SCARRED AFFECTIONS

Chapter 5

Jungkook stood, his chest rising and falling heavily, his eyes filled with a painful resolve. "Let's break up, Taehyung. We're done," he whispered, wiping away the tears that stained his beautiful face.

Taehyung's heart dropped into his stomach as his entire world seemed to crash around him. His hands trembled, reaching out to Jungkook, desperate to stop the words that cut him deeper than any physical wound. "Jungkook, what are you saying? You can't just end it like this."

"I can," Jungkook replied, his voice steadier now, though his eyes were still red and puffy from crying. "I don't want a relationship that has no future. I can't keep waiting."

Taehyung's panic surged as he quickly got up from the floor and grabbed for Jungkook's wrist, but Jungkook yanked his hand away, stepping back, putting more distance between them. "Jungkook, you knew I was a mafia leader from the beginning. You knew what this life would be, and now... now you want to leave me?"

"Really, Taehyung? Don't twist this. You hid the truth from me in the beginning!" Jungkook's voice rose with frustration, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "If I hadn't found out you were a mafia leader by myself, you would've kept me in the dark forever, wouldn't you?"

Taehyung's lips trembled, his heart aching as he looked into Jungkook's hurt eyes. "I love you... that's why I didn't tell you. I was scared you'd leave me if you knew. I didn't want to lose you."

Jungkook shook his head, stepping further away, his face hardening. "If you truly loved me, you would've told me the truth from the start. But instead, you kept me away from your secret life, your dark world, because you were selfish."

Taehyung's eyes brimmed with tears. He couldn't lose Jungkook. Not like this. "Jungkookie... baby, you know I love you more than anything. I'm selfish because I couldn't imagine a life without you. I didn't tell you because I was terrified you'd leave me, and I can't... I can't live without you."

Jungkook's voice broke as he said, "It doesn't matter anymore, Taehyung. I've given you years, and nothing has changed. We don't have a future. I can't keep living like this."

Taehyung's hands clutched his chest, a sob escaping his lips as he stepped toward Jungkook again, his eyes pleading. "Please, Jungkook. Don't leave me. I'll go crazy without you. I won't survive without you. You're my world, baby."

Jungkook's face hardened as he backed up, shaking his head. "No, Taehyung. It's over. Leave." His voice was cold and resolute, but the tears in his eyes betrayed the pain he was feeling. "You need to go."

Taehyung's breath hitched as he took in Jungkook's words, the finality of them crashing over him like a wave. "Jungkook, please..."

But Jungkook stood his ground, his gaze unwavering. "Leave, Taehyung. There's nothing left for us. Please, just... go."

The words hit Taehyung like a punch to the gut. He stared at Jungkook's back, the reality sinking in that this was it. They were really over. He swallowed thickly, his legs feeling weak as he stood there, completely shattered.

Taehyung didn't know how he found the strength to move, but he did. Slowly, his feet dragged toward the door, his heart breaking with every step. He looked back one last time, hoping Jungkook would call him back, hoping for even a small sign that Jungkook might change his mind.

But Jungkook didn't. His back was turned, his shoulders trembling with silent tears.

Taehyung's vision blurred with tears as he opened the door and walked out into the cold night. The wind felt sharp against his skin, but it didn't compare to the pain ripping through his chest. His knees gave out the moment he was far enough from Jungkook's house, and he fell to the ground, his hands covering his face as he sobbed, his heart shattering into a million pieces.

Inside the house, Jungkook collapsed onto the couch, his body shaking with uncontrollable sobs. He buried his face in his hands, his tears soaking his palms as he cried harder than he had in years. The house felt emptier than ever without Taehyung there, and Jungkook's heart ached with the knowledge that he had just pushed away the love of his life.

He had dreamed of a future with Taehyung for so long. He had held onto the hope that one day, Taehyung would change, that they would have the family and life Jungkook had always wanted. But now, he had to let go of that dream.

As he lay there crying, he wondered if he'd made the right decision. But no matter how much he loved Taehyung, he couldn't keep living in a relationship without a future.

**Flashback**

It was six months into their relationship when Jungkook found out about Taehyung's secret.

It was supposed to be a peaceful night, one of those rare moments when everything seemed perfect between them. Taehyung and Jungkook had fallen asleep, wrapped up in each other's warmth, the world outside their bedroom forgotten.

But that calm shattered in the middle of the night. Jungkook woke up to the soft buzz of Taehyung's phone, its light flickering in the darkness. Normally, he wouldn't have bothered with it, wouldn't have given it a second thought. But something made him reach for the phone that night.

As he unlocked the screen, his heart sank.

The messages—cryptic, dark, and unmistakable—revealed the truth. They spoke of shipments, territories, and keeping rivals in check. Jungkook's hands trembled as he read through the texts, his chest tightening with fear and disbelief. It all made sense now. The late-night calls, the unexplained disappearances, and the shadows that seemed to loom over Taehyung's life.

Jungkook had known Taehyung was secretive, but never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that the man he loved was tied to something so dangerous. A mafia life. The reality hit him like a punch to the gut, leaving him breathless, tears stinging his eyes.

For a moment, he just sat there, staring at the messages, the room spinning around him. He glanced over at Taehyung, who was still sleeping peacefully, oblivious to the turmoil Jungkook was drowning in.

Jungkook felt betrayed, lost in a world he never signed up for. This wasn't the future he had imagined with Taehyung. This wasn't the love he had believed in. How could Taehyung keep something this big from him? How could he let him live a lie?

Without waking Taehyung, Jungkook put the phone back on the nightstand, but sleep never came to him that night. Instead, he lay there, eyes wide open, heart heavy, knowing that nothing would ever be the same again.

The next morning, Jungkook couldn't keep his emotions bottled up any longer. The moment Taehyung stirred awake, Jungkook confronted him with what he had found. That day, their love was tested in a way Jungkook had never imagined. They had a massive argument, their voices rising with hurt and frustration. Jungkook was shattered, feeling betrayed by the man he trusted most, and Taehyung was overwhelmed with guilt and fear.

Jungkook came close to breaking up with him that day. His heart felt heavy, as if it was cracking apart under the weight of the truth, and for a brief moment, it seemed like their relationship wouldn't survive. Yet, despite the hurt and betrayal, neither could imagine a life without the other.

The following day, they reconciled. The love they shared was too strong to let go so easily. Jungkook convinced himself that Taehyung's love for him would one day outweigh the darkness of his life. He held onto the hope that Taehyung would eventually leave the mafia behind and give him the peaceful, happy family he longed for.

Jungkook believed, in the depths of his heart, that Taehyung loved him too much to let him go. And so, despite everything, they stayed together, bound by their love, even though the shadows of Taehyung's secret life loomed over them.

**Back to Present**

But now, years later, Jungkook realized how wrong he had been. Taehyung hadn't changed, and the future he wanted was further out of reach than ever. The reality of loving a mafia leader was far darker and more painful than he had ever imagined.

Both Taehyung and Jungkook cried that night, miles apart, their hearts broken in different ways. For Jungkook, it was the death of a dream he had held onto for too long. For Taehyung, it was the loss of the only person who ever made him feel whole.

....to be continued.