Love Candidate - Puppy Love - Chapter 29

Beep... Beep... Beep...

The faint monitor chanted dully inside the cool medical room. I sat against the bed head to stare at my bandaged wrist with my unblinking eyes fixed on the cotton around the wound. The VIP medical suite was devoid of disturbing presences when I woke earlier that morning. I didn't want to alarm the medics, so I sat up on my own to recall the vivid memories before I collapsed. The door suddenly opened after a while, and a tall man in a trench coat stepped into the room with a bag of ginseng drinks. He briefly glanced at me before turning to hang his coat without speaking with me. I watched his composed behavior with a blank expression as he placed the bags on the table in the guest room.

"Are you mad at me?" I asked, unsurely watching Seokjin's withdrawn behavior when he refused to speak or even acknowledge my presence inside the room. Who broke into Taehyung's room that day? Seokjin didn't answer me and sat on the couch to type on his phone, intentionally ignoring my question. I sighed at his petty attitude before glancing down at my hands. Great. At least he's not screaming at me about my stupid suicidal plan. I might just tear the stitches off my wrist if anyone dared to argue with me about it. Seokjin suddenly slipped his phone back into his pocket, then got up to pull a chair next to my bed, so he could sit beside me. 

"Do you want me to call the medics? Or do you need the peace you're getting?" Seokjin exhaled, reaching out to hold my wounded hand with a concerned expression. I glanced at his warm gesture but didn't react and sat motionlessly on the bed to watch him rub my knuckle.

"Keep ignoring me-"

"I was sending work-related files to Secretary Yoo," Seokjin frowned at my grumpy response to his neglect.

"Leave the room and don't tell anyone I'm awake. I'm not up for an argument," I muttered, pulling my hand from Seokjin's grip. Seokjin suddenly grabbed my hand to pull it back, causing me to seethe in pain when I felt my wrist aching uncomfortably.

"Ohoh? The injury is bothering you now? Why didn't you think about the pain when you decided to slit your own wrist?" Seokjin mocked me with a disappointed glare. I glanced down at my hand before averting my eyes back to him. Is he seriously nagging me now? Did he think it'll make me feel better?

"You wanted me to make Taehyung talk, so I did. He did more than just talk," I rolled my eyes, averting my gaze away from Seokjin's disapproving face.

"I didn't tell you to hurt yourself for him! You could've died!" Seokjin snapped, flaring in anger at my dismissive attitude. His brother was really stubborn. I had no choice.

"Wrist cutting has a low success rate. It's a very painful method, but I knew what I was doing-"

"Wrist cutting is self-harm, and I don't care if there's a slim chance of killing you! You can't keep on hurting yourself like this! You could've damaged your nerve permanently if the cut was slightly deeper than it was!" Seokjin scolded, slightly gripping my hand. I stared at his irritated red ears in silence. I have mixed feelings for you, Seokji-shi. Your worried gaze makes me want to melt for you because of my serious daddy issues, but I'm still very wary of your intention toward me.

"Well. We know Taehyung isn't paralyzed, and he can even talk. It's worth it," I shrugged.

"How did you know it was Taehyung-"

"If he didn't get up to push the drawer- then no one could've saved me. Right? Where is he?" I asked with a slight smile. Seokjin stared at my bright response in horror. As if he expects me to sulk over the incident.

"You're a crazy woman. Stop asking about him and get some rest," Seokjin grimaced, turning to shake his head in disbelief.

"I will kill your mother after I recover," I whispered. Seokjin slowly turned to eye me with a worried look but didn't say anything and lowered his face in defeat. She killed my father... so I'll kill her.

"At what cost? You'll end up in jail if you hurt her," Seokjin sighed, finally lifting his face to stare at me with a concerned expression.

"She should be dead. You know that! That night- My father was supposed to live! And your mother should be dead! But she used him to trade for her life!" I snapped. She killed my father!

Flashback: Former Doctor's Villa.

"What are you talking about?" Jimin frowned at the former doctor in confusion. I nervously stared at the man with my arms folded. Can I handle the truth? I don't feel good about this, but I'm tired of believing in the twisted truth told by deceptive lips.

"A man ordered me to kill your father- or he'd hurt my daughter," The man confessed. I blankly stared at him with my arms crossed, unable to comprehend the raw information. Who? A man? Another individual was involved in my father's death?

"So you killed Hyung Seung using injections?" Hoseok questioned, anxiously clasping his hand over his lips.

"That's right. The hospital contacted Hyunseung's wife- or former ex-wife after we took him in from the ambulance... but she was unavailable that night, so her husband came instead. Hwang Jaehyun used his guards to lock down your father's resting room, and I was instructed to kill him. I firmly opposed his order, but his vicious dogs were holding two other nurses captive in the room at gunpoint. He left me no choice... so I did what I had to do... to get them safely out of the room," The former doctor nodded in defeat. My stepfather... gave the kill order? He killed my father? All those times... the sick man pretended to be nice to me after I moved in with him... it was all an act? He killed my father to adopt me?

"Was appa awake? When you killed him," I asked, gulping down the hot burn in my throat. Flashes of past memories rushed into my head as I struggled to digest the painful truth. At one point in my life, I respected my stepfather. I loved him like I loved my birth father. I trusted him with my life, and I even held him close to me. I feel sick. Why did I give so much affection to my father's killer?

"No. I sedated your father. It wasn't a painful death, but it was still really unfair for him," The man shook his head in remorse. I rubbed my face in distress and turned to look out the window with a heavy chest. My stepfather ordered a doctor to kill my father while Eomma was away. Was Eomma aware of his action?

"That's why you resigned? After the incident?" Yoongi nodded while sitting on the couch with his legs crossed.

"I'm permanently living in guilt and shame after committing the crime against your father, but there was nothing I could do. I resigned and took my time off. My daughter was diagnosed with cancer a year after your father passed away. Karma exists... and I've beaten myself over it ever since. But a part of your father is still alive, you know? He saved a life," The man regretfully stared at me. I sorely glanced at the former doctor.

"What do you mean?-"

"A famous chairman's wife was in need of an emergency kidney replacement. Your stepfather instructed us to-"

"You gave her father's kidneys to another person!?" Jimin frowned in horror. I froze in my place when I felt an invisible jolt all over my body as if I was struck by a bolt of lightning. My nerves withered at the shocking information, and I suddenly felt light-headed. What's happening? Did I hear him right?!

"The woman is Chairman Kim's wife. Your stepfather- He killed your father so we could transfer his kidney to her. I don't know what the deal was between them. But the woman is living with your father's organs," The doctor nodded apologetically. I angrily snapped the gun at his head, causing him to wince in panic as I tightly hooked the trigger with my shaky finger and glowering red eyes. How can he speak on the matter as if it's a miracle!? My father's life was traded for a political deal between my stepfather and Seokjin's mother?!

"You deserve to die," I seethed, dangerously glaring at the man as he fearfully trembled on the couch. A part of me wanted to pull the trigger, but my heart suddenly grew numb when my eyes landed on a picture frame of a young girl. His sick daughter. I gripped the gun and glanced at the man in tears while struggling to repress the burst of vengeful flames.

"Please! I have wronged you! B-But my daughter- She needs me-"

"You killed her father, so you can be a father of your own child," Yoongi bitterly eyed the man. The doctor suddenly collapsed off the couch to kneel on the floor with his hands on his thighs, so I averted my gun after him. I want to blast his fucking head apart! He looked up at me with his frightened eyes until his pathetic lips trembled in fear. He killed my father and then ran away to live a comfortable life with his daughter!

"Please! I'm begging you! My daughter- She just recovered after 10 years of being bedridden! Her legs are paralyzed, and she's too weak to thrive on her own! Her mother passed away years ago due to a terminal illness! I lost my wife, and my daughter is barely living! I'm already paying for my sins, so please- please spare my life-" The man begged in tears. I shakily exhaled with my spiteful eyes fixed on the man until an eruption of deadly wrath channeled throughout my body. Did he fucking think I lived a joyful life after my father's passing? I was abused! I was molested, and I was raped during those times!

At least his daughter isn't traumatized by having another man's genitals inside her! At least she didn't have to feel the disturbing touches on her sensitive body! At least she didn't have to suffer from the painful deep gashes or bruises from being beaten like a fucking animal! Hell, even animals lived a better life than me!

"I'm going to visit your daughter," I gritted, finally lowering the gun from his sweaty face, and turned to walk up the stairs. The man gasped in panic and tried to rush after me but was held back by Yoongi and Jimin. He fearfully begged me not to hurt his daughter as I strode up the stairs and walked towards a room with a cute teddy bear drawing on the door. Creak. I gently pushed the door open to find a teenage girl sitting in a wheelchair with a book on her lap. Her head was completely bald, and her skin was unhealthy gray. She looks ill. Really ill.

"Who are you?" She nervously asked with dread in her eyes at my unexpected presence. I glanced at her paralyzed legs, carefully hiding the gun behind my back while scanning the cozy pink room decorated with stuffed toys and a collection of glass menageries.

"I'm here to visit your father," I replied in a soft tone while defying the discomfort in my chest and slowly walked toward her. The girl shot me a wary expression, unconsciously gripping her book with her peeling fingertips. She's frightened. I slowly sat on the window seat to stare out the window before turning to examine the light freckles on her cheeks with my fond eyes. Your father killed my father to protect you, but you're living a crippled life? You should live a better life, at least. My father didn't die for you to live a suffocating life.

"Where's my father?" She nervously glanced at the door with her frightened eyes.

"Downstairs. What's your name?" I asked, curiously tilting my head to stare at the book in her hand.

"Han Youngmi," She replied with her fearful eyes fixed on my unfamiliar face.

"What are you reading?" I nodded at her book. She nervously glanced down at the half-opened book and back at me.

"It's my favorite book series called Survival. The live-action is being broadcasted on television," The young girl muttered, gently rubbing her skinny fingers over the opened page.

"I'm also a fan of the drama. I didn't know a book existed," I nodded.

"The live-action doesn't incorporate the essential parts. The book version is better, so I prefer it more. I've read the entire series over four times already," Youngmi weakly smiled as she spoke about her favorite love story.

"You're quite young for a dark romance book," I chuckled, weakly shaking my head at her quirky excitement. The plots are very dark and intense. Why is she smiling so warmly while talking about it?

"Stories are the only portal for me to escape this miserable life," She sadly glanced at the pretty view.

"Jang Sora's life is even more miserable than our lives though," I smiled at her.

"You're right. Sora deserves a good rest," The girl agreed while staring at the page with an innocent gaze.

"What's your favorite line?" I asked, curiously scanning her messy writing scribbles on the pages. She took a lot of notes.

"I love you more," The girl smiled. I raised my eyebrows at her. Huh? That's her favorite line?

"Why? That's so cliché," I laughed, slightly patting her warm hand.

"You'll understand when you get to the end," Youngmi smiled at me with a weary expression.

"I'm not sure? I don't think she deserves to be with anyone around her. All men are jerks," I shook my head doubtfully.

"Love will find you. It might not be in the form of something obvious like they present it on screen. Love exists in many forms. Just like Jang Sora... love will find you, even when you're far from your other half," The girl smiled. I paused to process her words. I'm impressed by her deep talk.

"Is that a spoiler? She didn't make it, did she?" I frowned at her. The main character didn't make it?

"No. Jang Sora made it to the end. She was loved, and she was happy. It's a peaceful ending," The girl chuckled. I sighed in relief. She made it? That's a huge relief.

"If she made it... then we'll make it too. Yeah?" I gently took her warm hand in mine.

"Yeah. We might not have the same end... but I hope we'll all have a well-deserved ending," The girl nodded. I sadly studied her tired face. Kids her age should be living a joyful life with friends and young lovers, but she's stuck in this miserable wheelchair. That must suck. At least I can walk.

"Eonni's boyfriend is paralyzed too... like you, but he can't move or talk," I sighed, sadly smiling at her.

"Is he your soulmate?" She smiled cutely at me.

"I think so," I shrugged. I don't know if Taehyung is my soulmate.

"But you love him even if he can't communicate with you, right?" She asked eagerly.

"He can speak and talk," I shook my head. I'm convinced Taehyung is faking his disability.

"Then why won't he-"

"Maybe he doesn't love eonni enough?" I laughed, unable to answer her question. Hoseok suddenly opened the door and stepped inside the room with an anxious expression. The girl suddenly grew stiff again in his presence.

"Annyeonghaseyo," The girl tensely greeted Hoseok.

"Eonni will leave now. Take care, okay? I'll visit you again," I reach out to pat her shoulder. Youngmi unsurely glanced back and forth between Hoseok and I as she waved at me, so I smiled at the young girl and left the room with Hoseok. We left the former's doctor's place without harming him or his daughter because I couldn't resent their desperate needs to survive. I won't waste my bullets on innocent victims.

I wanted to confront my stepfather about my father's death but figured I should stay quiet to orchestrate a plan. I can't act on impulse... and I definitely don't want my bullet to miss the target. So... I'll secretly plot his death. The man will die no matter what- I have to be discreet with my plan to kill him. However, the destructive truth was mentally butchering my soul to witness my father's murderers live a good life. I started drinking to drown my misery again, and Changwon was very upset with my unhealthy diet. He scolded me, so I would secretly drink whenever he was not by my side.

"Are you drunk?" Seokjin asked while staring at me in confusion as I clutched the whisky bottle over my lap.

"Can we go to your parent's place? I want to see Taehyung," I muttered, dully looking out the window with a dazed expression.

"You shouldn't go clubbing by yourself. Who will look after you when you're this soaked in liquor?" Seokjin disapprovingly shook his head as he drove through the street. I sneaked out of the villa to go clubbing because I felt like I was going to explode from the inflating stress pressure and called Seokjin afterward because I didn't want to be scolded by Changwon for being reckless when I return home.

"Wait. Let me tell you something," I grabbed Seokjin's hand when he tried to get out of his seat after arriving at his parent's mansion. He paused and glanced at me as I sat in my seat with my eyes fixed on the glorious property. How can an evil witch reside in such a heavenly place?

"What's the matter?" Seokjin sighed, leaning back against the car seat.

"The accident night. Your mother... You said she was sick, right?" I asked before taking a huge gulp from the liquor bottle.

"Oh. Taehyung was injured after the accident, so I was also there to look after him. My mother was rushed into the hospital for an emergency surgery the same night," Seokjin cluelessly nodded.

"Why was she sick?" I asked, unblinkingly staring at the peaceful property until I saw fire flaming all over the property with the assistance of my avenging imaginations. Maybe I should burn down the entire place into ashes?

"Kidney failure," Seokjin replied without hesitation. I abruptly burst out laughing like a madman. Fucking hell. It keeps getting worse, doesn't it?! Ah... What's the matter with my fucking life?

"She made it that night?" I smiled, turning to smile at Seokjin with a weak smile.

"Oh. A deceased patient agreed to donate his organ to her," Seokjin nodded. I laughed and lowered my face to rub my face in distress. This is amusing.

"Your mother took my father's kidneys," I whispered, lifting my face to tilt my head against the headrest until unconscious tears slipped down my rosy cheeks.

"What?" Seokjin frowned at my statement with his hand over the steering wheel.

"My stepfather ordered the doctor to murder my father for his healthy kidneys. They illegally took his organs and gave them to your mother that night," I explained until I felt my chest stirring in pain. How can they be so cruel!? How can they dictate someone else's life!?

"Where did you-"

"I visited the former doctor. He confessed everything. Your mother... She's only alive because she snatched my father's life. She took his kidneys without his consent just so she could keep on being your lovely mother," I nodded at the mansion in tears. I sniffled in difficulty as the unbearable ache tore through my ribs to abuse my sore heart. I don't know what to do anymore! Seokjin's face drained in terror as he stared at me with his mouth hanging open, unable to defend his mother or apologize for the tragic incident.

"Why would your stepfather-"

"They made a deal. A political deal. You and I... we're not a coincidence. Everything was planned by the sick man and the witch. That's why we couldn't beat their game," I whispered, turning to stare at Seokjin's dumbfounded expression with my glowering red eyes. Seokjin glanced at his steering wheel with his mouth hanging open as he struggled to absorb the startling information.

"Jiyoung- Wait! Where are you going!?" Seokjin tried to speak when I suddenly kicked open his car door and stomped angrily towards the front door with the whiskey bottle clutched in my hand. I will kill that fucking witch! How dare she gouge out a living man's kidney to save her own life!

End of Flash

Present

I was eventually discharged from the hospital for the second time after failing to kill myself over a man. Changwon was very concerned about my condition and took great care of me at the hospital. He didn't tell ajumma about my second suicide attempt because he didn't want to worry her. And Seokjin didn't inform Jungkook either to avoid unnecessary gossip, so he didn't visit me. Only my parents and the Kims knew about the incident. Not even Yoongi or Jimin or Hoseok was aware.

Seokjin stayed by my side round the clock for a week at the hospital because he didn't want to leave me alone. He thinks I'd try to harm myself again. I didn't want to talk with him, so we remained hushed most of the time. Changwon was occupied with an emergency surgery on the day I was discharged, so Seokjin offered to pick me up instead. I waited in the wheelchair in the garden after preparing to leave when someone suddenly drove my wheelchair from behind. I wildly turned around to find Jungkook... pushing me forward with a clenched jaw. He escorted me away from the hospital entrance without looking at me.

"Where are you taking me!? Yah!" I snapped when he suddenly slipped his muscular arms under my legs to lift my lightweight body off the wheelchair, carefully placing me into the passenger seat of his car. Jungkook didn't bother to reassure my alarmed reaction as he hastily buckled my seatbelt to secure my body. He quickly rounded the car and started the engine as I awkwardly glanced around the area for help but it was empty. Changwon and Seokjin will be dead worried about my disappearance.

My best friend abducted me from the hospital, leaving my wheelchair unattended in the parking lot. I blinked in confusion as he drove down the street without speaking to me. Jungkook didn't look like he was in a good mood either, so I didn't bother him until we arrived at his apartment complex.

"Yah! I don't mind being kidnapped by a handsome man, but why are you doing this? Wae?! What's wrong with you!?" I whined when he got out of the car to help me out of the seat and hurried inside the building. Jungkook quickly scanned his elevator card before stepping inside with me in his arms as I firmly gripped his thick neck for support. Jungkook still didn't respond to me and kept a straight face as I sideways glared at him in frustration. He took me to his penthouse, finally settling me down on the couch.

"You're staying with me from now on," Jungkook finally sighed before walking into his bedroom, then returned with my heavy luggage. How did he get my luggage?!?

"But-"

"Not buts! I've had enough! You're not killing yourself over the asshole again!" Jungkook snapped in irritation as he unzipped the luggage on the floor to reveal my clothes.

"Did you break into my house to collect my clothes?!" I frowned as Jungkook dug the luggage for my clothes. He tossed a shirt at me. My cheeks flushed red when Jungkook pulled out my bra and panties, dumping them on the couch with an uptight expression.

"I'll be working from home to keep my eyes on you from now on," Jungkook hastily zipped my luggage. He must be kidding me? I watched him drag my luggage away with my mouth hanging open in shock while sitting on the couch. Did he really kidnap me for this purpose? I glanced down at my clothes and undergarments on my lap after he threw them at me and speechlessly trailed my eyes after him in irritation. Maybe he's just upset, so I'll speak with him later. 

I was right. Jungkook is upset. Actually, he is very upset. I thought he was joking about moving in with him- He wasn't joking about it at all. I was stuck with him for over two weeks. Jungkook called to inform Seokjin of my whereabouts and wouldn't let anyone visit me except for Changwon. He had to bring me medication, so I'd see Changwon once a day for my treatment at Jungkook's penthouse. Like Jungkook's claim, he didn't go to work and worked from home. I wasn't allowed to stay in a room by myself, and he'd follow me everywhere inside the penthouse. He's treating me like a prisoner! Jungkook wouldn't even let me lock the bathroom door when I had to pee or shower.

"I told you not to close the door!" Jungkook grimaced, suddenly strolling into the bathroom as I sat on the toilet.

"I'm pooping! Get out!" I screamed in disbelief as I awkwardly perched on the toilet bowl with my pajama pants at my ankles.

"I'm not looking!" Jungkook replied as he washed his hands in the sink. I scoffed in disbelief while pooping on the toilet. He just doesn't want me to be alone- even when I'm dealing with private business! He'd sometimes barge into the bathroom while I'm showering whenever I get too quiet. So I sometimes have to sing out loud in the shower to stop him from breaking inside.

Another incident...

"YAH! I'M SHOWERING!?" I screamed in panic while I sat in the bathtub when Jungkook suddenly burst inside with a suspicious frown.

"I need to poop! I won't look!" Jungkook frowned, suddenly pulling down his pants to sit on the toilet as I hid under the bubble foam in the tub to cover my naked body.

"I don't want to smell your shit!" I shrieked. He's getting too comfortable! Jungkook didn't respond to my request, so I watched him type on his phone while he sat on the toilet with an unbothered attitude. I quickly snatched the shower head to spray the water at him, causing him to shriek in shock.

"YAH! WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU!?" Jungkook screamed as he shielded his face from the water.

"You're so annoying! Get out!" I whined until he washed his butt and got up to leave the room. He's invading my personal space! We'd always eat and sleep together, but that wasn't enough for him! The first week was tolerable, but his consistent intrusion is beginning to frustrate me after the second week passed. I can't do this anymore!

"Where are you going???" Jungkook frowned while gaming in his living room when I suddenly stepped out of his bedroom in warm clothes.

"I'm heading home," I shrugged, walking away in a hurry.

"You're not leaving- Yah!? I said you're not leaving!" Jungkook briefly glanced at me before averting his eyes back to the screen as he raced his car but yelled in panic when he heard me opening the door. I quickly grabbed my sneakers and rushed down the corridor with them, repeatedly slamming my fist on the elevator screen in a hurry to request my lift.

"I'm not staying with you anymore!" I argued when Jungkook suddenly rushed out of his penthouse. The elevator slid open, so I immediately stepped inside to avoid him and hastily tapped the ground floor button as Jungkook sprinted toward me.

"Jiyoung! Stop it-" Jungkook gasped. The elevator door closed right before his arrival. I gripped my sneakers in fear without breathing and took a step back after catching a glimpse of his upset face. He can't hold me captive forever! This isn't right! I quickly lowered my sneakers to put them on in a hurry as I escalated to the ground floor. Ding. The door slid open, so I quickly stepped out just as the opposite elevator opened and Jungkook appeared with a disappointed expression. Shit! He's fast! I quickly rushed in the opposite direction to bolt through the lobby but didn't make it far when I felt a firm clutch around my arm.

"Let go!" I whined, pushing Jungkook away, but he refused to release my arm and dragged me back to the elevator.

"I'm not letting you-"

"This is my life! You don't have any right to hold me captive! Let go!" I shrieked, angrily shoving him with all my might. The receptionist glanced up at us in confusion at my sudden outburst. Jungkook turned to look at me with a sour grimace after stumbling to the side.

"Jiyoung-" I didn't let him finish his sentence and ran out of the building in a hurry. I won't listen to him!

"No! Let go! YAH!" I screamed in shock when Jungkook encircled his strong arms around my waist to hold me against him.

"You can't go back! Just stay with me-"

"I don't want to stay with you! I want to see Taehyung! Stop interfering with my life- You're not my goddam father!" I bellowed, angrily pushing him away. Jungkook gripped tightly onto my wrist as I fought to free myself from his arms.

"WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO SEE THAT ASSHOLE!?" Jungkook suddenly raised his voice when I wouldn't stop resisting him. I halted in shock at his angry outburst.

"BECAUSE I LOVE HIM-"

"HE'S DRIVING YOU CRAZY! YOU KEEP HURTING YOURSELF OVER THAT FUCKING ASSHOLE!" Jungkook firmly grabbed my shoulders to shake me back to my senses with his glowering eyes fixed on mine.

"He's not an asshole! I love him! If you're my friend- then you should be supportive-"

"Am I crazy? For me to be happy for you in this kind of relationship!? I'm dead worried about you!" Jungkook countered until his eyes bulged open in anger. I gripped my fists in frustration while studying his burning red face.

"You don't have to care about me! I can live on my own-"

"You can't live properly! That's the problem! You keep ending on your own life because you can't fucking live without me!" Jungkook roared. My heart thumped painfully at his hurtful words. What did he say? Unconscious tears formed in my eyes as we tensely glared at one another.

"I won't burden you anymore, so let me go," I softened my voice. I'm a pain in the ass for him, and he's right... I can't live properly without him. Jungkook blinked in panic at my withdrawn reaction, completely taken aback by my interpretation of his claims. I shrugged his hands off my shoulders and tried to walk away when he suddenly pulled me back into a crushing hug.

"You're not a burden to me. Just-"

"Please just stop touching me. I don't want to be touched!" I cried in distress when he refused to release me.

"Jiyoung, I don't want to argue with you! Alright? I know you're frustrated, but please think carefully. I really care about you- and I don't want you to hurt yourself again, so let's head back inside. Okay? Let's not fight. We'll figure this out after you calm down," Jungkook pulled away to place his warm hand on my cheek and anxiously wiped my streaming tears from my damp cheek.

"I'm not acting on impulse. My heart is aching for him... so let me go. You can't keep me by your side forever," I answered, firmly staring at Jungkook's beaten face.

"Why is your heart aching for him when he doesn't even care about you?" Jungkook calmly asked, lowering his hand to hold my shoulder again as he searched my pained eyes for answers.

"He cares about me-"

"He cares about you? Are you going to lie to yourself like this when the truth is right before you? Why did he pretend to be dead? Why is Kim Taehyung faking his disability to avoid you? Jiyoung, why did he keep you yearning for him, even after you begged him? Why would he let you hurt yourself like this? If he loves you, then why are you so miserable?" Jungkook exhaled, slightly shaking his head to calm my thoughtless reaction. I blinked away the blurry tears in my eyes and glanced away in frustration.

"I don't know, but if he didn't love me... he wouldn't have fought his way out of his barricaded room that evening to save me. I heard his words. He was screaming for me. And- he said he loved me," I whispered while recalling the heartbreaking moments... right before I lost my consciousness. I heard Taehyung. He was begging me to stay alive. No one can convince me otherwise.

"You can't bleed for love. Jiyoung, I know you need love-"

"Oh. I need love. I desperately need love, and it's pathetic," I rudely interrupted Jungkook.

"Fine. Let's get married then. I'll love you," Jungkook sighed after taking a moment to make up his mind.

"I don't need pity love-"

"I like you. I've always liked you! It's not a pity love! I'll marry you, so stop seeing him!" Jungkook denied my claim with an offended expression. I pursed my lips to stare at his uptight frown. I'm tired of running in the same circle with him.

"I don't want to marry you," I replied shortly. A flash of betrayal swept across Jungkook's face.

"I was foolish with your sincere feelings! I'm sorry, alright? I shouldn't have urged you to marry Seokjin-"

"I don't like you. You're just a friend to me, and it's my decision to marry Taehyung," I shook my head. He pushed me away until I fell for another man, and now wants to marry me? Did he think love is a game? He should be ashamed of himself. Hyeri doesn't deserve this kind of treatment either.

"You said you liked me! Whatever he's good at, I'll do it better! I'll give you all my attention! I'll marry you! If you want to have sex- then I'll please you! I'll be everything you need!" Jungkook insisted, slightly squeezing my shoulders with his pleading eyes glued to mine.

"You can't do that," I whispered, blankly staring at him.

"Why not?" Jungkook frowned.

"Because you're not him. You can never replace him because you're not Kim Taehyung, and you will never be," I replied, coldly staring at Jungkook's shocked expression after spitting hurtful words at him.

"Jiyoung- You can't possibly choose a man you barely know over me? I've always prioritized your importance over everyone else," Jungkook stuttered in disbelief.

"It's not about the duration I've known you. We might've known each other for a long time, but Kim Taehyung made me feel loved more than you ever did. Your love isn't enough for me," I shook my head, slowly tugging his hands off my shoulder, and turned to walk away in tears. Jungkook didn't stop me this time and watched me leave in pain. I loved Jungkook. I did. I grew up loving him, and despite being close to him... I have never felt his love. Not once. He can't claim to love me when there's no love between us. If he thinks I'm betraying him... so be it. I'm a traitor because I picked another man over him.

I didn't go home and took the bus to Kim's district before hiking up the slope to enter the mansion without an invitation. I'm dying to see Taehyung. I feel so restless, so I have to see him no matter what. There was little no energy left in me as I pushed the front door open to find Mrs. Kim arguing with Seokjin in the living room while Namjoon sat on the couch with his arms crossed. They all grew hushed and turned to frown at me in confusion.

"Jiyoung?" Seokjin muttered, dumbfounded by my appearance. Namjoon straightened his body on the couch to observe me with a stony gaze.

"That's it! I don't want your involvement with my family! You're not seeing my son anymore!" Mrs. Kim confronted me in anger. I blankly stared at her sharp glare before turning away to walk up the staircase without speaking to her.

"Taehyung isn't your son," I muttered and left them in the living room.

"This isn't your house! Leave now! I won't let you cause a disorder within my family!" Mrs. Kim screamed as she stomped after me. I ignored her and walked up to Taehyung's room to push the door open, but it was empty. Did they move him?

"Where is he?" I asked, turning to watch Mrs. Kim storm up to me with a furious glare.

"Leave! Don't you dare step inside my mansion ever again! You're not welcomed here!" Mrs. Kim suddenly grabbed a handful of my hair, causing me to gasp in shock at her rudeness. I shrieked and tried to pull her hand out of my hair but she refused to release me and roughly dragged me down the corridor.

"Where is Taehyung?! I'm not leaving until I see him! You can't hide him from me!" I screeched, gripping her hand to make her release me- SLAP. She suddenly smacked me hard across my face.

"Eomma!" Seokjin gasped in shock, immediately jerking forward to support me. I rubbed my burning cheek with my unblinking eyes fixed on the floor, dumbfounded by the painful blow across my face. How dare she strike me?!

"Don't touch the filthy bitch! You're not seeing her anymore!" Mrs. Kim suddenly grabbed Seokjin's arm, possessively yanking him away from me. I slowly lifted my loathing eyes to glare dead at her fucking hideous face.

"The audacity to hit Lee Hyungseung's daughter after you murdered him for his kidneys?" I gritted in anger. She took my father's life- and she dared to fucking strike me!? Mrs. Kim turned pale at my words as Seokjin dreadfully glanced back and forth between us.

"What are you talking about-"

"Don't you fucking touch me again with your rotten fingers, you wretched witch! Did you think you can get away with your fucking sick murder!?" I roared, angrily stepping forward to tower over her body, causing her to back away in shock.

"WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?! DON'T YOU DARE THREATEN ME JUST BECAUSE MY SON IS-"

"I DON'T NEED YOUR FUCKING SON TO DEFEND ME. DID YOU THINK I WAS JUST ANOTHER WEAK BITCH YOU CAN FORCE TO SUCK YOUR SON'S HIGH-CLASS COCK!? WELL. YOU MESSED WITH THE WRONG BITCH! I DARE YOU TO FUCKING LAY ANOTHER FINGER ON ME, AND I WILL GOUGE OUT MY FATHER'S KIDNEYS FROM YOUR FUCKING BODY!" I angrily lowered my deadly eyes to fume my heated wrath on her until blood drained from her face. Mrs. Kim seethed heavily with her eyes bulging open, attempting to mask her fear under her iron face but I can sense the fear seeping through her rotten holes. My father never raised me to be a weak bitch!

"Jiyoung-"

"Don't you fucking touch me!" I hastily yanked my arm out of Seokjin's grip when he tried to calm me. I fired Mrs. Kim a resentful glare before stomping down the stairs to find Namjoon watching us from below.

"Stop interfering with our family-" Namjoon sighed with his arms crossed. I stopped at the coffee to snatch a glass of water and turned to splash it hard at Namjoon's face. He scoffed in shock as the water dripped from his face and hair before looking up at me with his dangerous dragon eyes.

"Don't give me that big dick energy when you can't even fuck me properly!" I sneered, angrily hurling the glass away... violently shattering it all over the floor. The mansion grew hushed as I stormed out of the shithole without shutting the front door. I will fucking burn down the murder house the next time I return!

Still, I didn't head home and went back to the hospital to wait in the lobby until I noticed Hyeri walking out for a coffee break. The hospital lobby was dead quiet since it was past midnight.

"What are you doing here?" Hyeri frowned, unsurely approaching me in her nursing attire. She was holding a coffee cup in her hands.

"Where's Taehyung?" I asked, sternly crossing my arms at her.

"I don't know. Your mother fired me after what you did," Hyeri shook her head.

"Where is Kim Taehyung?" I slowly stood up to intimidate her with a dead expression. Hyeri nervously watched me in fear as I narrowed my eyes at her with my arms crossed. She eventually told me Taehyung's whereabouts, so left the hospital and went to the mafia building for some rest. Yoongi and Jimin were startled by my sudden presence, but I told them I was tired and went to sleep in Taehyung's empty room. The witch will send people after me, so I'll stay at the mafia building for a couple of days to avoid getting in trouble. I did. I kept a low profile at the apartment with Yoongi and Jimin. Changwon sent over some medication for me, so I took it as scheduled to tame my delusional mind.

A week passed after I left Jungkook's place, and no one contacted me for a few days. Seokjin came to visit Taehyung's apartment, but I told him I didn't want to see him anymore. I knew he would visit me again after work, so I left the apartment in the afternoon and took a taxi to the Kim's vacation villa. Hyeri told me Seokjin was hiding Taehyung at their family villa the night I visited her. No one knows Taehyung is there except for Seokjin and Hyeri. I exhaled and glanced down at the scar on my wrist in silence before glancing out the car window. The taxi eventually arrived at the location, so I stepped out of the car, walked toward the villa, and entered the empty place. There wasn't any sign of life at all, and it was getting dark outside. The sun is setting. I should leave before dark. I glanced at the peaceful lake and slowly walked up the stairs, turning towards the far room as soon as I arrived on the first floor. It's his favorite room.

Creak. I gently pushed the door open to find the expected silhouette of a man sitting in his wheelchair by the glass view to gaze at the calm water surface and dark mountain. Taehyung didn't budge and remained in the wheelchair with his unblinking gaze on the scenery.

"Did you eat?" I asked. Taehyung suddenly blinked at my voice but didn't glance at me and remained hushed. I sighed and walked up to him to sit on the chair beside his wheelchair. His face is as pale as a ghost. Did Seokjin feed him?

"You're still not speaking to me?" I asked, slightly tilting my face to stare at his lifeless expression. I bitterly glanced at the dark view to process my thoughts when he kept his gaze away from mine.

"I guess it's really over between us then. Why did I come to see you when you have no interest in me?" I scoffed, gently running my fingers through my hair to comb it. Did he think he could fool me? No, he can't. I've played every card I had against him... and he's still rejecting me. He's really stubborn.

"I wanted to stay by your side... even if you're disabled. I'm willing to love you and had repeatedly rejected your brother for you, but if this is your decision, then okay. There's no point in pursuing our relationship anymore, right?" I smiled, slowly slipping the engagement ring from my finger.

"I'm actually here to say my farewell to you. I'll move abroad with Seokjin soon, and we'll start a new life in the new world. My life will never flourish here, so I'm leaving with your brother. Seokjin will give up on his status to operate his own foreign firms, and we'll get married there. I'll finally get to have a fresh start with Seokjin. We'll have children and live in a pretty glasshouse with our kids on the green hills," I smiled while staring at the ring in my hand. I glanced up to find Taehyung tearing up in his seat, but he refused to speak or react to my words, so I took his hand to place my ring in his palm.

"I will not fight for you anymore. I will not fight for someone who doesn't even bother to love me in return. I've proven all of my love for you, but it was never enough, so I'll offer my love to a person, who's willing to accept me," I nodded, gently curling Taehyung's fingers to make him hold the ring and slowly pulled my hand from his. He gulped in difficulty as he listened to my painful breakup closure.

"I guess this is our last goodbye. We'll never see each other again after this because I don't think I'll ever return to Korea. You don't have to find me either... You won't find me anywhere. And even if we meet again... I'll walk past you without looking back. There won't be any love left for you, and I will bury all of our memories. We'll be strangers again and all our moments will become a faded past," I exhaled, slowly getting onto my feet with my eyes fixed on the thick tear wall over Taehyung's pupils. He blinked in pain to break the swelling tears until heavy droplets dripped down his firm cheeks. He's in pain. I can sense his discomfort and desperation.

"I don't believe in second chances, so... once I walk out of this room... I will never look back. I'll move forward without you, and you'll stay right here, without me. I'll never come back to you. I won't give you an unwanted kiss or even a hug, so... goodbye, Kim Taehyung. Live happily without me," I smiled at his trembling lips as he struggled to contain his emotions. I sighed and finally turned away from him to approach the door. I took a deep breath without looking back to open the door and was about to take a step forward when- THUD. I halted at the sudden sound behind my back. I stared blankly at the opposite wall as I listened to his shaky breathing and muffled whimpers behind my back. Shaking my head, I raised my feet to take another step forward-

"W-Wait-" Taehyung stuttered as I stood in the doorway without turning to face him. I heard him struggling on the floor but refused to turn until I felt my chest clenching at his painful grunts.

"P-Please! Jiyoung! Listen to me!- Please-" Taehyung frantically called when I tried to walk forward again. I halted in place, stubbornly facing away from him. He finally found his voice.

"Baby... Please- turn around... please... I'm begging you," Taehyung whimpered behind my back. I gripped the door handle tightly as I listened to his desperate soft whimpers.

"Just this once! Please look at me- I love you! Please! Jiyoung, baby-!" Taehyung begged in a broken tone. I gulped and slowly turned to fix my gaze on him with a blank expression. Taehyung was struggling to sit up on the floor because of his stiff legs. He blinked at me with his puppy eyes as I stood in the doorway with a straight face.

"I told you I'll never come back to you once I leave this room-"

"Then don't leave! Don't leave me! Just please don't take another step outside the room!" Taehyung cried as he sat on the floor after tumbling off his wheelchair.

"Why should I-"

"Baby! You can't do this to us!" Taehyung snapped while glaring at me in tears. I remained unresponsive to his pleads.

"Why can't I? You've been treating me like shit," I coldly raised my eyebrow at his damp cheeks. Taehyung grunted and slowly crawled forward on his knees and hands after failing to stand up.

"Just wait there! If you don't want to return- then wait there! I'll crawl to you!" Taehyung cried in pain as he shakily made his way across the room. I coldly watched his pitiful state as he weakly crawled toward me. Taehyung finally reached my feet and tried to sit up, so I walked away from the door to sit on the bed edge instead. He sniffled at my cold-hearted reaction and turned to look at me in pain after I walked away from him. He didn't complain and turned to crawl towards the bed as I dully watched him inch toward me with his crippled legs.

"I'll give you five minutes to say your farewell, and I'll leave," I sighed, crossing my arms after Taehyung reached the foot of the bed. He shakily knelt on the floor before my feet in tears.

"I'm sorry- Jiyoung, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to treat you-"

"Oh? You didn't mean to ignore me? It wasn't your choice to act the way you did? Wae? Were you possessed then?" I coldly questioned his stupid excuse. Taehyung bit his trembling lips in difficulty as he struggled to sit up straight and shakily reached out to hold my hand, but I hastily slapped his hand away in irritation.

"I was scared-"

"Don't lie to me-"

"I was scared! I am scared! I am fucking scared! My mother threatened to kill you if I didn't behave!" Taehyung screamed in distress when I refused to believe his words, desperately staring at me with his tearful eyes.

"She can't kill me-"

"Yes, she can! If she can hurt me- then she can hurt you too! She let me live, but she won't let you live!" Taehyung explained as he tearfully sat on the floor with his head tilted upward to cry in distress.

"I told you I can handle the problems, but it doesn't matter anymore. I'll leave the country soon, so-"

"Jiyoung! No- Baby! Don't do this! You're not leaving me!" Taehyung cried, frantically grabbing my legs to hold me back when I tried to walk away.

"Let go!" I snapped and tried to tug his entangled arms from my legs.

"No! I was a fool! I'm sorry! Alright?! I wanted to embrace you, but how can I? I was still healing! And I knew I couldn't protect you even if I ran back to you! So- so I had no choice but to act this way to keep my mother from you! Please! I know I hurt your feelings! And I fucking deserve to die in agony for being a fucking asshole but believe me when I say I love you!" Taehyung firmly gripped my legs in distress as he sobbed on the floor.

"Then keep pretending-"

"I can't! I thought I could pretend forever, but I can't! I need you! I want you! Jiyoung- please don't walk away from me! I'll do anything you ask me to do! Oh? Anything! I swear! Everything you want- I'll give it to you! Just please don't abandon me!" Taehyung whimpered as he held onto my legs. I glanced down at his despairing state as he stared up at me from the floor with his pathetic puppy eyes.

"Even if I slept with your brothers? You'll still ask me to stay with you?" I asked.

"It doesn't matter. You needed them to distract your pain, and I was a jerk for not fulfilling your needs when you needed me!" Taehyung shook his head, stubbornly holding onto my leg. I glanced at the dark lake and slowly looked down at Taehyung to watch him sob in distress.

"Let go of my leg," I demanded shortly.

"Jiyoung!" Taehyung wailed in distress.

"I said let go. I will not repeat myself again," I warned, coldly staring down at Taehyung. He pursed his trembling lips in tears as he held onto me, and slowly... he released my legs.

"Jiyoung- baby- baby- please have mercy on me-" Taehyung bawled in a broken tone but didn't finish his sentence when I stomped away from him. I reached out for the door handle to slam the open door shut before turning to switch on the light. Taehyung squinted at the bright lights in tears before turning to look at me as he sat on the floor in a helpless condition. I sighed and went back to sit on the bed edge.

"Get up," I sighed, lightly patting the mattress. Taehyung glanced at me in confusion and slowly grabbed the bedsheet to pull himself upward until he collapsed on the bed.

"What happened to your legs? You could walk the day I slit my wrist, so what happened to your legs now?" I asked, grabbing his legs to extend them on the mattress before pushing his trousers upward to reveal his shins.

"How did you know I could walk?" Taehyung asked, tearfully staring at me as I inspected his bruised ankles.

"If you're really paralyzed- Then how did you walk towards the door to remove the drawer from the door? I'm not a fool," I frowned.

"I panicked after you fell unconscious- so I shoved the drawers away and carried you down the stairs- we fell. I missed a step, and we ended up tumbling down the staircase, but you weren't too hurt because I was shielding you. I dislocated both my ankles because I was still stiff from sitting for too long," Taehyung exhaled as I sadly stared at him.

"You should've given in to me when I told you to. How are you so stupid?" I frowned at him. Taehyung glanced at his ankles and back at me.

"You're not leaving me, right?" Taehyung blinked at me with his puppy eyes.

"That depends," I shrugged.

"Whatever you want or need! I'll do it! I promise! I thought I could let you go- but not anymore! I don't want you to leave my side!" Taehyung grabbed my hand in fear.

"I'll only stay if you want me to, and I will not put up with another round of your stupid performance," I shook my head.

"Jiyoung, I love you. I promise I won't hurt you again. Okay? From now on- it's just you and I. I will not let anyone frighten me again. I promise," Taehyung firmly stared at me. I inhaled in difficulty at his desperate pleads before letting out a deep sigh to release the stuffiness from my swelling chest.

"No more foul play," I agreed in defeat.

"Okay. I promise," Taehyung nodded at me. We sat staring at each other in silence when he suddenly leaned forward to kiss me, but I pushed his face away before he could reach me.

"Did you eat?" I asked, quickly getting off the bed. Taehyung pouted at my rejection.

"No. They deliver packed meals for me, but I don't want to eat it," Taehyung shook his head. I glanced out at the dark view with a difficult frown. It's too late for me to buy ingredients. I left the room to grab his delivered meals, then returned to find him perching on the mattress with an anxious look as if he was afraid I'd leave him again.

"Eat it-"

"I don't want to," Taehyung shook his head.

"I said eat it," I sighed, placing the meal package on the chair and pushed it towards him.

"Okay. What about you?" Taehyung looked at me unsurely.

"I'm not hungry," I shrugged as I watched him watch me with a tense gaze.

"Are you staying tonight?" Taehyung asked.

"Should I leave-"

"Stay with me. I missed you," Taehyung fired me his usual puppy eyes, knowing it'll weaken my cold heart.

"I'll shower then. You better eat," I nodded and strolled into the bathroom to shower because I was feeling very sticky from the hectic day of traveling to visit the villa. I quickly rinsed my body and left the bathroom to find Taehyung in his exact same position.

"Do you have spare clothes?" I frowned at his nervous expression.

"It's in the closet," Taehyung muttered, so I turned to open the door and picked out his smallest shirt and pants size. I quickly slipped on the loose clothes in front of him before throwing away his leftover meal. Taehyung didn't say anything but kept his puffy eyes on me as I crawled onto the bed with him and slipped under the blanket.

"Aren't you sleeping?" I muttered and turned to sleep on my side to face the dark view. Taehyung didn't respond and slowly crawled on the mattress beside me. He lifted the blanket and scooted his body against my back.

"Are you leaving me?" Taehyung asked, cautiously wrapping his arm around my waist.

"I'll leave the villa tomorrow. Get some sleep, and don't hug me," I replied, grabbing his hand to lift his arm off my waist. Taehyung grew hushed at my rejection and slowly scooted away from me as I blankly stared at the dark scenery. I don't feel like being touched by him. There were many thoughts in my head, but I chose not to stress over them and fell asleep on the mattress. It's been a while since I was able to sleep this easy without struggling to fight off the dreadful thoughts in my head. 

I didn't have a single dream throughout the night, and I was feeling weirdly calm. What if I open my eyes and this is all just a dream? What if Taehyung is still dead and I'm still alone? What will I do then? Why did I not embrace him when I had the chance to? Because I'm afraid it's all a dream, and I'll wake up yearning for his touch. Sniff. Sniff. I lay on the bed with my eyes closed when I heard odd sniffling sounds beside me. The person kept sniffing as if he was struggling to breathe, so I frowned and opened my eyes to find the calm lake before my eyes. It's not a dream?

"What's wrong? Why are you crying?" I muttered, turning to find Taehyung sitting up against the bedhead in tears. His eyes were burning with warm tears, and his nose was runny from his silent breakdown.

"N-Nothing," Taehyung whispered, turning his face away to rub his nose with his wrist and slid back down on the bed. I lifted my head to stare at him in confusion when he pulled the blanket over his head to hide his face. What's the matter with him? I reached out for the tissues on the nightstand beside the bed and sat up to yank the blanket.

"Tell me what's wrong," I muttered, trying to pull the blanket away from his face, but Taehyung tugged it right back.

"I'm fine-" Taehyung whimpered in a broken voice.

"Stop being stubborn!" I snapped in irritation, hastily yanking the blanket away from his face. Taehyung immediately shielded his face with his forearm and tried to turn away- so I grabbed his shoulders to pin him down on the mattress.

"I'm- really fine," Taehyung whined, but I didn't listen to his assurance and grabbed his damp cheeks to brush his messy hair out of his face to find hot tears slipping down his face. I frowned at his runny nose and flustered cheeks in silence. Why is he crying? He closed his eyes to avoid looking at me as he struggled to contain his shaky hiccups and kept sniffing under me like a little baby. Sighing, I gently wiped his tears and snots from his face.

"Sit up," I tapped his shoulder and got off the bed to put the dirty tissues away. Taehyung cleared his throat and sat up against the bedhead with a guilty expression. I sat down at his bedside and pushed the blanket away to reveal his legs.

"Does your ankles hurt? I'll get you painkillers," I asked, worriedly examining the deep purple bruise around his ankle before glancing at him. Taehyung was pouting at me with a troubled expression.

"My ankle is fine," He finally shook his head.

"Then tell me what's wrong!? You have to tell me-"

"You said you'll leave after you wake up! You're leaving me, and I can't stop you! I can't even run after you in this condition!" Taehyung cried in frustration as he cutely gripped the blanket over his lap. He's glaring at me with his swollen red eyes... it's cute.

"Oh. I'm going to leave-"

"I already apologized! Why did you come to see me if you're going to leave anyways!?" Taehyung rudely whined as he thrashed his legs on the bed, startling me with his childish attitude. What the hell?

"I'm leaving to get you ingredients... so I can make you breakfast," I muttered, blinking at his pouty face in confusion.

"What?" Taehyung suddenly stopped whining and looked up with a skeptical glare.

"I couldn't leave last night to get you fresh ingredients because it was dark. What's with your attitude? How dare you whine like a kid after the way you treated me!?" I scolded him. Taehyung winced at my harsh words and nervously chewed his lower lips while rubbing his palms together in guilt.

"I thought you were going to leave with Seokjin," Taehyung nervously made eye contact with me as I glared at him.

"It was a lie. I'm not moving abroad with your brother," I shook my head and got up to change back into my clothes before him.

"Why? Why would you-"

"Because you wouldn't speak to me! Maybe I should leave your hopeless ass here! How dare you scream in the morning after being a bad boyfriend!? I can't believe your audacity! You're unbelievable!" I turned to glare at Taehyung. He pouted at my words again.

"You're so mean!" Taehyung countered with an upset glare.

"Me? I'm mean? Was faking your death not mean at all? Was faking a paralyzed body not mean? Oh? Was pretending to be muted not mean?!" I snapped at him with my eyes wide open. How can he claim I'm the mean girlfriend when it was him- who caused all this trouble??

"I told you I had no choice!" Taehyung cutely countered. I scoffed at his grumpy morning attitude after getting dressed.

"Okay then! Keep being paralyzed! I'm leaving!" I glared, stomping out of the room after swinging the door open to stride away.

"Jiyoung! No! Come back! You can't leave me! I'm sorry!" Taehyung cried after me, but I didn't listen and stomped out of the villa to leave him. I should've left him to suffer all alone! Why did I even bother to come to him like this when he's only gonna blame me for it!? Wah! Whatever! I'm leaving!

A moment later...

Well. I did say I'll leave him... but why did the taxi man bring me back to the villa? Stop playing dumb, Jiyoung. You told him to come back here after buying a bag full of groceries for Taehyung... after claiming to leave him. Wah~ I'm unbelievable. How did I become a sucker for love like this? This is hurting my pride! I slowly pushed the door open to enter the empty villa when I noticed Taehyung gripping the railing on the staircase. He carefully lowered one by one of his feet on each stair while gripping the wooden handle for his life.

"What are you doing?" I dropped the plastic bag in horror. Taehyung suddenly snapped his head in my direction as he was halfway down the stairs.

"Jiyoung! Listen to me! AH!" Taehyung suddenly released the railing and ran down the stairs in panic. My eyes grew wide open when Taehyung's face suddenly screwed in pain. He lost his balance. I unconsciously rushed up the remaining stairs as he stumbled down the stairs- slamming hard into me. My eyes grew wide open as I held onto his waist with one arm while reaching for the railing with my other arm, but it was out of reach. I turned to look at Taehyung's stunned expression as his weight shoved me backward. Everything was in slow motion as we both tipped off the stair together. THUD! I slammed flat on the floor with my arms spread open, so I stared unblinkingly at the ceiling as a burst of bright stars circled over my head. My body was strangely numb because of the shock I was in but it didn't last. A surge of pain shot up the back of my skull as Taehyung remained over my sprawling body.

"Ah~ Ah~ My back- Fuck-!" I cursed in agony after I found my voice when I felt my back aching from the rough landing and lifted my head to rub the back of my head- only to find Taehyung laying on me like a frog with his eyes shut. He opened one of his eyes to observe the situation with a terrified expression and finally turned his startled face to me after I cushioned him during our fall.

"Don't leave me! Jebal!" Taehyung shrieked, suddenly hugging me with all his might, burying his face into my chest to trap me on the floor. He didn't seem to care about my discomfort after the fall.

"Get off me!" I snapped, hastily pushing his head away.

"No! I'm not getting off you!" Taehyung stubbornly tightened his arms around me.

"YOU STUPID MAN!-"

"No! No! NEVER- AH!" Taehyung frantically shook his head, so I smacked his head with my fist, causing him to whimper in pain. He unconsciously loosened his grip to rub his head, so I seized the opportunity to push his heavy body off mine and sat to rub my aching back in discomfort. Is he out of his mind?! I'm so fucking sore! Taehyung tried to scramble toward me again as we sat on the floor after the accidental fall- so I angrily hissed at his hasty reaction to threaten him like a feral cat with my fist raised in the air, ready to smack him if he got any closer.

"YAH! You're driving me crazy! Behave yourself!" I screamed in frustration.

"BUT- BUT-"

"Speak another word, and I'll make you swallow your own tongue!" I threatened in anger. Taehyung flinched like a puppy while biting his lower lips with a frightened expression as he knelt on the floor with his legs tucked under him. I panted heavily to recollect my mind after being slammed onto the floor and lowered my face to regain my consciousness after painful the collision. Am I dating a man or a child at this point?! I'm so frustrated! I lifted my face to glare at him to find his glimmering puppy eyes fixed on mine. Gah! Those fucking eyes! I want to gouge it out right now!

I hastily leaped onto my feet before bending my stiff back to grab the grocery bag and limped toward the kitchen without helping Taehyung. He tried to crawl after me like a puppy, so I quickly turned to fire him a warning glare. He froze on the floor at my disappointed face and tried to inch forward again- so I grabbed an onion from the bag and threw it right at his forehead. SMACK. He gasped in shock and collapsed backward with his hands over his face. I quickly walked off to cook in the kitchen in frustration. The last thing I need is a clingy boyfriend right now! Fuck- I just need a little bit of peace! His puppy love is driving me nuts!

Taehyung didn't follow me after I threw the onion at him, so I was able to savor the peace I needed in the kitchen, alone. What's the matter with me? Why am I so grumpy? I don't know. Maybe I'm doing this on purpose to take my revenge on him. My chest is swelling so much- I'm starting to feel stuffy! Am I like this because I'm horny? I'm not horny though. My feelings are so confusing, and I can't understand them. It really sucks to be a woman, huh? We don't even understand ourselves sometimes. I eventually calmed down while chopping the vegetables. My stomach suddenly growled hungrily at the savory scent of the dishes I was cooking. Right, I didn't eat last night. I carefully blew on the spoon to taste the mixture. It's good! I switched off the stove and turned to plate the meals.

After an hour, I finally lifted the tray to lower it on the coffee table. That's where Taehyung was sitting. He intensely stared at my face as I dismissively settled the utensil and cups on the table but didn't speak to him. I sat on the floor across from him as Taehyung firmly glared at me like a bitter kid. How am I supposed to take him seriously when he's acting like five years old?! I can't, and he's irritating me! I'm feeding him his mommy issues needs, and it's killing me because I'm freaking struggling with daddy issues. He needs to be a man for me! Not behave like a child to stress me out!

"Don't talk and eat," I muttered, glancing at the red mark on his forehead. He darted a disapproving look and lowered his body onto the floor to eat his food with me. I didn't say anything and ate in silence. The only sound was our spoons and chopsticks scraping against the plates. Cling. Cling. Cling. I frowned and looked up at Taehyung when he started drumming his chopstick against the glass to create loud chimes. Shaking my head, I lowered my head to finish my food. Cling. Cling. Cling. My mother instinct is telling me to whack his annoying ass, but I'm not his mother! Let's stay calm- shit I might really chase him with a broom at the rate!

"That was a good meal," I burped while patting my tummy as Taehyung irritated me with the endless clinking sound. Cling. Cling. Cling.

"You're not eating anymore, so I'll collect the dishes-ah!" I muttered, reaching out to grab his half-eaten food on the cold plate. He suddenly smacked my hand with his chopstick to stop me from touching his plate.

"Yah! How dare you!? Give me the plate!" I snapped in shock and tried to reach out again, but he immediately pushed my hands away and lowered his face to stuff the food into his mouth with his spoon. What's wrong with him!? Seriously!? Taehyung fired me a sharp glare as we roughly pulled the plate back and forth. He frowned at me with his inflated hamster's cheeks and rice bits all over his oily lips. GAH!

"You stupid man! Stop being so immature! I'll talk to you after I wash the dish! Wipe your lips! I'll leave if you keep annoying me!" I glared, hastily smacking his head with my chopstick. Taehyung painfully whined with his unchewed food left in his mouth, sending the wet bits splattering all over the table. He rubbed his head in pain, so I quickly collected the plates to clean them in the sink before I lost my shit. 

"Can I speak now?" Taehyung asked as soon as I strolled back into the living with a disapproving glare.

"You're already speaking. Why did you even bother to ask me?" I raised my eyebrow and sat down beside him.

"Why are you treating me like this!?" Taehyung grimaced at my unbothered expression.

"Treating you like what? Why? Are you not satisfied? I'm making your food, and I even stopped you from breaking your neck from tumbling down the stairs!" I bickered while glaring at him. What is there to complain about? He's the one picking on me!

"You haven't kissed me ever since you arrived! You won't let me hug you! You won't let me touch you! Everything you do- it's as if you don't care about me anymore! Why? Do you not love me anymore? Were my brothers better than me?! Do you favor them now?!" Taehyung ranted at me so fast I couldn't keep up with him. I pursed at his claims while staring at his irritated face with a blank mind. Is he serious?

"Is that what you're so upset about? Because I won't touch you?" I blinked.

"Yeah! Skinship is our love language-"

"Ah? So filling up your hungry belly with food isn't a love language? Hmm? Wiping your tears and snots... isn't love? Is putting up with your childish attitude in a calm manner not a love language too?" I interrupted him. Is he out of his mind?!

"Calm manner?! You smacked my head twice and even threw an onion at me! Look at my forehead!" Taehyung pointed at his red forehead with a furious but cute frown.

"Ah...? Your inability to talk must've been killing you inside. It must be frustrating to suppress your usual talkative nature, huh? Is that why you're being snappy at me? This is a bit unfair, don't you think?" I nodded funnily to tease him. Taehyung is a talkative person... so it must have driven him mad to be muted for almost a year.

"You're really mean, you know? You said you slept with my brothers while I'm away-" Taehyung gulped as I leaned against the couch with my hand pressed against the side of my head.

"You were the one pushing me away, but now you're nagging me about my sexual life? But alright. Yeah, I slept with them? What about it?" I blinked at his flustered face as he struggled to finish his words.

"Namjoon too?" Taehyung asked, nervously scanning my face.

"Yeah. Namjoon was drunk, and he got horny, so he stripped me, and we had sex," I nodded. Taehyung frowned at my straightforward response with an upset pout.

"What about Seokjin?" Taehyung asked, unconsciously gripping his fists as his face burned with jealousy.

"Oh. I found out your oldest brother is my stalker. He's been stalking me since my father passed away. He also got very horny and made me have sex with him on a desk in his private room, but we're platonic now. I made him promise to keep our relationship sex-free until I figure everything out," I answered honestly. Taehyung's face flushed red at my confession. It's fun to watch him contain his adorable frustration.

"Relationship? You're back with him now-"

"No. We're not dating, but we're on good terms," I shook my head. Taehyung grew hushed to examine my calm expression anxiously. What's going on in his mind right now? I can't tell.

"I'm not surprised to hear you're sleeping with my brothers. It's expected," Taehyung lowered his eyes to look at his hands.

"Ohoh? Are you-"

"No. No. I don't mean it in a bad way at all. You're just.. you. You know? You know what you want for yourself. You're real, and you don't linger on the past. I like that about you even if it scares me. I know you don't need me to live and that's why I'm always on edge around you. I'm afraid of losing you. You needed other men when I wasn't available, so I'm not mad... but I'm jealous, of course. But I don't expect an independent woman like you to dwell on my death either. You make me insecure," Taehyung slightly shook his head.

"You're okay with me sleeping with your brothers?" I raised my eyebrow with a weak smile.

"I'm jealous, of course, but... there's nothing wrong with that. Sleeping with many people doesn't make you less worthy," Taehyung sadly stared at me as we sat facing each other on the couch.

"I was searching for you in your brothers," I sighed, tilting my head back to comb my fingers through my hair.

"Really?" Taehyung blinked, unsurely staring at me.

"Oh. I thought I could find you in your older brothers, but none of them had your qualities. It was very frustrating for me," I nodded. Taehyung slightly smiled at my response.

"And you still want to leave my side?" Taehyung asked, raising his eyebrows at me.

"I can leave you if I want to, but it's up to you to decide. Like I said... I won't fight for you if you don't fight for me," I nodded at Taehyung. His face dimmed at my words.

"How can I fight to protect us when I'm this useless? I can't even walk," Taehyung sighed, glancing down at his legs with a sulky expression. I scooted closer to Taehyung and gently held his cheek until he averted his dispirited eyes to mine. Slowly, I leaned forward to press my lips against his. Taehyung tilted his face to the side in response to my kiss, so I lowered my hand to hold the back of his neck as he deeply kissed me.

"Did you forget? You have me by your side," I smiled, pulling away from him. He fondly stared at my eyes while rubbing my cheek with his thumb. 

"How can I forget about my red woman?" Taehyung answered, smirking at me with a soft gaze. I chuckled and pressed my lips against his to kiss him again. Taehyung lowered his hand to hold my waist and suddenly slipped his hand under my shirt to grab my boobs. I quickly pulled his hand out of my shirt.

"Can we kiss without you groping my boobs?" I frowned, pulling away to glare at him.

"Why not? You don't like it? Why are you so fussy now when you used to love my touch-"

"I don't want to be turned on by you!" I snapped at him.

"Why not!? You don't want to have sex with me!? Wae? Do you prefer my older brothers over me!?" Taehyung huffed, widening his doubtful eyes at me.

"You don't even last that long! I'll only suffer if we get intimate!" I argued. Taehyung scoffed at my response with an offended expression.

"What do you mean?-"

"You finished inside me the last time we had sex, and you only lasted two minutes! That's too short! I was left horny because of you! I won't sleep with you if you're just going to finish as soon as you penetrate me! It's so uncomfortable to be left throbbing for you!" I shook my head. He couldn't satisfy me the last we had sex, and I was throbbing so much for him! I'll go crazy if he finishes without making me orgasm again, so it's better not to have sex at all.

"That's because you were teasing me so much! I almost had a heart attack from defying the urge to submit to your invitation! I was already close to finishing while you were humping me! The penetration was too much! You know you're good at your foreplay and that you can make me ejaculate even without penetration! You know that! And I was deprived of you for almost half a year! My body was thirsting for yours- so I just finished before we started!" Taehyung cutely complained to defend his weak sex drive. I laughed at his answer and shook my head in disbelief.

"You didn't even want to touch me that day," I smiled.

"I wanted to! I was touching you when you fell asleep! I was- what are you doing-" Taehyung complained. He abruptly halted when I slid onto the floor to kneel before him.

"I'm checking to see if you can last as long as you claim. If you can survive this... I'll have sex with you," I smirked, grabbing Taehyung's waistband to pull it off his firm hips. He gasped and tried to cover his crotch, so I effortlessly pushed his hands aside.

"That's unfair! I haven't had sex in a while, so of course, I will- shit! Jiyoung!" Taehyung complained but gasped in shock when I grabbed his bulge with my hands and lowered my face to give him a blowjob.

"Whatever you say. Hold it in for thirty minutes to pass the test," I teased while jerking him, causing Taehyung's face to grow pale in shock. He grunted at my hand activities and tilted his head backward on the couch as I took him into my mouth again.

"Thirty minutes?! That's not possible! You can't do this- Ah~ Hah~! Baby~! I can't last that long when you're this good!" Taehyung moaned in distress as I pleased him. I didn't listen and went at it until he was rock hard. I kept bouncing my head over his crotch until my jaws hurt from pleasing him. Taehyung grew hushed, so I lifted my face to watch him pant heavily with his eyes closed as he held onto my hair to keep it from dangling over my face.

"I can't- I'm going to finish! Jiyoung! Stop! I'll finish in your mouth- H-hah~ Please- Urgh!" Taehyung gasped, frantically fighting to push my face away. I refused to listen and interlaced our hands to stop him from escaping my clutch. He wanted it so I'll give it to him! Why is he complaining now?! Taehyung helplessly sat with his legs spread open, shakily grunting above me until I felt his legs muscles stiffening. I held both his hands on the couch until he ejaculated in my mouth after about fifteen minutes of nonstop oral sex. I halted when I felt his semen filling my mouth but didn't pull away to let him unload the slimy discharge, slowly slipping him out of my lips as he twitched intensely on the couch.

"I told you! Shit! Spit it out-" Taehyung gasped, pulling his hand out of mine to make me spit it on his palm, but I refused and swallowed his semen in one gulp. I quickly launched onto my feet to press my lips against his. Taehyung flinched in panic when I forcefully shoved my tongue into his lips.

"You failed," I whispered, pulling away to smirk at him.

"I told you I can't last-"

"Then I'll make you taste your failure," I smirked, pressing my lips against his to swirl my semen-soaked tongue around his. Taehyung seemed disgusted by the taste of his own semen but didn't complain as I made him taste himself. He suddenly groped my boobs again to knead my breast as he drew me onto his lap. Our wet kiss grew hotter as we made out on the couch and after a moment... I was completely naked on the couch with him. Taehyung was deep inside me, and I was moaning in distress as he held onto my waist to thump inside me.

"Easy! I don't want to finish yet!" I snapped, wildly gripping his hair as he roughly made me ride him. Taehyung pulled my face toward his to kiss me when I wouldn't stop complaining, making me whimper in distress.

"You said I couldn't satisfy you, right? I'll please you for as long as you want until you're satisfied!" Taehyung pulled away as he pounded inside me from underneath. I moaned in pleasure when he grabbed my buttcheeks to lift up my hips while slipping and sliding between my throbbing inner thighs. Tears began to fill my eyes as I hugged his neck with my face buried against his neck at how good he was when I noticed someone entering the villa.

"I love you," Taehyung moaned as he repeatedly penetrated me while I kept my eyes on the man. Seokjin halted at the doorway after entering when he found us having sex on the couch. I gripped Taehyung's shoulder nervously with my eyes fixed on Seokjin's blank expression as he watched me bounce on Taehyung's thighs. I wanted to stop, but it's been a while since we made love, and this was too good to be disturbed. So... I gripped Taehyung's wild hair and lowered my face to kiss his neck, knowing we were being watched by Seokjin. Taehyung didn't notice Seokjin's presence since he was sitting against the couch, facing away from the entrance. I sat hugging him on his crotch, so only I was able to see Seokjin from the view.

"I love you too," I bit my lips in difficulty and lifted my eyes back up to find Seokjin calmly leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed. My cheeks flushed red as Seokjin observed us quietly from the entrance with his sensual gaze. I moaned in distress as Taehyung accelerated his speed until I gasped in shock- tilting my head back to let him kiss my breasts. Seokjin slightly smirked at my steamy reaction while I kept my troubled eyes on him. I averted my eyes away from the heir to kiss Taehyung again because I was too embarrassed to look at him. i

I liked the attention. I love Taehyung and I love to make love with him... but it was strangely stimulating to be watched.

Fast Forward

Third Person POV

The luxurious venue bustled with filthy rich chairmen and shareholders, accompanied by their first ladies. The staff dressed in formal attires were scurrying all over the spacious room filled with wealthy individuals to serve them top-quality refreshments and beverages. Kim Namjoon softly chuckled, showing off his charming dimples as he spoke to a group of men and women with a wine glass in his hand. His parents were chatting with their acquaintances in fancy clothes. The Hwang darted The Kim with an uneasy look as they passed by to greet the Jeon. Jungkook politely bowed at Jiyoung's parents before averting his eyes to Kim to search for his best friend's presence, but she was nowhere to be found.

"I heard Seokjin isn't attending?" Hoseok walked up to Jungkook with a slight frown as they searched the room for the heir.

"I don't know," Jungkook shrugged, turning to face Hoseok.

"Where is Jiyoung?" Hoseok asked Jungkook after his dear school friend disappeared from the corporation.

"She's not feeling well," Jungkook shrugged, lying to his fellow corporation friend. He has no idea where Jiyoung is at.

"Where is my daughter?" Mrs. Hwang, Jiyoung's birth mother, approached Mrs. Kim suspiciously.

"How am I supposed to know?" Mrs. Kim rudely rolled her eyes with a slight smirk, causing Mrs. Hwang's face to flush red in irritation.

"Don't you dare harm a single strand of her hair," Mrs. Hwang warned Mrs. Kim.

"I don't care about your daughter. She's not worth my sons' love or attention," Mrs. Kim replied smugly, causing Jungkook to tense his grip in irritation.

"Moh? My daughter is worth more than your sons combined-"

"She leeched off all of my sons. She stole Taehyung's assets, ruined Seokjin's reputation, and even took advantage of Namjoon," Mrs. Kim countered Mrs. Hwang.

"Was it really her fault? Why is she the bad person when it was your sons, who went crawling for her? Hmm? Did she really steal Taehyung's assets when it was him- who wanted to marry her? Did she really ruin Seokjin's reputation when it was the heir who committed the crimes? And did she really take advantage of Namjoon when it was him... who forced her on his bed when she was drunk? Who is really at fault here?" Jungkook gritted, losing his temper at Mrs. Kim's offensive remarks towards Jiyoung. Mrs. Jeon nervously tugged her son's hand to stop him from interfering with the top shareholders. Mrs. Kim angrily glanced at Jungkook. Hoseok tried not to laugh at Jungkook's brutal claim, so he turned away to smile in disbelief.

"It was her who seduced my sons-"

"And it was them who got hard for her. Right?" Mrs. Hwang backed Jungkook with a stern frown. Mrs. Kim's face suddenly flushed red when Jiyoung's mother and best friend wouldn't stop defending Jiyoung.

"I'll never let my sons be with a worthless whore like her-"

"Is it even your decision though? It seems like... She already won over your precious heir and favorite pet boy?" Hoseok laughed while he stared at the entrance with his arms crossed.

"What-" Mrs. Kim blinked at Hoseok's rude comments but halted when the entire venue suddenly gasped in shock. Every head within the room turned towards the carpet at the entrance to find two people strolling inside the room.

"He's really alive," Hoseok whispered with his unblinking eyes fixed on Kim Taehyung, who was dressed in a sleek suit with neat pushed-back hair. The youngest son was sitting in his wheelchair with a blank expression as a woman pushed him forward.

"Jiyoung..." Jungkook whispered in horror when he recognized her. Jiyoung looked nothing like her usual self. Her hair was neatly fixed in a loose bun with decorative golden pins. Jiyoung's usual exhausted face was sexily dolled up with fiery red lipstick and fierce dark eyeliners. Everyone stared at her full body curve in her alluring maroon off-shoulder dress and glimmering high heels until their mouth dropped open at her captivating energy.

"That necklace-" Mrs. Kim stuttered in shock as she stared at the necklace around Jiyoung's slender neck in horror. It was the only limited edition necklace she wanted at the auction... but she never got her hand on it because someone else won the bid.

"I heard Seokjin bought the necklace at the auction," Hoseok chuckled in disbelief as they stared at the ruby pendants sitting between her deep collar bones. It was a royalty gemstone. Mrs. Kim knew that. She thought her eldest son had bought it for her...? But it was placed around another woman's neck.

"Kim Seokjin-" Mrs. Kim gritted and was about to walk forward when another man strolled into the venue after the couple. The mother halted when she found her own son striding into the room in his dashing tuxedo with a stern face. Everyone's jaw dropped when Seokjin lightly placed his hand on Jiyoung's waist, so she weakly turned to smile at him.

"What the fuck-" Jungkook whispered when Seokjin gently pecked Jiyoung's cheek. She shyly smiled and stepped aside to let Seokjin push Taehyung forward as she walked along her fiancé's side. The guests intensely gawked at Taehyung's healthy figure in shock as the three of them passed through the crowd. The youngest son glanced up at Jiyoung as she walked by his wheelchair, so she smiled and placed her hand out for him. Taehyung smiled and lifted his hand to hold hers. She interlaced her fingers with his to show off the engagement ring he gifted her. Taehyung lifted Jiyoung's hand to kiss her sweet scent with a slight smile as Seokjin pushed his brother towards their parents.

"Who is she with exactly? I can't tell," Jiyoung's stepfather frowned at his stepdaughter and the two men beside her in confusion.

"Maybe both?" Hoseok scratched his head. Everyone turned to fire Hoseok with a weird look as they struggled to figure out the red woman's lover.

Is it the dead man?

Or is it the angel stalker?

Both the necklace around her neck and engagement ring was chained to her body, leaving everyone confused with the puzzling presence of the two brothers by her side.

Which one is the Love Candidate?

________________________

Hello! It's been a while T_T I can only update once a week now and it's frustrating and I'm really sorry! How's everyone doing? I hope you're all safe and healthy! Did you like the chapter? I hope you did! Thank you so much for your support on Love Candidate! I'll come back with a better chapter! I love you guys! <3