Chapter 48

9 AM – The Dining Hall

The atmosphere was suffocating. Jin Kim and Tae were sitting there. Jungkook was still sleeping.

Jin sat at the table, silently pushing his food around his plate. Across from him, Taehyung did the same. Neither of them spoke, their minds heavy with thoughts they couldn’t voice.

Kim, on the other hand, ate his breakfast without a care, his presence alone weighing down the room like a storm waiting to erupt.

“Taehyung.”

Tae flinched at the sound of his name, his grip tightening on his spoon. His head snapped up, eyes locking onto Kim.

“You can take a leave today if you want, but starting tomorrow, I expect you to return to university,” Kim said, his voice devoid of warmth.

Tae merely nodded, his face unreadable.

Kim turned to Jin next. “Jin, I have several meetings today. Handle things on your own and start working on the new project.”

Jin’s jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists under the table, but he said nothing.

“Jin, did you hear me?” Kim’s voice turned sharp.

Jin finally looked up, his eyes burning with barely contained rage. “Why the fuck should we do it, huh? Do you even realize how complicated that project is? It was supposed to launch next year, and we’re already buried in work. How the fuck do you expect us to handle it now?” Jin asked in anger.

Kim’s expression remained cold. “I didn’t ask for your opinion, mister. I ordered you.”

Jin slammed his fist onto the table, making Tae flinch. His voice trembled with frustration. “Are you insane, Dad? Are you even in your right mind? I said it’s complicated! We haven’t even started the groundwork, and yet you’re making promises as if it’s already done! You didn’t consult us, you didn’t plan anything-you just threw this at us like we’re your goddamn slaves!”

Kim slowly rose from his seat, his presence darkening the room. “I said it’s your duty. If you can’t handle it, then cancel the other projects-I don’t care. This is the biggest one, and I want all of you working on it. I won’t tolerate any disobedience.” His voice dropped into something eerily calm, yet seething with authority. “And lower your fucking voice.”

Jin glared at his father, his eyes with anger.

He had so much to say-so much to scream-but he knew it was pointless. Kim never listened. He never cared.

Without another word, Kim turned on his heel and headed toward Jungkook’s room.

Jin clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his already bleeding skin. His rage boiled over, and before he could stop himself, he stormed off to his room, slamming the door shut so loudly.

Tae sat there, unmoving.

He had watched his father and Jin fight too many times to count. He had asked-begged-Jin to tell him what was wrong, but Jin never gave him answers.

So now, Tae stopped asking.

He stared down at his untouched plate, his vision blurring with unshed tears. His fingers trembled as he gripped his fork, his heart aching in ways he couldn’t understand.

Taking a deep breath, Tae forced himself to move.

With shaky hands, he began cleaning the mess.

With Kim

Jungkook lay on his bed, mindlessly scrolling through his phone. His fever had gone down significantly, but exhaustion still clung to his body like a second skin. He hadn’t left his room since waking up, unwilling to face anyone. He had no energy left for forced conversations or empty reassurances.

Then, the door slammed open.

Jungkook flinched at the sudden noise, his body tensing as he turned toward the entrance. His stomach twisted uncomfortably at the sight before him-Kim stood there, his face twisted in anger. Jungkook stood up.

Jungkook barely had a second to react before pain exploded in his shoulder.

Kim smacked him

A sharp gasp left his lips as Kim’s hand came down hard, the force of the hit making his entire body jolt. Jungkook gritted his teeth, his fingers curling into fists to keep himself from reacting further.

His breathing turned uneven as he struggled to stay still, not wanting to give Kim the satisfaction of seeing him crumble.

Kim grabbed his chin, forcing Jungkook to meet his cold, piercing gaze. His voice dripped with venom as he spoke.

“Why the fuck are they caring for you this much, huh?” Kim spat, his grip tightening. “Remember this, son- they hate you. They’re fake. They will leave you alone. Don’t trust them. Don’t ever trust them.”

Jungkook’s heart pounded against his ribs. He clenched his jaw, willing himself not to let the words sink in, but Kim’s voice kept drilling into his mind, planting seeds of doubt like he always did.

“You don’t deserve them. You’re nothing but a piece of fucking shit. A killer.” Kim sneered. “And killers? They don’t deserve anyone.”

Jungkook just stood there, gripping his throbbing shoulder. His vision blurred slightly, but he refused to let the tears fall. Not in front of him.

Kim suddenly placed a hand on Jungkook’s forehead, his touch nothing but a mockery of concern. “Your fever is down. Be ready to go to university tomorrow. You’ve already skipped classes.”

Then, just as quickly as he had come, Kim turned his back and walked toward the door. Before leaving, he spoke one last time, his voice sharp as a blade.

“And don’t get close to them. A killer doesn’t deserve anyone”

The door clicked shut.

Jungkook remained frozen, his chest rising and falling in uneven breaths.

The silence that followed felt deafening, pressing down on him like a weight he couldn’t shake off.

His fingers brushed over the sore spot on his shoulder, the sting a painful reminder of Kim’s presence.

Kim came in, beat him without reason, spat the most gut-wrenching words, and left as if nothing had happened. As if Jungkook wasn’t even human.

Jungkook let out a bitter chuckle, his lips curling in a humorless smirk.

He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor, his mind an endless spiral of thoughts he wished he could escape.

They’ll leave you.

You don’t deserve them.

You’re a killer.

Jungkook slowly laid back down, curling into himself.

He wanted to believe-God, he wanted to believe-that Kim was wrong. That the people around him weren’t faking it. That they wouldn’t just leave him behind like everyone else had.

But the thiught had already settled deep in his bones, wrapping around him like chains. The thought that his brothers hate him and he believed it.

Maybe Kim was right.

Maybe Jungkook really was meant to be alone.

After a Few Minutes

The door creaked open again, and Jin stepped inside.

“Kook?” he called softly.

Jungkook looked at Jin but didn’t meet his eyes. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the window, his posture stiff and distant.

“Kookie… are you feeling better now?” Jin asked gently.

Jungkook didn’t respond.

“Kook-” Jin started again, but before he could finish, Jungkook cut him off.

“Even if I’m not fine, are you going to make me feel better? No, right? Then why the fuck are you even fucking asking me?” Jungkook snapped, his voice laced with bitterness.

“Kook…” Jin tried again, but Jungkook’s voice only grew louder.

“You don’t need to fucking care about me! I can take care of myself-can’t you even understand that? Why the fuck are you all pretending to care?” Jungkook’s voice trembled with frustration. His hands clenched into fists.

“I don’t want anyone! I don’t fucking care about anyone! I don’t even like you all! You’re all just acting like good people,” Jungkook spat, his words sharp like knives.

Jin’s breath hitched.

“I hate you all,” Jungkook continued, his voice cracking slightly. “I don’t want you around me. I don’t care about anyone. I’m just a piece of shit-so why are you even pretending to care?”

Jin stood frozen, unable to find the words to respond.

Hearing the shouting, Taehyung rushed into the room. His eyes widened as he took in the scene, his heart sinking at Jungkook’s pained expression. He was also hurt by jungkook’s butter word.

“Kook-” Taehyung tried, stepping closer.

Jungkook turned to him, his eyes burning with anger.

“You said it wasn’t about me, right? Then why the fuck did he reveal me?” Jungkook’s voice shook with raw emotion. “If you had told me the truth from the start, I would have trusted you! But you didn’t. You stood there, pretending like you didn’t know anything! Why?” he asked looking at the both

His voice cracked at the end, his frustration boiling over into pain.

“Kook… we didn’t know anything. We swear. We’re sorry, Kook,” Jin said, his voice weak, his eyes full of heartbreak. He had never seen Jungkook like this before-so broken, so full of anger and hurt.

Jungkook scoffed, rolling his eyes as he looked away. His chest ached, his breathing uneven. He was trying so hard not to cry, trying so damn hard to keep himself together.

“Jungkook…” Jin called again.

But Jungkook didn’t respond. He just kept staring at the floor, his jaw clenched, his body trembling slightly.

“Kook,” Taehyung whispered, stepping forward again.

This time, Jungkook looked at him, his eyes showed only pure anger and betrayal.

“Can you both just… leave me alone?” he asked, hus voice was cold.. but they both noticed the pain in it.

Jin opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. He felt a lump in his throat, a heaviness in his chest.

“…Jungkook, we’re sorry,” Jin finally whispered before turning and walking out of the room.

Taehyung hesitated for a moment, his eyes brimming with tears, before he, too, walked out, leaving Jungkook alone in the silence.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind Taehyung, Jungkook broke down.

A sob tore from his throat as he curled into himself, his hands clutching his hair, his body trembling.

The pain he had been holding back for so long finally exploded, crashing over him like violent waves. His chest heaved, his breathing uneven, and he struggled to take in air between his sobs.

“Why… why is it always me?” His voice was barely a whisper, but the weight of his words was unbearable.

“What did I do to deserve this?”

No answer came.

Tears blurred his vision as he reached for the glass of water beside him, his fingers shaking so much that he almost dropped it. He forced himself to drink, gulping it down, but the lump in his throat wouldn’t go away.

When he finally calmed, his body still felt heavy, his heart still ached. He grabbed his phone, scrolling mindlessly, trying to distract himself-trying to pretend he wasn’t breaking apart.

After some minutes-knock, knock.

Jungkook flinched badly at the sudden sound. He wasn’t expecting anyone.

“…Come in,” he said, his voice hoarse from crying.

The door opened, and it was Jin.

Jungkook stiffened. He immediately looked away, not wanting Jin to see his swollen eyes. But Jin didn’t say anything about it. He simply walked in, holding a food tray in his hands.

He placed it beside Jungkook’s bed and spoke softly. “Eat up, Kook… don’t skip it, please.”

Then, without another word, Jin turned and left the room.

Jungkook stared at Jin’s fading figure, his heart twisting painfully. His gaze slowly dropped to the food tray. He didn’t want to eat-but something caught his eye.

A small sticky note was placed on the bowl. With hesitant fingers, he picked it up and read the words written in Jin’s neat handwriting.

“Don’t worry, Kook… we are here to protect you. We’re sorry that we didn’t tell you everything, but we ourselves didn’t know anything. We’re here for you, Kook… and when you feel comfortable, you can talk to us. I’m sorry if we acted like we were annoying. But just remember our care and live is not fake… you are my brother how can I even show fake care to you? If you felt like that…We’re really so sorry. Don’t forget to eat… Take your medicines too.. don’t think about anything and rest.”

Jungkook’s breath hitched. His hands tightened around the note.

“Why the fuck is he doing this?” he whispered to himself, his voice cracking.

He wanted to hate his brothers. He wanted to believe that brother’s care was fake, that it was just another act. But deep down, a part of him knew-it wasn’t.

And that realization made it worse.

He wasn’t used to it. He wasn’t used to genuine care. He didn’t know how to accept it.

Tears spilled down his face again. He placed the tray aside, his shoulders shaking as he hid his face in his hands.

And for the second time that morning, Jungkook cried.

Not because he was angry.

Not because he was frustrated.

But because, for the first time in a long time, he felt something he didn’t know how to handle.

He felt… cared for.

After crying for sometimes he washed his face and are his food. Then he again started scrolling mindlessly. Due. To the pills he slept unknowingly again.

Hey guys how was the chapter?

Sorry for the late update hehe…

Anyway was it up to your thoughts?

Any guesses for upcoming chapters?

And what do you think about jungkook’s outburst, how jin will handle him and tae? How will tae react?

Will Jungkook trust his brother’s true love and care?

Tell your guesses…

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