Chapter 31: (Scarlet's pov)

The silence hung heavily in the dimly lit room, broken only by the sound of Taehyung's measured footsteps pacing the floor. My pulse throbbed in my ears as I watched him, his movements almost calculated, as if he were weighing each step and every thought.

The Taehyung I had once known, the one I had foolishly allowed myself to care for, had been replaced by this version, a stranger cloaked in cruelty and darkness. Taehyung's gaze finally met mine, his eyes filled with a strange rage. He stopped pacing, exhaling deeply before speaking.

Taehyung: You probably wonder why I haven't killed you already, don't you?

The coldness in his voice was like a slap in the face, and I struggled to maintain my composure, even as the words sent a chill down my spine. He took a step closer, his presence was suffocating me, as though he was relishing the power he held over me. I wanted to scream, to fight back, but my body felt frozen under his piercing gaze.

Scarlet: You... you were supposed to love me. We were happy... at least, I thought we were...

A bitter laugh escaped his lips as he shook his head.

Taehyung: Love? Oh, Scarlet, you think you know me, but you have no idea who I truly am. From the moment I saw you, this was never about love. It was about control, about duty. I was assigned to kill you from the very beginning.

The confession cut through me like a blade, the reality of his words sinking in with every breath I took. I could feel the weight of betrayal pressing down on my chest, suffocating me as he continued.

Taehyung: They chose me because I blend in, because I know how to make people trust me. And you... you were my assignment. I was supposed to eliminate you quietly, to play the perfect friend, then the perfect lover. And then... finish you.

I couldn't breathe. My mind reeled, the memories of our time together flashing through my mind like broken pieces of a mirror, each one tainted by his confession.

Scarlet: But why... why didn't you? You had so many chances.

He clenched his jaw, looking away from me as though he were grappling with something deep inside. For a moment, I saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes, a crack in the hardened shell he had built around himself.

Taehyung: Because... I thought it would be easy, to kill you and move on. But you became something more to me, something I didn't want to destroy. I thought if I distanced myself, I could convince myself to do it. That's why I left for Paris. To... get away. To keep my hands clean.

My heart twisted painfully as he spoke, his words tearing through the fragile hope I had once harbored. It was as if each sentence he uttered pushed me deeper into an abyss from which there was no escape.

Scarlet: So why come back? Why now?

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair in frustration, his expressions were caught between torment and rage.

Taehyung: Because love is a weakness, Scarlet. And I can't let it cloud my judgment any longer. My duty comes first. They reminded me of that when I returned. And I convinced myself that this time... I could go through with it.

I felt a tear slip down my cheek as I processed his words. He had been torn between his feelings and his duty, a twisted loyalty that had brought him back to me, only to end my life with his own hands. RIDICULOUS as fuck.

Scarlet: Then why didn't you do it? If that's what you wanted, why are you still hesitating?

His gaze darkened, his fists clenching as he took a step closer to me, his voice rising with frustration.

Taehyung: Because you... you make it impossible! Every time I try, every time I see you, I can't bring myself to finish it. You cry, and I... I fall weak. I shouldn't care. I should be able to end this right here, right now. But you...

He trailed off, his voice catching in his throat. His face twisted with a mixture of anger and anguish, as though he were at war with himself. He turned his back to me, his shoulders tense, his breathing heavy as he tried to regain control.

Taehyung: But this is it, Scarlet. I'm not going to back down this time. I've made my choice, and I won't let you ruin it.

My survival instincts kicked in, adrenaline flooding my veins. If I was going to die, then I wouldn't go down without a fight. I took a deep, shaky breath, my gaze fixed on the back of his head.

Scarlet: So that's it, then? You'll just throw everything away, all the memories, all the moments... just to fulfill some twisted duty?

He spun around, his face contorted with fury.

Taehyung: Those memories, Scarlet, were nothing more than a façade! I don't get to choose what I want. My life, my purpose, was set from the beginning. You were never supposed to mean anything to me!

His words cut deep, but I refused to back down, my own anger fueling my courage.

Scarlet: If that's true, then kill me now. Go ahead, finish what you started. Prove to yourself that you're as heartless as you claim to be.

He froze, the tension in his body palpable. His eyes bore into mine. For a moment, I thought he might do it, that he might finally let his rage take over. But then, his expression faltered, his gaze softening as he took a step back.

Taehyung: You don't understand... it's not that simple.

Scarlet: Then make it simple, Taehyung. You either let me go, or you end this now.

The silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating, as we stood locked in a battle of wills. Finally, he looked away, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.

Taehyung: I... I can't.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips, the irony of it all too painful to bear. He had been sent to kill me, had tried countless times, yet here we were, both trapped in a web of love and betrayal that neither of us could break free from.

Scarlet: Then you're as much a prisoner as I am.

The realization seemed to hit him like a punch to the gut, and he staggered back, his expression one of shock and disbelief. His hand lifted to his chest, as though he were trying to steady the erratic beating of his heart.

Taehyung: No... no, I'm not... I'm in control.

Scarlet: Are you? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're just as lost as I am.

The silence between us was deafening, and I could see the tears in his eyes, the internal struggle that threatened to tear him apart. He took a shaky breath, his voice barely a whisper as he spoke.

Taehyung: Maybe... maybe you're right. Maybe I am just as lost.

In that moment, I saw a glimmer of the man I had once known, the man I had loved despite the darkness that clung to him. And for a fleeting second, I thought that maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance to save him... to save us both.

But as quickly as the vulnerability appeared, it vanished, replaced once again by the cold, unfeeling mask he wore like armor. He straightened, his gaze hardening as he looked down at me.

Taehyung: This ends tonight, Scarlet. One way or another.

And with those words, he turned and left the room, leaving me standing alone in the suffocating silence, my heart heavy with dread and despair. I knew, deep down, that he was right. This was the end.