1 week later ..

The apartment is a sleek, modern haven nestled in the heart of Seoul, its floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city’s glittering skyline. The living room is bathed in the soft glow of ambient lights, with plush gray sofas, a glass coffee table, and abstract art adorning the walls. The air carries the faint scent of lavender from a diffuser, a deliberate attempt to create a calming atmosphere for Y/N. The dining area, adjacent to the open-plan kitchen, is small but cozy, with a wooden table still cluttered with the remnants of a simple dinner—plates of grilled vegetables, rice, and bulgogi, now mostly cleared away.

Y/N sits at the table, her frail frame wrapped in an oversized cream sweater that belongs to Taehyung, her hair loosely tied back. Her eyes are distant, shadowed with exhaustion and unspoken thoughts, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of the sweater. The bruises on her wrists have faded slightly, but the emotional scars are raw, etched into the quiet way she moves, the way her gaze drifts to the window as if searching for something—or someone. Taehyung, dressed in a fitted black t-shirt and jeans, clears the plates with careful efficiency, his usual playful demeanor subdued, replaced by a protective intensity. He watches Y/N closely, his heart aching at her fragility but burning with a fierce determination to keep her safe.

**Taehyung** (voice gentle, breaking the silence): “You ate well tonight, Y/N. That’s good. You’re getting stronger.”

Y/N offers a small nod, her lips pressing into a thin line. She doesn’t meet his eyes, her thoughts elsewhere, spiraling back to the Jeon mansion, to Jungkook’s voice, his touch, the love that twisted into something suffocating. She wonders where he is, if he’s okay, if he’s still the man she once loved—or the monster who caged her. The guilt of missing him gnaws at her, even after everything.

**Y/N** (whispering, almost to herself): “Is he… okay?”

Taehyung freezes, his hand pausing over a plate. He knows exactly who she means, and the question stabs at him, a reminder of the hold Jungkook still has on her heart. He forces a smile, setting the plate in the sink, his voice carefully neutral.

**Taehyung**: “Don’t worry about anything right now, okay? Let’s get you to bed. You need rest.”

Y/N doesn’t protest as he steps closer, offering his hand. She takes it, her fingers cold against his warm palm, and he guides her to the guest bedroom—a cozy space with soft blue bedding, a small nightstand, and a single framed photo of a serene beach, meant to soothe her. Taehyung helps her settle onto the bed, pulling the blanket over her with a tenderness that contrasts his inner turmoil. Y/N’s eyes are heavy, her body exhausted from the emotional weight she carries. As Taehyung tucks her in, her lips move, barely audible, a whisper that slips out as she drifts into sleep.

**Y/N** (mumbling, voice fading): “I love you… Jungkook…”

Taehyung’s breath catches, his heart twisting painfully. He stands frozen, staring down at her as she falls into a deep, peaceful sleep, her face relaxed for the first time in days. The words echo in his mind, a bitter reminder that despite everything—her rescue, his care, his devotion—her heart still clings to the man who broke her. His jaw clenches, but he forces himself to step back, turning off the bedside lamp, leaving the room in darkness save for the faint city light filtering through the curtains.

He steps into the living room, his expression hardening as he pulls out his phone. His fingers tremble slightly as he dials a number, pacing near the window, the city sprawling below like a map of his resolve. The call connects, and a gruff voice answers, clinical and detached.

**Man**: “Sir?”

**Taehyung** (voice low, edged with steel): “How is he?”

**Man**: “His condition’s getting worse day by day, sir. The medication is taking its toll. He’s… erratic. Violent at times. The doctors are struggling to stabilize him.”

Taehyung’s lips curl into a grim smile, though his eyes are cold, devoid of their usual warmth. **Taehyung**: “Good. Keep adding those pills to his meals. Exactly as I instructed. No mistakes.”

**Man**: “Yes, sir. It’s being handled.”

Taehyung ends the call with a sharp tap, his hand lingering on the phone as he stares out at the city. The weight of his actions presses on him, but he pushes it aside, his resolve unshaken. Jungkook will never touch Y/N again. Not if Taehyung has anything to say about it. She’s his now—his to protect, his to care for, even if her heart still lingers in the past. He’ll wait, he’ll be patient, but he’ll be damned if he lets Jungkook near her again.

He grabs his jacket from the couch, slipping it on with a practiced ease. **Taehyung** (muttering to himself): “You’re safe now, Y/N. I’ll make sure of it.”

He heads for the door, his boots quiet on the hardwood floor, and steps out into the cool night air. The apartment building’s hallway is silent, the elevator’s hum the only sound as he descends to the street. He needs to pick up groceries, essentials for Y/N—things to make her feel at home, to help her heal. But as he walks to his car, his mind is on the call, on Jungkook’s deteriorating state, on the plan he’s set in motion. Mr. Choi’s instructions were clear—no contact with Y/N, not yet. Taehyung made sure of it, shielding her from the truth, from the chaos he’s orchestrating behind the scenes.

The city pulses around him, oblivious to the storm brewing in his heart. Y/N sleeps on, her whispered words to Jungkook haunting the quiet apartment, while Taehyung steps into the night, his love for her a fierce, unyielding force driving him to protect her at any cost—even if it means destroying the man she still loves.

Meanwhile Jungkook's Pov

[FLASHBACK]

Yn: "Are you busy?" She spoke softly while peeking her head through the door of Jungkook's office room. His eyes sparkled up with happiness as soon as he looked at his wife. "A bit, why baby everything okay?" Soon his voice filled with concern as he put the laptop away and stood up from the chair. He can't let anything happen to this woman who is the sole reason for him to live.

Yn: "No, I just..." She pushed the door softly with her elbow and stepped in. Jungkook's heart pounded crazily with love and happiness as soon as his gaze fell onto her hands. She had the tray of food and smiled softly at Jungkook. "You are working for so long, take a break. I cooked this for you" Smiling back at her, Jungkook nodded as both of them sat on the couch.

Putting the tray on the table, she waited for him to eat but Jungkook held her hand instead. "Did you eat?" Looking intensely into her eyes, he waited for her response but her silence gave him the answer. He can read her like an open book, and one of the things he doesn't like is when she doesn't take care of herself.

Yn: "I wasn't hungry and-" A gasp escaped her lips as he pulled her closer to himself. Her face came in contact with his strong muscular chest, with his arms now wrapped around her tiny waist. "You know I hate it when you don't take care of yourself Mrs. Jeon, what should I do to you hmm?" His voice was deep but calm. A smile made its way upto Yn's face as she stared into his beautiful eyes. "Take care of yourself and I'll also do the same" Her sweet voice calmed his heart and he placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

Jungkook: "I can't win against this Angel can I?" Whispering softly near her head, he planted another soft kiss not getting enough of her. "I don't know" She shrugged her shoulders as both of them soon laughed softly.

Jungkook: "I love you baby "

Yn: "I love you too Kookie "

[PRESENT]

A sad smile formed on his face as Jungkook remembered that sweet moment, when Yn used to take care of him without taking her own self into consideration. How badly he wants to change the past and get her back only he knows, everyday this fear that she might start to hate him is developing inside him, which is why he also gets nightmares. He can't live without her, but he also knows that she fears him more than anything.

A tear rolled down his cheek while his smile never left his face. "I'll come back soon baby... just don't hate me. I will make everything right, hang in there”

His head hung low as Jungkook was constantly staring at the floor . His mind again became vulnerable as he missed his mother so much. Her love, comfort, everything, and such loneliness increased to the point that he started to hear her 'voices' inside his head. To him, she never died, which was indeed dangerous for him.

He was even sent to a psychiatrist for treatment by his father since his nightmares got out of control, and it kind of worked as his aggression issues and ptsd were in control, but the entry of his step mother made his life miserable. Till he grew up, he already learnt to cope up with his condition, but not when Yn entered his life. She invoked something inside him which he never understood, and a sudden wave of possessiveness rushed through his veins when he first saw her. That time he decided that she will be his no matter what happens, and what he has to do.

Even Yn didn't know about his condition, which was another reason why he was so scared. What if she leaves him thinking that he is a psycho? No one wants to be with a crazy guy like him anyways, and that's why he never told her about his real mother. As he spent his time with her, that comfort which he always longed for came back to him. Yn was healing him unintentionally, and to keep her all to himself he did those things in the heat of the moment.

He couldn't save his mother, but this time he had the opportunity to save Yn. All of this was so complicated, whenever he used to see tears in her eyes he was always reminded of his childhood when his mother died in his arms, and no one was there to help her. This pain was somehow triggering to him which affected his mental health completely. That accident was indeed traumatic and the wound in his head also caused neurological problems.

"Don't be sad"

Jungkook gulped and pursed his lips into a thin line as soon as he heard his mother's voice. Tears were threatening to fall but he held them back and swallowed the lump in his throat.

Jungkook: "I-I want her mom. I need her, I can't do this anymore" He sounded desperate as his hands and legs started to tremble. He wasn't thinking straight at the moment, all he needed was his Yn. He wanted to hug her, feel her love and comfort.

"She is here only... you just need the eyes to see her"

Her voice again echoed through his ears. Wiping his tears, he looked in front only to freeze at his spot.

There she was, his Yn, standing in front of him with a smile on her face which made her look more beautiful. The moonlight falling on her face made her look like a goddess as she stood at the same spot. Jungkook couldn't believe his eyes but his heart pounded crazily inside its cage and soon a smile crept upon his face.

Jungkook: "Y-Yn? Baby you are really here?" He asked, not believing his eyes. Yn nodded while slowly approaching his figure with the same expression plastering on her face. "Why are you crying?" Her soft voice calmed his heart as he shook his head and again wiped his tears which were continuously falling because of happiness.

"P-Please don't leave me Ynahh..." He pleaded and she nodded before touching his face. Jungkook closed his eyes and felt her soft touch, completely drowning into it.

The man smirked as he saw the scene in front of him. Jungkook was so much into the games of his own mind that he didn't even notice someone's presence in front of his cellar. Turning around, he took out his phone before contacting someone.

"His condition is getting worse. We need to act fast now” ..

We need to tell everything sir please ..

To be continued …