Hours turned into a blur of darkness and silence. Lisa remained huddled in the corner, her body trembling uncontrollably from fear and exhaustion. Her cries had long faded into soft whimpers, and her eyes, now red and swollen, stared blankly at the dimly lit floor.
Jungkook’s presence was a constant shadow over her world. The room felt colder, the silence heavier. Yet, despite the harshness that had dominated the earlier hours, a strange sense of calm had settled over Jungkook. His demeanor, though still intense, had shifted from menacing to something softer, almost tender.
As the hours passed, Jungkook’s anger and possessiveness seemed to wane, replaced by an unusual, unsettling gentleness. He approached Lisa once more, his footsteps slow and measured. His face, previously a mask of cold determination, now bore a hint of something softer—a trace of concern, a flicker of remorse.
He crouched down in front of her, his eyes searching hers for a moment. “Lili,” he said quietly, his voice softer than before. “You’ve been so brave.”
Lisa’s gaze met his, filled with a mixture of fear and confusion. She had expected more harshness, more control, but instead, there was a softness in his eyes that she didn’t understand. She didn’t know what to make of this sudden change in his behavior.
Jungkook extended a hand toward her, his touch tentative as he brushed a lock of hair away from her face. “I know things have been… overwhelming,” he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. “But I want you to know that I’m here for you. I’ll take care of you.”
Lisa’s heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. It was so different from the cold, commanding tone he had used before. She didn’t know if she could trust this shift in his behavior, but a small part of her wanted to believe it was real. Her eyes, still filled with tears, searched his face for any sign of deceit.
Jungkook’s fingers gently traced the outline of her cheek, his touch surprisingly tender. “I’m sorry for scaring you,” he said softly. “I know I’ve been harsh, but it’s only because I care about you. I want to keep you safe.”
The words were a balm to her wounded spirit, though they felt foreign coming from him. Lisa could barely comprehend the complexity of his emotions. Her body slowly began to relax, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little as she absorbed his words.
Jungkook took a deep breath, his eyes softening further as he continued to speak. “I understand if you’re scared or upset. But please, try to trust me. I’m not going to hurt you. I just… I just want you to be happy.”
He gently helped her to her feet, his hands guiding her with a care that was almost tender. “Let’s get you out of this corner,” he said, his voice soothing. “Come sit with me on the bed. We can talk, or just be quiet. Whatever you need.”
Lisa hesitated, her body still shaking slightly, but Jungkook’s gentle demeanor was difficult to ignore. She allowed him to lead her to the bed, where she sat down, her eyes never leaving his face. Jungkook sat beside her, his posture relaxed, as if he was trying to convey that he was no longer a threat.
He reached for her hand, his touch warm and comforting. “I know you’re scared,” he said, his voice filled with a soft, reassuring tone. “But you’re not alone. I’m here. And I want to make things right between us.”
Lisa’s heart ached at the sincerity in his eyes. The fear that had gripped her slowly began to recede, replaced by a tentative hope. She allowed herself to lean into him, seeking comfort in his presence.
Jungkook’s arm wrapped around her, pulling her close in a gentle embrace. “I promise,” he murmured, his voice soft and earnest, “I’ll do everything I can to make you feel safe and loved. You mean everything to me.”
