Love in the Shadows (KTH x reader x JJK) (18+)

Chapter 46

Y/N's POV-

I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar room, confusion sweeping over me. The shirt I wore was far too large, and my wounds were freshly tended. The last thing I remembered was Taehyung rescuing me. Everything after that was a blur. My heart pounded as I tried to piece together the events that led me here.

Cautiously, I got out of bed and moved towards the door. The living room was empty, but I heard someone in the kitchen. The familiar clinking of dishes and the smell of food gave me a sense of comfort amidst the chaos in my mind. As I approached, I saw Mrs. Lim, Taehyung's longtime housekeeper, bustling around.

"Mrs. Lim?" I called out hesitantly.

She turned and smiled warmly. "Yes, dear. You must have had quite a scare."

"I just woke up and didn't know where I was. What exactly happened yesterday?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Mrs. Lim guided me to the couch. "Even I don't know the full details, but you're safe now. Mr. Kim made sure of that when he brought you here."

I looked around the unfamiliar place, my heart pounding as unease crept over me. Turning to Mrs. Lim, I demanded, "What is this place? Where am I?"

She hesitated for a moment before replying, her tone calm but laced with reassurance. "This is Mr. Kim's penthouse. It's a safe house."

My breath hitched as panic bubbled to the surface. "Safe? What if those attackers find me here too? What if they come after me again?"

Mrs. Lim stepped closer, her eyes steady as she tried to soothe my fear. "You don't need to worry. This place is completely secluded, hidden from prying eyes. No one knows about it except Mr. Kim's closest confidants."

I shook my head, the anxiety clawing at my chest. "But what if they find out? What if someone betrays him? I can't go through that again!"

Her expression softened, but her voice grew firmer. "Listen to me," she said, her tone steady but commanding. "This penthouse isn't just hidden; it's fortified. The security here is unmatched. And Mr. Kim... he would never let anything happen to you. He's made sure this place is untouchable. And all those people are dead. Mr. Kim didn't spare them."

A shiver ran down my spine. Taehyung's ruthlessness was both reassuring and terrifying. I paused, considering my next question. "Do you know about Taehyung's... other life?"

"Yes, I do. I've raised Mr. Kim since he was a child. I know everything about him."

"Doesn't it scare you?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

Mrs. Lim sighed softly and sat beside me, taking my hands in hers. "Sometimes it does, but I know Mr. Kim will protect me. He won't let anything happen to me. He didn't want this life; he had no choice. The throne was vacant, and before rivals could claim it, Mr. Kim had to step in. He has suffered so much."

I thought about Taehyung's scars and asked, "You're like a mother to him. Don't you worry when he gets wounded after such attacks and fights?"

Mrs. Lim squinted her eyes thoughtfully. "I've never seen Mr. Kim get wounded. He hardly gets hurt; he was trained that way. His skills are unparalleled, and he's always one step ahead of his enemies."

"I don't understand," I murmured, a knot of confusion tightening in my chest. "Then what about the scars I saw on him?"

Her face darkened, a shadow of unease clouding her expression. "What scars? I haven't seen any."

I frowned, my voice rising with urgency. "The scars on his back—they look fresh. Just a few days old, at most."

She blinked, her tone growing sharper with disbelief. "That's impossible. Mr. Kim hasn't been in a fight for months. The only incident was *yesterday*—when those attackers ambushed the Kim mansion. He was forced to fight then, but..." She hesitated, searching my face, a flicker of doubt creeping into her voice. "I have no idea what you're talking about."