𝔒𝔟𝔰𝔢𝔰𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔬𝔣 𝔐𝔞𝔣𝔦𝔞

20

Taehyung gripped the steering wheel with white-knuckled intensity, the car speeding down the road at breakneck speed. His foot pressed hard on the gas, the engine roaring as he weaved through traffic, each second feeling like an eternity. His jaw was set, his mind spinning with rage and worry. He couldn't lose her—not now, not ever.

As he sped along, he reached for his phone, heart pounding in sync with the rising tension. He tapped into a secret app he'd installed a few weeks ago, a precaution he had taken after realizing the danger Hae-rin could be in just by being with him. He remembered the night when she'd been fast asleep, peaceful and unaware of the world around her. That night, he had secretly placed a tracker in the watch she always wore. He told himself it was for her safety, though part of him knew it was also for his own peace of mind.

Now, that decision could save her life.

With a few taps, he accessed the hidden GPS signal from her watch. His eyes darted to the screen as it blinked to life, showing her location: an old industrial area on the outskirts of the city. His heartbeat quickened as he sent a quick text to Jungkook: **"Found her location. Industrial area, west side. Get there now."**

He didn't wait for a reply, his focus locked on the road ahead. He pressed the pedal harder, pushing the car to its limits. The sleek, black vehicle cut through the city streets like a knife, his bodyguards trailing in two cars behind him. He was going to get her back, no matter what.

***

Hae-rin groaned softly as she slowly regained consciousness, the cold dampness of water on her face jolting her awake. Her head pounded, and she blinked against the darkness, only to realize she couldn't see anything. A blindfold was tightly wrapped around her eyes. Her heart raced with fear as she tried to move, but her wrists and ankles were bound tightly to the chair she was sitting on.

She struggled, but the ropes only bit into her skin, leaving her feeling more helpless with each attempt. Panic swelled in her chest. Her breathing quickened, and the damp, musty air of the basement filled her lungs. She could hear faint echoes, but the world around her felt disorienting, like a nightmare she couldn't wake up from.

Then, footsteps. Slow, deliberate.

She tensed as a shiver ran down her spine.

A voice followed, low and smooth, laced with a cruel familiarity. "Wake up, little one."

Hae-rin's breath hitched. She knew that voice—or at least, it felt like she had heard it before. But from where? Her mind raced, trying to piece together the fragmented memories. The voice was calm, almost mocking, and it sent a wave of dread washing over her.

"Where... where am I?" she stammered, her voice shaky.

The figure chuckled softly, the sound echoing around the room. "That's not important right now. What's important is that you listen."

Hae-rin trembled, trying to keep her composure, but the fear was overwhelming. She could feel the presence of whoever it was getting closer, the sound of their shoes on the concrete floor making her skin crawl. She felt a hand brush her cheek gently, as if mocking her helplessness.

"I've been watching you for a long time," the voice said smoothly. "You're quite precious to Taehyung, aren't you? Let's see how long it takes for him to come running for you."

Hae-rin's heart pounded in her chest, the mention of Taehyung both comforting and terrifying. Whoever had her knew about him—knew enough to use her as bait. But why?

The figure moved away from her, and she could hear more shuffling in the room. Her mind raced, trying to figure out what was happening, who had taken her, and what they wanted.

"Please..." she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "Please, just let me go."

Another soft chuckle echoed in the room, colder this time. "All in good time, little one. But for now, you stay right here. We have a guest arriving soon."

Tears welled in her eyes beneath the blindfold, but she fought them back. She had to stay strong. For Taehyung. For herself.

***

Taehyung's car screeched to a halt in front of the old industrial building, his bodyguards pulling up right behind him. He wasted no time, jumping out of the car and pulling a gun from his coat. His eyes were sharp, filled with a fury that could only be calmed by one thing—getting Hae-rin back.

Jungkook's voice buzzed through his earpiece. "We're surrounding the area. Wait for my signal."

Taehyung clenched his jaw, scanning the building. He didn't care about signals. He was going in, and anyone standing in his way was as good as dead.

He gripped his gun tighter and headed for the entrance, his heart thundering in his chest. This was personal now. They had taken Hae-rin—and they were going to regret it.