Love in the Shadows || Vsoo

|6|

Jisoo's heart raced as Adrian emerged from the bathroom, completely unaware of the man standing nearby. 

Panic filled her, knowing that Adrian had no knowledge of Taehyung's true identity, while Taehyung himself was well aware of their relationship.

Quickly composing herself, Jisoo tried to act as normally as possible. "Adrian, sweetheart, did you enjoy your bath?" she asked, hoping to distract him from the situation.

Adrian nodded with a bright smile. "Yes, Mom, it was nice and warm," he replied, his innocence shining through.

Taehyung watched the interaction silently, a mixture of emotions playing across his face. Jisoo couldn't help but feel anxious, knowing that Taehyung's presence could complicate things further.

"Who is he?" Adrian questioned. Jisoo took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to explain the situation to Adrian without causing him unnecessary distress. 

She knelt down to his eye level, holding his hands gently. "Adrian, this man is someone from my past," she began, choosing her words carefully. 

"He knew me a long time ago, but we haven't seen each other in a while." Adrian looked at her with curious eyes. "But why is he here now?" he asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

Jisoo smiled softly, wanting to reassure her son. "He just wanted to see me again, that's all," she said. "But don't worry, sweetheart, he's not going to stay. It's just a brief visit."

As Taehyung's eyes watered, Jisoo felt a pang of empathy and sadness. She knew that he was not the kind of person to show his emotions easily. 

Seeing tears in his eyes stirred a mix of emotions within her. Despite their complicated past, there was still a connection between them, and seeing him vulnerable affected her as well.

"I'll give you some space," Taehyung said, his voice filled with emotion, and he left the room. Jisoo watched him go, her heart heavy with the weight of their shared history.

As she stood there, Jisoo couldn't help but reflect on the complexities of their relationship. The memories of their past came rushing back, the good and the bad, the love and the pain. 

But she knew that she had to stay strong for her son and focus on their future together.

Adrian tugged at her hand, bringing her back to the present. "Mom, is he okay?" he asked, his concern evident in his innocent eyes.

Jisoo smiled gently at her son, wanting to shield him from any unnecessary worries. "He'll be alright, Adrian," 

She reassured him. "Sometimes grown-ups have feelings too, just like us. But let's focus on having a good time together, okay?"

Just after a second, some knocked the door. Jisoo smiled gratefully at the maid as she brought in their favorite breakfast. 

It was a small gesture, but it meant a lot, especially on this eventful morning. "Thank you," Jisoo said warmly to the maid, who nodded politely and left the room.

Adrian's eyes lit up at the sight of their favorite breakfast. "Yummy! Mom, can we eat now?" he asked eagerly.

"Of course, sweetheart," Jisoo replied, ruffling his hair affectionately. She felt a sense of comfort in the familiar routine of sharing a meal together with her son.

They sat down at the nearby table, and Jisoo couldn't help but steal a glance towards the door where Taehyung had left. 

She wondered what the future held for them, how their paths would continue to intersect, and if there was a possibility for healing and forgiveness.

But for now, she focused on the present moment, savoring the breakfast with her son. The aroma and taste of the food brought a sense of warmth and normalcy to the otherwise extraordinary night.

As they ate, Jisoo reminded herself of the strength and love that had brought her through all the challenges in her life.

Jisoo smiled at her son's enthusiasm for the strawberries and ruffled his hair affectionately. "I'll be back in a while. Remember, don't open the door for anyone else other than me and Raven," she reminded him, ensuring he understood the importance of safety while she was away.

Adrian nodded, his cheeks stuffed with strawberries, and he gave her a muffled response. "Okay, Mom."

With that assurance, Jisoo left the room, her mind focused on the tasks that lay ahead. She needed to find Raven and discuss their next steps to help Dalia.

She walked around the castle, trying to recall the familiar routes. "Everything has changed so much within 3 years," she murmured to herself. 

Jisoo felt her heart skip a beat as she bumped into the hard chest, and she looked up to see who she had collided with. To her surprise, it was Taehyung standing in front of her.

"Sorry," she mumbled, trying to compose herself. Her encounter with Taehyung earlier had left her emotionally stirred, and now, bumping into him again added to her already overwhelming feelings.

Taehyung looked at her, his expression unreadable. "Are you okay?" he asked, concern evident in his eyes.

Jisoo nodded, not trusting her voice. "I'm fine," she managed to reply, her heart racing. "Taehyung," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I didn't expect to run into you again."

His gaze softened, and he nodded slightly. "I didn't expect it either," he replied.

Jisoo could sense the unspoken emotions between them, the weight of their shared history. But she knew that she had to be strong for her son and for herself.

"I have to go," she said, trying to step around him.

But Taehyung reached out and gently held her arm, stopping her. "Jisoo, wait," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of uncertainty and longing.

He seemed to study her for a moment before speaking again. "I know that we have a complicated past," he said softly, "but I still care about you, Jisoo and I care about our son."

Her heart wavered at his words, torn between the emotions of the past and the possibility of a future together. 

But she knew that she couldn't ignore the pain they had caused each other, and her son's safety was her primary concern.

"Taehyung, I need time," she finally said, her voice trembling. "Time to process everything that has happened and to figure out what's best for Adrian."

Taehyung nodded, a mixture of understanding and regret in his eyes. "I understand," he replied. "I will figure it out myself" He thought and left.

Jisoo was surprised that Taehyung had left without arguing. Knowing him well, she understood that he must be planning something to win them back. 

His unexpected departure left her with a mix of emotions – relief that he was gone for the time being, but also apprehension about what he might do next.

As she continued to walk through the castle, her mind was filled with thoughts of their complicated past. 

She knew that Taehyung was a person who wouldn't give up easily, especially when it came to matters of the heart. 

His determination and cunning were aspects of his personality she was all too familiar with. Jisoo couldn't help but wonder what his next move would be and how it might impact their lives