Flashback

The man's dark, brooding eyes never strayed from Y/N as she twirled gracefully across the floor, her laughter mingling with the music that reverberated through the room.

Jungkook's gaze was steadfast, consumed by the magnetism of the woman who had so effortlessly claimed his heart. He was so utterly captivated that he failed to notice the subtle approach of another figure-a woman, deliberate and poised, with two drinks balanced expertly in her hands.

"Jungkook..." The syrupy sweetness of her voice grated against his nerves, his jaw clenching instinctively. Still, he turned, his gaze now falling upon the blonde in turquoise who stood before him.

She bore an unsettling resemblance to Y/N, an almost uncanny likeness that sent a flicker of discomfort coursing through him. But the moment he met her eyes, he recoiled internally. There was something sinister lurking within their depths-a malevolence that Y/N's warm gaze never held.

"Ryujin," he bit out, her name slipping from his lips like poison. The venom in his tone was palpable, enough to cause her faint, practiced smile to falter momentarily.

Without missing a beat, she slid a drink toward him and perched herself on the barstool beside him. Her hands fidgeted restlessly, a gesture that betrayed her seemingly composed exterior.

"Jungkook," she began, her voice soft yet deliberate, "I feel terrible for what I did to you all those years ago. It was wrong-so out of line-and I was in such a dark place back then. But now... things are different. I've been seeing someone, and I've been working on myself. I finally have the courage to apologize. So, please... accept this."

Her words were heavy with sincerity, or at least the appearance of it. Jungkook studied her, his expression inscrutable as he debated whether the regret he saw in her eyes was genuine or a carefully constructed façade.

"Okay," he muttered, his voice devoid of emotion as he swirled the amber liquid in his glass.

The air between them grew heavy with silence, thick with unspoken tension. Ryujin's gaze lingered on him, her eyes unwavering as he brought the glass to his lips, taking a long, deliberate sip. The liquor burned as it slid down his throat, though it did little to calm the unease roiling within him.

Ryujin eventually excused herself, murmuring something about the restroom, though Jungkook paid her words no mind. He drained the remainder of his drink in one fluid motion, the large glass now empty in his hand.

For most, the alcohol might have been overwhelming, but Jungkook's unique physiology rendered him immune to its typical effects. Yet, as moments passed, a strange sensation began to spread through him-a searing, toxic burn that felt unnatural. His vision blurred, the vibrant lights of the bar bleeding together in disorienting patterns, and the pounding bass of the music grew intolerably loud.

Stumbling to his feet, Jungkook pushed his way through the crowd, seeking refuge in the quieter corridors of the building. Leaning against a cool wall, he fumbled for a cigarette, his fingers trembling as he tried to steady himself.

Then came the voice-a soft, familiar lilt that cut through the haze clouding his mind.

"Jungkook!"

He turned toward the sound, his blurred vision sharpening just enough to make out her figure.

"Angel?" he murmured, his voice laced with confusion and relief.

Y/N smiled softly, her form swaying slightly as she approached. She melted into his arms, and he pressed a tender kiss to her hair, though a faint unease prickled at the edges of his mind. Her scent was different-cloying, almost nauseating-and he wondered fleetingly if it was from the company she'd kept on the dance floor.

Before he could process further, she tilted her head upward, capturing his lips in a heated kiss. He hesitated for a heartbeat but found himself responding, his hands instinctively finding her waist. Her arms wrapped around his neck, drawing him closer before she pulled back, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.

"Let's go somewhere quieter," she whispered, her voice dripping with suggestion.

Despite the warning bells ringing faintly in the recesses of his mind, Jungkook allowed her to guide him to the bedroom. His steps were unsteady, his thoughts muddled, but he followed her nonetheless.

The door clicked shut behind them, and soon, their kisses deepened, growing fervent and urgent. She tugged him toward the bed, and he obliged, lowering her onto the mattress. His lips trailed down her neck, his hands cradling her with a care that belied his drunken haze.

But then, a sound-a faint creak of the door-caught his attention.

Jungkook glanced up, his movements faltering as his eyes landed on a figure standing in the doorway.

There she was. The turquoise dress is unmistakable. Her features were etched with heartbreak, tears glistening as they traced silent paths down her cheeks.

It was Ryujin.

For a fleeting moment, his dazed mind registered a twisted satisfaction at her presence.

'Good,' he thought bitterly. 'She deserves to see this.'

-

Present-

Jungkook's POV

It wasn't Ryujin watching us-it was Y/N.

The horrifying realisation struck me like a thunderclap.

I kissed Ryujin.

The very thought made my stomach churn violently. My grip on the edge of my desk tightened until a sharp crack echoed through the silence of the room. Rage and disgust coursed through me, yet I had done nothing to stop it. That night, the love of my life saw me kissing another woman.

Why? How could I let this happen?

I tried to piece it all together, my mind a chaotic mess of fragmented memories. The other drug coursing through my system-it must have played a part. Then, clarity hit like a cruel slap.

The drink Ryujin gave me. It was spiked. Ecstasy.

The pieces fell into place like a dark, twisted puzzle. She spiked my drink and then wore the same outfit as Y/N to mimic her. To deceive me.

How could I have been so blind? So utterly naive? If I hadn't trusted her pathetic apology, if I hadn't accepted that damn drink, none of this would have happened. My fists clenched involuntarily, fury surging anew.

But Ryujin didn't know I had figured her out yet. That gave me the upper hand.

I rose from my chair, my resolve solidifying with each passing second. This wasn't something I could leave unresolved. The night had already blanketed the world outside, but I didn't care. I needed to act now.

Walking through the dimly lit corridor towards the basement, I felt the weight of curious, judgmental stares from those I passed. Their whispers weren't as hushed as they thought.

"Did you hear what he did?"

"I know. Poor Y/N."

I stopped abruptly, shooting a glare at the gossiping pair. Their words died instantly, replaced by silence. They looked away, their heads bowed in feigned disinterest.

When I reached the basement, the sound of familiar voices carried to me. Stopping just outside the room, I listened, their conversation making my blood boil.

"It was with Ryujin!" Yugyeom's voice was sharp, filled with anger.

"I can't believe he would do that to her," Jennie muttered bitterly.

"Bastard really messed up," Eunwoo growled, his tone thick with disdain.

That was enough.

I stepped into the room, and an icy silence fell over them. All eyes turned to me. Jennie's gaze was blank, but Yugyeom and Eunwoo's eyes burned with hostility.

"This 'bastard' is your boss," I snapped, my voice low but laced with warning. Yugyeom's glare didn't falter.

"She did nothing to deserve that from you," he spat, jabbing a finger in my direction accusingly. "And you're doing absolutely nothing to fix it!"

I raised a hand, signalling him to stop. His jaw tightened, his nostrils flaring, but he fell silent. Moving to the table at the centre of the room, I sank into the chair, my movements calm but deliberate.

"Not yet," I began, my voice even, "because I needed to figure out exactly what happened. And now I know-I was drugged."

The room fell into a stunned silence.

"And before I get Y/N back," I continued, my tone darkening, "I'm going to deal with the bitch who dared to mess with me."

Yugyeom straightened slightly at my words, a flicker of approval in his expression. Eunwoo's tense shoulders relaxed marginally. Jennie, however, remained quiet, her lips pressed into a thin line as though she were holding something back.

I ignored her for now, turning to Yugyeom. "Bring Ryujin here. Now."

Then to Eunwoo: "Track Y/N. I need her location immediately."

Eunwoo nodded, swiftly leaving the room to carry out my orders. Yugyeom followed soon after, his stride purposeful. That left only Jennie and me in the room.

"Jennie," I started, but she cut me off with a sharp glare. Her eyes were glossy, tears brimming as she quickly looked down to hide them.

When I stepped closer, she leapt from her chair, shoving me back with trembling hands.

"This is your fault!" she cried, tears spilling freely now. "She's gone because of you!"

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to remain calm. The weight of her accusation was suffocating, but I couldn't afford to lose control.

She's just looking for someone to blame, I reminded myself. The most obvious target.

That's exactly what Y/N would say. My Angel always saw through the chaos to find clarity.

"I was manipulated, Jennie. You know that," I said quietly, my voice laced with a pain I couldn't entirely suppress.

She sniffled, her head bowing further as her tears fell in earnest. "I know," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I placed a hand on her shoulder hesitantly, uncertain how to comfort her. "We'll get her back," I promised, my voice firm with conviction.

Jennie nodded, a sad smile tugging at her lips as she wiped her tears away. "You'd better," she said with a dry laugh, her tone sharp but laced with hope.

She left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

And in that moment, one thing was clear to me above all else.

I would get Y/N back. No matter what it took.

--

I lay in my bed, the cold sheets a stark reminder of her absence.

The emptiness beside me gnawed at my sanity, a void I couldn't fill no matter how much I tried. My head turned instinctively to the space where she should be, a foolish, desperate hope flickering that she'd somehow just... appear. That she'd be here to comfort me, to anchor me.

But, of course, she wasn't.

Dammit.

How had I let myself get to this point? I'd become utterly reliant on her, and now the cracks in my armour were showing. Without her, I was useless. Weak. Pathetic.

I gritted my teeth, my thoughts spiralling. Why had I taken her in the first place? It was supposed to be a simple operation. Quick. Clean. In and out. Yet, the moment I saw her, I faltered.

She was a drug-potent, intoxicating. And I let myself get addicted.

Now that addiction had left me hollow, its absence like a dagger in my back.

This was my doing. I had no one else to blame but myself. I'd made the mistake of letting her in, and now I was paying the price. One girl. One singular person. And she had the power to undo me completely.

She had left me, and with her departure, she had taken every ounce of my strength.

I clenched my fists, the weight of my own failures bearing down on me. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. I had built everything-everything-for one singular purpose: revenge.

Revenge on those who had hurt me. On those who had stolen my childhood and destroyed the person I could have been. That was my goal. My reason for surviving.

So why, then, do I crave her love so desperately? Why do I yearn for her touch, her presence, her warmth?

Why do I want her by my side... always?