This Damn Love

Part- 54: Chosing someone else

With that, Jin turned around and began walking away. Away from Taehyung.

Every step echoed through the silent hall.

"Jin!"

His uncle's voice echoed behind him.

"Son, don't do this."

Jin didn't stop. His uncle hurried after him.

"It was a misunderstanding. We all read the letter. Taehyung didn't know. He wasn't the one who built the bomb. He wasn't the one who wanted your father dead. He was manipulated too."

His uncle reached him just before the doors.

"Jinnie" His eyes filled with tears. "Please."

"We can sort this out. We can talk. You don't have to throw everything away."

For several seconds, Jin remained completely still.

Then slowly Jin turned around.

Not toward his uncle. Toward Taehyung. The sight nearly broke Taehyung all over again. Because Jin's face was soaked with tears. Yet there was no uncertainty left. Only painful clarity.

The distance between them suddenly felt endless.

Jin walked back until he stood directly in front of Taehyung once more. Face to face. Close enough to touch. Close enough to feel each other's shaking breaths.

Taehyung looked utterly destroyed. His eyes were swollen and shoulders slumped. His entire world collapsing before everyone's eyes.

Jin looked at him and spoke "You want to marry me, Taehyung?"

The question was soft. Almost gentle. Which somehow hurt more than the screaming.

Taehyung's lips parted. But no sound came out. Jin tilted his head slightly. A bitter smile appearing.

"You wanted to stand beside me today and exchange vows."

Another tear slipped down his cheek.

Taehyung finally nodded. Barely.

"Then Tell me your vows."

Silence.

"Go on. Tell me your beautiful vows. Tell me all those promises. Your fake vows."

Taehyung lowered his head.

Jin nodded slowly. As though he had expected exactly that. Then he swallowed hard. His throat visibly tightening.

Jin's gaze drifted toward one of the banquet tables nearby. The table prepared for celebration. The irony almost made him laugh.

Instead, he walked toward it. His movements were slow. Like a man moving through a dream. Or a nightmare.

Nobody understood what he was doing.

Not until his trembling hand reached for the elaborate floral centerpiece resting atop the white tablecloth.

White lilies and White roses.

Jin stared at them for several seconds.

Then, without warning, he ripped several flowers from the arrangement.

Gasps echoed through the hall. Petals scattered onto the floor. The crystal vase wobbled dangerously but Jin didn't care. Nothing mattered to him anymore.

He gathered the flowers carefully in both hands. Holding them against his chest. His fingers trembled around the delicate stems. The sight was strangely solemn.