The days passed in a blur of bittersweet moments and cherished memories. Jungkook and Y/N spent every available second together, creating a bond that grew deeper with each passing day. But an unexpected visitor would soon change everything.
One afternoon, as Jungkook and Y/N sat by the lake, laughing and talking about their dreams, Jungkook's mother arrived. She had been unable to stay away any longer, her worry for her son driving her to find him.
"Jungkook," she called, her voice trembling as she approached them. He turned, surprise and concern washing over his face.
"Mom?" he said, standing up quickly. "What are you doing here?"
His mother rushed to him, enveloping him in a tight embrace. "I couldn't stay away," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I had to see you."
Y/N watched the reunion, a soft smile on her face. She stood up, giving them space, but Jungkook's mother soon noticed her.
"And you must be Y/N," she said, her eyes kind but filled with worry. "I've heard so much about you."
Y/N nodded, feeling a bit nervous. "Yes, ma'am. It's nice to meet you."
Jungkook's mother looked between the two of them, sensing the deep connection they shared. Her face softened, but then she looked back at her son, her expression turning to one of anguish.
"Jungkook," she said quietly, "I know you've been trying to be strong, but... I can't bear this any longer. I know you're in love, and I understand why you stayed, but... they need to know the truth."
Jungkook's face paled. "Mom, please—"
"No, Jungkook," she interrupted, her voice breaking. "They deserve to know. Y/N deserves to know."
Y/N's heart began to race as she looked between them, confusion and fear gripping her. "Know what?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Jungkook's mother took a deep breath, tears streaming down her face. "Jungkook has been diagnosed with terminal cancer," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's in the final stages. He... he doesn't have much time left."
The world seemed to stop for Y/N. She felt as if the ground had been ripped out from under her. Her breath caught in her throat, and she stared at Jungkook, her eyes wide with shock and horror.
"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "No, that can't be true. Jungkook, tell me she's wrong. Tell me it's not true."
Jungkook looked at her, his own eyes filled with pain and regret. "Y/N," he said softly, reaching out to her, "I'm so sorry. I wanted to protect you. I didn't want you to hurt more than you already are."
Y/N stumbled back, tears streaming down her face. "You knew?" she cried, her voice breaking. "All this time, you knew you were dying, and you didn't tell me?"
Jungkook's face crumpled, and he took a step toward her. "I didn't want to burden you, Y/N. I wanted our time together to be filled with happiness, not sadness."
Y/N shook her head, unable to process the torrent of emotions flooding her heart. "How could you?" she sobbed. "How could you keep something like this from me?"
Jungkook's mother reached out to Y/N, her own heart breaking for the young couple. "He loves you, Y/N," she said gently. "He didn't want to cause you more pain. Please, try to understand."
But Y/N couldn't hear anything over the sound of her own heart shattering. She turned and ran, her sobs echoing through the air as she fled from the unbearable truth.
Jungkook started to go after her, but his mother held him back. "Give her some time," she whispered. "She needs to process this."
Jungkook nodded, his own tears falling freely. "I love her, Mom," he said, his voice filled with despair. "I didn't want it to end like this."
His mother hugged him tightly, her heart aching for her son. "I know, Jungkook," she said softly. "I know."
And as the sun set on that heartbreaking day, both Jungkook and Y/N were left to grapple with the devastating reality that their love story was destined to end far too soon.
