Flashback continues—

“What?” Y/n stared at Taehyung in utter disbelief, her voice barely above a whisper as her chest tightened. Taehyung let out a heavy sigh, running his fingers through his dark hair with visible frustration as he rose to his feet. Alarmed, Y/n stood up as well, her gaze filled with worry and confusion as it followed his every movement.

Turning to face her, Taehyung's eyes held a mixture of torment and determination. His voice, steady but laced with pain, shattered the uneasy silence. “I think we should break up.”

The words hit her like a physical blow. “But why?” she demanded, her voice trembling with a mixture of hurt and disbelief. “We were happy… Why do you suddenly want to break up?” She took a hesitant step forward, her hands gently settling on his shoulders as though to anchor him, to keep him from slipping away. But Taehyung recoiled, stepping back and lowering his gaze, his lips pressing together in a strained line.

“Is it because of today? I’m so sorry—”

“No, Y/n.” His voice cut through hers, sharper than she expected. “It’s because you’re becoming my weakness, and I hate it.” He paused, the weight of his confession settling heavily between them. “I don’t want to have any weaknesses.”

Y/n’s breath caught, her eyes widening in shock. “You know the world we live in, Y/n,” he continued, his tone softening slightly but losing none of its gravity. “We can’t afford weaknesses here.”

Her heart clenched painfully, and she bit her lip, forcing her gaze away from him to steady herself. The lump in her throat made it harder to speak, but she managed to choke out, “Taehyung…”

“When I saw them today—holding you, pressing that knife to your throat—I couldn’t bear it.” His voice faltered, his mask of composure slipping. “I was scared, Y/n. For the first time in years, I was truly terrified. Forget what happened today—if we stay together, they’ll find more ways to hurt you. Kidnap you. Kill you. And why? Because you’re my girlfriend.”

Taehyung exhaled shakily, his hands reaching out to cup her tear-streaked face. His thumbs brushed away her falling tears with a gentleness that belied the storm in his heart. “As much as I want to be with you, I can’t. The world we live in is cruel, Y/n. There’s no room for love here. No place for weaknesses.”

Y/n blinked back her tears, her hands instinctively moving to rest over his. “So… if you break up with me, I won’t be your weakness?” Her voice cracked, a desperate attempt to mask the breaking of her heart.

Taehyung leaned his forehead against hers, his proximity both comforting and agonizing. “You’ll still be my weakness,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “But at least you’ll be safe. In everyone else’s eyes, you’ll be nothing more than my right-hand woman.”

She let out a shaky breath, stepping back slightly. “You know you’re being completely ridiculous right now, right? And so, so unfair.”

“Maybe I am,” he admitted, his expression solemn. “Maybe I’m being unfair. But it’s for the best.”

Y/n shook her head, her frustration bubbling to the surface. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides before she grabbed him by the collar, forcing him to meet her tearful gaze. “If you were this scared, why did you give me hope? Why did you lead me on? Why did you ask me to be your girlfriend and tell me you liked me? I could’ve just kept my feelings to myself and moved on with my life. Why, Taehyung? Why would you do this and then break my heart?”

Her voice broke as she leaned her head against his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt. Taehyung’s arms wrapped around her instinctively, his hand rubbing gentle circles on her back. “I’m sorry, Y/n. I’m so, so sorry,” he whispered, his own voice thick with emotion. “But I can’t bear to see you hurt because of me. I can’t lose you. That’s why I have to let you go. Please… try to understand.”

At moments like this, Y/n hated the world she was trapped in. The ruthless, unforgiving mafia world that demanded strength and punished vulnerability. She knew the risks when she let her heart fall for Taehyung, knew the pain that would inevitably come. Yet, she had taken the leap anyway. Who was to blame for this? Herself, for falling in love, or Taehyung, for letting her?

The answer was a puzzle she couldn’t solve. All she knew was the bitterness of always being the one expected to understand. Why was it always her? Why couldn’t someone, just once, understand her?

“I understand, Taehyung,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. I always do.

Y/n took a deep breath, forcing herself to wipe her tears as she looked at him. “Can we… at least be friends?”

Taehyung smiled faintly, a flicker of relief crossing his features. “Of course, Y/n. We were friends before we started dating. That won’t change.”

Nodding, Y/n reached for the chain around her neck, unclasping it with trembling fingers. She held it out to him. “Since we’re breaking up, you should take this.”

Taehyung hesitated, his gaze shifting between the chain and her face. “No, Y/n. Keep it. You don’t have to give it back.”

She shook her head, her resolve firm. “No, Taehyung. Give this to someone who’s worth it. Someone your heart truly belongs to. And it doesn’t belong to me.”

Taehyung swallowed hard, his expression pained. “Y/n, stop. I told you why I’m doing this. I like you. I really do, and maybe I always will. But we can’t be together. Please… stop overthinking this.”

Gently, she took his hand and placed the chain in his palm. “I know you like me, Taehyung. I’ve never doubted your feelings. But if I keep this, I’ll keep seeing you as more than a friend. And every time I remember we’re just friends, it’ll hurt more. I don’t want that. So please… take it.”

Taehyung nodded, his lips pressed into a thin line as he tucked the chain into his pocket. “I’m sorry, Y/n. Hurting you was never my intention.”

“I know,” she replied softly, offering him a faint, bittersweet smile.

Present—

A soft sigh slipped from Taehyung’s lips as his fingers traced the delicate chain resting in his palm. His gaze softened, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the room. “It belongs to you, Y/n. My heart belongs to you… but how can I possibly tell you that?”

The weight of unspoken words bore down on him as he slowly rose to his feet. He crossed the room with measured steps, his movements almost reluctant, and opened the left drawer of his cupboard. With a lingering glance, he placed the necklace inside, closing the drawer with a quiet finality that felt heavier than it should.

Seeking distraction, Taehyung left his room, his bare feet padding softly against the floor as he made his way toward the kitchen. A craving for coffee tugged at him, but he halted abruptly near the doorway when his eyes landed on a familiar figure. There, standing by the stove, was Y/n. The dim light cast a warm glow around her as she focused on boiling milk, her movements precise yet effortless.

“Y/n?” Taehyung’s deep voice broke the silence, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity.

Startled, Y/n flinched slightly, her hand instinctively darting toward the gun holstered at her waistband. She turned around swiftly, her tense posture relaxing the moment her eyes met his. Letting out a breath of relief, she moved her hand away from the weapon. “Taehyung,” she murmured, her voice steady but laced with surprise.

Taehyung stepped inside, his presence commanding yet familiar as he approached her. “Did I scare you? Sorry about that.”

A soft chuckle escaped Y/n as she shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. It’s just… well, it’s 4 a.m. What are you still doing up?”

I was thinking about you… The thought passed through his mind unbidden, but he pushed it aside, keeping his expression neutral. “I couldn’t sleep,” he admitted, his tone casual. “What about you?”

Y/n shrugged slightly, turning her attention back to the stove. “Same here. I couldn’t sleep either, so I thought I’d make some coffee.”

Taehyung hummed in response, leaning against the counter. “I came down for the same reason.”

Y/n glanced over her shoulder, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Well then, why don’t you wait in the living room? I’ll make it for you.”

Taehyung shook his head, his voice laced with a soft amusement. “It’s fine, Y/n. I can make it myself after you’re done. You’re not my servant, you know.”

Y/n turned to him fully, rolling her eyes with an exaggerated glare. “Taehyung, if you don’t get out of this kitchen right now, I swear I’ll stab you with a knife.”

A laugh bubbled out of Taehyung, his lips curving into an amused smile. “You’re lucky you’re my best friend, Y/n. Anyone else who dared to talk to me like that… well, let’s just say they wouldn’t live to regret it.”

Unfazed, Y/n narrowed her eyes at him. “Whatever, now get the hell out. You’re wasting my time.”

Taehyung sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes as he pushed off the counter. “Fine, I’m going. But seriously, what’s with this obsession of yours to kick me out?”

“Because you’re annoying,” Y/n retorted, sticking her tongue out at him in mock defiance.

His laughter filled the air as he shook his head, ruffling his hair in a gesture of playful exasperation while walking away.

Why do you have to be so effortlessly adorable, Kang Y/n? he thought to himself, glancing back at her one last time. You’re making it so damn hard for me to hold back.

Words- 1683
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