Taehyung sat in his office, reviewing business reports with a tense expression. His mind was still weighed down by guilt over Mirae, but he tried to shift his focus to work. This world waits for no one. He had already decided to move forward, even though his heart still felt heavy.
A knock on the door came before Ray entered with a serious look.
"Boss, someone wants to see you," Ray said.
Taehyung raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
Ray exhaled slowly. "He says it’s important. I think you should hear him out yourself."
Taehyung closed the file in front of him and stood up. "Alright. Take me to him."
Ray led him to the back of the building. Taehyung stepped into a dimly lit alley, illuminated only by the faint glow of streetlights. When he saw who was standing there, his steps halted.
Emylia.
She stood there, her face filled with emotion. Their eyes met for a few long, silent seconds.
"What do you want?" Taehyung’s voice was cold, firm.
Emylia bit her lip, trying to steady herself. "I came because of Jihoon."
Taehyung clenched his fists. "I have no interest in hearing anything about him."
"Taehyung, please," Emylia pleaded. "He’s sick… he might not have much time left."
Taehyung let out a dry laugh. "Good. The world will be a better place without him."
Emylia fell silent, her eyes glistening. "I know you’re still angry, and you have every right to be. But… Jihoon wants to see you, one last time."
"I don’t care."
"Taehyung..."
Taehyung took a deep breath, trying to contain the anger rising inside him. "Emylia, you came here to ask me to see the man who destroyed my life? The man you’ve been protecting all this time?"
"I wasn’t protecting him," Emylia said softly. "I just… I think he should be given a chance to say something before he’s gone."
Taehyung stared at her sharply. "Is he really dying?"
Emylia nodded. "The doctor said… the poison in his body has spread too far. There’s no cure that can save him."
A strange feeling stirred inside Taehyung—not sympathy, but something more complicated. He wanted Jihoon to suffer, to pay for everything he had done. Yet, at the same time, he hadn’t expected Jihoon’s end to come like this.
"You want me to forgive him?"
"I just want you to see him."
Taehyung closed his eyes briefly before exhaling heavily. "I’ll think about it."
Emylia clenched her hands, holding back her tears. "Thank you…"
Taehyung didn’t reply. He simply turned and walked away, his heart still heavy with unresolved anger.
---
His steps were weak, but he kept going. His breaths were heavy, each inhale feeling like a struggle against his failing lungs. He gripped the steering wheel tightly before finally stopping the car in front of the house he had left behind long ago. A house that was supposed to bring peace, but for him, was filled with memories he wanted to forget.
The wooden door remained the same, but his heart had changed beyond recognition. He knew this might be the last time he would step inside.
With the little strength he had left, Jihoon pushed the door open, and his first step into the house felt heavier than any burden he had ever carried.
"Jihoon?"
The voice made him look up. The face of a woman he had ignored for too long appeared before him—his mother.
Her eyes widened in shock at the sight of him. "Jihoon… Jihoon, what happened to you?"
Jihoon tried to smile, but it was weak. "Omma…"
In an instant, she was by his side, gripping his arm tightly. "Why do you look like this? Are you sick? Why didn’t you tell me?"
Jihoon lowered his head. Tears began to pool in his eyes. He had always thought he was strong, that he didn’t need anyone. But now, in front of the woman who had given him life, he felt so small.
"Omma… Jihoon has done many terrible things."
His mother shook her head, her eyes filled with unshed tears. "We can talk about that later. Right now, we need to get you to a hospital."
"It’s useless, Omma." Jihoon took a deep breath, his voice shaky. "I don’t have much time left."
His mother’s face changed. "What do you mean?"
Finally, Jihoon’s tears fell. He couldn’t hold it in anymore. He dropped to his knees in front of his mother, his head bowed. "I’ve been poisoned, Omma… I—I’m dying soon."
His mother broke into sobs. "Don’t say that, Jihoon! We can find a way, we can get a doctor—"
"It’s too late!" Jihoon shouted, his voice raw with emotion. "No one can save me now."
He clutched his mother’s trembling hands. "I came here to apologize, Omma. For everything I’ve done. For all my mistakes. For all my sins…"
His mother shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "You’re my son, Jihoon… I never abandoned you."
"But I abandoned everyone who loved me, didn’t I?" Jihoon let out a bitter smile, fighting against the pain consuming his body. "I killed Emylia’s father. I destroyed so many lives. I did things I should’ve never done."
His hands grew weaker, his grip loosening. "Omma… I just have one last wish before I die."
His mother nodded quickly. "Anything, Jihoon… just tell me."
Jihoon swallowed hard, his voice trembling. "Taehyung… he needs to forgive me."
His mother fell silent. Her expression showed deep pain. She knew Jihoon and Taehyung’s relationship had been broken for a long time, and asking for forgiveness was almost impossible.
But Jihoon still hoped. Because for the first time in his life, he truly regretted everything.
---
Taehyung’s POV
I stood in the VIP lounge of the airport, my hands tucked into my leather jacket pockets, eyes staring at the runway outside the glass window. Beside me, Ray was on the phone, giving orders to our men in Thailand.
"We have a few people in Bangkok keeping an eye on Jimin and Mark. I’ve already instructed them to monitor their movements," Ray said after ending his call.
I nodded slowly. "Make sure they don’t act yet. I want to see what Jimin is up to this time."
Ray scoffed. "I still don’t understand why you want to go yourself, Taehyung. You could send someone else. You’re the boss now, you don’t have to do this personally."
I turned to him, my jaw tightening. "You know I can’t sit still if Mirae is in danger. I can’t let someone else handle this for me."
Ray raised his hands in surrender. "Alright. I’ll go with you, but you have to listen to my orders this time. No reckless moves."
Before I could respond, our flight announcement was called. Without another word, I headed toward the departure gate, Ray following closely behind.
On the Plane…
I leaned back in my first-class seat, closing my eyes, trying to calm myself. But my mind wouldn’t stop spinning. Mirae’s face appeared—her tears, her fear, the way she looked at me like I was a monster.
I clenched my hands, pressing against my heavy chest. I chose not to search for her after leaving Thailand last time. I thought it was for the best. But now? Fate seemed to be playing with me.
Ray glanced up from his screen, studying me with an unreadable expression. "Are you okay?"
I opened my eyes slowly, exhaling. "I just can’t sit still until I know what Jimin wants from Mark. And from Mirae."
Ray nodded slowly, but I knew he understood something I refused to admit—this wasn’t just about business or safety. This was about me and the mistakes I couldn’t erase.
The plane continued soaring into the sky, taking me back to the place I wanted to forget the most.
---
Thailand, 10 PM
POV Taehyung
I leaned back in my chair, gripping my phone tightly. My eyes remained fixed on the building where Mirae was. For some reason, even though I was here, I couldn’t bring myself to approach her.
The phone vibrated again.
I lifted it to my ear.
“Omma?”
But the voice on the other end wasn’t Omma’s.
“Taehyung…”
I froze. I recognized that voice—hoarse, weak, as if someone was in pain.
“Jihoon?”
He let out a small laugh, but it carried no trace of joy.
“I’m sick, Taehyung.” His breathing was heavy. “The doctor says I don’t have much time left.”
I frowned, pressing my lips into a tight line.
“You think I’ll believe you?” My voice was laced with cynicism. “You’ve manipulated me too many times, Jihoon. I’m not stupid enough to fall for it again.”
He was silent for a moment before chuckling softly.
“You’re still the same…” he whispered. “Still stubborn.”
“I’m not stubborn.” I scoffed. “I’m just tired of your games.”
Jihoon took a deep breath. “I don’t intend to play you, Taehyung. I just… I want to see you.”
I tilted my head back, staring at the night sky.
“You want to see me?” I let out a small, mocking laugh. “If you really want that, come to Thailand yourself.”
He fell silent again, probably weighing his options.
“Taehyung…”
“Don’t expect me to return to Korea for you.” I cut him off. “If you’re that desperate to meet me, come on your own.”
I didn’t give him a chance to respond. I ended the call immediately.
My fingers clenched tightly around the phone.
I wasn’t sure why I reacted that way. Maybe it was my ego. Maybe it was lingering anger. Or maybe… I was afraid—afraid that if I faced Jihoon, I wouldn’t be able to control my emotions.
I turned my gaze back to the building where Mirae was.
I couldn’t let the past haunt me anymore. If Jihoon truly wanted to meet me, he’d have to come here himself.
I stared at my phone, still gripped in my hand. My breaths were uneven, my chest rising and falling with conflicting emotions.
I knew Jihoon was a manipulator. If I rushed back to Korea just because he claimed to be sick, I’d likely walk right into his trap again.
No. I wouldn’t make the same mistake.
I exhaled deeply before dialing the number I had just cut off.
The call connected.
He picked up immediately, as if he had been waiting for me to call back.
“Taehyung.” His voice was hoarse, strained with pain.
I leaned back in my chair, staring out at the dark sky through the hotel window.
“I’m in Thailand,” I stated firmly. “If you really want to see me, come here yourself.”
Silence. I could still hear his breathing on the other end.
“You don’t believe I’m sick?” he finally asked.
I chuckled coldly. “You know exactly why it’s hard for me to believe you, Jihoon. You’ve deceived me too many times.”
Another pause. This time, it was longer.
I waited. I knew he was considering my words. Jihoon wasn’t someone who gave up easily, but he also knew I wasn’t someone he could push around.
“Alright.” His voice finally returned, weak but carrying something I couldn’t quite decipher. “I’ll come.”
I smirked slightly. “Good.”
Click.
I hung up without another word.
I still wasn’t sure if Jihoon was truly sick or if this was just another trick. But if he really wanted to see me, he’d have to prove it by coming here.
And if he was lying… I’d make sure he never had the chance to toy with me again.
---
Thailand, 10:33 PM
I took a slow sip of my latte. The strong taste of coffee mixed with the creamy foam gave me a brief moment of calm, but my mind remained restless. My eyes wandered outside the café, watching the bustling streets filled with people.
“Huh…” I sighed heavily.
Everything felt exhausting. There was too much on my mind—Mirae, Jihoon, and what I had left behind.
Mirae…
Her face flashed in my mind. The smile that once brought me peace now felt like a wound that refused to heal. I never wanted to hurt her, but circumstances forced me to walk away.
“Mirae, I’m sorry. Maybe we were never meant to be.”
I swallowed hard, trying to suppress the emotions threatening to surface. I wiped my slightly misty eyes. It was time to leave.
I raised my hand to call for the waiter to pay for my drink. But before I could, someone firmly patted my shoulder from behind.
I turned around, frowning.
“You’re Kim Taehyung, right?”
I froze. The man in front of me was staring at me intently.
Slowly, I nodded. “Who are you? I don’t know you.”
I attempted to leave, but he blocked my path.
“I’m Jeon Jungkook. Are you sure… you don’t know me?” he asked with a smirk.
I stiffened.
“J-Jungkook?” My voice wavered. Of course, I knew him. He wasn’t just anyone in the underworld.
“What do you want from me?”
Jungkook grinned before saying, “Did you know your ex-fiancée came all the way here just to find you?”
I clenched my fists. I already knew that. I had investigated Mirae’s real reason for coming to Thailand.
“So, here’s the deal…” Jungkook crossed his arms. “I want her. You get what I mean, right? So I need you to meet her and tell her you don’t love her anymore. Tell her you have someone else.”
I scoffed. “Why should I listen to you? Who do you think you are to order me around?” I stared at him sharply. “I know your true intentions, Jungkook. You’re protecting Mirae from Jimin because you’ve fallen for her, haven’t you?”
Jungkook remained expressionless.
“So what? None of your business, right?” he retorted. “This isn’t a suggestion or a request, Kim Taehyung. It’s a warning. If you don’t do as I say…” He leaned in close. “Then be prepared to receive the corpse of the woman you love—destroyed beyond recognition.”
My heart pounded violently.
Jungkook turned to leave.
I gritted my teeth before speaking. “And if I refuse? What will you do then?” I challenged him.
Jungkook stopped. He glanced back at me with a cold smile.
“Then just wait and see. Because I never joke about what I say.”
He patted my back before finally walking away.
I stood frozen.
My chest felt tight.
Jungkook wasn’t the type to make empty threats. And I knew he wasn’t bluffing.
Mirae was in danger.
I clenched my jaw, my fists tightening.
I couldn’t let this happen.
I lost my appetite. After paying, I returned to the hotel, my mind a chaotic mess.
---
The sound of a glass being set down echoed through the silent hotel room. I had lost count of how many drinks I had downed. The whiskey bottle was nearly half empty. My head felt heavy, my vision blurry, but I didn’t care.
I slumped back on the couch, my right hand still gripping the half-filled glass. The alcohol burned my throat, but I took another sip.
“Damn it,” I muttered with a bitter chuckle.
Everything was a mess. My mind was overflowing.
I reached for the whiskey bottle and poured another drink.
I knew I was destroying myself.
But right now, I didn’t care.
All I wanted was to forget.
Even if just for one night.