Bang!
Taehyung flinched. His eyes widened as he watched Jimin stagger backward, blood seeping from his shoulder.
Who—?
He shifted his gaze and saw someone standing not far from the scene. Jungkook.
Jeon Jungkook was holding a gun, his face tense but composed. His shot had hit Jimin’s shoulder precisely—enough to incapacitate him without killing him.
Jimin groaned in pain, his right hand clutching the gunshot wound as he glared at Jungkook with pure hatred.
"You…" Jimin gritted his teeth.
But Jungkook ignored him. He swiftly put away his gun and ran toward Mirae, who lay motionless on the street, her body drenched in blood.
"Damn it! Mirae!"
Taehyung held his breath as he watched Jungkook drop to his knees beside Mirae, his hands shaking her body anxiously.
"Stay with me. Don't fall asleep. Do you hear me, Mirae? The ambulance is on its way!" Jungkook’s voice trembled slightly, but his tone remained firm.
Jungkook quickly pulled out his phone and made an emergency call. Within seconds, the distant wail of ambulance sirens began to fill the air.
Taehyung stood in the shadows, watching everything unfold. His clenched fists loosened slightly.
He should have been there, helping his sister. But for some reason, seeing Jungkook take charge first brought him a strange sense of relief.
Mirae was safe.
Even though Jungkook was his enemy, even though he didn’t know the man’s true intentions—Jungkook had saved Mirae. And that was all that mattered right now.
Jimin was now lying in pain, surrounded by a growing crowd who had started noticing the incident. A few men dressed in all black—likely Jungkook’s subordinates—began closing in on Jimin, making sure he wouldn't escape.
Meanwhile, Jungkook remained by Mirae’s side, gripping her hand tightly.
"Don’t you dare die on me. You hear that?" His voice was low, almost a whisper.
Taehyung exhaled slowly. Just this once, he would let Jungkook handle Mirae.
---
Taehyung’s steps felt heavy as he walked into his hotel room. As soon as the door shut behind him, he leaned against the wall, his entire body trembling.
Damn it…
His fists clenched tightly, his nails nearly digging into his palms. He bit his lower lip, trying to hold himself together, but in the end—the tears he had been holding back finally began to fall, one by one.
Jihoon…
The image of Jihoon collapsing across the street, blood gushing from his chest, his eyes growing dim—it all came rushing back, haunting Taehyung’s mind.
"Where’s Jihoon? Hurry, please! Before my devil of a husband takes me back!"
Mirae’s panicked voice from earlier echoed in his head.
Jihoon had come. He had come without hesitation.
And now… he was gone.
Taehyung roughly wiped his face. His breathing was heavy, as if something was crushing his chest.
He couldn't handle it.
He couldn't bear to look at Jihoon's lifeless body for too long. He couldn't bring himself to deal with it personally.
That’s why all he could do was give orders to his men. "Take him away. Handle everything." That was all he could say before walking off.
The man who always smirked arrogantly, who manipulated everything to his advantage, who seemed untouchable—was gone.
"I’ll protect Mirae for you, Kim Taehyung."
Taehyung lifted his head slightly, his vision blurred by tears.
Jihoon’s words still echoed in his mind.
Jihoon wasn’t supposed to die.
He died because he tried to save my sister.
Taehyung’s shoulders shook as he tried to suppress his sobs. One hand covered his face, while the other clutched at his aching chest.
He had lost too many people in his life.
Jackson.
Emylia.
And now… Jihoon.
He tried to steady himself, but the more he thought about Jihoon’s face, the more unbearable the pain became.
Jihoon wasn’t a good person.
But he also wasn’t someone who deserved to die like this.
Taehyung collapsed onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
He felt exhausted.
His heart was drowning in guilt.
Mirae was still alive. But Jihoon…
Taehyung shut his eyes tightly, trying to block everything out.
But it was pointless.
Because that night, he could only cry in silence—mourning Jihoon’s death that had unfolded right before his eyes.
---
Silence.
The only sounds were their unsteady breaths and the faint sobs from behind the door.
Taehyung was still leaning against the wall, his head resting against it. He could feel Emylia’s presence on the other side of the door, even though he couldn’t see her.
He knew she was crying.
And for the first time in his life, he had no idea how to comfort someone.
"I never thought… I’d lose him this soon…" Emylia’s voice finally broke the silence, but it was barely audible. "He… Jihoon was always there. He never left me alone…"
Taehyung clenched his hands, trying to keep his emotions in check.
"I didn’t think so either," he admitted, his voice hoarse. "I thought… he would always be around. He always made us feel like he was invincible… like he would never fall…"
"But he’s gone, Tae…" Emylia’s voice cracked again.
Taehyung shut his eyes. "I know."
Silence filled the space between them.
Then, Emylia spoke again.
"You saw him, didn’t you?"
Taehyung held his breath.
"You were there, weren’t you? You saw him… fall?" Her voice wavered, as if she was afraid to hear the answer.
Taehyung swallowed hard. He didn’t want to remember it, but the image was still fresh in his mind—Jihoon’s blood soaking the pavement, his vacant eyes, his weak voice calling Taehyung’s name before everything went silent.
He ran a hand over his face. "Yeah, I saw him."
Silence again.
"What… what were his last words?"
Taehyung squeezed his eyes shut. He wanted to lie, to say something that would bring Emylia some comfort. But the truth was…
"He didn’t have time to say anything."
Emylia’s sobs grew louder.
Taehyung gritted his teeth. His chest felt unbearably tight, like he was suffocating.
"Jihoon…" Emylia choked on her words. "He shouldn’t have died like this… he shouldn’t—"
"He died because of me."
Taehyung’s words shattered the silence.
Emylia’s sobbing stopped momentarily.
"What do you mean?"
Taehyung gripped his hair. "He died because he tried to protect Mirae for me. If I hadn’t asked for his help, if I hadn’t dragged him into all of this, he’d still be alive now."
"Taehyung, don’t blame yourself—"
"Isn’t that the truth?" Taehyung's voice rose slightly. "I was the one who put him in that situation. I was the one who made him take that risk. And now, I’ve lost him, Emylia… I’ve lost the only person willing to die for me."
Silence fell again.
After a few moments, Emylia finally spoke, her voice softer this time.
"Jihoon… he chose to do all of that, Tae."
Taehyung bit his lip, unwilling to cry again.
"He always did things his own way, didn’t he?" Emylia continued. "No one could ever force Jihoon to do something he didn’t want to do."
"He should’ve chosen to save himself," Taehyung whispered.
Emylia took a deep breath. "But he chose to save the person he loved."
Taehyung shut his eyes tightly.
"Tae…" Emylia’s voice was barely a whisper. "If you could turn back time… would you do things differently?"
Taehyung didn’t answer.
He didn’t know.
Even though he wanted Jihoon to still be alive, he also knew Jihoon wouldn’t change his choice.
Because Jihoon wasn’t the type to stand by when someone he loved was in danger.
And that was why this loss hurt so much.
They both remained silent for a long time.
Only the sound of Emylia’s quiet sobs could be heard from behind the door.
Finally, Taehyung spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Do you… do you hate me for failing to protect him?"
Emylia took a deep breath.
She didn’t answer right away.
But eventually, in a voice choked with tears, she said:
"I never hated you, Taehyung."
And with those words, the last of Taehyung’s defenses crumbled.
He bowed his head, clutching his aching chest, and for the first time in a long while, he cried uncontrollably.
Taehyung exhaled heavily. Emylia was still outside the door, still crying, and he was still sitting inside, leaning against it, his heart feeling like it was about to shatter.
He couldn’t do this anymore.
He couldn’t keep going like this.
"Emylia." His voice was hoarse, but clear enough for the girl behind the door to hear.
Emylia’s sobs quieted slightly, perhaps surprised by his changed tone.
"What?"
Taehyung closed his eyes, suppressing the emotions that threatened to consume him. He had to do this. He had to end it before it got worse.
"Don’t come see me again."
Silence.
Emylia didn’t respond. But he was sure she was shocked by his words.
"What do you mean?" Emylia finally spoke, her voice trembling.
Taehyung clenched his shirt tightly. He knew this would hurt, but he had to do it.
"You heard me," he said firmly. "I don’t want you to look for me anymore. I don’t want you to come near me. I don’t want you in my life."
"Tae—"
"Don’t, Emylia." Taehyung’s voice was firm. "Don’t make this harder than it already is."
"What are you saying? You’re just upset, I understand—"
"You don’t understand!" Taehyung’s voice suddenly rose, making Emylia fall silent.
He took a deep breath, trying to regain control.
"I lost Jihoon, Emylia. Do you know how that makes me feel? I feel like I failed. I feel like I can’t protect anyone who stays by my side."
Emylia didn’t reply.
"I can’t let the same thing happen to you," Taehyung continued. "I can’t let you stay in my life when I know I only bring disaster to the people close to me."
"Tae…" Emylia’s voice softened, barely audible. "I don’t care—"
"But I care!"
Silence again.
Taehyung ran a hand over his face.
"I can’t bear losing anyone else," he said softly. "If you stay in my life… one day, you’ll end up like Jihoon. I can’t—" His breath hitched. "I can’t go through that again."
Emylia remained silent. Taehyung couldn’t see her face, but he could imagine her holding back her tears.
A few moments passed before Emylia finally spoke, her voice filled with pain.
"So you want me to leave?"
Taehyung closed his eyes tightly before answering in a voice that was almost inaudible.
"Yes."
For a long time, there was nothing.
Until he heard Emylia sniffle before she finally said, "If that’s what you want, I’ll go."
Taehyung didn’t respond.
He just waited.
And eventually, he heard the sound of her footsteps moving away.
Taehyung’s heart felt even emptier.
And this time, he knew—he had lost Emylia too.
Taehyung remained seated against the door, his mind blank. He thought everything was over. He thought Emylia had left. But suddenly—
"Taehyung."
He lifted his head. That voice was still outside the door.
Emylia hadn’t left.
Taehyung swallowed, trying not to show how much he was struggling inside.
"I’m not leaving," Emylia said, her voice still hoarse but filled with determination.
"Emylia," Taehyung sighed, tilting his head back. "I already told you, I don’t want you in my life anymore."
"But Jihoon did."
Taehyung’s heart almost stopped.
"What?"
"Jihoon wanted us to make amends," Emylia continued, her voice softer this time. "He didn’t want us to part ways like this."
Taehyung clenched his shirt. Jihoon…
"Don’t say things you’re not sure of, Emylia," he said, trying to push the thought away.
"But I am sure," Emylia replied immediately. "Jihoon may not have had the chance to tell you himself, but I know. I know he wouldn’t want to see us hating each other after he’s gone."
Taehyung fell silent.
He knew Emylia was probably right. Jihoon wasn’t the type to want his loved ones to live in hatred and regret. But Taehyung still wasn’t ready. He still couldn’t.
"Emylia… I still can’t," he whispered weakly.
But Emylia only let out a small laugh, though her voice still trembled with lingering tears.
"You think I’ll just give up that easily?"
Taehyung frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember the first time I met you at Hwang’s convenience store?" Emylia asked softly. "Back then, you ignored me completely. You acted like I didn’t exist when I tried to flirt with you."
Taehyung exhaled. Yeah, he still remembered.
"But I never gave up, did I?"
Taehyung remained silent.
"This time is the same, Taehyung," Emylia continued. "I’m not leaving. I’ll wait until you accept me again."
Taehyung clenched his jaw.
He didn’t know whether to feel angry, frustrated, or relieved.
But one thing was certain—Emylia wouldn’t stop.
Taehyung sighed deeply, pressing his head against the door, his eyes shut tight.
"Emylia… why are you doing this?" His voice was soft, almost a whisper.
Outside, Emylia took a deep breath before answering, "Because I know you don’t really want me to go."
Taehyung opened his eyes.
"You think you understand me?"
"I don’t think," Emylia replied. "I know."
Taehyung let out a small, empty laugh. "You’re too confident, Emylia."
"And you’re too stubborn, Taehyung."
Silence.
Only their breaths could be heard through the door.
"I won’t let you go anymore," Emylia finally whispered.
Taehyung shut his eyes as he listened to her footsteps fading away.
And this time, he couldn’t stop her.