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5 Y e a r s   l a t e r

Author's POV

The Door of the Room opened with a Creek sound revealing a woman in her late twenties laying down on the bed as the different types of machines are attached on her body..... The heart monitors are beeping signalling her survival as Beside her, A man who's looking at her with pure admiration and eyes full of love....

The woman lay motionless in the center of it all, her once-vibrant self now a fragile image of the woman that The Man fell in love with. Her porcelain skin looked almost translucent, framed by strands of dark hair splayed across the pillow.

The Man  stood in the doorway for a long moment, the white rose in his hand trembling slightly. His suit, though crisp and tailored, felt heavy. Today was their anniversary—five years since they vowed to spend eternity together. Instead, fate had left her in this state, trapped in a coma since that fateful night when Yeon-hee’s vengeance nearly destroyed them.

He walked to her side, placing the rose on the nightstand next to a framed photo of their wedding day. The man sank into the chair beside her bed, The man's hand slowly went towards that woman hand where their wedding Ring was resided..... Tears are threatening to fall but he managed to control his emotions as he slowly muttered," Ari.... Happy Marriage Anniversary, My Lovely Wife......"

And with that he kissed back of her hand and said sadly," I miss you so much, My Ari.... See Your Tae Tae is here like everyday waiting for you to wake up from the coma.... "

Five years ago, After that bomb blast both Taehyung and Ariana was taken to emergency Ward as both are in critical condition..... Both of them are taken to Operation Theatre and was operated for hours..... Both are taking their last breaths but God was merciful to them giving them a another chance to survive in this mirage......

He pulled a small velvet box from his pocket and opened it, revealing a delicate diamond bracelet. “I had this made for you. A new start… when you wake up.”

The silence in the room was deafening.

Just then The door of the room opened as Taehyung immediately wiped off the tears that are corner of his eyes and smiled quite forcefully like nothing happened.... Like he wasn't sad or crying.....

" A-appa, I saw ghosts..... again...", A cute little voice came out as Taehyung turned around and saw their 5 year old little daughter, Aayana like the name Ariana has chosen for their child.....  Kim Aayana had her father’s sharp, expressive eyes one monolid and other is double eyelid and her mother’s soft smile. Her curly hair framed her round face as she tiptoed into the room, clutching a stuffed rabbit.

He immediately got up and took her little daughter in his arms and caressed her soft hair...

She climbed into his lap, her tiny hands wrapping around his neck. She gazed at her mother, tilting her head. “Mama’s still sleeping?”

“Yes, sweetheart,” Taehyung replied, his voice tight. “But she’s strong, just like you. She’ll wake up soon. Let’s pray for her, okay?”

Aayana nodded and leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to Ariana’s cheek. “Wake up, Mama. I need you.”

Taehyung closed his eyes, holding his daughter close as he whispered, “Please, Ari. If not for me, then for her.”

Both Father-Daughter duo prayed to God as Taehyung never believed in God but for the sake of Ari, He might be religious enough just to get her back ....

✳️________________✳️

Kim Residence

That evening, the villa was filled with the sounds of laughter and celebration. The grand hall was transformed into a whimsical wonderland, adorned with pastel balloons, fairy lights, and a cake decorated with rainbows and stars. Aayana’s fifth birthday was a rare moment of joy amidst the shadows that loomed over their lives.

Aayana stood at the head of the table, giggling as everyone sang the birthday song. With her cheeks puffed, she blew out the five candles on her cake, earning cheers from the crowd.

Taehyung stood to the side, watching her with a small smile. His heart swelled with pride, though a lingering heaviness remained.

“ Where is my cute little teddy bear?!”, A voice rang out in the hall as little Aayana looked at the entrance Of the villa as a huge smile lit up on her face as she immediately went down and went towards the Woman with great joy.....

“ Halemoni~~, You c-came!!! ”, Aayana said with her cute little voice as she jumped into The Woman's lap.... The Kang family arrived at the villa far away from the city.....

Lee Ji-ah looked at her granddaughter with a heart-warming smile as she caressed her soft hair and pinch her rosy cheeks and got a cute giggle from Aayana.... Behind Ji-ah, Mr. Kang Ho Dong and Ariana's uncle and Aunt have also come here along with the daughter of them, Kang Hyun Soo....

The relationship between Jimin and Hyun Soo developed more than just that one night.... As Jimin proposed to her and they're planning to get married with the approval of Kang Family... Obviously, Ji-ah did oppose the idea of Hyun Soo being part of a Mafia Family but Jimin did promise the Kang family that He will protect Hyun Soo with his own life....

The animosity between Lee Ji-ah and Kim Namjoon still remained same.. As both don't want to acknowledge their mistakes nor they have any intention to apologize to each other... Because in Mafia World, if you bow down on someone, it's going to look as a Weak.... And being The Most powerful Gangs in Whole Asia, They're too egostic to do that....

But For the peace in Taehyung's Household, They decided To drop The matter when they visit this place... After all, All Taehyung has is this Black Swan and The members who he treat as his own blood brothers... And Ji-ah has her daughter , Ariana who she cherished with her whole heart......

After The party ended with the close relatives, Ji-ah wants to take Aayana to their house... Even though Taehyung didn't want to but seeing her daughter's sparkling eyes, He reluctantly agreed... But with a Female Bodyguard and her babysitter went along with her... Kim Taehyung can never compromise The safety of his little Angel.....

Namjoon approached Taehyung, a glass of wine in hand. “A good party,” he remarked, his tone neutral.

“She deserves it,” Taehyung replied, not taking his eyes off Aayana as she went away with her grandparents.....

Namjoon sipped his drink, his expression darkening. “I wanted to talk about the weapons deal we discussed.”

Taehyung’s jaw tightened.  A very sore topic that Taehyung doesn't even want to talk about. “I’ve already told you, Hyung. I’m out.”

“You think you can just walk away?” Namjoon’s voice was low, almost dangerous. “This Mafia  life doesn’t let you go so easily. Sooner or later, it’ll come for you. It always bites back... No matter how much you try to run away at the end of the day, it will come.... ”

Taehyung turned to face him, his gaze unwavering. “Let it come. I’ve built something new. For them.”

After That Incident, Taehyung has wrapped up all the activities from the Mafia world.... After waking up in the hospital bed and seeing Ariana's situation and the little baby girl on seokjin's arms made him realise about a lot of things....  Ariana was right about one point, Their child can't be drag into this Mafia shit.... It almost cost him His wife and his little Angel's life.... But deep in his mind, He also knew he can't get away from this shit easily..... He destroyed so many things in so many people's Life..... They will always come back to bite him....

So, he made up a plan to slowly slowly go out of the Mafia World.... Firstly, He met with  Kim Ki Hoon's Son Kim Young Dae, The person who's father destroyed his whole life, killed him parents and almost killed him and Ariana....He inherited his Father's Asset from Kim Young Dae, Which was rightfully His .. After gaining That, He discussed with Mr. Kang Ho Dong about establishing A new Company.... With the help and resources of Mr. Kang, Taehyung was about to Build up a company with his business knowledge and in these five years, it's a really profitable One and doing well in the business field......

He made up this whole business without any illegal or black money.... And which he is pretty much proud of.....

Hearing that, Namjoon smiled but that smile wasn't full of happiness but with a hint of mockness and cockiness....

Namjoon: You did. Just like Your Father did too.... But he wasn't able to protect You or your mother from the upcoming chaos.... Are You Sure, Kim Taehyung you will be able To? You can protect Ariana Or Aayana from The upcoming Chaos?! Because This Mafia World doesn't even spare the infants or innocent....

Namjoon knew he caught a very much sore topic Of Kim Taehyung.... The Famous Kim Hyunsik, The Father of Kim Taehyung, isn't what it seems on the surface..... He has some links with the underground World that Taehyung's Mother was unaware of..... The Reason little Taehyung was never able To get outside of the mansion  was because of the involvement of his father in illegal things that one time almost made them cost their life's.....  Taehyung did some digging on his own family or his father's background, and obviously, it's not that pleasant......

But Taehyung was determined not to make the same mistake that his father did..... He can't......

Taehyung: I will make sure it never comes.. even if it comes, it has to first go through me..... I am not building up this Empire for nothing.... This Empire is only for their safeguard.... And I am willing to do anything for them... Anything......

Namjoon studied him for a moment, his lips curving into a faint smirk. “You’ve changed, Taehyung.”

Taehyung nodded and smiled a little bit and replied, “Love does that to a man. And once You have a child, you will Understand The emotions I am feeling right now.... I have To guard my Little Angels......”

✳️️_________________✳️

In Greece

Yoongi stood on the quiet street, staring at a modest house. The glow of warm lights spilled onto the pavement, and the sound of laughter drifted through the open window.

Through the glass, he saw her—his first love, Ayrin —sitting at the dinner table with her husband and two children. She looked radiant, her smile lighting up the room.

Yoongi’s chest tightened. He had spent years searching for her, only to realize that the woman he once loved was no longer his. She belonged to another world now, one filled with joy and peace—a world he could never give her.

“I’m happy for you,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Without knocking or announcing his presence,  he put that handkerchief on the ground in front her door. He  turned and walked away, leaving the ghost of his past behind.

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The villa was cloaked in the quiet stillness of night , the kind of silence that hinted at an impending storm. The faint glow of moonlight spilled through the massive windows, casting long shadows across the walls. Taehyung had just finished tucking Aayana into bed, her small frame curled around her favorite stuffed rabbit....He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his heart swelling with the love that kept him anchored in this dangerous world....

As he stepped into his study Room to sort some documents, The shrill ring of his  phone shattered the calm .....

Namjoon's voice rang out from the other side of the phone as he said, “They have  attacked my  base and the Mansion .....  Lee Ji-ah Japanese Villa got attacked...... And it's worse..... They are coming for you Next.... ”

Taehyung's blood froze. “ Who?! ”

“ The Remnants of the Hwang syndicate.... You killed Their Leader Years Ago ... They want Revenge.....”, Namjoon replied......

Taehyung’s blood ran cold.  Without Hesitation, He immediately pressed the emergency alert button hidden in his desk, sending his guards into action.  The villa's security roared to life as alarms echoed through the halls... Armed Guards scarmbled to their posts, and lights outside the villa flooded the surrounding grounds....

Taehyung opened a drawer  and  grabbed his gun from a hidden compartment, Checking it with practiced precision.... His mind raced as he thought of his daughter and Ariana.... He had already lost too much.... He wasn't about to lose them..... He rushed to Aayana’s room, found her rummaging through those duvets......

He is scooping her up as she clung to her stuffed rabbit. She woke up as she is a very light sleeper like Taehyung......

“A-a-ppa, wha-t’s hap-pe-ning?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“Shh~, it’s okay, sweetheart. I’ve got you,” he reassured her, though his heart pounded in his chest.

He entered Ariana’s room. But as he entered, his steps faltered.. The Room felt different—colder, darker.... His Sharp eyes immediately caught The figure standing near Ariana's bed.   The Man was tall, his face partially obscured by a hood, but  a knife gleaming in his hand was unmistakable....

“Ah~~ V.... Or should I say, Kim Taehyung..... Finally, we meet face-to-face.... ”, The Intruder said , his voice dripping with malice, his voice echoed on The whole Room as Taehyung immediately pointed his gun at him .... As he can feel his little daughter shivering in fear.......

Taehyung:  who are you?! What do you Want?!

He spat those words clearly indicating he has no mood to play this game.... His eyes on Ariana who's helpless sleeping unaware of the danger upon her.....

The Man stepped closer , revealing his scarred face. His eyes burned with hatred....“You don't remember me but I'll make sure you never forget what I have lost because of you...”

Taehyung's jaw clenched. “ If this is about revenge, Take it out on me. Leave my family out of it.....Don’t touch my wife ....” Taehyung growled, his grip tightening on Aayana.

The Man smirk widened. “ Your Wife? She is nothing more than a lifeless doll... And soon, she'll be dead.... Just like My fiancee....

The Man laughed sinisterly as he chuckled seeing Taehyung's hands shaking as he mocked ,“ Afraid?! The Infamous Killer, V of Biggest Mafia Gang in whole World, Is afraid?! Ah~~ what a great sight To see!!!!  The same fear I had years ago when you took my fiancee from my very own eyes....... ”

Taehyung stiffened. “ I have never touched your fiancee!!”

“ Liar....” The Man bellowed. “ She died because of the trafficking ring you supported.... From where you got your wife, Don't you?! She begged for her life , and no one come for her.... I have waited for years for this moment —to take from you what you took from me. ”

“ I don't deal in human trafficking. ”, Taehyung snapped, his voice laced with fury. “ You have got the wrong Man....”

The man smirked. “ Wrong or not, You will pay.Now drop The gun and Hand over the girl, or she dies.”

Taehyung hesitated... His mind raced, searching for a way out ..... The Man pressed the knife closer to Ariana's throat, drawing a line of blood....

“Now!!!!”, The Man Barked .....

Taehyung’s mind raced. He placed his gun on the floor and kicked it aside. “Take me instead. Let them go.”

The man’s laugh was cold and cruel. “Oh no.No deals...  You’ll live to watch them suffer.  And then your daughter will grow up in the same hell you created.....”

Taehyung's fists clenched... His protective instincts overpowered his restraint . With a sudden brust of speed, he lunged forward, striking the man's wrist and knocking the knife away.

A brutal fight fight ensued. Taehyung fought with one arm shielding Aayana, his movements a combination of desperation and skill honed over years in the Mafia ...The intruder was relentless, his strikes landing with with precision, but taehyung's resolve didn't waver ....

Suddenly, gunshots echoed.  The door brust open and Black Swan stormed in. Jungkook and Jimin restrained the man, pinning him to the ground. Namjoon followed, his gun trained on the Man...

“You should've stayed in the shadows..”, Namjoon said coldly....

but the Man  only laughed, his voice hollow and deranged and it  sent chills down their spines.

“It’s too late,” he sneered. “ She is gone, Taehyung......She’s already dead.”

Taehyung's stomach dropped. “ What are you talking about?! ”

The Man grinned. “ I pulled her oxygen tube... She's gone, taehyung. ”

“No!!!”, taehyung whispered, his voice breaking. He give Aayana to Hoseok and rushed to Ariana's bedside, where oxygen tube lay disconnected on the floor......

“Seokjin!” he shouted desperately.

Seokjin rushed in, pushed through the crowd, immediately performing CPR. “ Move! ”, He barked at Taehyung, who stood frozen...

“ Come On, Ari.”, SeokJin muttered under his breath, his hands pressing against her chest rhythmically. The room was tense, The only sounds the beeping of the machine and SeokJin's efforts....

Minutes felt like hours as Taehyung held his breath, praying for a miracle.

Finally, Seokjin stopped,  his hands trembling. He looked up at Taehyung, his face pale.  “She’s gone.”

“No..no ... please...,” Taehyung whispered, his voice breaking. He collapsed to his knees, clutching on the Hem of his dress as tears streamed down his face.....

Namjoon loaded his gun and looked at the intruder with a sinister gaze... “ Any Last Words ? ” , He asked....

“ Go to hel—”, Before he could reply, Namjoon shot him on the head .....

“ We already know our Destination, B*astard!!!”, Namjoon replied with a cocky grin on his face....

Before Seokjin could cover her, a faint beep from the monitor drew everyone’s attention.

Everyone froze....

“ Ari? ”, Taehyung whispered, his eyes wide with hope.....

Ariana’s eyes fluttered open and she gasped for air.... Slowly, her gaze moved around the room, confusion clouding her features.....

“Ari,” Taehyung breathed, tears streaming down his face.

Her gaze was blank, unfocused. “Who… are you? Where am I?”

Taehyung’s world shattered. She was alive, but the light of recognition in her eyes was gone.... she didn’t remember him.

“ It's me. ”, He whispered, kneeling beside her bed. “ It's Taehyung...Your Tae Tae, Ari.....”

But She Only looked at him blankly, her memories erased like a cruel trick of fate......

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THE END

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VOTE ⭐ AND COMMENT 💬

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH THIS BOOK!!!😄😄😄

HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY IT 😁😁😁

AUTHOR'S RANT:

First of all, Thank you so much for reading this Book and stayed with this amazing journey!!! I procrastinated a lot on this book and that's why it took so much time to get finished.....

The ending is bittersweet... The final chapter weaves together loss, hope and a bittersweet sense of new beginnings, leaving room for a future full of challenges and redemption......

Originally, this is not the ending I planned... It's not happy ending that's for sure.... Not to disappoint you all, and called being Queen of Sad ending,I decided to give bittersweet ending.....

And about epilogue, if I get enough response from you all, I will write... If I don't get enough, I won't.....

New Book Alert:  Keep Your eyes on my profile, a new book is coming with a new twisted plot....

“ Whispers Of The Stolen Legacy ”

And Old Book Alert: If you all miss this book, I suggest you all to read “ Howl Of Destiny ”.. I am going to update this frequently!!!! It's a worth to read!!!!

So, The Journey of Heartbeat To CARA MIA ends here.....

THANK YOU SO MUCH 😊

GOODBYE 😭👋👋👋

I WILL MISS YOU, MY Carries!!!! ( The fandom name of CARA MIA readers!!😭)