ENEMIES WITH BENEFITS//TAEHYUNG FF//

The Morning

Few days later1

The atmosphere inside Vanguard Innovations had finally settled.

No lawsuits.

No threats.

No sudden calls from legal teams.

For the first time—

Peace didn't feel temporary.

Y/N was in Taehyung's office, reviewing documents when the door opened without a knock.

She looked up—

And froze.

Standing at the entrance was Mr. Kim.

The man who had tried to destroy everything.

The man who had turned their lives into a battlefield.

Taehyung, standing near the window, stiffened instantly.

"Why are you here?" his voice was cold.

No respect.

No softness.

Just distance.

His father didn't respond immediately.

For once—

He didn't look powerful.

He looked... tired.

Older.

"I didn't come to fight," he said quietly.

Taehyung let out a dry laugh.

"That's new."

Y/N stepped forward slightly.

Not defensively.

But calmly.

"Then why are you here, sir?"

Mr. Kim's gaze shifted to her.

For a moment—

Something like regret flickered.

"I owe both of you... an apology."

Silence.

Heavy.

Unbelievable.

Taehyung's jaw tightened.

"I'm not interested."

But his father continued anyway.

"I built my life believing control was strength," he said slowly.

"I thought if I controlled everything... I would never lose."

His eyes moved between them.

"But I lost my son anyway."

That hit harder than anything else.

Taehyung didn't respond.

Didn't move.

But something in his expression shifted.

Just slightly.

"I attacked your company," his father continued, looking at Y/N now.

"I questioned your worth."

"I reduced you to a weakness."

A pause.

"I was wrong."

Y/N didn't speak.

Didn't soften immediately.

Because she had earned the right not to.

"I see it now," he added quietly.
"You're not his weakness."

His gaze returned to Taehyung.

"You're the reason he became stronger than me."

The room fell silent again.

This time—

Not tense.

Just... heavy with truth.

Taehyung finally spoke.

Low.

Controlled.

"You don't get to walk in here after everything and fix it with words."

"I know."

His father didn't argue.

Didn't defend himself.

"I'm not asking for forgiveness."

"Good."

"I'm asking for a chance... to do better."

That was new.

Very new.

Y/N glanced at Taehyung.

This wasn't her decision.

It never was.

But she stepped closer to him anyway.

Not speaking.

Just... standing there.

With him.

Taehyung noticed.

Of course he did.

His hand brushed lightly against hers.

A silent anchor.

After a long pause—

He exhaled.

Slow.

Measured.

"You don't get to control anything anymore."

"I won't."

"You don't interfere in our lives."

"I won't."

"And you don't ever treat her like she's less than what she is."

His voice hardened.

"Because she's the best thing that ever happened to me."

"And we will get married"

Y/N's breath caught slightly.

Even now—

That still affected her.

His father nodded.

"I understand."

A pause.

Then, quieter—

"I'm proud of you." His dad said.

Taehyung didn't respond to that.

But he didn't reject it either.

And for now—

That was enough.