𝓔𝓷𝓽𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓵𝓮𝓭 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽𝓼

Chapter 22: Reckoning

Breeh's Pov

As the last of the guests left, I found myself on the terrace, the cool night air providing a refreshing contrast to the warmth inside. The sky was a vast expanse of stars, each one twinkling like a distant promise. Jungkook stood nearby, sipping his wine, his gaze fixed on me. Even without looking at him, I could feel his eyes on me, a silent presence that was both comforting and exhilarating.

Breaking the silence, I took a deep breath. “Wanna know why I left?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. It was time to clear the air, to remove the coward title I feared others had given me.

Jungkook lowered his glass, his eyes softening. “No, I don't want to know,” he said, surprising me. “Because I know you wouldn’t take a decision without a reason. But... I’ll make sure not to give you any reason to leave.”

His words struck a chord deep within me. How could he be so understanding, so perceptive? He seemed to read me like an open book, more so than my own family, with whom I'd lived for years. He was so unreal, almost too good to be true.

“I’m glad, Jungkook,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. “I’m glad I’m getting a chance to know someone like you. But I feel so guilty involving you in all this mess. I guess you don’t have to do this drama. It might affect your reputation and career.”

Jungkook smiled, a genuine smile that lit up his eyes. “I also have a benefit, you know,” he said, his tone playful.

I gave him a confused look. “What benefit?”

“I’ll get to know about you and your ideal type,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “And I’ll become that, so you won’t have to ask me to be your fake boyfriend.”

His confession left me stunned. The sincerity in his voice, the determination in his eyes—it was overwhelming. “I should get going, it's late,” he said, ruffling my hair before turning to leave. “See you soon, babygirl.”

As he walked away, I couldn’t help but shout after him, “I’m not interested in you!”

He turned, a mischievous smile on his face. “I’ll make you, don’t worry.”

And somehow, despite everything, I found myself smiling, my heart fluttering with the affection he showed me.

Taehyung's Pov

I found myself in Hae-in’s room, surrounded by an array of wedding dresses. She was practically bouncing with excitement, showing me dress after dress, her eyes sparkling with joy. But my mind was elsewhere, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts about Breeh and Jungkook. Their closeness, their easy camaraderie—it gnawed at me, a constant reminder of what I had lost.

“Taehyung?” Hae-in’s voice broke through my reverie, her hand waving in front of my face. I blinked, coming back to the present. She was smiling like a child who had just received their favorite toy. That’s exactly what I was to her—a toy she had always wished for. And I knew it all too well.

“I like this one,” I said, pointing to a random dress, trying to feign interest.

“Well, I also liked this one. How similar we are, right?” she replied, her attention already back on her phone.

Her words hit me harder than I expected. Similar? In what way? We were both playing roles, pretending to be what the other wanted. She had her toy—but I... I had lost mine.

As I watched her continue her wedding preparations, her excitement a stark contrast to my own turmoil, I felt a pang of jealousy and regret. What if I could snatch Breeh back? What if I could reclaim what I had lost?

But deep down, I knew it wasn’t that simple. Breeh wasn’t a toy to be fought over. She was a person, with her own feelings and choices. Yet, the thought lingered, haunting me as I tried to make sense of my own emotions.

Breeh’s voice echoed in my mind, her laughter, her smile, the way she used to look at me. I couldn’t shake the image of her with Jungkook, their connection so evident. It hurt, more than I cared to admit.

Hae-in continued to chatter excitedly about the wedding, oblivious to my inner turmoil. Her happiness was infectious, but it only served to remind me of my own confusion and longing.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Taehyung,” she said, looking up at me with a smile. “I can’t wait for our wedding.”

I forced a smile, trying to match her enthusiasm. “Me too, Hae-in.”

But even as I said the words, I knew they rang hollow. My heart was elsewhere, torn between the past and the present, between duty and desire. And as I watched Hae-in’s joy, I couldn’t help but wonder if I would ever find my own.

The image of Breeh and Jungkook lingered in my mind, a constant reminder of what I had lost and what I still longed for. And as Hae-in continued to plan our future, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my heart was still chasing after a dream that had slipped through my fingers.

What if I snatch it back? What if I reclaim what I lost?

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