NEVER LET GO (TAEKOOK)

11 - The Road to Ruin

Hours after Taehyung's departure, the penthouse felt colder than before. Jungkook stayed outside, his cigarette long burned out, yet his mind was still clouded with the confrontation. He didn't want to believe it, but Taehyung's words echoed in his head, amplifying his doubts.

Inside, Suga, Jimin, and Jackson remained at the table, knowing the tension between the two was bound to reach a boiling point soon. Jungkook's suspicions were no secret, and Taehyung's attitude hadn't helped ease any of their worries.

Jimin: "We can't keep going like this." He broke the silence, his voice heavy with concern. "The family is falling apart from the inside. If we don't handle this, the third family won't even have to lift a finger."

Jackson leaned back, rubbing his temples. "I know. But what do you expect? Taehyung's playing games, and Jungkook is seconds away from blowing everything up."

Suga, ever the calm one, sipped his drink, eyes flicking between Jimin and Jackson. "It's not just about them. The third family is waiting for us to make a mistake. And right now, we're giving them exactly what they want."

Jackson let out a frustrated sigh. "We need solid proof. If Taehyung's really working with them, then we'll deal with it. But we can't go off of suspicions."

Jungkook finally stepped back into the room, the sound of the door clicking shut behind him. His face was tense, jaw clenched, and eyes dark. He didn't say a word as he moved towards the drink cabinet, pouring himself a glass of whiskey.

Suga watched him closely. "You going to keep pretending this is about the third family, or are you going to tell us what's really going on?"

Jungkook's hand tightened around the glass, his knuckles whitening before he finally spoke, his voice low and simmering with controlled rage. "I don't trust him. Not anymore."

Jimin exchanged a glance with Jackson, but it was Suga who responded, his voice steady. "We all know there's tension, but acting on emotion will get us nowhere. You need to be sure."

Jungkook downed the whiskey in one gulp, slamming the glass on the table. "I am sure. He's hiding something. He's been meeting with someone from the third family, and he's been too secretive about it."

Jimin: "Maybe there's more to it than what we see. You and Taehyung have always been... complicated. Are you sure this isn't just your feelings clouding your judgment?"

Jungkook shot Jimin a sharp look, but the frustration in his eyes wasn't directed at him-it was at the situation. "It's not about feelings. This is about loyalty. And Taehyung's been lying to all of us."

Suga raised an eyebrow. "Loyalty goes both ways. Are you sure you've been completely honest with him?"

Jungkook opened his mouth to respond, but Jackson cut in.

Jackson: "Enough. This isn't the time to argue about who's lying to who. We need to figure out what to do next. If Taehyung's involved with the third family, then we need evidence. And if he's not... then we need to handle this before it blows up in all our faces."

The room fell silent again, each of them lost in their thoughts. Jungkook's mind was racing-Taehyung's mocking smile, the biting words, the betrayal. He hated himself for even doubting Taehyung, but things were different now. The stakes were too high.

_________________________________________

Unbeknownst to them, Taehyung had slipped back into the penthouse just in time to hear everything. His heart pounded in his chest as Jungkook accused him of betrayal, the sting of those words settling in like a slow burn. He lingered just outside the door, listening to the heated conversation unfold, his fists clenched tight by his sides.

Betrayer.

The word echoed through his mind, bouncing off every bitter corner of his thoughts. He had been expecting suspicion, maybe even anger, but this? To be accused of betraying everything they had built together?

Without waiting to hear more, Taehyung turned on his heel, his decision made. There was no going back now.

He stormed off to his room, throwing open drawers and packing everything he could fit into his bag. His movements were quick, almost frantic, but his mind was sharp and focused. He knew what he had to do. There was no time for sentimentality, no room for hesitation.

Jimin, sensing something was wrong, appeared at his door. "Tae, what the hell are you doing?"

Taehyung didn't bother looking up, shoving more clothes into his bag.

"Leaving."

Jimin's eyes widened, panic seeping into his voice. "You can't just leave! You heard what Jungkook said-this isn't the time to make rash decisions. We need to stick together."

Taehyung zipped up his bag and slung it over his shoulder, finally meeting Jimin's eyes. His expression was cold, emotionless. "It's too late for that."

Jimin stepped in front of the door, trying to block his exit. "Tae, please. Don't do this. You can't just walk away. You know this is exactly what they want."

For a brief moment, Taehyung's resolve faltered, but then he straightened, his eyes hardening again. "I'm not walking away. I'm doing what needs to be done."

Without another word, Taehyung brushed past Jimin, ignoring his protests as he stormed out of the penthouse.

---

Outside, a sleek black car was already waiting for him. As he approached, the tinted window rolled down, revealing Jinyoung behind the wheel. He gave Taehyung a questioning look, but there was an amused smirk on his face.

Jinyoung: "Running away already? Or did they finally figure you out?"

Taehyung didn't respond, tossing his bag into the backseat before climbing into the car.

Jinyoung's smirk faltered slightly as he glanced over at Taehyung. "You sure you're on the right track with this?"

Taehyung stared straight ahead, his jaw tight, the weight of his decision heavy on his shoulders. He didn't respond immediately, his mind still reeling from everything that had just happened. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely a whisper.

Taehyung: "It's the only track that makes sense."

Jinyoung raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. "You know you could get killed, right?"

Taehyung's eyes flicked to Jinyoung, his voice steady but cold. "It's the perfect timing. The Park family is going to ruin us, and it's better to strike now-alone."

Jinyoung chuckled, shaking his head. "Alone, huh? And you're okay with them thinking you're the betrayer?"

Taehyung's lips curled into a slight smile, though there was no humor in it. "It's better that way. Let them think I'm the enemy. It'll be easier when I make my move."

Jinyoung's smirk returned as he put the car into gear. "You've got guts, I'll give you that"

As the car pulled away, Jinyoung glanced at Taehyung, a serious look in his eyes. "Just don't get yourself killed in the process."

The unspoken weight of his words hung in the air, a reminder that he was walking a fine line between loyalty to Jackson and helping Taehyung.

Taehyung nodded slightly, the gravity of his decision settling in. He knew the road ahead was fraught with danger, but there was no turning back now.