Jimin: Muffin, I-" Jimin started, his voice thick with regret.
Before he could finish, YN slapped him, her voice barely containing her pain. "Don't... don't ever call me that again," she choked out.
Jungkook came running down the hallway, catching the scene. "YN, please don't-"
Jimin raised a hand, stopping Jungkook from intervening, his own eyes downcast.
Without another word, YN turned and ran, her footsteps echoing down the hallway. Bora followed, her own heart aching as she watched YN break down, her sobs filling the air as they reached the terrace. Bora wrapped her arms around her friend as they both cried, YN's pain raw and exposed for the first time.
As YN sat on the terrace, her knees pulled to her chest, sobs shook her frame. Bora held her, murmuring gentle reassurances, though the betrayal weighed heavily on them both.
Bora brushed her fingers through YN's hair, her voice soft yet firm. "He's not worth your tears, YN. If he could look at you and just... say those things so easily, then maybe he doesn't deserve you in the first place."
But YN shook her head, struggling to find her words. "I thought he was... I thought there was something more. I don't know if I just wanted to believe that, or if he... if he ever actually cared," she whispered, her voice cracking.
Meanwhile, Jimin was pacing the hallway, his chest tight, the sting of YN's slap still burning against his cheek. Jungkook stood nearby, arms folded, his face unreadable. When Jimin finally stopped, Jungkook sighed.
"You really messed up, didn't you?" Jungkook's voice was a low murmur, not accusatory but disappointed.
Jimin clenched his fists, his head hanging as he fought to keep his emotions in check. "It wasn't supposed to go like this... You don't understand, Jungkook. My mother... she doesn't just talk, she threatens," he whispered, his voice cracking.
Jungkook took a step closer, eyes filled with worry. "What do you mean?"
Jimin exhaled shakily, his hands trembling as he continued, "She said YN's parents work in our company, and she's already considering letting them go. If she even suspects there's something between me and YN... she'll ruin their lives, Jungkook. She'll make sure they lose everything."
Jungkook's eyes widened in shock, the realization hitting him hard. "Are you serious, Jimin? She'd go that far?"
Jimin nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor as a tear slipped down his cheek. "She would. She's already made it clear that YN is a distraction... one she doesn't approve of. If I don't cut ties, she'll make YN's family pay the price."
Jungkook placed a hand on Jimin's shoulder, watching his friend struggle to keep himself together. "Jimin, this isn't fair to either of you. Why didn't you just tell YN the truth?"
Jimin took a shaky breath, his voice soft and filled with raw emotion. "Because... if she knew, it would only hurt her more. She'd try to fight it, and my mother would destroy her family without a second thought."
He paused, swallowing hard before admitting, "From the beginning, I pushed her away... because I fell in love with her the moment I saw her. I knew my mom wouldn't approve, and I thought... maybe if I kept my distance, I could protect her. But every time I tried, I ended up getting closer instead."
Jungkook's face softened with understanding as Jimin continued, "I thought... maybe if I could convince myself it was just a phase, something I could walk away from... I'd keep her safe. But I couldn't, Jungkook. I couldn't stop myself from falling for her. And now... I've ruined everything."
Jungkook squeezed his shoulder gently, offering silent support as Jimin's emotions spilled over. "You didn't ruin everything, Jimin. You cared about her so much that you tried to protect her—even if it meant breaking your own heart."
Jimin looked up, his eyes glassy. "I just wanted her to be happy... to be safe. But now she thinks I don't care... that she meant nothing to me. I can't fix this, Jungkook. Not without risking everything."
Jungkook's expression was one of quiet determination. "Then maybe it's time to stop running from her. To fight for her. If you really love her, Jimin, you can't let your mother control your life. YN deserves the truth... and so do you."
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