𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 || 𝐭𝐚𝐞𝐤𝐨𝐨𝐤 ✓

EP15: A curious discovery

Taehyung slowly opened his eyes, the sunlight streaming through the curtains bathing the room in a warm glow. A glance at the clock on his bedside table revealed that it was well past 12:30 pm, much later than usual.

As he stretched his tired limbs and yawned, he realized that the room was empty, no sign of his daughter and husband. Curiosity piqued, as he got out of bed and made his way to the bathroom to freshen up.

Emerging from his bedroom, Taehyung felt the soft fabric of a loose t-shirt against his skin and the cool air hitting his bare legs. He had put on some shorts that reached till his thighs, a perfect choice for a warm day like that.

As he made his way towards the living room, he couldn't help but notice the deafening silence that enveloped the house. The only sounds that reached his ears were the hum of the washing machine and the occasional hum of the refrigerator coming from the background. It puzzled him to find the house this quiet, especially with his daughter and husband who would usually bustle around or laugh at some funny show on television.

Taehyung decided to go to the kitchen and find some answers. He entered to see Hyun-Joo meticulously sweeping the floor clean. With a questioning look in his eyes, he asked her about the whereabouts of his husband and daughter. Hyun-Joo informed him that they had left in the morning, as Jungkook wanted to spend some quality time with their daughter outside. Taehyung nodded his head and requested her to serve him whatever had been made for breakfast, expressing that he wasn't in the mood for a heavy lunch right after waking up from sleep.

While Hyun-Joo quickly brought him his breakfast, Taehyung settled down at the dining table. As he started eating, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he needed to call Jungkook to check on him and Taehee.

Taking out his phone, he dialed Jungkook's number, and to his surprise, Jungkook picked up instantly. "Jungkook, where are you?" He inquired.

"I'm at the grocery store right now, Tae."

"And– what about my baby? Where is she?"

"Don't worry about Taehee. She is at my parents house, spending time with them. She asked me to take her there. Mom and dad were so happy to see Taehee. They wished to see you as well." Taehyung was relieved to hear that Jungkook had left Taehee at her grandparents' house.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going there? I wanted to meet them too! I miss mom and dad so much." Taehyung asked, waiting for Jungkook to reply which never came, "Jungkook? Why aren't you saying anything? Are you still there?"

"O-oh yes I am here!" Jungkook flinched, nibbling on his bottom lip simultaneously, trying to sound as gentle as possible so that Taehyung wouldn't misunderstand his tone. "It's been more than 3 hours since I took Taehee with me and you realized it just now. I knew you would sleep in and would be waking up late… I know Hyun-Joo would take care of her but I couldn't help but feel upset knowing that my little angel would have been neglected by you the whole day until my return."

"I'm– I'm so sorry…" Guilt washed over Taehyung, and he hummed in a pout, apologizing for neglecting his duties.

"Tae? I'm sorry for yesterday. You are not angry at me anymore, right? I'll keep my distance from Hyun-Joo, if that's what you want. Please don't be angry with me."

Jungkook, in turn, quickly apologized for their fight the previous day. A soft smile tugged at Taehyung's lips as he accepted the apology, "I'm sorry too for speaking so harshly with you. I'm so ashamed that I used such words to you. I admit that I had overreacted a bit too much. I'm really sorry, honey."

Jungkook chuckled softly, accepting the sincere apology of his husband. He just couldn't stay angry at Taehyung for too long. He loves Taehyung dearly.

Feeling a sense of peace settled between them, Taehyung decided to change the topic and asked Jungkook about his whereabouts once again.

"I told you love, I'm in a grocery store buying things for the house." Jungkook smiled, picking up a jar of peanut butter and adding it to the shopping cart. "Ah! I had gone to the shopping mall earlier with Taehee and bought a cradle for our soon-to-be-born baby!"

Taehyung gasped with delight, expressing his eagerness to see it, "oh! I can't wait to see it, Kook! I want to decorate the cradle myself. When are you coming home? I miss you and my baby already!"

"I might arrive late as mom asked us to stay for dinner. But I'll try my best, love." Taehyung whined, but eventually agreed and ended the call. A huge smile plastered on his lips.

Finishing his breakfast and sipping on his milk, Taehyung strolled through the house, his footsteps echoing through the empty corridor. His curiosity got the better of him when his eyes landed on the unoccupied room in the house, and he decided to check the locked room that had never really intrigued him until now. Pushing the door slightly, he saw that it was already half-opened and stepped inside.

His eyes widened in surprise as he took in the sight before him. The walls were adorned with scratches, shadowy human-like print, peculiar drawings that seemed to tell a story.

He placed his cup containing milk on the table and picked up a book from the shelf, eager to delve into its contents, only to find it to be written in a foreign language – German. Frustration welled up within him as he struggled to understand the words.

Just as Taehyung was about to let out a sigh of frustration, a book from the shelf above tumbled onto his head, causing him to pout. Sighing, he placed the book in his hand back onto the shelf, intending to explore the room further.

Unexpectedly, as if adding to his frustration, a framed photograph on the table fell off along with his cup, shattering the glass and sending milk spilling onto the floor.

At the sound of the commotion, sharp-eared Hyun-Joo appeared at the door, her eyes widening in shock.

"Oh my! Did you get hurt, sir? Please step away, I'll go get the cleaning supplies." Worriedly, she asked Taehyung to step away to avoid getting hurt.

Quickly returning with the cleaning supplies, she knelt down to pick up the scattered glass. As she bent down, her gaze landed on a small compartment in the wooden floor underneath the bed.

"Sir… There is a hidden compartment underneath the bed. Shall– shall I open it?" The question quickly caught Taehyung's attention and he eagerly nodded his head.
Curiosity getting the better of her as well, Hyun-Joo quickly moved aside the bed and opened the small little door, revealing the hidden compartment.

Taehyung's eyes widened as he took in the dust-covered contents within - maternity panties which looked awfully familiar, baby magazines, old letters and postcards, and even expired medicines from years ago. Disturbed by the sight, Taehyung's gaze lingered on a bloodstained piece of clothing, uncertain of what it could mean.

His attention then shifted to the metal chains and baby toys, a mixture of confusion and curiosity now consuming him.

Though disturbed by the presence of blood, Taehyung decided to take the postcards and letters with him, sensing that they might hold some answers to the mystery that lay within this room.

~~~

I hope you don't mind this short chapter.
Next chapter will be a longer one with 18+ content.