"that bastard." yoongi growls, pacing back and forth while jiah sits with her legs folded up to her chest on the couch, a cup of coffee on the table in front of her. "and you," he stops suddenly, glaring at the girl as well, "are you stupid?! who told you to go alone to his house?! there's a case going on about your son's custody. a freaking court case, jiah! and taehyung is your opponent! why would you go anywhere he told you to?!"

jiah looks down in shame, sniffling softly and sinks under the warm layer of blanket yoongi got her. "i know this is new for you, but you should know that you never discuss anything with opponent without your lawyer." yoongi emphasizes, massaging his temples and turns to namjoon sitting across jiah, "god, joon, you talk some sense into this girl. i'm gonna lose my mind if i—"

"i'm sorry..." jiah hushes out, rubbing her eyes, "i'm sorry, okay? are you happy now? i know i shouldn't have gone there without mr. seong, but i really had no idea taehyung would go so low... we have met up before, and i thought it was something about jihun that he wanted to talk about. it's not like i didn't tell anyone. i told jungkook before going there. if i knew something like this was going to happen, i'd obviously not go there...

"i called you as soon as i got out." she stands up, looking at yoongi with teary eyes and hugs him, crying silently, "i was scared, oppa. i was scared to even face jungkook... can you imagine that? i'm tired of telling him how taehyung hurts me. the last time it happened i cried with jungkook for almost an hour, i fell sick and he had to take care if me... even before that, oppa, everytime taehyung shows up and something like that happens, it's jungkook who has to deal with the aftermath.

"i wanted to spare him the suffering this time. i couldn't face him again. he must hate seeing me like that. who ever wants to see their girlfriend in that state? and today, i know it would hurt him. he'd be mad and frustrated and just..." she heaves out, "i know it was my mistake to go there, but i swear it really didn't occur to me that it could go wrong. now all i know is i don't wanna lose jihun, nor jungkook."

advocate seong take a deep breath, nodding his head at her words. he exchanges a glace with namjoon and yoongi before giving his opinion, "honestly, this is not the first time i've seen something like this happening. court cases are messy, people show their true colors and many people often see their closest friends or even family members turning against them. threats, money power, seduction and other ulterior tricks will be played on you, jiah. but you have to stay firm in your shoes if you want to keep your child with you."

"what happened today was bad, and i'm sorry you had to go through it. but, if we try to stay positive, it did give us something to add on our stand." he says, "was anyone else there in taehyung's house?"

jiah sits down again, thinking about it and nods, "his maids and other staff. i forgot my purse inside so this woman brought it to me." she says. "do you think she'll agree with us if this is brought up?"

"no." seong sighs, "unfortunately we don't have any solid evidence against taehyung. his lawyer is a smart man, and he'd go out of his way to make sure if today's events are brought up it's in their favour. they'll either try to dismiss that maid entirely, or offer her money to speak against us."

"and what about the truth? they really did get nasty, offering me money and taehyung trying to get close with me. are they gonna say that i'm lying?"

"maybe. they can do that." seong hums, "don't worry, i'll try to look into it and find something. do you think taehyung has cameras in his house?"

"i guess?" jiah nods.

"perfect."

"but how's that gonna help you?"

"if they can play a little dirty, why can't we?" seong chuckles, standing up and pats jiah's shoulder, "the first hearing is next week. so, prepare yourself. it wouldn't be too bad, since it's just the first hearing, but knowing advocate lim, he never goes easy on his opponents."

"and do you..?" jiah asks nervously.

"certainly not." seong assures, "i won't let anything wrong happen to you. i've promised that to joon, i'm gonna keep my words."

"thank you, mr seong." jiah smiles, then looks at namjoon, giving him a hug. "thank you, oppa. you're being such a big help right now."

"it's fine. i just want the best for you." namjoon smiles, patting jiah's head. "don't worry too much, get some rest and if possible, please try to talk to jungkook about it."

jiah looks down, nodding her head. "i will. don't tell him anything for now, oppa. i'll talk to him when i think it's time."

"make sure you do. i'm not sure how he'll react if he comes to know about it from anyone else. it would be better if you guys discuss it as soon as possible, because sooner or later he's gonna know."

"yeah." jiah agrees, sending a smile as namjoon and mr seong get ready to leave. yoongi walks them to the door, returning back a minute just to find jiah sitting down with his laptop.

"what are you doing?"

"working. i just got my first ever big project. i can't mess it up." she says, cracking her neck, feeling the couch dip beside her. the laptop is taken away from her and a hand on her shoulder makes her lay down with her head laying on yoongi's lap.

"i don't understand what exactly is wrong with you." he sighs, booping the tip of her nose. "you've been a weird kid ever since i met you. cindrella with crooked teeth."

"at least i was a princess not a moody teenager who didn't even celebrate halloween." jiah mutters, huffing at him and pulls the covers up to cover her head. "and you scolded me so much just now, even though i was crying."

"i'm sorry." he strokes her hair and leans down to kiss the top of her head. "i didn't mean to lash out on you. i just— i know it's not an excuse, but i really don't like seeing you like this. taehyung hurting you boils my blood. you don't deserve this, kiddo. when a strong girl like you breaks and cries for somebody- for me to help her, it's hard to watch."

"I don't wanna know all that. i called you when i was scared and even though you showed up to help me, but you also scolded me. i was scared, oppa..."

"i'm sorry, jiah. forgive me, i shouldn't have said all that." he admits, glancing down and tugs on the blanket to reveal her face. his eyes soften on seeing tears on her cheeks. he wipes them away gently and says, "please, don't cry."

•••

"you did what?!"

taehyung buries his face in his hands, groaning in frustration, while his manager stays put in his seat, watching him with an uncertain expression. he doesn't even get to say anything, for the other male already pulls taehyung up on his feet, throwing a punch on his face and slams him back against the wall, glaring at him in anger.

"are you fucking crazy?! you treat your child's mother like that, kim taehyung?!" he yells, another punch on the way, which taehyung doesn't even try to fight, knowing that he deserves it.

"jimin listen—"

"what?!" he steps forward, bumping chests with taehyung, looking dead in his eyes. "want me to listen to you? each one of us here are trying to make it a little easier for her. i gave up anything i wanted with her, just so that her life gets a bit better. jungkook is trying to love her despite how many times you broke her, taehyung. min yoongi, kim namjoon. all of us are not fools get that in your head! you claim to love her, to want her back, but just be true to yourself and look in the mirror. you'll see a hundred reasons why jiah should hate you."

"i'm doing it all for my son..." taehyung mutters. "what happened today was my mistake. i shouldn't have done that, but trust me all i want is my son. how can i let another man have my—"

"exactly." jimin spits, shaking his head, "that's what bothers you. you just can't wrap your head around the fact that jungkook is being a better man in jiah and the child's life. you've got a big ass useless ego controlling you, taehyung. you just can't see jungkook having all the things in life that you lost because of your own mistakes. shame on you that you're going the separate that kid from his mother just to feed your ego."

taehyung stays quiet for a moment, then looks at jimin again, frowning lightly, "weren't you with me?" he asks, making jimin scoff.

"i do love jiah, but i'm not a psychopath who'd go out of their way take her son away to have her with me."

"i'm not a—" taehyung glares at him, "don't ever say that again. i do care for jiah and our son. i haven't spent that much time with jihun, but i know i love him. he's my blood, jimin. he's my child. i always wanted to be a father and now that i am one, i cannot even have my kid with me. don't you think that's unfair?"

"unfair, huh? i'll tell you what's unfair." jimin pats taehyung's shoulder. "you hurting jiah is unfair. threatening her, bribing her, and trying to seduce her is unfair. you want to take her child away from her, knowing that it's gonna affect her in the worst way possible, is unfair. you're letting your ego and jealousy guide you, and unfortunately everything is related to a toddler. that, taehyung, is what's fucking unfair. so, don't you even dare try to play the victim here."

"he's right." hoseok speaks up softly, sounding tired as he looks at taehyung, standing near him. "you never listened to me, but you know exactly how wrong you are, taehyung. you never were this man that you've become in the run ever since jungkook came into picture. maybe if you tried a little harder without any ulterior motives, jiah would probably be with you now. you'd have your son, jiah, everything that you wanted in life. but all this now is eating you up to the point where you don't even care your actions might hurt somebody."

"what somebody?" jimin scoffs, "he's clearly hurting jiah and even jihun like this."

"do guys want me to take the case back?" taehyung mutters.

"that would be a good choice if you do." jimin cracks his neck, picking up the jacket of his suit and steps away, ready to leave, "and if not, just know that jiah has me. don't go feeling special that you can use your money and influence the case. if i start using mine, you'll be the first one losing. so, think about it, and tell your lawyer that what happened today is never coming out. he opens his mouth, and i swear my men will make sure it's sealed forever."

taehyung stares at jimin with caution, not saying anything. jimin doesn't wait for a response either, heading out of the house and gets in the car, straight away driving towards jiah's apartment. on the way he dials namjoon's number, tapping his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel, sighing when the elder answers.

"hyung, hi, uh i just came to know what happened with taehyung." he starts off, "is jiah okay?"

"how do you— what exactly do you know?"

"it's a long story. but just know that i'm aware of the truth. taehyung told me."

"he told... you? since when are you guys so close?"

"it's a long story, hyung, and it ends with me punching his face and warning him that today's incidents should not come out. now you answer my question."

namjoon sighs and hums, "she's a little disturbed, but she'll be fine. where are you?"

"going to her place. i need to talk to her about something."

"what exactly?"

"financial stuff? lawyers, legal things, it's all expensive, hyung. i just wanna help her."

"dumbass." namjoon hisses, "do you really think you'd go to her and offer her money and she'll just take it?"

"no, of course not. i'm doing it as a friend. she called me a friend last time. moreover, i'll offer her a job so it doesn't feel like a favour."

"she has a job."

"i can at least try and talk?"

"well, go and try if you want. but make sure you don't press any wrong buttons. she must be very sensitive after what happened."

"i'll take care of that. by the way, where's jungkook? is he with her? i'd actually like to talk to him first."

"uhm no, okay here's the thing. he doesn't know what happened."

"what?"

"yeah, jiah told us not to tell him anything. they've been only dating for roughly a month and a lot of things have been going on. so, she said that she didn't want him to have so much to worry about." namjoon sighs, "poor girl, she's scared it's gonna affect her relationship with jungkook."

"i get that. okay, so i'll just go see her for now. talking to jungkook can wait for a while." jimin nods to himself.

"she's with yoongi in his house."

"oh, okay. can you please call yoongi hyung and tell him i'm coming?"

"sure."

"thanks, hyung." jimin's about to hangup when it clicks him that he doesn't know where yoongi lives, "wait, hyung. text me yoongi hyung's address as well."

"alright."

namjoon's message soon pops up with the location that jimin puts on the car's navigation system. all the way filled with jiah's thoughts and some frequent ones about what he said to taehyung, knowing that he did a good job and taehyung will not risk messing with jimin unless he's absolutely crazy. he might have fame and following, but when it comes to the market and legal systems, jimin has a better hold being a businessman for more years than taehyung in his acting career.

in fact, his previous attempts on getting jimin on his side were just calculated moves as well, and jimin has always understood that. one, taehyung knew that if he had jimin on his side a lot of things come easy to him, like diverting jiah would give him enough time to form a stronger bond with jihun. two, taehyung knew and still knows that he doesn't have a single person who would actually stand with him when he needs. so, jimin's support could mean more than just a friend's, considering that he comes with power, money, and a strategic business mind.

there's so much more to taehyung than jiah or anyone can probably think, and it bothers jimin, for he too, doesn't know a lot about him. he has no idea why taehyung still chose to stay silent, when it's obvious he would've had a different reaction if it was anyone else in jimin's place to hit him and say all those things. it's not like taehyung cannot fight jimin. he can. but for some reason he chose to listen and just admit that what he did was wrong.

jimin shakes his head, trying to empty his head a little for jiah as he pulls up in front of yoongi's (supposed) house according to the address namjoon gave him. he looks around the locality, a new one where he has never been. it's nice and quiet, middle class houses standing in a line, all looking welcoming and homely. yoongi's house stands out a bit, owing to the dark colors and the suv parked the wrong way in the drive, some dry leaves covering the porch and the front lawn.

jimin makes his way to the door, crackling leaves under his shoes until he gets on the steps and lifts his hand to press the doorbell. the door opens already, startling jimin, as there's min yoongi standing at the door with an arched eyebrow. "what?"

"uh hello," jimin clears his throat, "i'm here to see jiah."

"i know that. tell me the reason."

"well, about the problem with taehyung. actually, i want to help her and—"

"do you really?"

"yes." jimin nods sincerely, not speaking too much and smiles a little, "can i please speak to her, hyung?"

"don't call me hyung." yoongi scoffs, opening the door wider and walks inside. jimin stands there confused and unaware of what exactly the gesture meant, for he's not sure if he can make assumptions about this man. min yoongi seems unpleasant. "are you getting inside or not?"

"uh- yes!" jimin replies hurriedly, stepping inside and closes the door behind him.

"take off your shoes."

jimin obeys and puts his shoes neatly on one corner, before putting on a pair of sliders kept near the shoe rack. he hopes those are for guests. after being done, he follows yoongi inside, entering the living room where jiah is sitting on the carpet and her son is building something with the blocks around her. the sight itself makes jimin smile softly, watching how jiah is actually smiling and talking to jihun even though half of what he's saying is just gibberish.

"jimin's here." yoongi taps on her shoulder, making her look back, sighing when her eyes land on jimin.

"hey," jimin lets out with a small smile, sitting down on the couch.

"did i ask you to sit?"

jimin stands up instantly, embarrassed and mutters something under his breath which earns him a glare from the elder male. "stop that, oppa." jiah hisses, standing up carefully to not break her son's castle that he's making for her. "please sit. he's just in a bad mood today." she says, gesturing jimin to sit, but he glances back at yoongi, "it's fine, jimin. just sit down."

"thanks." jimin says, sitting down with jiah, "so, how are you?"

"fine." jiah smiles briefly, "you wanna talk about something?"

"yeah, actually. i was at—" he pauses, glancing down and clears his throat, "can i please talk to you alone?"

"why?" yoongi snaps from the side. "she will stay right here. if you wanna talk do it here."

"oppa, please just stop acting like that. i'm fine." jiah assures, standing up and nods for jimin to come with her.

she leads him to one of yoongi's guest rooms and sits down on the on the bed after pulling a chair for him, "sit." he takes a deep breath, getting himself comfortable on the chair for a lengthy confession, preparing himself to give jiah another reason not to trust people. "is it something that serious?" she asks.

"well, it is." he hums, "i'm afraid you're going to hate me."

"that's okay, i've had that a lot. just say it." she sits with her legs crossed, ready to listen to him, and for some reason it hurts jimin even more seeing how exhausted she looks. the light in her eyes and the playfulness from a few weeks back when he took her to busan with him seems to have left her completely once again.

"say it, mr park, i'm waiting."

he smiles at the name she uses to refer to him, nodding his head, "i was with taehyung before coming here." he starts, "he told me everything that happened today between you and him—"

"wait," jiah frowns. "you're here to talk about that?"

"no, listen—"

"jimin are you for real?" she looks at him disgusted. "how are you guys not even ashamed of what you do? i- if i were in your place i'd—"

"jiah, please listen to me first. i'm not here to make you uncomfortable. i think you deserve to know some things, and maybe they can help you in keeping jihun with you. so, please listen to me." he says softly, and jiah quiets down after hearing that one sentence, letting him speak after that. "thanks. so, taehyung told me everything and i... i got worried for you."

"okay?"

jimin takes a deep breath, raking his hand through his hair and leans forward with his elbows resting on his knees, "i want to help you. knowing taehyung so far, i can say that he's already pretty much everything to make you submit to him. and after what happened today, we know he's not bothered by the consequences of his actions, since he believes he can have everything with money."

with scrunched brows, jiah nods slowly, finding the truth in jimin's words as he continues. "to a large extent you know too, that money can be a deciding factor. if this gets out to the media, even though later people will support you, the immediate response will be in his favour."

"you're implying...?"

jimin sighs softly, tilting his head as he gives jiah a gentle look, "let me take care of the finances for the case. i don't want you to lose your child to taehyung just because taehyung played dirty. i know you'll say no, but just hear me out first." he says, gesturing his hand for her to listen to him, for he knew she was about to refuse his help. "i'm not trying to do you a favour or anything. i- i've been an asshole to you with or without you knowing, and now that i finally see clear, i want to redeem myself. and if i can help you in any way nd you get have your son with you, that will be the most generous thing for me. i won't be cursing at myself for hurting a girl like you the rest of my life."

"i don't get you, jimin." she stares at him. "what did you do?"

"i can't tell you that. not until you win the case and have jihun's custody." he smiles sadly. "i swear on my life i'm not trying anything. it's not a game. i genuinely want to help you. please, let me."

jiah heaves out a breath, shaking her head as she looks down. "no. taehyung already has a lot to say when it comes to me being with men. i don't wanna give him anything more to add. and, you really don't have to do this, either, jimin. i'm fine, i can deal with it. i'm saving up and yoongi and namjoon oppa are helping me too. if you come by as well, i don't think i'll be able to repay everyone back that quickly... so, thank you for offering your help. i appreciate it, but uhm no, i can't accept it."

"you don't have to repay me." he emphasizes. "you're the best kind of person i've ever crossed paths with, jiah. something changed that day when i took you home with me. for the millionth time i was questioning myself for even thinking about hurting you or letting somebody else hurt you. i knew taehyung was planning something all along, and honestly i wasn't really bothered before that. but that day..." he hushes out, staring at jimin, "that one night, a few hours with you and that hug when we were about to leave. thank god, you knocked some sense into me. i already knew you were too precious to get hurt, but after that, i was determined not to let taehyung get in your way, whether or not you were mine."

he looks down for a brief second, smiling a little himself as he rubs the back of his neck, "you called me your friend that day. maybe that's what i was supposed to be to you ever since the beginning... i'm sorry caught up prety late. but now that we are friends, i want you to let me help you, even if it's financial help."

jiah's about to say something, but her phone buzzes in her pocket, making her stop and fish it out, gulping on seeing jungkook's name on the screen. "just give me a minute." she mumbles, answering the call, "yes, jungkook?"

"where are you? i was going to your place and hyung said you're not home. are you still at work?"

"no, actually uhm i came to yoongi oppa's house after picking jihun up." she lies through her teeth, feeling bad that she has to hide something so serious from her boyfriend. jimin's gaze doesn't get unnoticed, however, she just looks away to avoid it and clears her throat. "but i'm coming now. oppa made something for ji, so maybe after that's done."

"oh okay, sure." jungkook hums, "are you okay, though? you just suddenly cancelled today? is your boss making you work a lot?"

"yeah, there's a lot of work..." she hushes out, clutching the bedsheet tightly, "i told you about that project, right? i probably have to stay overtime from tomorrow."

"what- but that's unfair! why will you work overtime? there's no need, baby. you already do plenty of things. and jihun needs you, i need you..." he trails off at the end, mumbling softly, "i haven't seen my baby all day. i'm coming over tonight. text me when you get home."

"okay." she smiles to himself. "i miss you too."

"i know you do." he chuckles, "alright, i'll hang up now. i was working out, gotta shower."

"yeah, sure." she hums, "bye."

"love you, sweetheart."

the call ends and jiah takes a moment to hate herself for lying to such a sweet man. he's going to so hurt when he learns the truth about what taehyung did. jiah takes a deep breath, blinking a couple of times to get rid of the tears and focuses on jimin again, "i'm sorry."

"it's fine." he assures, standing up and opens his arms. "i'm not so bad at giving hugs too, y'know? you can try me." jiah stares at him for a second, breaking into a chuckle coupled with some tears that flow doen despite her attempt to stay calm. jimin wraps his arms around her, patting her back, "everything will be okay."

"i hope so." jiah hums, rubbing her eyes, "thanks, jimin."

"don't thank me. i'm doing this because i want to." he assures, stroking her head as they pull away. suddenly he remembers something and pulls out his phone, tapping a few times to play an audio, which makes jiah gasps, for it actually taehyung's voice confessing that what he did today was wrong and he shouldn't have let that happen. it goes on with jimin saying something too, but jimin pauses it in time and smiles at jiah.

"this could help you." he says.

"thank you, jimin. thank you so much." she whispers, hugging him again as she breaths in relief for the first time. "you have no idea how much this can help me get through the case. thanks a lot."

jimin smiles, nodding his head, "i'll send it to you. make sure you discuss this with your lawyer, and bring it up in court, even if taehyung doesn't. he and lim will try to suppress it, but the evidence you have will be stronger anyway."

"yes, got it." she nods quickly and looks up at jimin, "uhm, but why did he tell you all that?"

jimin hums, pretending to think of a good answer, but then just pats her head and smiles a little, "let's just say he thought i was with him."

"and were you?"

"after being struck by you again that day, not even for a second." he whispers, looking in jiah's eyes, and she nods slowly. he notices her awkward smile and steps back, "anyway, i'll get going now. if you need any sort of help, advice, anything, please don't hesitate to call me. talk to jungkook too about today, and tell him to ring me once."

"why?" jiah follows him out of the room, instantly met by yoongi and jihun in the living room.

"i'd like to discuss some things with him. i can't bother you every time." he says, "oh and, if possible, try not to let jungkook react too much to anything related to taehyung. taehyung is probably doing all this to get a reaction out of jungkook, so he can use it against you later."

"you're right." she hums, "by the way, thanks again."

"no problem." he nods, sparing a brief glance at jimin, sending him a smile before walking out of the house.

"what did he say?" yoongi asks.

"he got me an audio of taehyung confessing about today." jiah says, "i'm so relieved, oppa. i thought nobody will believe me if i told them about it."

"he got you an audio..?"

"i can't believe it either. but yes." she nods, opening her phone and taps on the file that jimin just sent her. "here," the audio plays for yoongi and taehyung's voice repeats it all, confessing that he did invite jiah over to offer her money (even though it was his lawyer's idea) and that he let anger take a hold of him, lead her to his room and tried to get close with her all with the hope of having her listening to him, and at the he also admits that jiah left his house crying.

"why would taehyung confess that easily? to jimin out of all people?" yoongi frowns, "are you sure this is genuine and not some manipulated audio?"

"jimin said he went to taehyung and he told him everything, because apparently taehyung thinks that jimin is his friend. but that doesn't matter, oppa. what matters is that we have a solid evidence against taehyung!" she smiles, hugging him tightly. "for the first time today i feel like i can finally breathe."

yoongi smiles a little, patting her head and decides to keep his uncertainty to himself. "now i'll ho home, oppa. jungkook is coming."

"alright. take care." he hums, "tell me if you need me."

"yes, thanks, oppa." she smiles, kissing his cheek swiftly before lifting her son off the carpet, making him whine as he leans down towards the tower he made out of building blocks. "we'll play at home, baby. kookie is coming, he'll play with you."

"koo comin'?"

"yes. do you wanna play with him?"

jihun nods, sitting quietly in her arms and points at the door, "le's go— koo an' ji playin' wid caw!"

jiah smiles at that, nodding her head and waves at yoongi, "wait, i'll drop you home." the elder male offers, bringing the keys of his car and jiah gives him a thankful look, not protesting for she knows he will not listen and go with her up till her apartment building.

"talk to jungkook, okay? don't keep secrets with him for too long." yoongi says, earning a sincere nod from jiah, as if saying that she understands what he's trying to convey.

"uh, oppa, i was thinking that we should have dinner together sometime. jungkook and me, you and hana unnie?"

"of course, that would be great."

"yeah, the last time i left a bad impression due to my poor health. but i want to make sure everything's perfect for you both this time. i'll prepare the best dinner for you and her."

"you don't have to bother that much, kiddo. we can just eat at my—"

"no. it'll be at my apartment, that's it." she declares. "you'll bring her there and i'll cook everything."

"fine." yoongi sighs, "you're stubborn. this saturday then?"

"yeah, great." she smiles. "i'm excited to see her again."

__________

a/n: this book just keeps getting longer and longer. when i started it i used to 40 chapters would be enough, but look here today. it'd what more than 50 chapters already, right? 😭😂 but who cares? you guys clearly enjoy it, don't you?

i wanted to ask this, please answer. what is your favourite moment of jiah with any of the boys (jungkook, jimin or taehyung) in the book till now?

don't forget to vote and comment! i'm really working hard ❤️✨ take care🌻