From Darkness to Light: A Mafia Love Story

Fractured Resolve(20)

I flinched badly when the door burst open, my body tensing instinctively. I stayed curled up on the floor, sobbing softly, my head buried on my knees. I tried to stifle my cries, but my body betrayed me.

Jungkook stood in the doorway, his chest rising and falling heavily, his gaze immediately softening when he saw me. The sight of me, so vulnerable and broken, stirred something deep inside him. He wasn't used to seeing me like this. Anger and frustration were still boiling beneath his skin, but seeing me in such a state weakened his resolve.

He stepped forward cautiously, kneeling down in front of me. His fingers gently lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. I refused to look directly at him, my vision blurred by tears, but I couldn't escape the intensity of his gaze.

"Why do you have to be so goddamn stubborn and disobedient, my little one?" His voice was firm, though there was a trace of concern buried beneath it.

"I'm just tired of you being in control over me constantly and not giving me space to breathe," I cried, my voice trembling as I dropped my head again. My tears fell freely, dripping onto my knees.

Jungkook's jaw clenched at my words, frustration rising again. My defiance was like fuel to the fire burning within him. He was used to having control, to people obeying him without question, and here I was, breaking that expectation. His grip on my chin tightened ever so slightly, his eyes darkening.

"Is that so?" His tone turned cold, hard as steel. "You think you're entitled to make demands? You forget your place, my little one."

I sobbed harder, feeling the weight of everything crushing me. "I'm not demanding..." My voice was small, broken. "I never demanded anything from anyone. Not from Dad...and not from you."

Jungkook's eyes flared, jealousy flickering in them as I mentioned my father. His possessiveness surged forward, jealousy mixing with anger. "Don't you dare compare me to your dad," he said, his tone sharp and cutting. "I'm not him, and you belong to me now. I make the decisions, and you will obey me without question."

"I'm not comparing you with anyone," I whispered between sobs, my voice so low I barely heard myself. "And I don't dare to question your decisions. I know my place." The hopelessness in my voice was evident. It was the resignation of someone who had been fighting too long, and I had nothing left to give.

Jungkook's expression wavered slightly, his anger softening as he looked at my tear-streaked face. He could see how exhausted I was—physically and emotionally. There was a part of him that hated seeing me like this. But he still needed to maintain control. His fingers grazed my cheek gently, wiping away a tear.

"You don't have to cry like that, my little one," he murmured, his voice soft yet still carrying the weight of authority. He reached for me, pulling me closer.

"Please, Jungkook," I begged through my tears, "just give me a break. I've already submitted myself to you. There's nothing more I can do. I can't bear this anymore..." My voice cracked, and I collapsed against my knees again, trembling as my breathing became shallow. My chest felt heavy like I was suffocating under the weight of everything.

Jungkook's heart clenched at my words. He could hear the desperation, the sheer exhaustion in my voice. He wanted to comfort me, to hold me and ease my pain, but his need to assert control, and maintain dominance, kept him conflicted. Still, seeing me like this, so fragile and broken, made it impossible to ignore my pain.

"My little one," he said softly, almost reluctantly, "you need to understand that you're mine. You belong to me. I won't tolerate disobedience or whining from you. But..." His voice softened again, a rare gentleness creeping in. "You don't need to cry like this. You're safe."

I didn't respond, just lay there trembling, tears streaming silently down my face.

Jungkook sighed, realizing that I was at my limit. Without another word, he scooped me up gently, carrying me over to the bed. He laid me down carefully, his touch uncharacteristically tender. He could see how completely worn out I was, and despite his nature, he knew I needed rest.

"Shhh, my little one," he whispered, brushing my hair back from my face as I curled up on the bed. "Just rest now. You need time to calm down."

I moaned softly in pain as he adjusted me on the bed, turning on my side and curling into myself. I was still sobbing quietly, but the exhaustion was quickly pulling me under. My body was giving up. It was late, maybe 1 a.m. and the emotional toll had drained every last bit of energy from me.

Jungkook sat beside me, gently stroking my hair, watching as I drifted in and out of sleep. He stayed like that for what felt like hours, holding me, watching over me.

But then his phone buzzed, shattering the silence. He answered quietly, his expression instantly turning serious as the voice on the other end gave him urgent news.

"I'll be there in 10 minutes," he whispered into the phone, glancing down at me as I slept in his arms, oblivious to the world.

With a heavy sigh, he gently shifted, careful not to wake me as he slipped out of the bed. He dressed quickly, strapping on his gun. He spared one last glance at me, his face a mixture of guilt and determination, before heading out the door to face whatever awaited him.

TO BE CONTINUED....

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