FIVE
The door flew open with a violent bang.
Taehyung flinched hard—startled.
He stood up from the couch, heart pounding, the gift still pressed to his chest.
jeon jungook
WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE?
He took a step forward—
But Jungkook marched toward him and grabbed his wrist, hard
Taehyung gasped.
Jungkook’s grip was like iron, leaving red marks instantly.
jeon jungook
WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?
COMING HERE? SCREAMING IN THE LOBBY? EMBARRASSING JENNIE? MAKING A SCENE?
Taehyung shook his head desperately, tears already falling.
kim Tae
No! No—I didn’t—Jennie’s lying—please, I only came to—
jeon jungook
[Shouting louder]
I SAID SHUT UP!
He shoved Taehyung backward.
Taehyung fell to the floor with a harsh thud—knees hitting tile, hands catching his fall.
The gift box skidded across the floor and stopped at Jungkook’s feet.
---
Silence.
Cold. Dense. Shaking.
kim Tae
(voice trembling)
I… I just wanted to give you a surprise
jeon jungook
“I DON’T WANT ANYTHING FROM YOU.”
jeon jungook
I told my parents from the beginning—You’re not good enough.
You never were.
And now look. You proved me right
Taehyung blinked up, frozen. Breath shaking.
jeon jungook
[Voice rising, crueler now]
EVERYONE HATES YOU.
EVEN YOUR OWN FAMILY DIDN’T WANT YOU. EVEN YOUR MOM DIED BECAUSE OF YOU.
YOU’RE A CURSE. A MISTAKE.
The words hit like bullets.
Every syllable carved deeper.
Taehyung reached instinctively to his stomach, holding it like a shield.
The tears wouldn’t stop now. They just flowed.
jeon jungook
You’re an annoying part of my life I wish I could erase.
His voice echoed.
Cold. Final.
jeon jungook
Get out.
Take your fake tears, your stupid surprises, and just leave.
No one wants to see your face again.
Taehyung didn’t respond.
Couldn’t.
His soul had shattered into pieces no hand could gather.
His fingers pressed protectively to his belly.
As if begging the tiny heartbeat inside to hold on.
To stay strong when he couldn't.
---
Jungkook didn’t even wait.
He turned and walked out of the room.
The slam of the door was the last nail in the silence.
---
And inside that silence, Taehyung knelt on the floor—
Breathing like he might break apart.
Not crying.
Not speaking.
Just holding his stomach,
and wondering…
kim Tae
Is this what dying from the inside feels like?
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