Truth will set you free
But not until it is finished with you...

"I need help." Sri's tone was far from a mere request; it was a demand cloaked in desperation.

Hoseok erupted into laughter, disbelief washing over his features. "Did I hear that right? Did a gangster just ask the police for help?" He took a sharp breath, narrowing his eyes at her. "You know I can arrest you right here and now? You've troubled me enough, S... it's time for some payback." Just as he was about to stand, a cold metallic sensation pressed against his knee, halting him in his tracks.

"You. Will. Help." Sri pressed the muzzle of her gun firmly into his leg beneath the table. To the outside world, the trio appeared to be a married couple enjoying a conversation with an ex-husband, but the atmosphere was far darker. It felt as though a gunshot could echo through the café at any moment.

Hoseok swallowed hard, glancing at Yoongi for any sign of assistance. Yet, Yoongi seemed oblivious to the gun pointed at Hoseok's leg. With a steely gaze, Hoseok turned back to the emotionless woman before him. "You'll regret this, Kim Sri."

"Hey, hey! No need to get so venomous. Hear her out first." Yoongi interjected, hoping to diffuse the tension before things escalated. Hoseok released a shaky breath and gestured for them to continue.

Sri detailed everything that had transpired since she left the Titans, assuring him that she was no longer involved with the gang and hadn't met any Titans since returning to Korea.

Hoseok pinched the bridge of his nose, absorbing the information. She was a desperate mother searching for her daughter. Though she was still wanted, many believed her dead. If she promised to leave Korea once she found her daughter, he could help her. He respected Taehyung immensely, and even though he had married a criminal, Hoseok couldn't bring himself to hate him.

"But why come to me? You could have gone to your brother," he asked, fiddling with his now-empty coffee mug.

Sri looked away, her eyes filled with sorrow. For the first time, Hoseok saw a flicker of emotion in her typically empty gaze. "I want to avoid my past. I'm trying to be a better person now. For Taehyung... for Taesoo. Since you have the power you call Justice, can you help me locate the Eclipse gang?"

Hoseok scrutinized her for a few moments longer. Helping her felt like gambling; she could easily be lying, or worse, all the doctors could be in cahoots with her. He needed to test her resolve. "Now the question is... why should I help you? How do I know you're not just spinning a tale?"

"All the criminals found in front of the police station were deposited there by me. I've already helped the police with their work. If you help me find the Eclipse gang, the police can dismantle that threat simultaneously. One less problem for you to deal with." Sri clenched her fists, feeling the pressure of Hoseok's skepticism. She had never liked the officer, but she needed this for Taesoo.

"Umm... no!" Hoseok stood up, shaking his head vehemently. "You could still be lying."

"She isn't." Yoongi finally spoke, sensing a shift in the atmosphere. He saw a completely different side of Hoseok; a side that had never denied help, especially not when an innocent child was involved. Did Hoseok despise her so much that he wouldn't care what happened to Taesoo? "Hoseok, please."

Hoseok shook his head again, resolute. "I can't team up with a criminal." He began walking away, but Sri's words halted him in his tracks.

"Arya and Heesung." The names hung in the air like a fragile thread. Hoseok turned around, shock radiating from his eyes. They were his beloved children. He felt his breath catch, heart racing at the thought of their safety.

"Please." A tear rolled down the ex-Queen of Mafia's eyes, glistening in the café's dim light. 

Taehyung waited for the signal to turn green, his gaze drifting out the window. The sky was painted with the orange hues of the setting sun, casting a warm glow over the street as children returned from school, joyfully clutching their parents' hands. A smile crept onto his lips as memories flooded back—particularly the last time he had picked up Taesoo from school.

Just then, a notorious child from the neighborhood knocked on his car window, startling him. Before Taehyung could react, the child dashed away, laughter trailing behind him. However, the sight of the figure in the adjacent car stole all the air from his lungs. Taehyung blinked, willing the apparition to vanish, but the person remained, oblivious to the doctor's stare.

His heartbeat quickened, pupils dilating as memories washed over him. The traffic light changed to green, yet he remained entranced, lost in thought until a horn blared from behind, snapping him back to reality.

Regaining his composure, Taehyung noticed the sleek black Aston Martin speeding ahead. Without a second thought, he followed it, adrenaline surging through him.

The car sped out of the city, the sun dipping below the horizon, cloaking the surroundings in darkness. Taehyung strained to keep the vehicle in sight, but momentarily, the headlights distracted him, and when he looked again, the Aston Martin had vanished. "Shit!" he muttered, frustration bubbling within him as he hit the steering wheel.

Just as he considered turning back, his eyes fell on the familiar silhouette of the Aston Martin parked off the side of the road. It was too rare a model to ignore. Parking his car a good distance away, he stepped out, approaching the luxury vehicle as if it were a ghost he longed to confront.

The car gleamed under the dimming sky, immaculate both inside and out, radiating an air of sophistication. But the driver was nowhere to be found. Just as Taehyung began to doubt himself, his phone erupted with the familiar tune of "Believer." He answered, heart racing.

"Where are you?" Sri's voice crackled through the line, a stark reminder of his responsibilities.

Taehyung hesitated, unable to confess he had followed someone dangerous. "I'm on my way back home," he replied, trying to sound casual.

"Okay. I will be a bit late," she said, and Taehyung sensed a hint of worry in her tone.

"Did he agree to help?" he asked, his heart pounding at the thought of her predicament.

She laughed softly, easing his tension. "Don't worry; we're good... for now."

After hanging up, Taehyung turned his attention back to the dark, muddy road leading into the forest. A sense of trepidation washed over him. Should he venture in? But before he could fully process his fear, his legs propelled him forward, drawn by an instinct he couldn't ignore.

The path was shrouded in darkness, devoid of any light sources. Yet the soft purple glow of twilight illuminated his surroundings, accompanied by a faint crescent moon hanging precariously in the sky. He marveled at how such a diminutive orb could dominate the expanse of the night sky as darkness enveloped him further.

Suddenly, he heard voices drifting through the trees. Fumbling, he retrieved a black surgical mask from his pocket, pulling it over his face to obscure his identity. Cautiously, Taehyung crept toward the source of the noise, positioning himself behind a sturdy tree trunk. His heart raced, an erratic rhythm echoing the tension in the air.

Jeon Jungkook, the person whom he had followed, standing with a group of men in black suits. The sight sent a wave of unease coursing through him. What was Jungkook doing here? And who were these men? Taehyung's instincts screamed at him to retreat, but curiosity and concern rooted him in place. He needed to know what was unfolding before him.

The king of Titans stood clad in black, the only pop of color coming from a striking red tie that contrasted with his dark attire. Taehyung couldn't shake the feeling that Jungkook looked more mature, more intimidating than the last time they had crossed paths.

"Where is she?" Jungkook's voice held a grave tone that sent chills down Taehyung's spine. His heart raced with curiosity about the identity of the person he was referring to.

"No trace of her, boss," came the reply from a familiar, higher-pitched voice. Taehyung's heart sank as he recognized the pink-haired man, his only friend during his time with the Titans.

As Jungkook and his men entered the abandoned warehouse, a heavy silence settled over the area. Taehyung contemplated retreating but decided to stay, trusting his instincts that he might uncover crucial information, no matter how dangerous it could be.

The stillness was shattered by loud banging sounds from within the warehouse, likely indicating a fight. Suddenly, the tin shutter burst open, and a man flew out, landing several meters away, blood pooling around him. Taehyung's breath caught in his throat as he realized he was witnessing a violent confrontation, feeling as though he had stumbled into an action movie.

Jungkook emerged from the warehouse, his slow, deliberate steps radiating authority. He wiped his hands with a white handkerchief that was stained red, his onyx eyes blazing with fury. Two massive men flanked him, their imposing figures dwarfing even Namjoon. A few moments later, Jimin followed, his demeanor tense.

On the ground, the injured man groaned in agony, pleading for mercy. Taehyung felt a mixture of fear and rage as he observed Jungkook kneel beside the man, running his fingers through his hair with an unsettling calmness. The next moment, he gripped the man's hair roughly, tearing strands from his scalp as the man screamed in pain.

"What were you saying again? Yes, you said and I quote, 'I will never surrender to you because you don't have the power to kill me,' right?" Jungkook's voice dripped with menace as the man shook his head, choking on his pleas for forgiveness.

"Tell me where Taesoo is! She is supposed to be with me," Jungkook demanded, each word striking Taehyung like a poisoned arrow. Panic washed over him as he gripped the tree trunk to steady his shaking knees. The realization that Sri's own brother had kidnapped their daughter left him reeling. How would she react upon discovering the truth? He couldn't allow the demon of her past to awaken or shatter her in an irreparable way.

Clenching his teeth, Taehyung bit the back of his palm to suppress the storm raging within him. He needed to save Taesoo, but Sri must remain oblivious to Jungkook's role in the kidnapping. He steeled himself, willing to confront Jungkook and reclaim his daughter, even if it cost him his life.

A gunshot jolted him from his thoughts, and he watched in horror as the man on the ground lay lifeless. "Clean this up," Jungkook commanded, striding away toward his car, unwittingly heading in Taehyung's direction.

Panic surged through Taehyung, urging him to run. He wanted to confront Jungkook, to demand answers about why he had harmed his sister and taken Taesoo, but not with those towering men at his side. He couldn't afford to die before the hunt had even begun.

Miraculously, he reached his car before Jungkook could spot him. Heart pounding, he waited for the Titan boss to start his vehicle. As Jungkook's car roared to life, Taehyung pushed the accelerator, determined to follow him once more. The stars sparkled brightly above, and the dimly lit streets were now alive with the bustle of evening traffic.

As they neared the neighboring city, bright lights emerged on the horizon, and the number of cars around them increased. Sensing it was the perfect opportunity, Taehyung clenched his jaw and overtook Jungkook's luxurious Aston Martin, abruptly blocking its path.

Jungkook slammed on the brakes, the tires screeching in protest. "Son of a bitch," he hissed through gritted teeth as he unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out, ready for a confrontation. However, the person surprised him. He never thought he would meet him out of the blue.

Stepping out of his own car, Taehyung approached the gangster with fire in his eyes, every ounce of determination boiling within him. The sight of Jungkook's smirk made something snap inside him. 

"Isn't that Dr. Kim Taehyung?" 

Happy Birthday my angel, my prince, my lil' chimchim, my cupcake, the cutey sexy and lovely Jimin.

💜💜💜💜💜💜

Mimi turned 27. 🥳🥳