secret pain | baekyeon (on-going)

Chapter 13

"You've said it yourself, Baekhyun, you're crossing the line," Taeyeon said with a mix of frustration and disbelief. She took a deep breath, attempting to maintain her composure. "It's not your place to intervene in my life like this."

Baekhyun hesitated, struggling to articulate his feelings. "Taeyeon, I was only trying to..." His voice faltered, the weight of their shared history and the current tension making it hard to find the right words. "I didn't mean to..."

"Why are you so concerned about me when you should be thinking about Ginna?" Taeyeon shot back. "You need to remember that I'm not the one you're in a relationship with now. I'm tired of the public linking my name with yours. Please, don't force me to resent you by dragging me into your current relationship."

Baekhyun tried to interject, but Taeyeon continued, "Do you not understand? We share a past, Baekhyun. Do you have any idea how Ginna might feel if she knew you were getting so close to an ex? Maybe you can't comprehend that, but trust me, I can."

"You're always shutting me out, Taeyeon. Why won't you just listen for once?"

Taeyeon's eyes flashed with exasperation. "Listen to what, exactly? What I'm saying is based on what I see and feel. It's valid."

Baekhyun's voice was strained, "Have you not been keeping up with the news? We denied the dating rumors."

Taeyeon raised an eyebrow, "Just because you deny it in the press doesn't make it an absolute truth. I've seen you two together, even casually shopping at the grocery store. What was that about?"

There was a palpable tension as Baekhyun, his voice tinged with frustration and a hint of desperation, said, "Look, I've tried to explain multiple times. Whatever you believe, whatever you think you know, it's just not true."

Taeyeon crossed her arms defensively. "Fine, believe what you want. But honestly, why should I even be concerned? All I'm asking is for you to respect my boundaries and stay away."

A heavy silence hung between them for a moment.

Breaking the silence, Baekhyun's voice cracked slightly, "Why are you being so mad at me? Shouldn't I be the one hurt and upset? After what you did years ago, shouldn't you at least try to be nice, if not apologetic?" He paused, finally able to voice the thoughts that had been swirling in his mind for so long.

For a moment, the air between them seemed to grow even heavier. Taeyeon's previously fiery eyes began to soften, replaced with a vulnerable glint. She looked down, avoiding his gaze, and her breathing became shallow.

Had it not been for Liam's timely intervention in opening her car windows, the atmosphere between them would have been even more suffocating.

"Aunt, did you see my water bottle?" The innocent voice of the young boy broke their intense gaze.

Both Taeyeon and Baekhyun turned to see Liam, with his wide-eyed curiosity, peeking out from the window, seemingly oblivious to the tension that had been building.

Feeling the need to escape, Taeyeon quickly said, "I need to leave now." Without waiting for a response or another word, she promptly slid into her car.

Liam, in his typical cheerful demeanor, called out, "Bye Uncle Baekhyun! Hope to see you again soon!" as he enthusiastically waved his arms, lightening the mood just a bit.

Baekhyun watched as Taeyeon's car pulled away, the weight of their conversation still pressing heavily on his mind. Through the rear window, he could see Liam, his innocent gaze darting around, oblivious to the tension that had just transpired.

"Mommy, why were you and Uncle Baekhyun talking like that?" Liam's voice, filled with genuine concern, reached Taeyeon's ears, reminding her that they weren't alone.