The Villainess (Kim Taehyung ff)

☆ Chapter 4 ☆

Yu-jin was more than disappointed to hear that y/n was refusing any sort of testing or treatment. Her body would quickly cave to the cancer without the regular doses of medicine and motorization by the doctors. She nearly stormed into y/n's hospital room that morning to demand she stop that behavior at once. However, she caught herself, knowing that y/n had every right to do what she was doing. She saw her as her own daughter, having taken care of her since day one of her hospitalization. She was the closest thing she had to a real mom since her real mother never bothered with her.

"You're not going to chew me out? Make me feel guilty for speeding up my own demise?" Y/n asked of her when she silently entered the hospital room that morning. She was barely able to look at her, seeing only a fragile shell of the y/n she once saw as a true fighter. He was tired.

"Are you suffering, y/n? Is that why you no longer want to continue like this?" Yu-jin feels her own heart breaking at the thought of losing y/n. At this rate, she wouldn't make it to her twentieth birthday party. It's a shame, because she had planned to bring her family in to wish her a happy birthday. Maybe have a miniature party in her room with decorations and treats just for y/n. A little surprise since y/n was familiar with her family after years of visits and hearing about them. "It's okay to stop fighting, sweetie."

"I'm just really tired, Yu-jin." And there it was. The break in y/n's hard exterior, the way her voice cracked showing the depth of her sorrow. Who knew how long y/n had been dealing like this? It was time, they both knew that now.

She came around the side of her bed, grabbing her thin, icy hand in her own. She squeezed, managing a wobbly smile with tears in her eyes. y/n's own eyes were damming up with unshed tears. "It's okay, honey. You can let go, it's okay, y/n." Her words held nothing but sincerity, reassuring her that she truly meant it. Y/n sobbed, tears racing down her hollowed out cheeks. Yu-jin pushed y/n's black hair from her eyes, her hand lingering on her cheek for a bit. "I'll come back to check on you, okay? Push the button at any time, sweetheart."

Yu-jin knew if she stayed in the room, she would break down in front of y/n. She didn't want y/n to feel guilty about her decision. She wanted to ask y/n to try one last time, but she knew it was selfish. Y/n was the one who suffered. She saw how y/n lost her faith little by little, and how that made y/n like death more than living. Y/n was nineteen; she had every right to make decisions about her life. Yu-jin caught y/n weeping when no one was around; she couldn't do anything but feel sad about the girl while standing behind the door. She clearly recognized the pain hidden behind that sob. If this is y/n want she will support her, that's was the only thing she can do anyways. But she had no idea how grateful y/n were for that.

Before she left, she pecked y/n's forehead—something her own mother had never done. Y/n was left to weep by herself, which she preferred. Was she scared to die? No. Was she feeling remorse over her decision? No. All she felt was sadness for Yu-jin and those who had truly cared about her that would have to see her go. Which basically meant, Yu-jin and her little family, who treated her like their own from time to time. In her lap, he held the acorn and the castle. Her eyes were blurred with tears, but she could still see them against the white of her hospital sheets. Suddenly, her eyes widen. Where were the cherry blossom petals she bought from the garden? Where was the plaster wrapper the old man gave her? Y/n felt her heart sink when she remembered that the hospital staff had cleaned her room in the morning. They must have thrown them away. 

******

It was the worst y/n had felt in years. She was vomiting, cold, shaking, and exhausted. Her doctors, however, were unable to persuade her; no matter how hard they tried, Y/n was too stubborn. Every part of her ached, and soon she was unable to form coherent words without struggling. Yu-jin came to see her throughout the day, but she never tried to convince her to change her mind. She appreciated that.