Our Story

Chapter 18: Shattered Facdes

The tension in Dr. Zeck's office was palpable as Taehyung and Jungkook sat opposite the doctor, who had just outlined the preliminary steps before they could proceed with the tests. The doctor's calm and methodical explanation of the process had done little to ease the nerves swirling in the room.

"We'll need about an hour before we can begin the tests," Dr. Zeck said, looking over his notes. "You both can take some time to relax. Maybe get a coffee and try to clear your minds."

Taehyung nodded, his face unreadable. Jungkook glanced at him, his concern deepening at the stoic mask Taehyung wore. They left the doctor's office and headed to the hospital cafeteria. Jungkook offered to get their drinks, hoping to find a small way to comfort Taehyung.

When Jungkook returned, Taehyung's expression was the same—cold, detached, and unsettlingly calm. Jungkook handed him the coffee with a tentative smile. "Here you go," he said softly, trying to bridge the emotional chasm between them.

In an instant, Taehyung knocked the cup out of Jungkook's hand, sending it crashing to the floor. The hot liquid splashed, and the cup rolled away. Jungkook's eyes widened in shock, his heart thudding in his chest. "Taehyung, what the—"

Taehyung didn't answer. Instead, he shoved his phone into Jungkook's face, displaying a photo of the divorce papers that had been in Jungkook's room. The words on the screen seemed to scream at them both. Taehyung's voice broke as he finally spoke, his words trembling. "Is this true? Please tell me it's fake."

Jungkook's heart sank. He felt as if the ground was slipping away beneath him. He took a deep breath, knowing there was no hiding from the truth. "It's true," he admitted quietly. "I wrote them."

The silence between them was heavy with unspoken words as they sat in Dr. Zeck's office. Taehyung's heart felt like it was being crushed in a vice, his mind replaying Jungkook's admission over and over again. He had never imagined that Jungkook would consider leaving him, especially not now, when he needed him the most.

"Taehyung, I know our relationship hasn't been perfect," Jungkook started, breaking the silence. "But that shouldn't come as a surprise. We both knew things weren't great between us."

Taehyung looked at him, his eyes filled with hurt. "I know it wasn't perfect," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I never fell out of love with you, Jungkook. I thought you felt the same way."

Jungkook's expression softened, and he took a step forward, reaching out to touch Taehyung. "I did, Taehyung. I do," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity.

But before Jungkook's hand could reach him, Taehyung flinched away, the pain in his eyes intensifying. "Then why?" he asked, his voice cracking with emotion. "Why did you write those papers? Why did you plan to leave me?"

Jungkook felt the weight of Taehyung's words crashing down on him. "I felt trapped, Taehyung," he admitted, his voice trembling. "I didn't know how to fix us. Divorce seemed like the only way out. But now... now my feelings have changed."

Taehyung felt his resolve crumbling. He had built up walls around his heart, convinced that Jungkook no longer loved him. But now, faced with Jungkook's confession, those walls were starting to crack.

"I never fell out of love with you," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Jungkook's heart ached at the vulnerability in Taehyung's voice. He wanted nothing more than to hold him, to reassure him that everything would be okay. But before he could move, Taehyung hit his hand away and walked out of the office, leaving Jungkook standing there, feeling more lost than ever.

Three hours later, Jungkook was still searching for Taehyung. His heart raced with worry as he scoured the hospital and its surroundings, desperate to find him.

Jungkook's anxiety grew with each passing minute. He was about to give up hope when he finally spotted Taehyung near the hospital garden. His husband was walking slowly, almost aimlessly, his feet dragging as if he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Jungkook ran to him, his heart racing. "Taehyung!" he called out, breathless. "Where have you been? You missed the appointment. How could you just disappear like that?"

Taehyung's appearance was a stark contrast to his usual composed self. His hair was disheveled, his clothes were torn, and his expensive shoes were missing. His tie hung loose around his neck. He looked up at Jungkook with empty eyes, not immediately recognizing him.

Once the realization set in, Taehyung's face twisted with a mix of anger and pain. He snatched his hand away from Jungkook's gentle grip and yelled, "Don't worry about it! It's none of your concern. I just wanted to walk."

Jungkook looked at him with a mixture of frustration and disgust. "You think I don't care?" he snapped back, his voice rising. "I've been searching everywhere for you! Fine!" Jungkook started to walk away from Taehyung until he heard the whispers.

Taehyung's anger gave way to a fragile vulnerability. His voice dropped to a whisper. "I was in the cafeteria, reaching for coffee... and then, I didn't know where I was."

Jungkook stopped walking and turned around. Jungkook's anger melted away as he took in Taehyung's words.

Taehyung looked at Jungkook, his tough exterior crumbling. Tears welled up in his eyes and began to flow freely down his cheeks. "I was so scared, Jungkook," he admitted, his voice breaking. "I couldn't find you. I didn't know what to do."

Jungkook's heart ached for him. He pulled Taehyung into a tight embrace, holding him as if he could shield him from all the pain. "I'm right here," he whispered fiercely, his own tears mingling with Taehyung's. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

Taehyung clung to him, his body shaking with sobs. "Please don't leave me," he whispered, his words filled with raw desperation. "I need you."

Jungkook tightened his hold, feeling Taehyung's fear and vulnerability as if they were his own. "I won't leave you," he murmured, his voice filled with conviction. "I need you too."

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the world seemed to fade away. In that moment of shared vulnerability, they found a renewed strength in their bond. The future was uncertain, but for now, they had each other, and that was enough.

When they finally pulled apart, Jungkook wiped the tears from Taehyung's cheeks and gave him a gentle smile. "Let's go see Dr. Zeck," he said softly. "We'll face this together."

Taehyung nodded, his eyes still glistening with tears but now showing a flicker of hope. "Together," he echoed, his voice steadying.

They walked back to Dr. Zeck's office hand in hand, ready to face whatever came next, their renewed connection giving them the strength to confront the challenges ahead.