The Other Woman→𝙆𝙏𝙃

[Twenty Two; I will Protect You]

•
[AGE SIXTEEN]
[Y/N]
•

"I don't want to do this," Suah says softly, her voice barely audible over the chatter around us.

"Then you don't have to." I cut through the noise with a sharp tone, my words final.

The two guys standing in front of us groan in unison, clearly annoyed.

"Seriously? Why say no after we've already come all the way up here?" one of them complains, gesturing at the icy hill behind us.

We were supposed to be jet skiing, a plan conceived by my parents to get me, Suah, and these two morons to bond. Ila was supposed to join us, but she backed out at the last minute.

"Don't ruin the fun for everyone just because one person chickened out," the taller one sneers, his tone laced with irritation.

That did it.

I glance at Suah. She's looking down, her hands fidgeting nervously. The sight of her timid frame under their mocking gaze is enough to make my blood boil.

In one swift motion, I grab the taller guy by his collar and pull him close. "Listen, fuckface," I growl, my voice low and venomous. "I said what I said. Now take your little buddy and get out of here before I rearrange that smug face of yours."

They both freeze, wide-eyed, clearly startled by my threat but too proud to show it.

"Okay, jeez!" he mutters, trying to play it cool as he pulls away. "Shouldn't have come with you, anyway. Let's go, Kev." He turns to his friend, and they both leave, mumbling curses under their breath.

Good riddance.

I turn to Suah, who's watching me with wide, unsure eyes. "You okay, Su?"

She nods hesitantly. "I'm sorry, Y/n. It's my fault—"

"Su," I interrupt gently. "What did I tell you about saying sorry?"

"That I shouldn't be sorry for myself," she recites, her voice still soft but steadier now.

"Exactly." I smile, and slowly she smiles back, her face relaxing. I ruffle her hair. 

I love this girl. She's timid, sure, but she is also pure and untainted by doubt. And she trusts me completely. That trust is something I'll protect with my life, no matter what.

"Those boys were mean," she mutters.

"Little bitches," I say bluntly, earning a laugh from her.

"Y/n!" she gasps through her giggles. "You swear so much!"

"Yeah, well, they deserved it," I retort, grinning. "But don't let them scare you, okay? You've got me. No one's going to mess with you while I'm around. Okay?"

Her smile widens and she nods.

Maybe she won't need someone like me to fight her battles forever, but as long as she needs me, I'll be there.

I will protect her.

•
[BACK TO PRESENT]
•

I didn't.

I didn't protect her.

In fact, I ruined her life. I killed her.

That flashback. Car crash, blood, screams. It was when I was forced to cut her life short. All because of my simple recklessness.

"Y/n!"

Taehyung's voice snaps me out of my spiralling thoughts. A jolt runs through me as I'm yanked back to the present. His breathing is harsh, like he's been running, but the panic in his eyes is what throws me off.