Six days had passed since the horrifying events that left Taehyung unconscious, and Irene worried. Her friend’s limp form had lain still, not showing any signs of waking, and Irene had experienced multiple breakdowns as she feared the worst.
The doctors had come and gone, explaining the omega's condition, diagnosing him with mental exhaustion so severe that his brain had essentially shut down. Despite the doctor's reassurances that he would awaken once he regained his energy, Irene’s anxiety did not wane. She spent every hour by his bedside with her heart heavy with worry.
On the third day, a miracle happened. Taehyung's eyes fluttered open. His body trembled as he broke down, sobbing into Irene's arms. The trauma he had endured, the fear, and the memories from the orphanage came rushing back in a torrent, overwhelming him completely. Irene held him close, whispering words of comfort, reminding him they were far away from that place, safe now.
It took nearly five days for Taehyung to recover enough to stand on his own. Even then, his body was slow to heal, his omega physiology making his recovery sluggish and painful. Despite the lingering aches in his injured areas, Taehyung was relieved to be mobile, no longer confined to bed. He stumbled a bit as he walked, but the freedom to move felt like a blessing.
Their flights back to Korea were scheduled in just two days, and Taehyung couldn't contain his excitement. France held nothing but painful memories, and all he wanted was to return home, to leave behind the nightmare that had haunted him since his arrival in this foreign land. His thoughts often drifted to his mate, wondering if he would finally find them upon his return.
*
The omega finds himself in the mansion’s library. The large room is lined with towering shelves filled with books, their spines worn with age. The environment is quiet, almost eerily so, but Taehyung takes a small comfort in the solitude.
Irene introduced him to one of her friends earlier, but he wasn't feeling particularly social. So instead, he excused himself, leaving them to bond while he retreats into this peaceful library.
As he runs his fingers over the smooth leather binding of a book, he can’t help but notice how dull the mansion feels. An oppressive aura seems to permeate every corner of the building, making it feel more like a prison than a home.
