still you | baekyeon

Chapter 12

"What do you mean?" he inquired, genuine confusion coloring his voice as he struggled to grasp the meaning behind her words.

Could it be related to the events from six years ago? Was that what she was alluding to?

She dismissed the topic abruptly, sinking onto the couch. His concern propelled him to her side, ensuring she was comfortable. Observing her closely, he noted her pallor, dry lips, and fatigued eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, his hand reaching out to gently touch her forehead to gauge her temperature.

It wasn't alarmingly high, but it wasn't within the normal range either.

"Are you experiencing anything? Dizziness? Headache?" He couldn't help but sound anxious, his worry palpable.

Because he truly was worried.

"I'm okay," she replied, though her words lacked sincerity.

"Taeyeon, please," he pleaded, knowing that her insistence on being fine contradicted the evidence.

"What?" Her tone was almost casual, as if she were genuinely unaffected.

"Stop pretending you're fine when you're not," he responded, his words direct.

"To be honest, I've never been fine, and I doubt I ever will be."

"Taeyeon..."

"Stop calling me by my name."

"I can't argue with you in this state. Please... Just tell me how you feel, tell me what I can do." He attempted to reach for her arm, but she was already on her feet.

"What do I feel? You're asking me what I feel?" Her tone remained calm, composed.

He fell silent, waiting for her to elaborate.

"In all honesty, I feel exhausted. Utterly tired."

"Taeyeon--"

"Stop! Who are you to say my name as if we're friends? Who are you to converse with me as if everything's amicable between us? Who are you to drag me here as if our past doesn't exist?" Her gaze remained steady, her demeanor unshaken, even in the face of her own emotions.

"T-Taeyeon--"

"What's your true intention? Because I'm struggling to comprehend it..." Now she locked her gaze onto his, tears gathering in her eyes. "Why do you have to act this way, when I thought we had both moved on... Aren't you concerned about public perception? What about your fans?"

His lips parted, his mind racing to respond, but his voice seemed to fail him, leaving him momentarily speechless.

"Don't you consider how I feel? If you did, you wouldn't even come near me, knowing it would draw everyone's attention. Or is it only about yourself?"

"Please, Tae--"

"Did you have any idea how much I suffered? Did you understand the pain I went through?" Tears streamed down her cheeks as she poured out her emotions.

"I believed you could handle it. And you did. You're strong--"

"Just because I can bear the pain doesn't mean I should have to!" Her voice escalated to a shout, startling both her and him.

Had he truly hurt her to this extent?

She retreated to the couch, covering her face with her palms as she began sobbing.

What cut the deepest was that her pain spilled over onto his fans, people who had supported him through thick and thin. Their disappointment over his relationship with her had wounded her deeply. The realization stung bitterly.