HIS CONCEALED DESIRE | THV (21+)✓✓ | KTH FANFICTION ✅✔️

FIFTY SEVEN

TAEHYUNG'S POV

The engagement ceremony of Jaewon was in full swing. Guests moved about, laughing, talking, celebrating the love that was about to be solidified between my brother and his fiancée.

But I stood at a distance, my heart miles away from the happiness that surrounded me. My hand gripped the glass of whiskey tighter with every passing second, the cool liquid barely doing anything to numb the burning in my chest.

I watched as Jaewon stood before Hyemi, his fiance ,his eyes full of love, a smile so wide it was impossible not to feel the warmth emanating from him.

The room was filled with cheers and applause as he took the ring, a symbol of his devotion, and slid it onto her finger. The look in his eyes was one of pure adoration, a look I had once worn when I gazed at Vesta.

Vesta.

Her name echoed in my mind, bringing with it a fresh wave of pain. I could almost see her, standing beside me in that moment, her soft smile lighting up the entire room, her eyes shining with love just for me.

But she wasn't here. She was somewhere else, with someone else. And the thought of her slipping away, of her marrying another man, was tearing me apart.

My fists clenched around the glass in my hand, the pressure of it threatening to shatter the fragile object. I tried to focus on the ceremony, on Jaewon and Hyemi, but all I could think about was Vesta-how it should've been her and me, how everything had gone so wrong.

I didn't realize Hansol and Naeun had noticed my distress until I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see them both standing there, their faces filled with concern. They'd always been able to read me too well, and now was no exception.

"Uncle Tae," Naeun scoffed. " it's like we can literally see through you at this point. "

Hansol nodded, his eyes searching for mine as if trying to figure out what to say. "You don't have to just stand here and watch, Uncle. You can still do something about it."

I frowned, my grip on the glass tightening even more. "It's too late." I muttered, though the words felt wrong as they left my lips.

Hansol shook his head. "It's not. You love her, Uncle Tae. And she loves you. We can all see that. You can't let this be the end."

"Uncle Jae would understand," Naeun added, her eyes pleading with me to see reason. "He'd want you to be happy, just like he is right now. You deserve that, Uncle Tae. You deserve to fight for the person you love."

Their words cut through the fog of pain and anger clouding my mind, and for the first time in hours, I let myself think about it-really think about it.

Vesta wasn't married yet. She wasn't lost to me completely. There was still time. There was still a chance.

The memories of Vesta came flooding back, each one sharper and clearer than the last. Her laughter, her touch, the way she looked at me like I was the only person in the world.

Every moment we'd shared, every kiss, every promise-it all flashed before my eyes, and with it came a realization so strong it nearly knocked the breath out of me.

" I'm afraid of losing you, Taehyung. "

" I'm not going anywhere. I promise. "

"I can't let her go" I whispered, more to myself than to them when one of our conversations strolled through my mind.

The weight of those words settled over me like a cloak, and I knew, deep down, that this was it. This was the moment I had to decide, once and for all, what I was going to do.