ENEMIES WITH BENEFITS//TAEHYUNG FF//

EVERYONE

The Han Group Mansion was glowing under golden chandeliers and fake smiles.

Y/N POV

I wasn't supposed to be here.

But Jisoo insisted.

"You deserve to see what he chooses," she had said.

So here I was.

Standing near the edge of the ballroom, dressed simply, blending into a crowd of elites and cameras.

Across the room—

Taehyung.

Black suit. Cold expression. Perfect posture.
And beside him...Her, Miss Han. Elegant. Graceful. The kind of woman families approve of.

The kind of woman I was never meant to compete with.

My chest tightened — but I stayed still. Because I promised myself something. If he chooses them... I walk away without begging.

Taehyung POV

He saw her the moment he entered.

She tried to hide in the background.

But to him? She was the only thing in focus.

His father stepped up to the microphone.

"Thank you all for coming tonight," his father announced. "We are pleased to formally announce the engagement between my son—"

Taehyung's jaw locked.

His father continued.

"—Kim Taehyung, and Miss Han Ara."

Applause filled the hall. Cameras flashed.

Miss Han gently held his arm, smiling politely.

"Would you like to say something?" she whispered.

Yes. He would. He stepped forward. Took the microphone. The room quieted instantly. His father looked satisfied. Confident. Certain.

Taehyung scanned the crowd.
And found her. Y/N.

Standing still, Not crying, Not dramatic., Just... prepared to leave.

That hurt more than tears would have.

He inhaled slowly.

"Thank you all for coming," he began calmly.

His father nodded approvingly.

"But before anything is finalized..."

The room shifted.

"I need to correct something."

His father's expression changed.

Miss Han stiffened.

Taehyung's voice was steady. Loud. Clear.

"I am not getting engaged tonight."

Gasps echoed.

His father stepped forward sharply. "Taehyung—"

"No," he said firmly. "I won't marry someone for business."

Cameras flashed faster now.

Whispers exploded across the hall.

"This alliance is important," his father warned quietly through clenched teeth.

"And so is my life."

Then he did something reckless.

Something irreversible.

He stepped down from the stage. Walked straight across the ballroom. Every eye followed him. Until he stopped in front of her.

Y/N froze.

"What are you doing?" she whispered.

"Making a choice."

The silence was suffocating.

He turned slightly — making sure every camera could see.

"There is someone I already care about," he said clearly.

The room erupted again.

My heart nearly stopped.

"Taehyung—" I tried to stop him.

But he wasn't looking at the crowd.

He was looking at me.

"I was a coward once," he said softly, just for me. "I won't be one again."

His hand reached for mine.

Warm. Certain.

"If I have to fight my entire world," he said quietly, "I'll do it knowing I didn't lose you because I was afraid."

My mind screamed. This was insane. Public, Explosive, Dangerous.

"Do you even realize what you just did?" I whispered.

"Yes."

"And if I walk away right now?"

His fingers tightened slightly.

"Then I'll accept it."

No manipulation, No pressure, Just truth.
The entire room waited.
His parents.
The media.
The bride-that-wasn't.
Everyone.

And for the first time—    The decision was mine.