Sacrifice || ENHYPEN FF

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 101

~1 yr anniversaryy of Sacrificee whoohoo!!!!! 19/01/2025~

-Start of Chapter 101-

Riki's POV

I sit on the edge of my bed, turning the silver necklace over in my hands. The sunlight catches on the delicate chain, making the pendant glimmer softly. 

A knock on the door.

I inhale deeply, closing my fingers around the necklace before saying, "Come in."

The door creaks open, and Jia steps inside, her movements careful, measured. She bows slightly. "Sir Ni-ki... you called for me?"

"Y-Yeah..."

It feels... different, the air between us.

I clear my throat, looking down at the necklace again. "This... it's a family heirloom," I say, my voice barely more than a whisper, fragile in the quiet room. "The eldest daughter always gets it. When Mother was sick... she knew... she knew her time was running out. So, she gave it to Noona." My breath hitches, and I pause, trying to keep my composure. "But..."

I glance up at Jia, her eyes still on me, unwavering. She doesn't speak, but her silence says more than words could.

Jia says nothing, her eyes steady on me.

I exhale shakily, then finally look up.

"...Now that she's gone, it belongs to you."

I take Jia's hand, opening her palm before placing the necklace inside. My fingers linger against hers for a second longer than I mean them to before I pull away.

"Keep it. It's rightfully yours now."

She stares down at the necklace, her fingers tightening slightly around the pendant. Her lips part, like she wants to say something, but no words come out.

Her hand trembles. Just a little.

I watch her carefully, the way her chest rises and falls in shallow breaths, the way her fingers press into the delicate silver chain as if she's afraid it'll slip through her hands.

Like she's afraid it's not really hers to hold.

I swallow hard, my voice quieter now. "It's yours, Jia."

She blinks, her lashes fluttering like she's trying to push back whatever storm is rising behind her eyes.

"I... I don't know if I can take this," she finally whispers. "It's too much."

I shake my head. "It's not."

She looks up at me then, something raw and fragile in her expression, something I don't think I've ever seen before.

"I'm not... Noona." Her voice is barely above a breath. "I can't replace her."

The words hit deep, but I don't flinch. Instead, I gently close her fingers over the necklace, my own hand lingering atop hers.

I murmur. "You're not supposed to."

She exhales shakily, staring down at our hands, at the weight of what I've just given her.

"But she would have wanted you to have it."

Jia swallows, her throat bobbing. Then, slowly, her grip around the pendant tightens, like she's finally letting herself believe it.