Fated Foes ||toptae||

69

Two Years Ago – The Day They Went Home

The air was heavy that night. Neither Taehyung nor Jungkook could tell if it was from exhaustion or the overwhelming fear bubbling inside them. As they stood in front of their respective homes after months of running away, an unspoken understanding passed between them.

They had planned everything in advance. If they wanted their parents to stop interfering, to leave them alone long enough for them to figure things out, they needed to make them believe there was no reason to fight anymore.

And so, with deep breaths and trembling hands, they stepped inside.

At the kim Residence

Mrs. Kim was setting the table when she heard the door creak open. She turned around, and her eyes widened in shock. "Taehyung?"

Mr. Kim stepped out of his study, his expression unreadable.

Taehyung  stood in the doorway, his clothes slightly wrinkled from the journey, his hair disheveled. But what caught his mother’s attention the most was the empty, lifeless look in his eyes.

"I’m home," Taehyung said, forcing a small, bitter smile.

Mrs. Kim rushed toward him, scanning his face. "Where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried we were? Why did you—"

"I was stupid," taehyung interrupted, his voice low and empty. He let out a bitter chuckle. "I thought I was in love… I thought running away with him was the right thing to do."

Mr. Kim folded his arms, his jaw tightening. "And what changed?"

Taehyung  clenched his fists. "He cheated on me."

A sharp silence filled the room.

Taehyung laughed humorlessly. "You always said he was bad for me, right? You were right, Mom. You were so, so right. I gave up everything for him, and in the end, I was just a joke to him."

His voice cracked at the end, and Mrs. Kim’s heart clenched. She cupped his face, her own eyes misting over. "Oh, my poor son… I told you, didn't I? That family is no good. They’re manipulative."

Mr. Kim’s face hardened. "So, the jeons played with my son’s heart?"

"Not just them," taehyung said, lowering his gaze. " himself did. And I was an idiot to believe in him."

Mrs. Kim pulled Taehyung into a hug. "You’re home now, Taehyung . Forget about him. Forget about everything. You deserve better, my son."

And just like that, the Kim family believed the lie.

At the Jeon Residence

Jungkook stood in the middle of the living room, his head lowered. His parents had been waiting for an explanation, and he had none. Not one that would make sense to them.

Mrs. Jeon was the first to break the silence. "Where were you, Jungkook?" Her voice trembled slightly.

Jungkook exhaled sharply, his hands clenching at his sides. "I was stupid, Mom."

Mr. Jeon narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Jungkook swallowed hard. "I ran away because I thought I loved him. Because I thought he loved me too."

Mrs. Jeon’s face twisted in pain. "You… You went through all that just for him?"

Jungkook nodded, forcing himself to continue. "But I was wrong. He cheated on me."