You Never Know [JIKOOK]

49. Life

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"C'mon, Ma, it's time to eat." Taehyung's voice was soft but firm as he carefully moved the spoonful of soup toward Mrs. Park's lips. She turned her face away, weakly but deliberately, her gaze fixed on the window.

"I don't want to," she murmured, her tone distant.

Taehyung let out a long, controlled breath, setting the bowl gently on the bedside table. He sat down beside her, his hands clasped in his lap. "Ma," he started, his voice gentler this time. "What's wrong? Is there something on your mind? You can tell me."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the kind that pressed on Taehyung's chest as he watched Mrs. Park's face. Her expression was unreadable, her eyes glassy as they stared into the distance. He knew her well enough to understand what was behind her silence-she missed Jimin.

"Am I... not a good mother, Taehyung-ah?" Her voice cracked as the question broke the quiet, frail and trembling.

Taehyung blinked, momentarily stunned. "Of course not, Ma," he replied instantly, his tone laced with sincerity.

"Then why doesn't Jimin want to see me?" Her lips quivered, tears threatening to spill from her tired eyes. "Why doesn't my baby want to see me anymore?"

"Ma-"

"He must be angry at me," she interrupted, her voice shaking as the tears began to fall. "Angry because I hid everything from him. I didn't mean to make him sad or mad." She wiped at her tears with a trembling hand. "It wasn't my intention."

Taehyung leaned forward, his heart aching at her vulnerability. "I know, Ma. I know you didn't mean it."

Her sobs grew louder as her emotions overwhelmed her. "I just wanted to protect him. He's so fragile, Tae. So fragile that I took on all his burdens-his pain, his questions, his anger. I didn't want him crying every night, asking why his dad left us, why his baby left him, why even his husband left him."Her teary eyes met Taehyung's, her despair written in every wrinkle of her face. "But he never noticed... I'm still here, Tae. I've always been here, fighting for my life just to stay with him. Yet, he left me too." Her words came out in gasps, her frail shoulders shaking as she cried. "I understand he's sad. I understand he needs time. But I need him too. He's my life. How can I fight for my life when my life is slowly slipping away from me?"

Tears welled in Taehyung's eyes, spilling over as he reached for her hand, holding it gently. "Don't say that, Ma," he said, his voice breaking. "Jimin loves you. He always has. He's just... going through so much. We both know how hard it's been for him. Sometimes, he needs to be alone to process everything."Taehyung wiped her tears with his palm, his own falling unchecked. "Please don't cry. If Jimin sees you like this, he'll only worry more."

Mrs. Park didn't respond, her gaze drifting back to the window. Taehyung sighed deeply, his heart heavy as he stood. "I'll leave the soup here on the nightstand, Ma. Please try to eat later."

She hummed softly, barely acknowledging his words as he left the room. The door clicked shut, leaving her in solitude once more. But before she could sink further into her thoughts, she felt the bed dip beside her.

She didn't look at first, assuming it was Jin. But then she felt a familiar touch-a hand holding hers, tracing her wrinkled skin with trembling fingers.

"I-I'm sorry, Mom," a weak, tearful voice said.

Mrs. Park froze, her heart pounding in disbelief. Her lips parted, but no words came out at first. Slowly, she turned her head, afraid that she might be imagining things.

"J-Jimin?" she whispered, her voice breaking. Her eyes widened as she saw her son sitting by her side, tears streaming down his face. "Is... is that really you, baby?"