Stuck With You || Kim Taehyung

Part 69

The Park mansion had never been this quiet. The sound of the clock ticking in the hall felt heavier than usual, echoing through the empty corridors. Every room carried the scent of incense and wilted flowers — reminders of a life gone too soon.

Ryujin's photograph rested at the center of the living room altar, surrounded by white lilies. Her smile — the one that used to fill this house with chatter — now stared back in silence.

Mr. Park sat in the corner, his face pale and distant. He had known heartbreak before. His wife's betrayal years ago had been the first storm — one that tore their family's foundation apart. But this? This was different. Ryujin had been a broken soul, yet she was his daughter-in-law. The one who tried to piece the Parks together again, even when she herself was barely holding on.

Jimin stood beside him, stiff and wordless. His hands were shoved in his pockets, his eyes swollen from lack of sleep. He hadn't cried since the day he identified her body — but his silence said more than tears ever could.
He had never truly loved her — not the way she wanted — but guilt still pressed against his chest. She had begged for his love once, pleaded to be seen, and he'd kept his distance. Now, she was gone forever.

"Appa," Jimin whispered, his voice hoarse. "I didn't think... she'd actually..." He couldn't finish.
Mr. Park's eyes stayed fixed on the altar. "Some people don't need a reason to fall apart, Jimin. They just... get tired of pretending they're fine."

When the news broke, the media stormed in instantly. Park Corporation's Daughter-in-Law Found Dead. The headlines flooded social media and business channels across Korea and abroad. Every major conglomerate sent condolences. Cars filled the long driveway — CEOs, business associates, old family friends — each offering sympathy that felt mechanical, rehearsed.

Behind those walls, grief lived quietly. Jimin bowed to each guest, murmuring the same practiced words. Mr. Park barely spoke, nodding occasionally, his body present but his spirit far away. Even Mrs. Park — the ex-wife who had left them years ago — sent flowers. Jimin threw them away.

Later that evening, Y/N and Taehyung arrived. Y/N's eyes softened when she saw the portrait — Ryujin looked peaceful, almost unaware of the chaos she had left behind.
When Y/N bowed to Mr. Park, the weight in her chest tightened. Because suddenly, the memory came back — that moment in the hospital, when Ryujin was discharged and Y/N's sharp words had cut deeper than she meant. "Some mistakes can't be fixed, Ryujin."
She'd said it in anger, but now those words echoed inside her like a curse.

Jimin managed a faint smile when he saw them. "Thanks for coming," he said quietly.
Taehyung placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to thank us, Jimin. She was family."
Y/N didn't speak. She just looked at the framed photo again, whispering silently — I'm sorry.

A week passed after the funeral. Life went on, as cruelly as it always did. The headlines faded, condolences stopped coming, and the mansion slowly returned to its empty silence.
Mr. Park began going back to his office, though his steps seemed slower now. Jimin busied himself with company work — it was easier to hide behind meetings and business calls than to face what lingered in his heart.

Meanwhile, Y/N had her own small moment of light — her doctor finally gave her the green signal to travel. "You can go to Jeju Island," the doctor said, smiling. "But avoid long-distance travel for now."
Y/N smiled, excitement flickering faintly in her tired eyes.

Taehyung, of course, was more nervous than excited. And just like last time, he ended up embarrassing himself again.
He had come prepared with a list of "pregnancy-related" questions — but halfway through, the doctor gave him a look.
"Mr. Kim," she said, holding back a laugh. "You don't need to worry about... those things yet."
Taehyung blinked, confused for a second, and then realized where her thoughts had gone. His ears turned crimson.
Y/N covered her mouth to stop her laughter, but failed miserably.

As soon as they left the clinic, she burst out laughing. "You really need to stop sounding like you're asking for bedroom advice during check-ups."
Taehyung groaned, rubbing his temples. "I swear, I was just asking about back pain—"
"Sure," she teased, grinning. "Back pain."
He shot her a mock glare, which only made her laugh harder.

Later, at home, they began packing. Or rather, Y/N tried to — while Taehyung hovered over her like a mother hen.
He double-checked her prenatal vitamins, packed her pregnancy pillow, her blanket, her favorite tea packets, and even the slippers she wore around the house.
"Taehyung," she said, amused. "You do realize we're going for five days, right? Not five months."
He frowned. "Doesn't matter. You need to be comfortable."
"And what about your clothes?" she asked.
He shrugged. "I'll survive. I'm more worried about you."

By the time they boarded the private jet, Y/N was half-exasperated, half-touched. Taehyung secured her seatbelt twice and made sure she had water before sitting beside her.
As the jet lifted off the ground, he looked at her, eyes soft. "This time, we'll make memories without any hospitals, okay?"
She smiled, resting her hand over his. "Promise."

Outside, clouds drifted across the sky — calm, endless, and free. Inside, for the first time in weeks, their hearts felt a little lighter.

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