12
Jimin stood amidst a sea of clouds, everything around him ethereal and beautiful. As he looked around, a thought crossed his mind: Was he dead?
Thinking that he felt a sense of peace washing over him.
He turned at the sound of footsteps.
His mother approached, her white gown billowing in the breeze, her hair fluttering. Seeing her, Jimin's face lit up with a radiant smile.
" Mother," he called her
"Jimin, why are you here?" she asked softly.
"Mom, I've come to be with you forever," he said, embracing her. She stroked his hair lovingly.
"You're not supposed to be here, Jimin," she whispered, sadly and stepped back.
"Go back and live. Live a happy life, Jimin." She said pushing him gently.
Suddenly, he felt himself being pulled away.
His eyes slowly opened to the sight of nurses surrounding him, whispering.
Jimin blinked against the harsh hospital lights, his heart sinking. He felt a deep sense of disappointment as he realized he had to wake up—he wasn't dead after all.
"He's awake. Inform Dr. Kim," one nurse said to another.
Taehyung who was waiting for him to wake up anxiously stormed toward him, grabbing Jimin's collar and forcing him to sit up.
Jimin's heart raced, fear and dread filling him. His brief hope for an escape vanished, leaving him feeling trapped and helpless once more.
"Mr. Kim, he just..." a nurse began, trying to intervene.
Taehyung's fierce glare silenced her, and she stepped back, intimidated.
"How dare you hurt yourself," .Taehyung shouted, shaking him violently.
"Do you think you can escape from me that easily?"
Jimin looked at him, despair filling his eyes. Maybe this was his fate—to be tortured by this man. Despite all the pain, he was still alive, at Taehyung's mercy.
"Keep that in your tiny brain," Taehyung hissed, tapping Jimin's head. "You belong to me. Your every breath belongs to me. No one is allowed to hurt you, not even you."
He leaned in, their faces inches apart. "Understand?" he demanded.
Jimin nodded, terrified.
Jin and Hoseok, who had just arrived, took in the scene. The nurses huddled in a corner, terrified. Jin rushed over, placing a hand on Taehyung's shoulder.
"Tae, calm down," Jin urged.
Taehyung's stern gaze shifted to Jin.
"Taehyung, I need to speak with you urgently. Come with me," Hoseok said.
Taehyung shot one last glare Jimin and freed him with a jerk before following Hoseok.
Jin turned to the shaken Jimin and asked gently, "Are you alright?"
Jimin smiled bitterly, tears glistening in his eyes. "I am breathing," he said, his voice hollow.
Jin felt a pang of sorrow for the boy but knew there was little he could do to help him.
---
In the office, Taehyung's anger grew with every page he flipped through. "Where is that bastard now?" he demanded.
"He's in our custody," Hoseok reported.
"Good. I'll deal with him, personally " Taehyung's voice was cold and venomous.
"Shift Jimin to the room and remove anything he could use to hurt himself. Install cameras and monitor his every move. I don't want this to happen again." He ordered
---
Jimin lay in his room, staring blankly at the ceiling. Taehyung's words echoed in his mind, the dominance in his eyes, the way he claimed Jimin as his. Why was he still here? Didn't his father try to find him?
His thoughts were interrupted by Aunt Lily's voice. "Young master," she called, but he didn't respond. She approached and gently caressed his hair.
"How are you feeling?" she asked with motherly concern.
Jimin looked at her and saw the love in her eyes. He hugged her and started to cry. She patted his back gently, comforting him. After a while, he felt a weight lift off his heart.
She helped him sit up. "Let's eat something, and then you need to take your medicine," she said, holding out a spoon.
"I don't feel like eating," he said, his voice hoarse from crying.
"Just a little."
"No, please," he insisted.
"Aunt Lily, you can leave," a familiar voice commanded from behind. Jimin flinched, recognizing it immediately.
Taehyung, who had been watching the scene for a while, stepped forward. Aunt Lily nodded and took the tray, leaving the room.
" Leave it here" he ordered
Taehyung sat next to Jimin. Instinctively, Jimin tried to distance himself.
"Come on, eat like a good boy," Taehyung said in a dangerously calm voice.
Jimin shook his head, his eyes pleading.
"Open your mouth," Taehyung ordered.
Reluctantly, Jimin complied. Taehyung fed him a few spoonfuls, then gave him his medicine.
"As I see, you're not afraid of death," Taehyung said, glancing at Jimin's bandaged wrist.
Jimin's chest tightened as he followed Taehyung's gaze.The memory of the pain was still fresh, but it was nothing compared to the emptiness that had driven him to that point.
"I'm going out of town. While I'm gone, take your meals and medicine on time. Don't neglect your health." Taehyung said
Jimin stared at him, confused by his seemingly concerned words.
"Don't try anything foolish again," Taehyung warned, looking deeply into Jimin's eyes. "If you do, the people around you will get hurt.Aunt Lily, it's her duty to take care of you. If she fails, doesn't she deserve punishment?"
Jimin shivered at his words, understanding the threat perfectly.
"Behave well, or you know what I'll do.right?" Taehyung asked, patting his cheek.
Jimin nodded, his eyes filled with fear and hurt.
"Good. Take care," Taehyung said, kissing Jimin's forehead gently.
Jimin's eyes widened in surprise. Taehyung smirked and left the room.
He touched his forehead where he could still feel the essence of Taehyung's lips. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions—fear, hurt, and confusion stirred by the unexpected tenderness of the kiss. Beneath these conflicting feelings, a persistent question lingered in his mind: "What did Taehyung really want from him?"