"In the labyrinth of destiny, we are all bound by threads we can't see, yet feel with every heartbeat. To love, to struggle, to be forever intertwined-this is our fate, both cruel and beautiful."
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Taehyung's eyes darkened, his gaze piercing through Ana as the words left her lips: "I know Ji-ah." The room seemed to freeze around them, the air thick with tension. He didn't waste a second-fury flashing across his face as he lunged toward her, his hand wrapping tightly around her neck.
His grip was firm but controlled, sending a clear message that his patience had run out. "Tell me everything," he demanded, his voice a low, menacing growl, "or else it won't be nice, Anastasia Quinn."
Ana gasped, her breath caught in her throat, fear flashing in her eyes. The sound of her name-her real name-on his lips sent a chill down her spine. He knew. He knew everything.
Her mind raced, but her body was paralyzed by the force of Taehyung's presence. The intensity of his rage left no room for lies or excuses. He leaned closer, his face inches from hers, his breath hot against her skin as his fingers pressed harder into her neck.
"How do you know Ji-ah?" he spat, his voice trembling with barely contained rage. "What the hell have you been hiding from me?"
Ana's heart pounded in her chest, her throat tight under his grasp, but she forced herself to meet his eyes. She could see the raw pain behind his anger, the betrayal that cut deeper than any words could express.
"T-Taehyung," she choked, her voice barely a whisper, "I... I can explain."
"Then start talking," he snarled, loosening his grip just enough for her to speak, though the threat of his fury lingered like a blade at her throat. "Tell me everything. Now."
Ana's voice trembled as she began to speak, her words spilling out in a rush as Taehyung's grip loosened slightly around her neck.
"Ji-ah... Ji-ah was a foster child," Ana stammered, her gaze darting nervously between Taehyung's burning eyes and the floor. "She was abandoned in a Russian orphanage at the age of thirteen. After that, she was adopted by a rich Korean couple, and... and I didn't see her again for a long time."
Taehyung's grip tightened slightly, his impatience evident. "Keep talking," he demanded, his voice cold and unforgiving.
Ana swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. "Before I came to Korea," she continued, her voice barely audible, "I received a letter. It... it was from her. Or at least, it seemed like it. The letter had Ji-ah's name on it, and it came with a book and plane tickets to Korea. But I don't know who sent it. The letter said Ji-ah was killed. It told me to come here and find out who was behind it."
The words tumbled out in a rush, each syllable filled with fear and desperation. Ana could feel Taehyung's fury radiating from him, his body stiff with rage. She hurried to finish her explanation, her hands trembling as she reached into her pocket, pulling out the worn envelope that had been haunting her since the day she received it.
