Cold Daughter of Taekook

CDT 22

Taehyung stood in the doorway of the hospital room, his heart heavy as he watched his beloved Jungkook lying in the bed, still as fragile as ever. His dark hair fanned out on the pillow, face pale but peaceful in sleep. It was a sight that tore at Taehyung's soul, knowing he had to leave. A crucial business meeting in London awaited him, and though his mind told him this trip was for the family, his heart screamed at him not to go.

He bent over Jungkook, brushing a soft kiss against his forehead. "I'll be back, honey," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "And you'll be standing on your feet when I return, I promise." His hand lingered on Jungkook's cheek for a moment longer before he straightened, forcing himself to let go. He had to believe his words—had to convince himself this wasn't the last time he would see his wife like this.

Taehyung turned to his daughters, standing by the door with worried faces. He patted their heads, trying to muster a comforting smile. "Take care of your mother while I'm gone. I'll try to come back as soon as I can."

Varisha nodded, but her eyes were hard, wary. Jungsoon, on the other hand, could only muster a weak nod, her lower lip trembling. Taehyung swallowed hard before leaving, each step away from his family feeling heavier than the last.

The first few days in London went as planned. Every night, Taehyung called Jungkook, checking in on him and the girls. Hearing Jungkook's voice, even weak as it was, reassured him. It made him feel like he hadn't abandoned them after all. But as the days passed, business demands grew, and soon, Taehyung found himself pulled into endless meetings, negotiations, and late-night work sessions. Calls became less frequent, and soon, he was missing them altogether.

Back home, Varisha paced the living room, glaring at her phone. She had tried to reach her father all day, but her calls went unanswered. Too busy to even check on his dying wife, she thought bitterly. Every time her phone buzzed, she hoped it was him, only to see the name that made her blood boil—Karen.

Varisha had always distrusted her father's secretary. Karen was too close, too familiar, always finding excuses to be near Taehyung. And now, as they prepared to leave on this trip, Varisha had confronted her for the first time.

"Stay away from my father, Karen," she had warned coldly, her voice low and deadly.

But Karen had only smiled, a sickly sweet expression that made Varisha's stomach churn. "Oh, you think we're going on a business trip only?" she sneered. "Taehyung is abandoning his ill wife here. No matter what a supermodel your mother was, a handsome man like him needs a beautiful, young, and healthy woman by his side. Your mother's on his deathbed—who knows? I might just become your stepmother one day. Or haven't you heard the rumors about me?"

Varisha's fists had clenched, her nails digging into her palms. "Firstly, it's Mr. Kim for you," she had spat, her eyes narrowing. "The only person who gets to call him by his name is Kim Jungkook, his wife. Secondly, my father doesn't fall for cheap people like you who cling to loyal husbands. So if you know what's good for you, stay away."

Karen had only laughed, the sound echoing in Varisha's ears long after they had departed.

Days passed, and Jungkook's condition worsened. He grew weaker, the cough that plagued him deepening until it seemed to tear at his very core. The doctors had done all they could, but the malnutrition had taken a toll too heavy to reverse.

Jungsoon sat at her mother's bedside one night, tears streaming down her cheeks as Jungkook struggled to breathe. His once-strong frame had grown thin and frail, and it broke her heart to see him like this.

"Eomma, don't scare your bunny like that," Jungsoon whispered, her voice thick with sobs. She clung to Jungkook's hand, shaking with fear.

Jungkook's hand trembled as he reached up to caress her head, his touch gentle despite his weakness. "Eomma is sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible, cracking with emotion.

Jungsoon sobbed louder, burying her face in the bed. "Please don't leave us, Eomma."

As Jungsoon cried herself to sleep, Varisha stepped forward, quietly draping a blanket over her younger sister. She sat beside her mother, her heart heavy with dread. Jungkook's breathing was labored, each breath more painful than the last.

"Varisha," Jungkook whispered, his voice so faint she almost didn't hear it. She looked at him, her chest tightening as he squeezed her hand weakly. "I want to listen to your father's voice one last time before I go."

Varisha froze, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. "Eomma, don't say that. You're not going anywhere." Her voice cracked, betraying the fear she had been trying so hard to hold back.

Jungkook smiled, the kind of sad, knowing smile that broke Varisha's heart. "It's my time, sweetheart. I want you to promise me something."

Varisha shook her head, tears spilling over her cheeks. "No... no, Eomma, you can't—"

"Promise me," Jungkook whispered, his hand trembling as it tightened around hers. "Take care of your sister and your father after I'm gone. You're strong, Varisha. Stronger than you know."

Varisha's heart shattered. She grabbed her phone, desperately trying to call Taehyung again. It rang and rang, but he didn't answer. He never did.

Jungkook's breaths grew more shallow, each one more labored than the last. Varisha's heart raced as she watched him struggle, panic rising in her chest.

"Eomma, no..." she whispered, clutching his hand as if she could anchor him to life. "Please don't go..."

But it was too late. With a final, labored breath, Jungkook's body stilled. The faint beeping of the heart monitor echoed in the room as Varisha's world shattered around her.

"NOOOO, EOMMA!" Varisha's scream pierced the air, her voice breaking with the weight of her grief. Jungsoon jolted awake at the sound, her eyes wide with confusion as she scrambled to her mother's side.

"Unnie, no... this can't be true... this isn't funny!" Jungsoon cried, shaking her mother's lifeless body. "Tell Eomma to wake up! He can't leave us like this!"

Varisha stared at her mother's still form, her mind unable to comprehend the reality of what had just happened. Eomma was gone.

In the silence that followed, only the sound of Jungsoon's sobs filled the room. Varisha's heart hardened with rage, her tears burning as they fell.

I won't forgive you, Dad, she thought bitterly. Not for this. Never for this.

Taehyung had made a promise before he left, but now, with Jungkook gone, that promise felt like a cruel, distant lie. And Varisha's heart filled with a pain she knew would never leave.
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Word Count: 1151
Date written: 09/13/24
Date Published: 09/16/24
Author: Kheliyesh