"POSSESSION" II JJK X THV II 21+ TAEKOOK FF

16. Roots

"You have to take the charge of the clan."

The room fell silent as Hyunsik's words echoed in their ears.

Jungkook's eyes widened.

A bitter laugh escaping his lips, attempting to mask his shock. "What kind of joke is that?"

But Hyunsik's smile was devoid of any kind of humor.

Jungkook's face darkened as he stood up abruptly, anger radiating from him.

"Are you insane? There's no way you're telling an outsider to take over this entire mafia empire." His voice grew louder, more intense, "You've been too generous to me from the start, Hyunsik. I should've known you had some ulterior motive."

Hyunsik remained calm. "It's not as simple as you think, Jungkook."

"I have no interest in your games," Jungkook snapped.

Grabbing Taehyung's hand, Jungkook turned to leave. But Hyunsik's voice stopped him cold.

"Don't you ever wonder why your mother left you?"

Jungkook halted, his grip on Taehyung's hand tightening.

Hyunsik's words cut through the air like a knife.

"Why does your father hate you so much to the point of abusing you? Why did he make his younger son the heir instead of you? Why did you have to live your life in that hell? Don't you wonder?" Hyunsik pressed.

Jungkook turned back, his eyes cold.

"Knowing the reason behind my misery doesn't make it better. I've moved on from that life. Knowing anything won't change my decision."

Hyunsik's expression remained unreadable. "Maybe. Maybe not. You won't know until you hear the truth."

"I don't give a damn about that" Jungkook shot back.

Hyunsik chuckled softly. "Or maybe you just don't have the courage to face it. Aren't you just running away?"

Fury flashed in Jungkook's eyes, his fists clenched. But before he could respond, Taehyung gently intertwined his fingers with Jungkook's.

He looked at him, nodding with a reassuring smile. The warmth in Taehyung's eyes gave Jungkook newfound strength.

Taking a deep breath, Jungkook walked back and sat down, leaning against the couch. His gaze was hard, unwavering.

"Fine. Tell me. But nothing will change my mind. There's no way I'll fall into this trap."

Hyunsik's smile widened as he leaned forward, "We'll see, Jungkook. We'll see."

Jungkook frowned, but didn't say anything. He held Taehyung's hand tight as they waited for Hyunsik to speak.

The room was cloaked in a heavy silence. Hyunsik seemed lost in thought, staring intently at a spot on his desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished wood of his desk.

Finally, he sighed, rising from his seat to walk over to the window. The night outside was serene, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside the room.

Without turning around, Hyunsik began, his voice steady but carrying the weight of old, buried pain.

"Before you know the truth, you must hear a story," His voice was low, almost a whisper, as if he were speaking to himself. "A story about a man and a woman in love."

Jungkook and Taehyung exchanged a quick glance, curiosity piqued.

Hyunsik continued, "The man loved the woman deeply. He did everything in his power to make her happy, fulfilling all her wishes and ready to go to any extent for her. They were together for years and decided to get married. But at the last moment, the woman backed off. She said she couldn't be involved in the man's life anymore. Their worlds were too different."