Veil of Vengeance | JUNGKOOK FF

Chapter 58

The hospital's fluorescent lights seemed harsher than usual as Y/N sat frozen outside the operating theater. Her hands trembled uncontrollably, stained with Jeongguk's blood. Her heart raced, each beat pounding in her ears louder than the chaotic sounds around her—doctors shouting instructions, the mechanical whirring of medical equipment, and the distant echo of footsteps.

A nurse rushed past her, and Y/N suddenly stood up, gripping the hem of her blouse as tears streamed down her face. "Is he... is Jeongguk going to be okay?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The nurse offered her a sympathetic glance but didn't stop. "The doctors are doing everything they can. Please wait here Mrs. Jeon."

Y/N staggered backward, her legs giving out as she sank into the plastic chair behind her. A sharp sob escaped her lips, and she pressed her hands to her face, muffling the sound.

"How did this happen?" she whispered to herself. "Why did he do that? Why didn't he just—" Her voice broke as fresh tears spilled over.

The memory of Jeongguk's pained smile flashed through her mind: "Because you're everything to me." The words replayed over and over, making her chest tighten painfully.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She fumbled to retrieve it, her hands still shaking. It was Namjoon. Without hesitation, she answered.

"Y/N, what happened? Jackson called me—he said Jeongguk was shot?!" Namjoon's voice was frantic, a stark contrast to his usual composed demeanor.

Y/N choked back a sob. "He... he took the bullet for me, Namjoonie oppa. Someone tried to... I don't know who, but my Jeongguk pushed me out of the way, and now he's in surgery."

Namjoon swore under his breath. "We're on our way. Just hold on, okay? Stay there."

The line went dead, and Y/N clutched the phone to her chest, rocking back and forth as the weight of the situation bore down on her.

---

Within half an hour, the hallway outside the operating room was filled with people. Namjoon was the first to arrive, his usually calm face now etched with worry. He spotted Y/N sitting on the floor near the doors, her knees drawn to her chest, her eyes red and swollen.

"Y/N," Namjoon called softly, rushing to her side. He crouched down and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay? Tell me what happened."

Y/N looked up at him, her lips trembling. "I... I don't know. We were supposed to go home together. He called me, and then... then someone shot him. He... he shielded me." Her voice cracked, and she broke down, clutching Namjoon's arm.

Namjoon's jaw clenched as he pulled her into a protective hug. "It's going to be okay. Jeongguk's strong. He's going to make it through this."

Y/N shook her head against his chest. "What if he doesn't? What if—"

"Don't even think like that," Namjoon interrupted firmly, though his own voice wavered. "He's a fighter, Y/N. He loves you too much to leave you like this."

The sound of hurried footsteps made them look up. Jeongguk's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jeon, were rushing toward them, their faces pale with fear.

"Y/N!" Mrs. Jeon exclaimed, her voice trembling. She knelt beside her, gripping her hands tightly. "Where's Jeongguk? What's happening?"

Y/N pointed toward the operating room doors, unable to form coherent words.

Mr. Jeon turned to Namjoon, his expression grim. "Have the police been informed? Do we know who did this?"