MOTHER | vsoo |

09: Hurt

Irene pov*

"YOU'LL COME BACK! THEY ALWAYS COME BACK!"

Taehyung's yelling ripped through the house, sharp and raw, snapping me awake like a slap to the face. My head throbbed, but there was no time for that. Another crash came from downstairs, followed by Jangmi's high-pitched cries.

Shit.

I scrambled out of bed, nearly tripping over my feet in the process. Taehyung's voice boomed again, this time closer.

"Shut up!"

Another crash.

My heart slammed against my ribs as I flew down the stairs, every fiber of my body screaming move faster. When I hit the bottom step, I froze.

The room looked like a war zone. The wall had a huge dent, chunks of plaster littering the floor. Taehyung stood in the middle of the chaos, his hands shaking, blood dripping from his knuckles. And then there was Jangmi. She was curled into the corner, sobbing so hard her little body shook.

"Taehyung, what the hell?" The words flew out before I could stop them.

I rushed to Jangmi, scooping her up into my arms. She clung to me like her life depended on it, her little fingers digging into my shirt. I turned her face into my chest, shielding her from him.

"Jangmi, are you hurt?" I asked, my voice tight, but she shook her head, her hiccupping sobs breaking my heart.

"He... almost..." She pointed toward the wall, where his fist had clearly connected instead of her. Relief swept through me, but it didn't last long. Almost wasn't good enough. He shouldn't have come close.

"Taehyung!" I snapped, standing up with Jangmi still in my arms. "You almost hit her! Your own daughter! What the hell is wrong with you?"

His head whipped toward me, and for a second, he looked... lost. His mouth opened like he wanted to speak, but no words came out. Tears streaked his face, his bloodied hands twitching at his sides.

"I almost hit her," he said quietly, like he was realizing it for the first time. He took a step forward, his voice softening. "Jangmi... princess..."

"No." I backed away, keeping her pressed against me. "Don't you dare come near her right now."

His face crumpled, and for a second, I almost felt bad. Almost.

"Don't reject me," he said, his voice breaking. "You and Mommy are all I have left."

"Are you even listening to yourself?" I hissed, glaring at him. "Look at what you're doing, Taehyung! You're scaring her—you're scaring me!"

He flinched at that, like I'd just slapped him. "I'm sorry," he said, his tone desperate. "I didn't mean to. I swear I didn't mean to."

I took another step back. Apologies weren't enough. Not after this. "Stay back," I warned, my voice sharp. I wasn't playing games anymore.

"Where are you going?" he snapped suddenly, his voice rising again. "I said I'm sorry! Don't walk away from me!"

I didn't respond. I turned and bolted for the kitchen, the weight of Jangmi in my arms only making me move faster. I grabbed the first knife I could find, holding it out in front of me when he followed. My hands were shaking, but I gritted my teeth and stood my ground.

"Stay the hell back," I said, my voice low but firm. "I'm not asking."

He stopped, his gaze flickering to the knife in my hand. For a moment, I thought he might actually listen. But then his lips curled into a bitter smile, and he laughed.

"What are you gonna do, Irene?" he said, taking a step closer. "Stab me? Kill me?" His tone was mocking, almost daring me.

"Don't tempt me," I shot back, gripping the knife tighter. But my hands were trembling, and I knew he could see it. He knew I wouldn't do it.

"Yeah, that's what I thought." He took another step forward, and the panic in my chest swelled.

I dropped the knife. I couldn't do it. As much as I hated him in that moment, I couldn't hurt him.

He lunged. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for what was coming. But nothing happened. When I opened my eyes, he was standing just inches away, staring at me with a blank, empty expression.

"Taehyung," I whispered, my voice shaking.

He didn't respond. Without a word, he turned and walked out of the kitchen. My knees buckled, and I sank to the floor, holding Jangmi close as she clung to me like a lifeline.

I heard the front door open. His voice followed, low and detached. "I'll be back... maybe."

The door slammed shut, the sound echoing through the silence.

I sat there for what felt like forever, my mind racing. I should've been relieved that he was gone. I should've locked the door and taken Jangmi somewhere safe. But something in me wouldn't let it go. If he left like this, in the state he was in, there was no telling what he'd do.

I stood up, my legs shaky as I made my way to the door.

"Taehyung," I called after him.

He stopped mid-step, turning to look at me. His shoulders were slumped, his expression unreadable.

"Stay," I said softly. "Don't go out there. Not like this."

His brows furrowed like he didn't understand what he was hearing. "Stay?" he repeated, his voice low and uncertain.

"For me," I said, taking a deep breath. "Just... stay."

He hesitated, his hand tightening on the edge of the door. Slowly, he let it go, stepping back into the house.

"I'll take her to bed," he said quietly, his tone flat. He reached for Jangmi, and I hesitated before handing her over. I watched his every move as he cradled her gently in his arms.

We walked upstairs in silence. He laid her down carefully, tucking the blanket around her and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. For a fleeting moment, I thought maybe—just maybe—he was calming down.

Then he turned to me, his eyes steady and intense.

"Marry me."

I blinked, stunned. "What?"

"Marry me," he repeated, his voice firm, his gaze locked on mine.

I laughed, but it came out bitter and humorless. "Are you serious?"

"Yes," he said simply, his tone unwavering.

My chest tightened. This was what I'd wanted, wasn't it? For him to choose me, to put me above everything else. But standing here, hearing him say those words, all I felt was dread.