My enemy, you are my enemy."

As the surgery approached, Taehyung realized he was not in his best shape. He was exhausted, hadn't slept at all after his talk with Jeongguk, and the worries of his grandfather's existence and Jeongguk's plan kept weighing down on his shoulders, reminding him that his life had gone downhill.

In the span of no more than one week, his life had taken a complete turn—for the worse.

He had been officially warned by the hospital that he will get fired if he won't return to work but Taehyung couldn't care less—he couldn't return. As much as he hated Jeongguk's plan about his life, about his soon to be announced car crash and death, he hated his grandfather more. He didn't want to admit it but Jeongguk was right—this was the safest place for him.

Right there.

By Jeongguk's side.

Taehyung paced around the surgery room, staring at the table Jeongguk was supposed to lay on for however long it would take to do the whole procedure.

He didn't even know if he would be able to get through it—the surgery.

Would he be able to overcome those inhumane limits and perform two of the most difficult procedures at the same time?

He trusted his team. They were all skilled.

The one he didn't trust was himself.

As he stared down at his hands, he noticed the slight shake of his fingers. He couldn't allow himself to tremble—not now.

After taking a deep breath, Taehyung moved towards the cupboard where all the medicine was stoked and looked for something that was either going to help him or make everything worse.

The shot of adrenaline he injected into himself acted like a pump of energy and calmness. His fingers stopped shaking and Taehyung inhaled, calming himself as he waited for Jeongguk to be brought in. It wasn't the first time he took adrenaline before a surgery. Being a top surgeon wasn't something one achieved after a few successful surgeries. Taehyung had made mistakes, many, but he liked to think the mistakes he made for the greater good.

He had been notified that his team was already there, waiting and getting ready in the room next door, but they couldn't enter until Jeongguk was put under anesthesia and his face was covered by a safety wall.

Taehyung inhaled, then took a seat, making sure to avoid touching anything since he had already disinfected himself.

When the door of the surgery room opened, Taehyung rose from the chair and walked towards the stretcher Jeongguk was laying on, being pushed by Seokjin himself.

The man simply nodded towards Taehyung before exiting the room and leaving the two of them alone.

"The surgery will last many hours and you will probably be out for a few more afterwards." Taehyung explained as he prepared he anesthesia, Jeongguk's eyes watching him from the stretcher.

"I already set up my commands. Everyone knows what they need to do." Jeongguk said, calmly, as if he was prepared to even die on that table. "Your safety is their main priority. Even above my life."