Rewriting Our Fate ( Sequel Of LoM )

Running From Us

I splashed cold water on my face, trying to steady my breath. My reflection stared back at me—calm, composed, but I could feel the cracks forming beneath the surface. The pressure of his question, the weight of our past, was suffocating.

I needed a moment to breathe, to escape from the intensity of that dinner. But I could sense it wasn’t going to be that easy.

As I wiped my hands with a paper towel, I heard footsteps outside the door. At first, I thought it was just another guest, but then there was a light knock. I froze, my heart sinking. I already knew who it was.

“Jennie,” Taehyung’s voice came through the door, soft but clear. He wasn’t pushing it, but there was no mistaking the urgency in his tone.

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes for a moment before responding. “You’re blocking the ladies' room, Taehyung. People are going to think you're up to something.”

There was a pause, and then I heard a faint chuckle. “Maybe. But I think they’ll understand.”

I turned to face the door, my hand hovering over the handle. Part of me wanted to stay locked inside, to avoid this conversation altogether. But I couldn’t avoid him forever. Not anymore.

I opened the door slowly, and there he was—leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his expression unreadable but focused on me. The hallway was quiet, too quiet, and the tension between us was palpable.

“You didn’t have to follow me,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, controlled.

Taehyung straightened, his gaze never wavering. “I had to.” He paused, eyes softening just slightly. “You didn’t answer my question, Jennie.”

I sighed, leaning against the doorframe. “I told you, this isn’t the time for that.”

He shook his head, stepping closer but still keeping a respectful distance. “You keep avoiding it. You always have.” His voice was low, almost pleading now. “Was it worth it? Walking away?”

I looked down, my heart tightening in my chest. He had no idea how much I had struggled with that question myself. But facing him now, the vulnerability in his voice, it felt like the weight of everything I’d tried to bury was rising to the surface.

I wasn’t ready to answer him. Not here, not now.

Taehyung didn’t move to stop me, but I could feel his eyes on me, waiting for something—anything—that would explain why I left without a word all those years ago.

“Kim Jennie, how long are you planning to ignore me?” Taehyung’s voice cut through the quiet hallway, cold and full of pain. Before I could react, he grabbed my hand, gripping it hard, his frustration evident.

“Leave me, Taehyung! You’re hurting me,” I winced, trying to pull away, but he only tightened his hold, his eyes dark and desperate.

“Answer me, Jennie,” he demanded, his voice trembling now. “Do you have any idea how I’ve been trying to find you for the last five years? Every day, every second without you was hell. Why did you leave everything? Why did you leave " me "? Where were you all these years? Why are you ignoring me? Why are you treating me like a stranger? " Why, Jennie?! Why?! " His voice cracked, and I saw the tears he was fighting back, his anguish raw and real.

I stood there, frozen, my heart breaking at the sight of him like this. Seeing Taehyung, someone I had tried so hard to protect, crumbling before me was a kind of pain I wasn’t ready for. I couldn’t find the words to respond, my throat tightening with guilt and regret.

“Jennie,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “Do you have any idea how I’ve been living since you left?”

His grip on my hand only grew tighter, desperation spilling out in his every word.