SCARRED AFFECTIONS

Chapter 10

Taehyung was in his home office late into the night, the room dimly lit by the small desk lamp casting shadows across his scattered paperwork. His focus was sharp, eyes scanning the documents in front of him when a knock came at the door, breaking his concentration. Without looking up, he called out, "Come in."

The door creaked open, and Hyunjin stepped inside, holding a file folder tightly against his chest. Taehyung glanced up, immediately noticing the tension in his posture.

"Hyung, I've got what you asked for," Hyunjin said quietly, his voice a little shaky, which didn't escape Taehyung's notice.

Taehyung set down his pen and motioned for him to bring the file over. "Let me see," he said calmly, his tone devoid of the usual warmth. Hyunjin handed over the folder, and Taehyung's sharp eyes began skimming through the contents, taking in the detailed information about a business rival he was planning to deal with soon.

"Impressive work, Hyunjin," Taehyung said, nodding approvingly. "You found everything I needed in such a short time. You're quite skilled at this—very thorough. I'm proud of you." His lips curled into a small smile.

Hyunjin relaxed slightly at the praise, though not completely. "Thank you, hyung," he replied.

"Go to sleep. I'll finish up here," Taehyung said, his attention already shifting back to the papers. However, when he noticed that Hyunjin was still standing there, fidgeting nervously instead of leaving, he looked up with a furrowed brow.

"Do you need to tell me something else?" Taehyung asked, his voice curious but firm.

Hyunjin swallowed hard, his throat dry. "Uh... well..." he stammered, his hand tightening around a brown envelope he was trying to hide behind his back. Inside it were photos—photos he wasn't sure Taehyung should see. His hyung had been doing better lately, and Hyunjin didn't want to be the one to drag him back into the abyss of his heartbreak.

"Hyunjin," Taehyung prompted when the younger man failed to continue, his gaze now locked on Hyunjin's nervous expression.

"Nothing, hyung. It's... nothing," Hyunjin quickly said, forcing a smile. "I'll just head to bed. Good night."

Taehyung's eyes narrowed slightly as Hyunjin turned to leave. He noticed the faint glimmer of the envelope that Hyunjin was hiding as he exited the room. A suspicion gnawed at him, but he chose to let it slide for the moment, shrugging it off as exhaustion clouded his mind. He turned back to his work, trying to focus again.

The clock ticked past 2 AM by the time Taehyung finished up for the night. His mind was hazy with tiredness, and all he wanted was to collapse into bed. As he passed Hyunjin's room on his way to his own, he decided to check in on him. Quietly, he cracked the door open and saw Hyunjin fast asleep, curled up under his blankets.

Taehyung was about to leave when he noticed the empty water jar on the nightstand. He frowned, thinking that if Hyunjin woke up thirsty in the middle of the night, he wouldn't have anything to drink. Being the responsible older brother figure he was, Taehyung stepped inside to take the jar and refill it.

As he picked up the jar, his eyes landed on the brown envelope, now laying exposed beside the jar. Something about it called to him. Curiosity burned in his chest. After a moment of hesitation, he took the envelope and opened it.

Inside were photographs—his hand trembled slightly as he pulled them out.

His heart stopped.

There was Jungkook, the love of his life, but not alone. In every single photo, Jungkook was with another man—a stranger. They were together at various places, talking, walking, and... smiling. The pictures told a story Taehyung didn't want to believe. Some photos showed the two sitting in what looked like a café, others had them walking side by side, and one, in particular, showed them seated at what appeared to be a restaurant—an intimate setting. Taehyung's heart clenched painfully.

He felt sick.

"Is this real?" he muttered under his breath as his knees weakened. He had to sit down. Dropping onto the edge of Hyunjin's bed, Taehyung continued staring at the photos, his chest tightening with every passing second.

Did Jungkook move on? Taehyung's mind raced with questions, but none brought him any comfort.

Had Jungkook really forgotten him?

Was someone else filling the space in Jungkook's heart where Taehyung used to be?

It was unbearable. His fingers clenched the pictures tightly, wrinkling the edges as he fought the urge to tear them apart. The man in the photos with Jungkook—he wasn't just anyone. He was someone to Jungkook now. Someone close enough to hold his attention, to make him smile, to—Taehyung couldn't even finish the thought.

Before he knew it, he was on his feet, his breath ragged. The pain in his chest was suffocating. He needed answers. Now.

Grabbing his phone with trembling hands, he dialed one of his trusted men. "I'm sending you some pictures. I need you to find out everything about the man in them. His name, his background, his connections. Every detail."

"Yes, boss," the man replied without hesitation. Taehyung cut the call and sent the photos immediately, his mind swirling with torment.

He staggered towards the fridge, pulling out a bottle of alcohol and taking a long swig. The burn in his throat didn't compare to the ache in his heart. He slumped to the floor, the bottle held loosely in one hand, the photos in the other. Tears began to spill down his face, silent and unrelenting. His entire world was crumbling around him, and the one person who used to be there to catch him—Jungkook—was gone.

The night dragged on as Taehyung downed glass after glass of alcohol, staring at the photos through tear-blurred eyes. He cried, alone, broken, and drunk, wishing desperately for a different reality.

The next morning, Hyunjin tiptoed into Taehyung's room, planning to wake him up gently. But as soon as he stepped inside, he froze. Taehyung was sprawled on the floor, unconscious, surrounded by empty bottles and scattered photos of Jungkook. Panic shot through Hyunjin's veins as he rushed over to his hyung, shaking him gently.

"Hyung! Hyung, wake up!" he called, his voice filled with concern.

When Taehyung didn't stir, Hyunjin cursed under his breath. He lifted Taehyung off the floor and placed him on the bed, covering him with a blanket. His hands trembled as he picked up the photos, instantly recognizing them. He hadn't been careful enough last night. Guilt weighed heavily on him as he quickly called for the maids to clean up the room.

Hours later, Taehyung woke up with a throbbing headache, his mind foggy from the alcohol. But the moment he remembered the photos, he sobered up quickly. He didn't have time for regret or hangovers. His phone buzzed just as he was getting up.

"It's Kim Mingyu," his man said on the other end of the line. "He's the one with Jungkook in the photos. A businessman."

Taehyung's blood ran cold at the name. Mingyu. He'd heard that name before—Jungkook's parents had always mentioned him.

Without another thought, Taehyung grabbed his jacket and left the house, his mind set on one thing: Jungkook.

When Taehyung arrived at Jungkook's apartment, his heart was pounding in his chest, his nerves on edge. He knocked on the door, unable to contain the storm brewing inside him.

The door swung open, revealing Jungkook. The moment their eyes met, Jungkook's face paled, his eyes widening in shock.

"T-Taehyung... you?"

To be continued....