"If you don't get out of my house in ten seconds, I'm never going to let you go again," he lowly warns as a way of threatening her. It was as if her staying meant that he'd devote his entire body and soul to her, and that was exactly the case.
In wh...
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As evening approached, Taelyn anxiously awaited Heeseung's return from his meeting with Bossman. The memory of their kiss lingered, filling her with a warmth she couldn't shake.
That morning, Heeseung had mentioned the meeting casually, but the tremor in his voice hinted at something more.
Her anticipation grew as the minutes ticked by. She didn't know what lay ahead, but she wanted to face it with him.
Finally, the sound of footsteps reached her. She stood, heart racing, just as Heeseung stepped through the door.
"Welcome home," she said softly, her smile gentle.
"Hey, Princess," he replied, pulling her into a tight embrace. For a moment, they stayed like that, the world's troubles fading away.
But something felt off. He was wearing a black hoodie, the hood pulled up, an unusual choice for the summer.
"Heeseung, why are you so covered up?" she asked, her concern evident.
He shrugged, mumbling something about it "looking nice," but his avoidance only deepened her worry.
Reaching out, she gently pulled down his mask, revealing bruises and cuts. Heeseung froze, his eyes wide.
"Heeseung, what happened to you?" she asked, voice trembling.
When she reached for his hood, he hesitated, trying to pull away, but Taelyn persisted. As the hood fell, the full extent of his injuries came into view.
"I had to pay the mafia back for the inconvenience," he admitted carefully.
Her chest tightened. Bossman had ordered this as punishment for defiance. She'd thought better of him, even after their encounter. But he was still a mafia leader.
"Heeseung, I can't believe he did this to you," she murmured, brushing her fingers over his bruised cheek.
"I brought this on myself," he said, his voice low. "I broke one of HYBE's biggest rules. I should've known better than to point a gun at a leader."
Taelyn shook her head, her gaze steady. "You were just trying to protect me. I won't let him hurt you like this again."
"Taelyn," he sighed, his tone serious. "If I didn't take the beating, who do you think they would've come after instead?"
Her stomach dropped. The guilt of him enduring the pain for her sake overwhelmed her. "I'm sorry."
"Princess, don't be. I chose this path," he said. "You know how you can make it up to me? Kiss me."
She rolled her eyes but complied, pecking him on the lips. "Let's get you fixed up."
"Alright," he said, wincing with every step as they moved toward her room.
When he stumbled, she quickly steadied him, slipping his arm around her shoulders. He hissed in pain but let her support him.
"I've got you," she said, her voice steady.
Once in her room, Taelyn began tending to his wounds. The sight of his battered body made her heart ache. As she worked, she finally spoke.
"This is why... I had to let you go years ago," she admitted, her voice trembling. "Seeing you hurt, putting yourself in danger... it tore me apart."
Heeseung pulled her closer, her tears falling freely as she leaned into him.
"I'm sorry for who I am, for the life I lead," he whispered, his voice heavy with regret.
She looked at him, seeing the remorse in his eyes.
"I know it's not easy," he continued. "But if you want to love me again, you have to accept me—all of me. My past, my present, and whatever's ahead."
Taelyn cupped his cheek, her touch gentle. "I do now," she whispered. "I accept you, Heeseung. Even the parts I don't like."
