CHAPTER - 8

Taehyung's home :-

Taehyung stepped into his house, the weight of his thoughts pressing down like a physical force. But the sight that met him made him scream.

Taehyung - DAD! STOP IT!

His voice shattered the air as he saw his father’s boot colliding again and again with his mother’s stomach. Mrs. Kim crumpled to the floor, her sobs wracking her body as she begged him to stop. Rage and panic coiled inside Taehyung like a live wire. Without thinking, he dashed forward, scooping his mother into his arms and helping her to her feet.

His eyes blazed red with fury as he turned toward his father. His voice trembled, yet carried the weight of his anger

Taehyung - STAY AWAY FROM MY MOM… OR ELSE—

Mr. Kim sneered, his voice cruel and low.

Mr. Kim - Or else what, boy? What will you do?

Taehyung clenched his fists so tight his knuckles whitened, but his mother’s trembling hand on his arm stilled him. She silently gestured for him to stay quiet.

Mr. Kim unbuckled his belt with a deliberate, threatening slowness.

Mr. Kim - Taehyung… I think you’ve forgotten your place. Time to teach you that a son never raises his voice to his father. Are you ready?

Taehyung said nothing. He already knew what was coming.

Mr. Kim - Take off your shirt

His father commanded.

Tae obeyed, his hands trembling slightly as he pulled the shirt over his head, and then he lay face down on the sofa. The first lash of the belt slammed into his back. Pain exploded through him, sharp and searing.

Mr. Kim - Start counting

Mr. Kim barked.

Taehyung - A-ah… one… t-two… three… aah… ten…

Tae’s voice cracked with every number, his body tensing with each strike.

The house was filled with the sound of his pained screams and his mother’s quiet sobs. By the time the twentieth strike landed, his father stepped back, breathing heavily.

Mr. Kim - Hope you’ve learned your lesson, boy.

Mrs. Kim rushed to him, tears streaking her face.

Mrs. Kim - Sorry, TaeTae… please forgive me…

Tae’s hands trembled as he tried to stand.

Taehyung - He’s the reason I don’t believe in love, Mom.

She shook her head, sobbing.

Mrs. Kim - He loves us, Tae… it was my fault I spilled water on his documents.

Taehyung's lips curled in bitter contempt.

Taehyung - Liar.

Mrs. Kim - Huh?

Taehyung - Stop it, Mom. How long are you going to lie to yourself? Stop pretending we’re a happy family.

Mrs. Kim - Tae—

Taehyung - I’ve watched him hit you my whole life… it’s time to stop lying. He never loved us.

Mrs. Kim’s lips trembled, but she couldn’t meet his gaze. The truth lay between them, heavy and suffocating.

Tae slowly pulled on his shirt, hands shaking violently, and retreated to his room. He collapsed onto his bed, body aching and heart pounding, tears streaming freely.

Taehyung - Why did you choose this hell, Mom? Why don’t you leave him? I’m so done watching you suffer… I hate it. I hate love. How could anyone love someone this much and endure this pain?

Then, without warning, the image of Jungkook’s furious, unflinching face flashed in front of him.

Tawhyung's p.o.v - I’ve never seen him like this… stronger than all of us… then why did he let them bully him? Why today… why did he punch Jack and Kai? Was it… to protect me? To stop them from revealing my name?

His heartbeat raced, pounding against his chest like a warning drum. He pressed his hand against it, trying to calm the storm inside. His thoughts were tangled, dangerous, and impossible to unravel.

The shrill ring of his phone cut through his spiraling thoughts. He saw the caller ID: Jennie. Irritation flared.

Taehyung - Hello.

Jennie - Hi TaeTae, I was missing you…

His jaw tightened so hard his teeth ached.

Taehyung - Listen, Jennie. This is my first and last warning: stop calling me stupid nicknames. Stop sitting on my lap without permission. Ever.

Jennie - But… I’m your girlfriend, Tae—

Taehyung - Only in front of my friends. Know your limits.

Jennie - Tae—

He cut the call, leaving her sputtering on the other side.

He sank back into his bed, eyes closed, body trembling. Jungkook’s face returned to his mind, vivid and impossible to shake.

Taehyung's p.o.v - Why can’t I stop thinking about him?

And for the first time in a long time, Taehyung didn’t want to fight it.