The sun began to rise on the eastern horizon, painting the sky with a faint orange hue. I clenched my jaw, suppressing the disappointment pressing heavily on my chest. Ray and I had spent the entire night searching for Mirae, but there was no trace of her anywhere.
I glanced at my wristwatch—it was almost seven in the morning. We had checked several possible locations, questioned people who might have seen something, but everything led to a dead end.
Ray patted my shoulder lightly. "Let’s head back first. We’re exhausted, and our minds are a mess. If we push ourselves like this, we might miss something obvious right in front of us."
I slammed my fist against the steering wheel, frustrated with the situation. But I knew Ray was right. "Damn it. I can’t sit still without knowing where she is."
"I get it. But we need a proper plan. Maybe there's another way to find her," Ray tried to calm me down.
I took a deep breath before nodding slowly. "Fine. Let’s go back to the hotel first."
Ray immediately drove us back. I leaned against the seat, my mind tangled with countless possibilities. Why did Mirae surrender herself to Jimin? What was in the box she received that made her cry?
Those questions swirled in my head, but I still had no answers.
As soon as we reached the hotel, I went straight to my room and sank into the couch. Ray collapsed onto the bed, exhausted.
"After we rest, we’ll find another way. If we have to, we’ll force Jimin’s men to talk," Ray muttered sleepily.
I didn’t respond. I just stared blankly at the floor, my fingers tapping lightly on my knee.
I wouldn’t stop until I got Mirae back. No matter what happened, I would find her.
---
I was still sitting on the hotel room couch, my head tilted back, eyes shut. My body was tired, but my mind wouldn’t stop racing. Mirae… where was she now? What had Jimin done to her?
Suddenly, my phone vibrated on the table. I glanced at the screen—Haesong. My brows furrowed. Why was he calling this early in the morning?
I picked up. "Uncle?"
"Someone’s looking for you," Haesong’s voice was calm, but there was something in his tone that made me sit up straight.
"Who?" I hated surprises.
"Jungkook."
I was stunned for a moment. "What?"
"He came to see me, asking about you. He doesn’t know you’re in Thailand. But he does know one thing…" Haesong paused before continuing, "He knows that Mirae loves you."
My heart seemed to stop for a second. I tightened my grip on the phone. "How does he know that?"
"I’m not sure, but he seems serious. He knows you and Mirae had something before. And he wants to meet you."
I clenched my jaw. Jungkook… I never truly understood him. I always thought he was someone who played with power and strength, but if he came looking for me just for this, it meant he was thinking much deeper.
"Is he still there?" I asked, my voice slightly softer.
"Yes. I can arrange something if you want to talk to him."
I remained silent for a moment, taking a deep breath. I didn’t know what Jungkook wanted from me, but I knew one thing—if he knew about Mirae’s feelings, he might do something about it.
And I couldn’t let that happen without knowing what his plan was.
"Give me some time. I’ll think about it," I finally replied.
"Alright. But don’t take too long. Jungkook isn’t the type to wait."
Haesong ended the call, and I stared at my phone, deep in thought.
Jungkook knew.
And now, I had to be ready for whatever came next.
---
I sat there for a moment after Haesong ended the call, my mind in chaos. Jungkook was looking for me? What did he want?
Not long after, a message popped up from Haesong. [Jungkook’s number: +66-XXXX-XXXX]. I stared at the number before finally pressing the dial button.
The ringing lasted a few moments before the call was answered.
"Who’s this?" Jungkook’s voice was rough on the other end.
I took a deep breath before speaking. "Taehyung."
Jungkook was silent for a moment before letting out a mocking chuckle. "You actually dare to call me?"
I ignored his sarcasm. "We need to meet."
"And why the hell would I want to meet you?" Jungkook replied coldly.
"There’s something important I need to discuss with you," I said. "Do you want to or not?"
Jungkook was quiet for a few seconds before finally responding, "Where?"
I gritted my teeth. "Send me the location. I’ll come."
Jungkook let out a sharp breath before saying, "Fine. Wait."
The line went dead.
I leaned my head against the wall, closing my eyes for a moment. I didn’t tell Jungkook that Mirae had gone with Jimin. I wanted to hear what he knew first.
Tonight, I would meet him.
And I was ready for whatever was coming.
---
I stepped out of the car slowly, my eyes scanning my surroundings. The place Jungkook had sent me to was secluded. An old, abandoned warehouse, dimly lit by weak streetlights. The eerie silence sent a shiver down my spine.
Bang!
Out of nowhere, a powerful punch landed on my face, sending me stumbling backward, slamming into the wall. A sharp pain shot through my jaw, but I kept my gaze locked on Jungkook, whose eyes were burning with anger.
I wiped the blood trickling from my lips roughly before shoving him back.
"What the hell is your problem?!"
Jungkook let out a harsh breath. "You’re asking me what my problem is? I should be the one asking you that, Kim Taehyung!" His voice echoed through the empty warehouse, bouncing off the cold concrete walls.
I blinked in confusion, trying to grasp his meaning. My puzzled expression only seemed to fuel his rage.
"Y-you… You took Mirae away, didn’t you?! But did you ever think about the consequences of stealing her from me?!"
He took a long drag of his cigarette before blowing the smoke right into my bruised face. The acrid scent filled my nostrils, but I stood firm, suppressing my disgust.
I let out a small laugh before meeting his furious gaze. "What the hell are you talking about? I didn’t take her, let alone steal her from you!"
Jungkook’s eyes widened in fury. "You can say whatever you want. You can lie to me… but you won’t escape from me, Kim Taehyung!"
Without warning, he grabbed my collar and shoved me to the ground.
Thud!
I hit the floor hard but quickly steadied myself. I smirked and stepped closer to Jungkook.
"Why do you even care so much about her?" I asked, staring him down. "She was never anything special to you. Why are you so worked up over Mirae?"
Jungkook’s smirk vanished instantly. His gaze darkened, as if he was holding something back.
"You have no right to question my actions," he said, his voice low but carrying a dangerous edge. "Remember this, Taehyung… words can get people killed."
He clapped a firm hand on my shoulder before turning around and walking away, his anger still radiating through the air.
I let out a slow breath, trying to control the lingering fury in me.
Jungkook roughly patted my shoulder before turning around and walking away, his heart still burning with anger.
I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the lingering rage inside me.
From a distance, I watched as Jungkook approached two men standing by a black car. He handed them two thick envelopes.
"I want you to follow Taehyung. Wherever he goes, whatever he does. If you get any info, tell me as soon as possible."
The men nodded quickly. Their faces were filled with satisfaction—as long as money was involved, everything could be handled immediately.
I clenched my jaw.
Jungkook wasn’t done with me.
And I wasn’t done with him.
---
Taehyung strode into the hotel, his hands clenched into fists as he tried to contain his fury. The conversation with Jungkook just now had truly made his blood boil.
"Idiot! Does he think I’m scared of his warning?" Taehyung slammed his room key onto the small table as soon as he entered his suite.
He loosened the buttons of his shirt and took a gulp of water from a bottle on the table. His eyes landed on his reflection in the mirror. A split lip, a bruised cheek—all proof that Jungkook wasn’t joking with his threats.
The phone on the table suddenly vibrated. Taehyung glanced at the screen—Jihoon.
His brows furrowed. Jihoon? Why was he calling?
Reluctantly, he picked up the phone.
"What?" His voice was rough.
"Taehyung…" Jihoon's voice sounded weak, but there was urgency in his tone. "I found Mirae."
Taehyung’s heart nearly stopped. "What? Are you serious?"
"Yeah. I found out she’s in a private house outside the city. There are guards, but I’m sure Jimin is the one who took her there."
Taehyung froze. His mind was in turmoil. Mirae…
"You’re sure?"
"I wouldn’t tell you if I wasn’t." Jihoon sighed. "I already have my men watching, but you need to come fast if you want to save her."
Taehyung gritted his teeth. He had just clashed with Jungkook, and now Jihoon was dropping this bombshell.
Mirae was in danger.
And he couldn’t sit still.
"You have the location?" Taehyung asked urgently.
"I do. Sending it now."
Seconds later, Taehyung’s phone pinged—a message from Jihoon with the location.
He stared at the marked point in silence. His anger toward Jungkook still burned inside him, but now wasn’t the time to think about that bastard.
Mirae was more important.
Without wasting another second, Taehyung grabbed his car keys and prepared to move.
---
The phone on the table vibrated repeatedly. Jihoon, slouched on the couch with exhaustion written all over his face, slowly opened his eyes. He reached for his phone, intending to ignore the call, but the moment he saw the name on the screen, his body tensed.
Mirae.
Jihoon's brows knitted together. Without hesitation, he answered.
"Mirae?"
On the other end, a female voice came through, panting as if she had been running.
"Oppa… help me… I’m at a hotel… Jimin knows I’m trying to escape, he’s coming after me! I’m scared!" Mirae's voice trembled with fear.
Jihoon clenched his fist. "Which hotel?! Send me your location now!"
Sounds of a commotion erupted in the background, followed by Jimin’s voice calling her name.
"I sent it—oppa, hurry! I can’t—"
The line suddenly went dead.
"Shit!" Jihoon shot up, gripping his phone tightly. Not a minute later, a message popped up—Mirae’s hotel location.
He immediately dialed Taehyung’s number.
"What now, Jihoon?" Taehyung's voice was harsh on the other end.
"Mirae called me! She ran from Jimin, but he’s chasing her! She’s at a hotel right now." Jihoon spoke quickly, his breathing ragged. "I have the location. I’m heading there now."
A thud sounded from Taehyung’s end before he spoke again.
"You’re sure?!"
"I’m not joking! She called me herself!"
For a moment, silence stretched over the line. Then, Taehyung's voice returned.
"Send me the location. I’m coming."
Jihoon nodded, even though Taehyung couldn’t see him. "I’m leaving now."
Grabbing his jacket, he rushed out the door. Mirae was in danger—and he wouldn’t let Taehyung’s sister fall into Jimin’s hands again.
---
From a distance, Taehyung stood hidden in the shadows of a narrow alley, his sharp eyes fixed on the hotel entrance. His heart pounded fiercely. Jihoon was right—Mirae was here. He saw his sister rushing out of the hotel, her frantic gaze darting around as if searching for someone.
"Jihoon, hurry!"
Mirae’s desperate voice echoed through the quiet night.
Taehyung clenched his fists. He wanted to run to Mirae, to take her away from this hell. But he knew that if he revealed himself now, things would get more complicated. He had to see how this played out first.
Then, he spotted Jihoon across the street, sprinting toward Mirae.
But before they could reach each other—
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Jihoon’s body collapsed to the ground, blood gushing from his chest. Taehyung froze, his breath caught in his throat. He wanted to run to Jihoon, but his feet felt cemented to the ground. All he could do was watch as his friend lay motionless on the street, his eyes shut tight.
"JIHOON!"
Mirae’s scream shattered the silence.
Taehyung turned, his eyes widening as he saw a man standing behind Mirae, a knife pressed to her throat.
Jimin.
Taehyung gripped the wall beside him, forcing himself not to lunge forward. He knew that if he acted rashly, Jimin might kill Mirae on the spot.
"Don’t move, Mirae. He’s dead."
Jimin’s tone was casual, as if he had just squashed a bug rather than murdered a man. Taehyung watched as Mirae turned to face him, her expression filled with pure hatred.
"You monster! Jihoon was innocent, Jimin!"
Jimin only smirked, letting Mirae pound her fists against his chest.
"Sweetheart, my wife wants to run away with another man? As her husband, should I just stand by and watch?"
Taehyung’s gut twisted with rage. He wanted to kill Jimin right there and then.
Then, something unexpected happened.
Mirae bolted into the street, stepping right in front of an oncoming vehicle.
"MIRAE!"
Taehyung’s heart plummeted. He saw Mirae close her eyes, bracing herself for the impact.
Honk!
A van slammed into her small frame, sending her flying onto the pavement. Blood spilled across the road.
"Shit!"
Taehyung didn’t care anymore. He rushed out from his hiding spot, but before he could reach Mirae—
Jimin stood beside her lifeless body, a cruel smile on his lips.
"Unfortunately, sweetheart… you won’t die that easily."
Taehyung stopped in his tracks, hatred burning through his veins.
"Jimin…"
Tonight, Taehyung swore—Park Jimin would die by his hands.