THE WORLD SHE PAINTED RED |KTH(18+)

CH-79| EX-LOVER!~

Isabella found Taehyung in his office, poring over some documents. He lifted his gaze at her knock, brows furrowing slightly when he saw the look on her face.

"Everything okay?" he asked, tossing the file onto his desk as he leaned against it. His tone was casual, but his gaze searched hers keenly- looking for something.

Isabella walked over to stand in front of him, fidgeting with the strap of her bag. "I have to head out. My father's calling."

Taehyung stayed quiet for a moment, his gaze flickering to her nervous fingers. Then he sighed, pushing off his desk.

"He can't wait till tomorrow?" he asked, frustration leaking into his voice.

Isabella shook her head. "It's important."

Taehyung pushed a hand through his hair, a muscle ticking in his jaw. He wanted to say more- to ask why her father always interfered, to suggest staying back- but he held his tongue.

"How long?" he asked instead.

"I'll be back by eight," she said, offering a small, reassuring smile. She reached up, brushing

Taehyung caught her hand before she could pull away, pressing a slow kiss to her palm- his eyes locked on hers the whole time.

"You say that every time," he murmured, voice low. "And every time, something *always* comes up."

A beat.

Then he exhaled through his nose, thumb tracing the soft skin of her wrist.

"...Just come back safe."

Not a demand.

A plea wrapped in control.

She nodded softly, leaned in to kiss him once more, and then pulled away.

As she turned toward the door, Taehyung watched her go with shadows in his eyes and silence on his lips.

Because deep down?

He hated letting her walk out alone.

The night was quiet when Taehyung stepped out of his building, his presence commanding even in stillness.

Eunha moved quickly, intercepting him with a desperate smile.
"Taehyung... please. Just one chance. You know what we had- it wasn't nothing."

Her hand reached for his arm, trembling, clinging as if she could anchor herself to him.

But Taehyung didn't move. His eyes locked on hers- cold, unyielding, a fire that scorched without flame. The kind of stare that stripped her courage, that told her without words she had no right to touch him.

Her fingers faltered, but she didn't let go. Instead, she whined softly, her voice breaking.
"Don't be like this... I can make you happy. I can- "

Taehyung's silence was merciless. He didn't speak, didn't blink, didn't grant her even the courtesy of rejection. His stillness was cruelty, sharper than any insult.

Finally, he pulled away, stepping toward his car. Eunha followed, her pleas spilling into the night.

But when he opened the door, his hand slammed it shut with such force that the sound cracked through the street. The echo made her flinch, her entire body recoiling.

Taehyung slid inside, his expression unreadable, his silence absolute. Without a word, the engine roared to life, leaving Eunha standing alone- her desperation swallowed by the night.

The engine growled to life—deep, powerful, a beast responding to its master.

Taehyung didn't glance back. Not once.