Y/N's POV

The events of last night remained vivid, like a haunting spectre that refused to fade. It was as though I were still standing outside that cursed door, peering into the bedroom, trapped in a moment I could neither change nor forget.

I hadn't the faintest idea how or when Jungkook had returned. Frankly, I couldn't bring myself to care. I had retreated to a guest bedroom, far removed from the torment of our shared space, but sleep evaded me. Instead, I watched the hours crawl by until the first light of dawn crept through the window, accompanied by the distant melody of birdsong.

The memories played over and over, a relentless torment. I had seen them, confronted the betrayal, fled into the woods to cry amidst the trees, and finally returned home. Only one person knew the truth of what had transpired that night.

Stretching out my weary limbs, I forced myself out of bed. My feet carried me to what had once been our room. My hand hesitated before pushing the door ajar, revealing him sprawled across the bed, shirtless and unbothered, as though nothing had happened.

But I no longer felt the pang of longing or affection. Whatever I had once held for him was shattered beyond repair.

I shut the door softly, stepping away with resolute determination. As I strode down the hallway, I caught the lingering gazes of a few people-partygoers from the previous night. Their eyes followed me, no doubt wondering what had become of me after my abrupt departure. I pressed my lips into a thin line, quickening my pace until I reached the doctor's room.

This was the only way forward.

Inside that room lay what I needed-sedatives, sleeping pills, and the tools for my plan. A guard stood sentinel by the door, a rifle slung across his chest. A lump formed in my throat, but I forced it down, my nails digging into my palm as I steadied myself. He couldn't know. No one could know.

"Jungkook sent me to fetch sleeping pills. He's struggling with a dreadful hangover," I said, my tone firm and unwavering. The guard's expression was unreadable as his gaze bore into mine. I matched his stoic stare, refusing to falter.

After what felt like an eternity, he stepped aside, granting me access. My heart pounded as I rifled through the shelves, searching for the strongest option available. My fingers brushed against a pack of Rohypnol, and a grim smile crept onto my lips. Perfect.

Clutching the pills, I exited the room and offered a quick thanks to the guards. My feet carried me towards the kitchen with purpose, but I was halted abruptly by Jennie, who grasped my arm with a cheerful smile.

"Hey, Y/N! What's the rush?"

Her bright demeanour was like a dagger to my heart.

"I-I'm just preparing some hangover soup for Jungkook," I replied with a hollow chuckle, the words sticking in my throat.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, scanning me with suspicion. "The guards mentioned you left early last night. Everything alright?"

I forced a smile, suppressing the panic rising within me. "Yes, exactly why I wanted to do something nice for him."

She seemed unconvinced but nodded, her smile softening. And then, before I could stop myself, I pulled her into a hug. The sudden gesture surprised her, but she returned it hesitantly.

"What's wrong?" Jennie murmured.

"Nothing," I lied, releasing her quickly.

I stepped back, offering a weak smile. "Goodbye, Jennie."

Without waiting for her reply, I turned and hurried away, my heart racing. The kitchen's warm aromas greeted me, but I barely noticed them. After requesting the soup from the chef, I watched in silence as it was prepared. Once it was ready, I thanked them and made my way to his room, the bowl in hand.

The room was empty, his absence both a relief and a reminder of what I was about to do. I set the bowl down and carefully crushed the pills into a fine powder. My hands trembled as I sprinkled it into the soup, stirring it until it dissolved. Would it work? I had no experience with this sort of thing, but I had no choice. Anything was better than staying here.

"What are you doing?"

The gruff voice behind me made me flinch. I turned to find him standing there, a towel draped around his waist, droplets of water tracing paths down his chest. His small smile was infuriatingly casual, as though everything were normal.

"Just making sure the soup is perfect for you," I replied, my tone light but hollow.

He laughed, oblivious, and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "Thanks, Angel."

He took the bowl from my hands and tasted it, his brows furrowing slightly. "Doesn't this taste a bit bitter to you?"

Feigning innocence, I shook my head. "Not at all."

He shrugged and continued to eat, unaware of the hidden powder. I watched him intently, searching for any signs of the drug taking effect. Nothing yet. Perhaps his body was more resistant than I had anticipated.

After finishing, he placed the bowl aside and looked at me, his gaze catching mine. My breath hitched as he rose and pulled me towards the bed, laying me beside him.

"I've got a meeting in a few hours," he murmured, his voice drowsy.

I ran my fingers through his hair one last time, my smile trembling. "I'll cancel it for you, darling."

As his breathing deepened, I rose quietly and packed a small bag. Before leaving, I cast one final glance at him, peaceful in his slumber. My heart clenched painfully. He had Ryujin now.

Walking through the hall, I kept my stride casual, returning the polite smiles of passers-by. None of them knew the truth. None of them knew what I was about to do.

-

As I approached my destination, my heart began to pound erratically, each beat louder than the last. My breaths grew shallow, quickened by the tension coiling in my chest. My fingers trembled as they hovered over the handle of the twin doors, ready to push them open. But then, a soft voice behind me shattered the fragile silence.

"Y/N?"

The sound froze me in place, my hand stiffening on the door handle. Slowly, I turned to find myself face-to-face with Lia.

Her expression mirrored the sadness etched into my own, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Leaving the door, I moved toward her and pulled her into a tight embrace. I felt her tears soaking into my shoulder, warm and heavy with emotion. A faint, sorrowful smile tugged at my lips.

Lia was the one I had stumbled into when I returned from the party, my face streaked with tears and my composure utterly shattered. She had seen the raw, unfiltered anguish etched into my features, and I had crumbled before her, pouring out every detail of the betrayal that had broken me. Her fury toward Jungkook and her sympathy for me had been overwhelming, even though I'd begged her not to pity me. But she had, regardless.

And I had told her everything, including what I intended to do.

I had overstayed my welcome in this place, in this life.

"Are you truly leaving?" she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

I nodded, slowly but resolutely, stepping back to meet her gaze.

"Thank you for everything," I murmured, the words barely audible as they left my lips.

She sniffled, her sadness palpable, but I forced myself to turn away. I couldn't linger. I couldn't afford to.

My hand gripped the cold metal of the door handle, and with one final glance back at Lia, I pushed the doors open and stepped inside, closing them softly behind me.

The grandeur of Jungkook's office stretched out before me, its imposing elegance a stark contrast to the turmoil within my heart. This was his domain-the place where his empire was orchestrated, his wealth accumulated and protected. And today, I would challenge the sanctity of it.

My eyes swept over the room, landing first on his desk. Without hesitation, I approached it and began rifling through the drawers, my movements frantic yet deliberate. Somewhere in this space, he had to have hidden his fortune.

The drawers yielded little of interest: papers, pens, and other mundane objects that only added to my mounting frustration. But as I reached into the back of one drawer, my fingers brushed against something cold and metallic. I paused, pulling it out to find a small key, its surface glinting under the light.

This might be the key to what I was looking for.

Setting it aside, I turned my attention to the shelves lining the walls. My fingers danced across the spines of books, pulling them forward one by one, searching for any hidden mechanism. The murmurs and footsteps of workers beyond the door sent waves of unease crashing over me. At any moment, someone could walk in.

My heart raced as I sped through the shelves, my hands trembling with urgency. I pushed, tilted, and replaced book after book, my desperation mounting with each passing second.

Then, just as I was about to give up, something caught my eye-a faint glimmer peeking out from behind a thick velvet-bound book. I paused, carefully removing the book to reveal what it concealed: a small cupboard lock embedded into the wall.

A safe.

Inspecting it further, I noted that the lock required a key. My heart leapt as I pulled out the key I had discovered earlier, its fit precise. A soft click echoed in the quiet room, and I exhaled a shaky breath, hope sparking within me.

Pulling the safe door open, I was greeted by the sight of neatly stacked bundles of cash. Stacks upon stacks of crisp bills lay hidden within, more money than I had ever seen in one place.

A triumphant smile curved my lips as I quickly grabbed ten stacks, stuffing them into my bag. Even after taking what I needed, plenty remained untouched-enough that my theft would likely go unnoticed, at least for a while.

I scanned the room one last time, my gaze settling on the clutter of papers strewn across Jungkook's desk. Mischief flickered in my chest, tugging the corners of my mouth into a sly grin.

Why not leave him something to ponder?

My heart steadied as resolve replaced hesitation. I wasn't just walking away; I was reclaiming what was mine.

-
I chuckled softly, a quiet, bitter sound that echoed through the grand silence of the room as I stepped back from his desk. My eyes roamed over the chaos I had deliberately created, a small act of rebellion amidst the storm of emotions raging within me. Twirling the sleek black pen in my hand, I paused, letting my gaze linger on its ink-stained surface.

"A little keepsake," I murmured, slipping it into my backpack. My voice, though soft, held a trace of defiance as I turned my attention to the wide, imposing window behind his desk.

The open window called to me, its sheer expanse a stark contrast to the suffocating confines of this place. For minutes, I simply stared, the cool night air brushing against my face, teasing me with the promise of liberation.

This was it. The path to my freedom.

I stepped closer, slipping through the frame with practiced ease. The cool wind wrapped around me, a fleeting embrace as I prepared to take flight. The rooftops stretched out before me, my escape route illuminated by the pale glow of the moon.

But just as the wind began to carry me forward, a series of sharp barks sliced through the stillness, their sound pulling me back to the ground below. Peering down, I spotted three small figures-a trio of fluffy bodies bounding eagerly toward me.

With a sigh, I descended to meet them, landing gracefully on the soft earth. The dogs rushed at me with unrestrained joy, their tails wagging furiously as they leapt up, their innocent excitement clashing painfully with my turmoil. I gently pushed them away, their confusion evident in their wide, pleading eyes.

My gaze darted around the area, desperation guiding my search until I spotted a set of leashes hanging from a nearby brick wall. A wooden picket jutted from the ground, sturdy and reliable-my only option.

One by one, I tethered the dogs to the post, their whines tugging at the fragile threads of my resolve. My fists clenched tightly at my sides as I turned to leave, my steps heavy with guilt.

Why did I let myself care so much? Why did I allow these bonds to form? Every connection I'd made here felt like a mistake now, a cruel reminder of the life I was leaving behind.

A single tear betrayed me, slipping down my cheek. I turned back to the dogs, their small faces lighting up with hope at the sight of me. Kneeling down, I patted each of them gently, their delighted barks tearing at the edges of my composure.

"Goodbye," I whispered, the word nearly breaking me as it left my lips.

Before they could protest, I forced myself to rise, spreading my wings wide. The wind roared in my ears as I lifted into the sky, carrying me far from their cries and the memories of a life I could no longer bear.

The cool rush of air swept away my tears, but it couldn't touch the ache in my chest. Every beat of my wings felt heavier, burdened by the weight of what I was leaving behind.

I didn't want to go. I didn't want to abandon everything I'd built here. But staying? Staying meant standing next to him, pretending I could trust him again, pretending his betrayal hadn't shattered me.

It was his fault. Not mine.

Everything I was doing-every step, every choice-was because of him. He was the one who had brought me here, who had promised me the world and left me with nothing but broken pieces.

And now, I would never allow myself to fall for anyone again. No one would have the power to destroy me like he did.

Never again.