WHAT HAPPENED TO US ? | KTH FF

CHAPTER 21

Mrs. Kim: Y/N, please look at him.

Y/N (tears welling up): I can't... (choked sob)

The pain that flooded her heart was unbearable. Memories of their forced separation and his subsequent suffering washed over her. She squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying to hold back the torrent of tears threatening to spill.

Taehyung: M-mom, please. How are you feeling, Y/N? Should we head home this evening?

Mrs. Kim: Maybe you should ask Dr. Choi, dear.

Taehyung swallowed hard, his gaze flitting to Y/N. She wiped her eyes, forcing a weak smile that only amplified his pain. He knew what she might be thinking, but the truth was, she had been the one to walk away. The burden now rested on her shoulders.

Y/N: (voice trembling slightly) Yes, Mr. Kim. You can take her home. Just please take good care of her. She's still weak.

Taehyung absorbed her words with a curt nod. He lowered his gaze, the welling tears threatening to spill over. With a heavy swallow, he forced his emotions back, a stony mask replacing his vulnerability. He straightened his suit, his voice devoid of warmth as he spoke.

Taehyung: Fine. We've finished here. Mom, get ready. Let's go home. Dad's waiting for you.

He turned and walked away, leaving a tense silence in his wake.

Mrs. Kim: What was that? He ordered me around like a child! That's ridiculous! Did you hear that, Y/N? He's changed since going to New York. That girl must have done something to him. He used to be such a sweet boy. Why is she such a mystery?

YN, overwhelmed, found no words to answer. Needing some space, she excused herself and hurried back to her cabin. Locking the door, she slid down against it, tears finally erupting in a torrent.

YN: T-Taehyung!

She never wanted to leave him. He was forced from her life, not the other way around. But Taehyung couldn't see it that way. He believed she left because of his lack of money, that she chased a richer life. It was all a misunderstanding, yet Y/N couldn't reveal the truth. The fault lay on both sides, but...

A knock on the door startled her. Wiping away her tears, she stood up, composing herself. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door, a somber expression on her face.

YN: C-Cheol?

Seungcheol's gaze fell upon her puffy cheeks and red-rimmed eyes. It was the first time he'd seen her door locked, and the signs of distress were unmistakable.

He gently nudged her back inside and closed the door before pulling her into a comforting embrace. YN, finding solace in his arms, melted against him, burying her face in his chest.

He was her husband, but their relationship held a complexity beyond the traditional. More like dear friends, they maintained the facade of a married couple. Seungcheol understood that Y/N's heart still belonged to Taehyung, yet he held onto a silent hope that someday, she might open herself to love him in return.

YN sobbed uncontrollably against Seungcheol's chest. Confused by her sudden outburst, he gently stroked her hair and back, offering silent comfort.

"What happened, YN?" he asked softly.

Tears blurred her vision as a memory surfaced. Mrs. Kim asking Taehyung to marry soon sent a fresh wave of pain through her. Clutching Seungcheol's shirt tightly, she shook her head, unable to speak through her sobs.