Second Chance

Chapter 60

After Taehyung and Bam arrived at the mansion, Bam got out of the driving seat, opened the door of passanger seat and pulled Taehyung out by his forearm. Taehyung did not say a word and also Bam remained silent knowing that Taehyung was deeply shaken.

When Taehyung stepped outside, his heart began to race faster. He gripped the car for support and start taking deep breaths.

The mansion was eerily quiet. People were moving around, dressed in white garments for Jungkook's mourning. Every face displayed sadness and eyes were filled with tears. Even though Jungkook wasn't deeply connected with all of these maids still they were mourning the loss of a kind and good-hearted person. He had come here as a child and now he was also going to his final resting place from here itself.

Taehyung stood outside the main gate, unable to muster the courage to go inside. He sat down on the road and began to sob uncontrollably. There was no one to comfort him. He felt ashamed of every mistake he had made and wanted to destroy himself for each one. Today there was no one to trust him, no one to understand him. He was alone in every sense. He continued to cry on the road.

Taehyung’s sobs were loud and raw, echoing in the quiet road. Each tear seemed to carry the weight of his regrets and sorrow, making the air around him heavy with grief. The stark contrast between the serene surroundings and his inner turmoil highlighted just how lost and broken he felt.

The mansion loomed silently, its grandeur now a stark reminder of the loss and the life that could have been. Taehyung’s mind raced through memories of Jungkook moments of laughter, shared secrets, and the warmth of love that now seemed like a distant dream. He blamed himself for not being there, for not making things right and for every chance he missed to show he cared, he loved.

As he sat on the cold road, the reality of Jungkook’s death hit him harder. The emptiness and loneliness were overwhelming. Every face he saw at the mansion, every person in mourning, was a reminder of the community that was now left behind and how Taehyung felt like an outsider to this collective grief.

His heart ached not just from the loss but from the isolation he felt. He wished for a sign, a word of comfort or even a gesture that could ease the burden he carried. But there was nothing only the relentless pull of sorrow and the crushing weight of his own solitude.

Seven-year-old Taehyung was leaving the main gate with his father when he noticed a stranger holding a small, innocent five-year-old child in his arms. The man bowed to the king and began speaking

"Your Majesty, this child's name is Jeon Jungkook. His parents died in a car accident. None of his relatives want to take him in—"

The king understood the situation and instructed, "Taehyung, my son will you please take this little child to room number 20."

Taehyung nodded with a smile, took Jungkook’s forefinger and led him into the palace.

They entered the room and Taehyung gently lifted Jungkook and placed him on the bed. As Taehyung turned to leave, Jungkook grabbed his wrist and with tears in his eyes he spoke

"Hyung, I'm scared to be alone. I'm afraid of the dark. Please stay with me. Pleaseeee."

Taehyung smiled and called a maid. "Aunty, please tell Dad that I’m with Jungkook and he can go for a walk alone."

Taehyung then turned back to Jungkook, sat on the bed and jungkook sat on his lap holding him close. Jungkook buried his face in Taehyung’s neck and cried. Taehyung gently patted Jungkook’s back and stroked his hair, feeling an unusual attraction and affection growing within him.