𝐈𝐍 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 || 𝐊𝐓𝐇 [𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝] ✔

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟒: 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Author’s POV:

Taehyung explained everything, but no matter what, Y/N was always with Jackson whenever Taehyung saw her. She had her reasons, though. Jackson was battling his demons, and Y/N didn't want him to end up like her parents, suffering from addiction. She needed him to quit drugs, and Jackson, in turn, needed her.

She asked him to stop using, and Jackson agreed—but with one condition: she had to spend 30 minutes with him every day. Reluctantly, Y/N agreed. Jackson had no one else. He was always alone, an outcast, but her presence gave him a small comfort. Every time he was alone, Y/N would join him with a warm smile, trying to make him feel less isolated. Jackson appreciated her company, but he also made it clear that he didn’t like Taehyung.

Y/N often wondered why, but she never found the courage to ask.

Jackson, on the other hand, fell deeper into the habit of looking forward to their time together. He knew she didn’t have romantic feelings for him, but her presence alone was enough to make him fall for her more each day. It didn’t matter to him that her heart wasn't his—he was addicted to the company she offered.

Flashback:

One evening, as the sun was setting and the sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, Jackson sat alone on a wooden bench, far from the crowded area. There were only a few people around, but Jackson seemed lost in his thoughts, staring at the sky with an unreadable expression.

Y/N noticed him sitting there, and without a second thought, she approached him. Quietly, she sat beside him, trying to understand what was going through his mind.

Jackson glanced at her, breaking the silence. 

"Oh, you came," he said, his voice soft yet somewhat surprised.

"Hmm," she responded with a slight nod.

"What is 'hmm'?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"That means yes, I came... By the way, why are you sitting alone here? What are you thinking about?" Y/N asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Nothing... Just my past," Jackson replied, his voice heavy with sadness, his eyes reflecting the pain he tried so hard to conceal.

Y/N could see the sorrow in his gaze, even if he tried to hide it. "If you want to share, I'm here," she offered gently.

Jackson looked at her and smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. Instead, he let out a chuckle, shaking his head. 
"I don't think that's a good idea. You'd feel bad," he muttered.

"And why is that?" Y/N questioned, sensing there was more to this.

"Because... it's all about your lover," Jackson said bitterly, his tone laced with resentment.

"I told you, Taehyung is not my lover!" she snapped, feeling a surge of irritation at the mention of Taehyung.

"I said 'your lover.' I didn’t mention any names, sweetheart. But you're right, it's all about Kim Taehyung." Jackson smirked, watching as Y/N’s face flushed with embarrassment. She realized he hadn't mentioned Taehyung by name, but he had still managed to hit a nerve.

Still, curiosity gnawed at her. She needed to know what had happened between Jackson and Taehyung. "Jackson... can I ask you something?" she hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Why do you hate Taehyung? What did he do to you?"

Jackson closed his eyes for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts. When he opened them again, they were filled with a mixture of pain and anger. 
"You really want to know?" he asked, locking his gaze onto hers.