"The sharpest blades are not the ones we hold in our hands, but the choices that carve into our souls."

The dining room, bathed in dim amber light, felt more like a courtroom. Shadows played across the polished wood of the long table, their flickering forms amplifying the tension. At one end sat Y/n, her posture stiff yet dignified. Her father occupied the other, his piercing gaze pinning her in place. The only sound in the suffocating silence was the relentless ticking of the ornate clock on the wall.

"You disobeyed me, " her father said, his voice calm yet razor-sharp, a quiet menace woven into every word.

Y/n's hands gripped the chair's edge, her knuckles turning white. "I made a choice," she replied evenly, though her calm facade barely masked the storm churning inside her.

"A choice?" He leaned forward, his fingers steeped on the table. "You were ordered to eliminate Kim Taehyung. Instead, you protected him."

Her breath hitched, but she forced herself to meet his gaze. "It wasn't the right time. His men would've killed me before I could get close."

A cold, mirthless smile tugged at his lips. "And yet, here you sit. Alive. Unharmed. Tell me, Y/n, how does it feel to know Taehyung still has a weakness for you?"

Her throat tightened at the implication, but she stood her ground. "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to fix your mistake," he said, his voice slicing through the air like a blade. "No hesitation, no excuses. Kill Kim Taehyung, or I will deal with him and you-myself."

Y/n's stomach dropped, the weight of his ultimatum bearing down on her. She forced a curt nod, her face a mask of indifference. "Understood."

"Good," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Jihoon will oversee your next steps. Don't fail me again."

★--☆

The cold glass of the penthouse window pressed against Y/n's forehead as she stared out at the city. The skyline shimmered with vibrant lights, a chaotic maze mirroring her spiraling thoughts. Her father's voice replayed in her mind, each word a barbed reminder of the impossible choice ahead.

The sharp knock on the door jolted her from her reverie. Jihoon entered, his demeanor as imposing as ever. He moved without ceremony, tossing a folder onto the glass coffee table.

"Your next move," he said bluntly.

Y/n opened the folder with trembling fingers, her eyes scanning the blueprints of Taehyung's estate. Surveillance photos, intricate maps, and detailed schedules spilled before her, laying out his life in stark clarity.

"You've been watching him," she muttered, her voice barely audible.

Jihoon's expression hardened, his arms crossed. "Someone had to. You've been too distracted to do your job."

Her lips thinned, but she ignored the barb. "And if I refuse?"

"You know better," Jihoon said coldly, stepping closer. "Father's patience is running thin. If you don't handle this, he'll send someone else. And they won't hesitate to kill you both."

His words struck like a hammer, leaving no room for doubt. The air felt heavier, her choices narrowing into a single, suffocating path.

"I'll do it," she whispered, her voice fragile yet resolute.

Jihoon gave a sharp nod. "Tomorrow night. Taehyung will be at his private club. That's your chance.”

★——★

The next evening, Y/n stood before the mirror, her reflection staring back with cold determination. The sleek black dress clung to her frame, elegant yet functional. Beneath its folds, the dagger strapped to her thigh felt like an unbearable weight, a silent reminder of the night's purpose.

"Focus," she murmured, stealing herself.

As she stepped into the club, the pulsing music and flashing lights blurred into the background. Her eyes locked onto the VIP section, where he sat.

Taehyung.

Even in a crowded room, his presence was magnetic, commanding. His dark eyes scanned. the crowd with ease, his confidence radiating like a storm.

Her heart clenched, but she shoved the feeling aside. This wasn't the time for doubt.

★--★

Taehyung saw her before she saw him. His gaze sharpened as she weaved through the sea of bodies, a faint smirk curving his lips. When she finally reached him, he leaned back. in his seat, his posture relaxed yet watchful.

"Y/n," he drawled, his voice smooth as velvet. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

She forced a smile, sliding into the seat beside him. "Can't a girl check in on an old friend?"

"Friend?" Taehyung chuckled darkly. "Last 1 checked, friends don't aim weapons at each other."

The remark cut deep, but she masked her reaction. "Things change."

"Do they?" His gaze locked onto hers, unyielding. "Feels like the same game, just higher stakes."

Before she could respond, one of his men approached, whispering into his ear. His expression hardened instantly. Rising from his seat, he glanced at her.

"Stay here," he commanded before disappearing toward the balcony.

Y/n followed, her steps soundless as she approached the secluded balcony. The city stretched before them, sprawling and indifferent.

"Y/n," Taehyung said without turning, his voice steady. "If you're going to kill me, at least look me in the eye."

Her breath caught, her fingers tightening around the dagger. "How did you know?"

He turned, his expression unreadable.

"Because I know you," he said softly. "And I know you don't want this."

His words sliced through her defenses, exposing the turmoil she had buried. The dagger trembled in her grip.

"Why aren't you stopping me?" she demanded, her voice breaking.

Taehyung stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "Because I'd rather die by your hand than live knowing I couldn't protect you."

The dagger slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor. Tears blurred her vision, the weight of her choices crushing her.

"I can't," she whispered. "I can't do this."

Taehyung's hands cupped her face, his touch gentle yet firm. "Then don't," he said, his voice laced with quiet intensity. "You don't have to do this alone. Let me help you."

For the first time, hope flickered within her. But deep down, she knew this was only the beginning of their fight against a world that sought to tear them apart.

———

Let me know your thoughts 🤔
Thanks for the cover thvfiqz