Bound by Fate

Chapter 54: Fractured Hearts

As Namjoon knelt on the floor, Jin's push sent shockwaves through his entire being. Jin stood trembling, his face streaked with tears, every painful memory of their past crashing down on him. The room felt too small, suffocating under the weight of the emotions that hung between them. Each tear that fell from Jin's eyes was like another dagger driven into Namjoon's heart.

"Moon..." Namjoon's voice trembled as he used the name that once held so much love, a name that had defined their bond. But now, that word seemed to cause more pain than comfort.

Jin's sobs grew louder as he clenched his fists, his voice quivering with agony. "You don't deserve to say that name again," he cried, his eyes filled with raw emotion, flashing with hurt and betrayal. "Everything ended that night, Namjoon. Don't make me remember!" His voice broke as more tears cascaded down his cheeks, and his heart felt like it was being ripped apart all over again. "Why... why am I falling into this hole again?" He choked on his words, fighting the overwhelming emotions.

Namjoon stumbled back from the force of Jin's words. He couldn't believe the depth of the wound he had inflicted. His own tears welled up, his chest heaving with regret. "Jin, please..." Namjoon whispered, standing up and reaching out toward him. "We can talk. We can resolve this. Don't shut me out again."

But Jin shook his head violently, backing away from Namjoon as if his touch would break him further. "There's nothing to talk about," Jin wept, his voice filled with rage and sorrow. "That night..." His voice faltered, and his hands clenched tightly, nails digging into his palms. "That night destroyed everything inside me."

Namjoon's heart broke at the sight of Jin in such torment. He wanted to say something, anything to make it better, to make Jin stop hurting, but the words wouldn't come. Every step Namjoon took closer, Jin seemed to drift further away.

Their argument, filled with pain and unresolved emotions, woke Jaemin, who had been peacefully sleeping until the raised voices stirred him. A soft whimper escaped his small lips, quickly turning into a louder cry, slicing through the tension in the room.

Jin immediately rushed to Jaemin's side, his protective instincts kicking in as he scooped the child up into his arms. His heart ached for his little one, who was being caught in the midst of this turmoil. He glanced at Namjoon, the man he once trusted with his soul, but now... now all he saw was the source of his deepest pain.

Without another word, Jin turned on his heel, Jaemin held securely in his arms, and marched toward his room, leaving Namjoon standing there, lost and broken. He didn't look back as he disappeared down the hallway, and Namjoon could only watch helplessly, tears slipping from his eyes as his whole world seemed to crumble once more.

Jin entered his room, feeling emotionally drained, but the moment he looked down at Jaemin, his heart softened. He gently placed the baby on the bed, lying next to him. But no matter how much love Jin felt for Jaemin, he couldn't shake the hollow emptiness inside him. The memories were overwhelming, suffocating, and the love he still felt for Namjoon only made everything worse.

Silent sobs wracked Jin's body as he lay there, curled around Jaemin, trying to shield him from the darkness that was creeping into his own heart. "Why can't I let go?" he whispered to himself, feeling the war raging between the love and hate he held for Namjoon.

When morning came, Jin was no longer the same. His tears had dried, but the walls around his heart had grown thicker, more impenetrable. He began to avoid Namjoon at every turn, barely sparing him a glance, refusing to engage in any conversations. His heart had been shattered, and no amount of words could glue the pieces back together.

The evening air was filled with tension as the palace buzzed with news that Y/N had gone into labor. The whole family gathered outside the health chamber, their hearts pounding with a mixture of anticipation and nerves. Everyone had been waiting for this moment, especially Hoseok, who paced restlessly outside the door, his palms sweating as he ran his hands through his hair repeatedly.