𝔒𝔟𝔰𝔢𝔰𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔬𝔣 𝔐𝔞𝔣𝔦𝔞

22

Taehyung's breathing was ragged, his chest heaving with the weight of what he'd just done. He stared down at Joon-syuk's bloodied body, his fingers gripping the knife so tightly his knuckles were white. His mind spun in the chaos, rage still simmering just beneath his skin. The room smelled of metal and death, but he couldn't focus. Not yet. Not until Hae-rin was safe.

But before he could take another step toward her, the sound of footsteps filled the corridor. The door burst open, and Jungkook entered the room, flanked by a squad of heavily armed bodyguards, their guns raised and ready. They moved like a well-oiled machine, spreading out to cover the room, but Jungkook's eyes locked on Taehyung, taking in the scene—the lifeless body of Joon-syuk, the blood splattered across Taehyung's shirt, and the fury still burning in his eyes.

"Taehyung!" Jungkook's voice was commanding, but Taehyung didn't respond. He raised his gun again, his grip trembling with adrenaline, his focus solely on Joon-syuk's lifeless form.

Without warning, Taehyung shot Joon-syuk again. Once. Twice. Again and again, until the sound of the gunfire filled the room, his face twisted in uncontrollable anger. He wasn't just killing Joon-syuk—he was erasing the betrayal, the danger, the fear. Every shot was an expression of his fury, a promise that no one would ever harm Hae-rin again.

"Enough!" Jungkook shouted, rushing forward, grabbing Taehyung by the shoulders, trying to pull him back. But Taehyung resisted, consumed by the need to end Joon-syuk's existence entirely. His hands were slick with blood, his shirt soaked, the crimson splatters mixing with the dirt and sweat.

"Stop!" Jungkook barked again, this time forcing Taehyung to drop the gun. His hands were shaking, his breath ragged, but as soon as Jungkook's bodyguards moved in to secure the scene, Taehyung's gaze shifted. He turned toward Hae-rin, tied to the chair, fragile and scared.

In an instant, the rage drained from him, replaced by a desperation that burned even deeper. His sharp, cold gaze softened into something almost vulnerable as he rushed to her side. With swift movements, he undid the ropes binding her wrists and gently removed the blindfold.

"Hae-rin," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He scooped her up by the waist, lifting her from the chair, and held her tightly against him. His arms wrapped around her like a protective cage, cradling her as though she might disappear if he let go. He buried his face in her shoulder, breathing in the scent of her hair, the warmth of her body grounding him.

Hae-rin let out a sob, her arms trembling as they wrapped around Taehyung's neck. She clung to him, her fingers gripping the back of his bloodstained shirt, and she cried into his shoulder. "Taehyung... I-I thought..." Her voice broke as the terror of what could've happened crashed over her.

But Taehyung didn't let her finish. He pulled her closer, holding her so tightly it was as though he was afraid to lose her, like the world could still tear her away. "It's okay," he whispered fiercely, his lips brushing her ear. "I'm here. You're safe now."

She sobbed harder, her face buried in the crook of his neck, and Taehyung's arms tightened around her, as if he could shield her from all the darkness in the world. His fingers gently stroked her hair as his body rocked with her sobs, trying to soothe her while he fought his own storm of emotions.

Jungkook stood nearby, watching the scene unfold in silence, his stern expression softening just slightly as he saw the way Taehyung held Hae-rin. He had never seen Taehyung like this—so raw, so vulnerable. It was as if Hae-rin was the only thing tethering him to the world, keeping him from spiraling into complete madness.

"Taehyung," Jungkook said softly, stepping closer, but still giving them space. "It's over. Let's get out of here."

But Taehyung didn't answer. His focus was entirely on Hae-rin, his heart pounding as her sobs slowly quieted. He pulled back just enough to look at her, his eyes searching hers, as if needing to see for himself that she was really okay.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice rough. "I should've protected you better. I should've been there."

Hae-rin shook her head, her eyes glistening with tears. "You came. You saved me," she murmured, her voice weak but full of relief. "That's all that matters."

Taehyung closed his eyes, pressing his forehead against hers, his breath shaky as he fought to hold back the emotions threatening to overwhelm him. "I'll never let anyone hurt you again," he vowed, his voice a low, fierce whisper. "Never."

Hae-rin nodded, her arms still wrapped around his neck, her fingers playing with the strands of his hair as if trying to convince herself that this was real, that they had survived.

Together, they held onto each other, both of them broken but still standing, surrounded by the blood and chaos that seemed like a distant memory now that they were in each other's arms.