Anger never builds; it only tears down. In the heat of a single moment, it can feel like strength, an armor to hide behind. But when the fire fades, all that's left are the ashes of what once mattered. Anger doesn't solve anything-it devours patienc...
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You can’t control how people treat you, but you can control how long you let it hurt.
Chapter 13: Important
Fortunately, Taehyung accepted Jungkook’s offer to stay with him until he was ready to live on his own. The car ride back to the villa was steeped in silence. Taehyung kept his gaze fixed outside the window, watching the world blur past as though it no longer belonged to him. Jungkook sat beside him, wanting to speak, wanting to offer words of comfort, but he stopped himself. He knew words wouldn’t soothe the kind of ache Taehyung was carrying. Sometimes silence, however heavy, was the gentlest company.
“Sir, we’re here.” The driver finally broke the quiet as the car slowed in front of the villa.
Jungkook muttered his thanks before stepping out and circling around to open Taehyung’s door. He extended a hand, not forcing it, just waiting. For a brief moment, he thought Taehyung might ignore the gesture, but then those slender fingers slipped into his. His grip was weak, hesitant, but he accepted the help.
Even though Taehyung looked drained—his expression pale, his shoulders slumped—he still pulled himself out of the car. Jungkook guided him gently, steadying him without making it obvious, as if afraid that pointing out his fragility would wound his pride.
“The guest room’s already cleaned and prepared,” Jungkook said lightly, trying to ease the tension in the air. “You can settle in there for as long as you need. So… let’s go in, hm?”
Taehyung only gave a faint nod and followed him inside.
As they entered, the staff lined up to greet them. Minyoung, the head maid, stepped forward, her tone calm but respectful. “Sir, the bath is ready for him. Shall we assist?”
Jungkook glanced sideways at Taehyung. The slight shake of his head was enough—his pride wouldn’t allow him to be coddled like that, not now.
“No, he can manage on his own,” Jungkook said, respecting the choice immediately. “Just prepare something light for him to eat. He needs to rest more than anything.”
“Yes, Sir.” Minyoung bowed and disappeared with the others.
Jungkook turned back to Taehyung, his voice softer. “Go and take a bath. I’m sure you can still feel the ashes on your clothes.”
Again, Taehyung gave no argument, just a small nod. Familiar with the guest room already, he slipped away without another word. Jungkook’s eyes lingered on his retreating figure until he vanished down the hall. Only then did Jungkook let out a long breath, dragging a hand through his hair.
He couldn’t shake the unease in his chest. That fire… it didn’t sit right with him. Taehyung had been gone for days, yet the official story claimed a stove was left on. Jungkook had been in this world long enough to know when something reeked of orchestration. No, this wasn’t an accident—it was deliberate. And if it was deliberate, then the same hands that took their parents were likely still at work. The thought made his jaw tighten.
“Mr. Jeon.”
Jungkook turned toward the voice and saw his driver approaching, holding something. “A police officer followed us and gave me these.” He handed over a brown envelope and a small USB drive.
Jungkook frowned, taking them. “What are these?”
“He said Mr. Kim Taehyung was carrying them earlier but forgot them at the station, so he chased after us to return them.”
“I see,” Jungkook murmured. His gaze flicked down at the objects before slipping back to the driver. “Thank you.”
The man bowed and stepped back just as Hayeon, one of the staff, came down the staircase. “Mr. Jeon, the telephone in your office has been ringing nonstop since you left. I believe it might be urgent.”
Jungkook exhaled slowly, a thread of irritation already forming in his chest. “Alright. I’ll take it.”
He went upstairs, the envelope and USB still in hand, and entered his office. The phone was indeed still ringing. He set the items down on his desk, then picked up the receiver. His tone shifted immediately, clipped and formal.
“This is Jeon Jungkook speaking. How can I help you?”
“Mr. Jeon, this is Geo Yumee, secretary of President Han of HL Company.”
Jungkook’s lips twisted in annoyance. He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing. Of all people. “Yes, I know who you are. Why are you calling me?” His voice was edged with boredom.
“President Han would like to confirm whether you will attend the dinner meeting tomorrow, so preparations can be made.”
Jungkook pinched the bridge of his nose. If it were anyone else, he would have hung up without a second thought. But Han was a major shareholder in his company, and until Jungkook found a way to cut ties without damaging his empire, he was forced to play nice.
“Yes. Tell him I’ll come,” he replied curtly.
“Thank you for confirming, Mr. Jeon. Have a good evening.” The line disconnected.
Jungkook dropped the receiver back into place with a sigh. His frustration simmered—Han had been trying for years to push his daughter into his life, parading her like some prize he should claim.
And though Jungkook wasn’t opposed to the idea of marriage in the future, now was not the time. Not when Taehyung was sitting alone in a guest room down the hall, broken from grief. Taehyung was the most important person for him right now and no one else.
The thought startled him. Why him? Why is he the first person I think of, even before business? He shook his head as though trying to dispel the realization. It wasn’t affection, he told himself. It was a necessity. He needed Taehyung—just as Taehyung needed him. That was all.
A knock at the door pulled him out of his thoughts.
“Mr. Jeon,” Minyoung’s voice called through the woods. “Mr. Kim is refusing to eat anything. What should I do?”
Jungkook froze for a beat. That same unease twisted deeper inside him, a quiet urgency. Taehyung was fragile right now—fragile enough that missing one meal might seem small, but it was another crack forming in a dam that had already burst earlier.
He stood, straightening his desk quickly, and without thinking twice, tucked the brown envelope and USB into a drawer. They could wait. Taehyung could not.
“I’ll handle it myself,” Jungkook replied firmly, moving toward the door.
And as he stepped into the hall, he didn’t even realize how natural it had become to drop everything else for the sake of one man.
