Chapter 14: (Aaira's pov)

As Jungkook walked out of the bedroom, urging me to rest, the silence that followed felt suffocating. I sat on the edge of the bed, clutching a warm, water-soaked towel in my hands, tears still brimming in my eyes. I can't believe I was suffocating in my own house.

I took a deep breath, How could I have let it come to this? How could I have almost destroyed everything we had fought so hard to build? Why was I jealous to this extent?

As I wiped the last traces of tears from my face, a soft sound broke the silence. At first, it felt like a figment of my imagination, a ghost of my sorrow. But then, the sound came again-a gentle, movement accompanied by the faintest murmur.

My heart raced as I turned toward the doorway. Crawling into the room with innocent curiosity was Jeon Aimin, his tiny hands pressing against the floor, his chubby legs moving with so much effort. His eyes sparkled with wonder as they locked onto mine.

Aimin: Mamma?

His voice, He crawled closer, never breaking eye contact, a soft smile spreading across his face. The sight of him warmed my heart, yet it also filled me with a wave of guilt.

Aaira: Aimin...

My voice cracked as I whispered his name. Tears threatened to spill over again, but I fought them back. How could I face him with blood on my hands, with scars both seen and unseen? How could I explain the darkness that had almost led me to do horrible stuff?

Aimin reached me, his tiny hands grasping the edge of my nightgown as he pulled himself up, his eyes searching mine with innocent curiosity.

Aimin: What happened, Mama?

His words were simple, How could I explain the chaos? How could I tell him that his mama had nearly lost herself, nearly letting go of everything that mattered? I took a shaky breath, gently stroking his soft hair as he looked up at me, his wide eyes filled with trust.

Aaira: Mama... Mama was feeling sad. But I'm okay now, Aimin.

My voice trembled as I spoke. Aimin's gaze never left me, as if he understood more than his innocent eyes should.

Aimin: I love you, Mama.

Tears welled up in my eyes again, but this time they were tears of gratitude for the little boy who had unknowingly saved me from myself.

Aaira: I love you too, Aimin. So much.

I whispered, pulling him into a gentle embrace. His small arms wrapped around my neck, As I held Aimin close, I knew that healing would take time. The scars, both seen and unseen, would linger.

Aimin leaned back slightly, his hands resting on my shoulders. With a soft, Little smile, he kissed my cheek, his innocence and love warming my heart. He quickly wiped away the tears from my cheeks with his tiny fingers.

Aimin: Dadda say you hurt hand? True?

His question was simple yet filled with concern. I smiled weakly, unable to meet his gaze, my eyes cast downward.

Aaira: Yes, true.

Aimin nodded as if he understood, his expression serious yet filled with childlike empathy.

Aimin: Dadda say mumma spend time with so she happy happy again.

I blinked back tears,

Aaira: Yes, Aimin. Mumma will try her best to be happy again.

I managed, my voice barely above a whisper. Aimin's small hands gently cupped my face, guiding my gaze to meet his.

Aimin: I help mumma. We happy happy together.

His declaration melted the last of the icy grip around my heart.

Aaira: Thank you, Aimin. Thank you for being my sunshine.

I whispered, pulling him close once more in a tight embrace. Aimin nestled against me.

Jungkook walked into the room with a soft smile, his eyes instantly lighting up as he saw Aimin nestled against me. In his hands, he carried a tray of food, carefully balancing it as he approached the bed. Aimin's giggles filled the room, his eyes sparkling with delight as he glanced up at his dadda.

Aimin: Dadda!

Aimin exclaimed, he nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck. Jungkook chuckled warmly, his gaze shifting from Aimin to me.

Jungkook: Hey, you two.

He greeted softly, setting the tray down on the bedside table.

Jungkook: How's my little champ doing?"l

Aimin looked up at Jungkook.

Aimin: Dadda, mumma sad but I help!

Jungkook's smile softened even more as he reached out to ruffle Aimin's hair gently.

Jungkook: You're the best helper, buddy.

He praised, his voice full of affection.

Jungkook: And you, Aaira.

He turned to me,

Jungkook: how are you feeling now?

I glanced at Jungkook,

Aaira: I'm... I'm getting there.

I admitted quietly, Jungkook nodded understandingly, sitting down beside us on the bed. He reached out to touch my hand gently, his fingers brushing against mine.

Jungkook: I brought some food

He said softly, gesturing towards the tray.

Jungkook: You need to eat.

Aimin, sensing the shift in attention, leaned back slightly to look at the tray with wide eyes.

Aimin: Food!

He exclaimed happily, his tiny hands reaching out towards the plate of sandwiches and fruit. Jungkook chuckled again, picking up a piece of fruit and offering it to Aimin.

Jungkook: Here you go, buddy.

He said, handing the fruit to him.

Jungkook: Eat up, and then we can play together.

Aimin's face lit up with excitement as he took the fruit, munching on it happily. Meanwhile, Jungkook turned his attention back to me, his eyes searching mine with gentle concern.

Jungkook: You scared me today.

He admitted softly,

Jungkook: But I'm glad you're here, safe.

Tears welled up in my eyes again, overwhelmed by his words and the depth of his care.

Aaira: I'm sorry.

I whispered, Jungkook shook his head gently, reaching out to cup my cheek.

Jungkook: Don't apologize.

He said firmly, his thumb brushing away a tear that escaped from the corner of my eyes, I hate to be like this, i hate to cry in front of Aimin.

Jungkook gave me a smile before standing up. After collecting the empty dishes from our meal. He walked out of the room, leaving me alone with Aimin. I watched as Aimin slept peacefully on the bed, his tiny chest rising and falling with each breath.

His innocent face looked so serene, I smiled softly, leaning down to kiss his forehead before deciding it was time to take a bath. It was already around noon, so I headed to the bathroom. This time, I would take my bath alone, without the help of the maids. I needed this moment for myself.

As I entered the bathroom, I turned on the faucet, letting the water run until it was warm. I filled the tub, adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to help soothe my frayed nerves.

I undressed slowly, I stepped into the warm embrace of the bath. The water enveloped me, washing away the remnants of the morning. I leaned back, closing my eyes and letting out a deep sigh as the warmth seeped into my sore muscles, my wounds hurt but nut more than my heart, so I let them be.

I reached for a sponge and lathered it with my favorite lavender-scented soap. I began to gently scrub my skin, starting with my arms and working my way down to my legs.

After thoroughly washing, I rinsed off the soap and submerged myself in the water once more, letting the warmth surround me. I stayed there for a while, allowing myself to simply be.

Finally, I stood up and stepped out of the tub. I reached for a soft towel and wrapped it around myself, patting my skin dry with gentle, soothing motions. I took my time, letting the quiet of the bathroom call my insides entirely.

I brushed my hair, untangled the knots with care, and took a moment to look at my reflection into the bathroom mirror. My eyes were still red from crying, I slipped into a new gown, Jungkook must have set it here. With a final glance at my reflection, I left the bathroom.

Aimin was still sleeping peacefully on the bed, his tiny self curled up in the blankets. I sat down beside him, watching him for some moment before lying down next to him. I pulled the covers over both of us, wrapping my arm around his small body. As I closed my eyes.

In the middle of my slumber, I heard the soft sound of careful footsteps entering the room. Jungkook. He was  almost tiptoeing, as he made his way to the closet. I kept my eyes closed. After a few moments, I heard him approach the bed again. He moved quietly, not wanting to disturb us.

I felt as he leaned over, planting a soft kiss on Aimin's forehead. Jungkook then leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on my lips too. I kept my eyes closed. I could hear him whisper softly, his breath tickling my skin.

Jungkook: Rest well, my loves.

His voice was barely audible. I felt him linger for a moment, his hand brushing a stray lock of hair away from my face before he straightened up and quietly left the room. I listened as his footsteps retreated, the door softly closing behind him.

I took a deep breath, Aimin stirred slightly beside me, his tiny hand reaching out to touch my arm as if seeking something to reassure him, he was not alone, even if he was just in his sleep. I held him close, for some more moments, as I saw he was sleeping peacefully.

Once I was sure that Jungkook had left and the house was quiet, I carefully picked Aimin up in my arms. He stirred slightly but remained asleep, his head resting against my shoulder. I made my way towards the door, moving as quietly as possible to avoid waking him.

Descending the stairs with Aimin in my embrace, I headed towards the 6th floor, as i reached there i approached the living room where Scarlet was. She was sitting on the couch, flipping through pages, but looked up as soon as she saw us.

Scarlet: Aaira, is everything okay?

She asked, her voice gentle. I gave her a small smile, as I finally approached her.

Aaira: Everything's fine, Scarlet. I just need to handle some things, and I can't leave Aimin alone.

I explained softly, carefully transferring Aimin into her waiting arms. He stirred slightly but settled quickly, nestling against her.

Scarlet: Of course, I'll watch over him.

She said, as she cradled Aimin gently.

Aaira: Thank you.

I whispered, as I watched for a moment as Scarlet adjusted her position, ensuring that Aimin was comfortable in her embrace. His tiny hand reached out instinctively, finding Scarlet's hair and clutching it softly. She smiled.

Aaira: I'll be back soon.

Scarlet: Take your time, Aaira. We'll be right here.

As I was about to walk out, Scarlet's eyes caught sight of my bandaged hand.

Scarlet: What happened to your hand?

I hesitated for a moment before answering, I was trying my best to sound normal, god i don't want to be in trouble anymore.

Aaira: Nothing, just accidentally cut it.

She nodded,

Scarlet: In the morning, I think I heard screams?

I froze for a moment, what should I say to her to make her believe it was nothing?

Aaira: No, I didn’t hear anything.

I replied, Scarlet looked at me for a moment longer, then nodded again.

Scarlet: Alright. If you need anything, just let me know.

With a final nod, I turned and left the room, heading towards the ground floor. As I descended the stairs, I quickly made my way towards the basement. The walls were bare, the concrete floor was cold.

A single, dim light candle hung from the chandelier, casting a small light on the scene before me. The smell of dampness and something metallic filled the air, making it feel oppressive. In the center of the room, Y/N sat with her hands tied to the arms of an old wooden chair, her mouth gagged to stifle any sounds.

Her eyes were wide with fear, darting around the room before settling on me as I approached. Her clothes were disheveled, and she looked exhausted, her body slumped in the chair. I stood there for a brief five minutes, taking in my surroundings.

The walls were lined with shelves filled with various tools and old, forgotten items covered in dust. The only sound was the faint dripping of water somewhere in the distance, echoing in the stillness. A small window near the ceiling let in a sliver of daylight, casting a faint glow across Y/n's face. Her hair was disheveled, her cheeks streaked with dried tears.

Cobwebs hung in the corners, untouched for years. The concrete floor was stained and cracked, evidence of years of neglect. As I stepped closer to Y/N, her eyes burned with anger. I knelt beside her and untied the gag from her mouth, the cloth slipping away to reveal her chapped lips. She immediately started cursing me so loudly.

Y/N: You're here again, whore.

I couldn't bring myself to meet her gaze. Her gaze haunted me, so instead, I looked down at the floor, my feet nervously scuffing the cold concrete. I played with the edge of my sandal with my toes, trying to block out her accusations.

Y/N: Do you hear me? Are you deaf or what ? Why would you even come here again!

Her voice was hoarse, But I stayed silent, my eyes fixed on the floor still, I was avoiding looking at her, I don't even know why I was here to meet her.

After a few more moments of shouting, Y/n seemed to realize I wasn't going to respond. Her voice trailed off, and the room fell into an uneasy silence. I could feel her eyes on me, still burning with fury. Finally, she spoke again, her voice quieter this time, almost resigned, but still loud, and enough for me to hear.

Y/N: Why, Aaira? Why did you do this? Why do you keep coming back here ? What the hell is wrong with you ? Why don't you just let me be now?

I took a deep breath, gathering the courage to look up. When our eyes met, I saw a reflection of my own pain and regret in her gaze.

Aaira: I...

Y/N: What do you want ?

She echoed, her tone incredulous.

Aaira: I never wanted it to come to this, I never wanted to be here, I don't know why I'm here, I'm just here.

I said, my eyes dropping back to the floor.

Y/N: Then why? If you don't know then leave please!

I reached for the kit I had brought the other day, opening it with practiced ease. The sight of the bandages and antiseptic made me remember what I did a while ago. I tried to touch her leg, but suddenly she shouted.

Y/N: What are you doing?

As she pulled her legs back, trying to resist my touch. I sighed, my eyes meeting hers briefly, just for mere seconds before I break it, completely.

Aaira: I need to change your bandages. Just let me do this.

Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she watched me warily as I gently pulled her legs towards me again, being as careful as possible. She flinched but didn't pull away this time.

Aaira: This might sting a bit, please resist.

I murmured, as I cleaned her wounds with antiseptic, the liquid hissing softly as it made contact with her skin. She winced but remained silent, her eyes still locked on me. I could feel her gaze.

Y/N: Why are you doing this?

She asked, her voice softer this time. I paused, my hands trembling slightly as I wrapped a fresh bandage around her leg.

Aaira: Because I owe you this much. Because I can't undo what he has done, but I can at least try to make it right, somehow.

Her eyes softened for a moment. But it was quickly replaced by the familiar anger and hurt.

Y/N: You think this will make it right? You think bandaging my wounds will erase what you and your husband has done?

I shook my head,

Aaira: No, I know it won't. But it's a start. And it's all I can do right now.

I finished wrapping the bandage, securing it carefully. I looked up at her, my eyes pleading for some semblance of understanding.

Aaira: I never wanted any of this, Y/n. I never wanted to hurt you. I don't even want you here in my house, in my life, I want you back to your home.

I took a pause, some tears brimming down my eyes as i still looked down on the floor.

Aaira: The thought of having you under the same roof as me and my husband, made me do horrible things, I... I lost myself in the darkness, and I almost did something unforgivable.

I sighed,

Aaira: Your presence here is suffocating me, if nothing kills me, You surely will.

Y/N: I don't know if I can forgive you, Aaira. I don't know if I can ever trust you or your husband.

I nodded,

Aaira: I understand. I don't expect you to forgive me, Neither I'm asking for your redemption.

I closed the kit and looked at Y/N with tears in my eyes, i don't know why, and i don't know how to ask the things I was about to ask her, even if it was to break me, I was going to do it.

Aaira: I have a question for you, Y/N. Please, be honest with me.

Y/N's expression hardened slightly, but she nodded, a cautious glint in her eyes.

Y/N: Go ahead.

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"Your existence in my house fills me with anger, yet here I am, tending to your pain."

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