๋࣭ ⭑✏ˎˊ˗Chapter 6

The room fell into a tense silence as Kim Jaehyun stepped forward, his sharp eyes locked onto Jungkook like a predator eyeing its prey.

Jungkook felt small—so small—under his intense gaze. He gulped, his fingers gripping the hem of his sweater, feeling his heart pounding in his chest.

Jaehyun’s expression twisted in disgust.

“This… is the boy?” His voice was cold, filled with pure disdain.

Taehyung’s jaw clenched. “His name is Jungkook.”

Jaehyun ignored him, his focus solely on Jungkook.

“You,” he sneered, stepping closer. “What makes you think you deserve to be anywhere near my son?”

Jungkook’s breath hitched. “I-I never—”

Jaehyun scoffed. “A pathetic, cheap little thing like you, clinging to my son? Do you think he actually cares about you?”

Jungkook felt a painful sting in his chest. His lips trembled, but he kept his head down, his fists clenched tightly on his lap.

Taehyung’s fury ignited. “Father—”

“Shut up, Taehyung.”

Jaehyun’s voice was sharp like a knife.

Then, he turned back to Jungkook, his eyes filled with nothing but disgust.

“I know who you are, Jeon Jungkook.” His voice dripped with mockery. “The pitiful orphan boy whose father couldn’t even live long enough to raise him properly. Left to rot with a mother who barely makes a living—”

Jungkook’s eyes widened.

His lips parted, but no words came out.

He wanted to scream that it wasn’t true.

That his father wasn’t pathetic. That his mother was strong.

But instead—

A single tear slipped down his cheek.

Taehyung snapped.

“Enough.” His voice was dangerous.

Jaehyun didn’t stop. “You have no future, boy. No money. No name. You think you can just walk into my son’s life and become someone?”

Jungkook’s throat burned as he swallowed the lump forming there. His body shook with every word.

Jaehyun’s lips curled into a smirk. “You’re nothing but a pretty face from the gutter. A toy that will be thrown away once Taehyung gets bored.”

Jungkook’s vision blurred.

He was strong. He never cried.

But right now—

He felt helpless.

Like he was that little boy again—standing in front of his father’s grave, holding his mother’s trembling hand, knowing that the world would never accept them.

And then—

Jaehyun turned to Taehyung.

“And you.”

Taehyung glared, his hands clenched into fists.

“Skipping lectures, firing professors, and now this?” Jaehyun’s voice was ice cold. “Do you have no shame?”

Taehyung scoffed. “I don’t answer to you.”

Jaehyun’s eyes darkened. “You are a disgrace to this family.”

Jungkook flinched.

Taehyung’s jaw tightened, but his expression remained unshaken.“I don’t care.”

Jaehyun’s fury only grew.

“You are weak.”

Taehyung laughed coldly. “And you’re a coward.”

Jaehyun’s nostrils flared. “You think you can ruin this family’s reputation? Walking around with a boy—”

Taehyung’s patience snapped.

“Say it.” His voice was dangerously low.

Jaehyun sneered. “You’re nothing but a—”

Taehyung’s voice boomed.

“Say it, father! Say that your son is gay! Say it like it’s something to be ashamed of!”

The room fell into dead silence.

Jungkook’s breath hitched.

Jaehyun’s face darkened. His fists clenched at his sides.

“You are an embarrassment,” Jaehyun spat. “And I will not tolerate this filth.”

Taehyung let out a humorless chuckle. “Filth? The only filth in this room is you.”

Jaehyun’s rage boiled.

“Enough.” His voice was sharp. “This foolishness ends now.”

Then—

His next words shattered everything.

“You are getting married.”

Taehyung’s body froze.

Jungkook stopped breathing.

Jaehyun’s expression was merciless.“I have already arranged it. A woman from a respectable family—”

Taehyung’s fury exploded.

“Over my dead body.”

Jaehyun stepped closer.“You have no choice.”

Taehyung’s laugh was bitter. “Watch me.”

Jaehyun’s eyes blazed with fury.

“You are nothing without me, Taehyung. You live under my roof, wear the clothes I buy, spend the money I give—”

“I don’t need anything from you!” Taehyung’s voice shook the walls.

Jaehyun snapped.

“You selfish brat—”

And then—

He turned to Jungkook.

And before anyone could react—

SLAP.

Jungkook’s head snapped to the side.

His cheek burned.

The room fell silent.

Jungkook’s wide, teary eyes trembled as he slowly lifted his hand to his stinging cheek.

Taehyung’s entire world stopped.

His chest tightened. His vision blurred. His hands shook with barely controlled rage.

Jungkook sat there, stunned.

And then—

Taehyung’s entire body exploded with fury.

“YOU—”

Taehyung lunged forward.

His hands grabbed his father’s collar, fury burning in his dark eyes.

“How dare you touch him?” His voice was low, dangerous, shaking with pure rage.

Jaehyun barely flinched.He simply looked at his son with cold amusement.

“You’re fighting over a worthless boy?” Jaehyun scoffed. “How pathetic.”

Taehyung snapped.

His fist collided with Jaehyun’s face.

SMACK.

The impact sent Jaehyun staggering back.

The entire room went silent.

Jungkook’s eyes widened in shock. His body tensed as he watched Taehyung, who stood there breathing heavily, fists clenched, chest rising and falling rapidly.

Jaehyun wiped his lip, his fingers coming away with a small trace of blood.

His expression turned deadly.

“You ungrateful little—”

Before he could finish, Taehyung ignored him completely and turned to Jungkook.

His heart shattered at the sight of the boy.

Jungkook sat there, his delicate hands still clutching his red, burning cheek.

His innocent doe eyes glistened with unshed tears, his body trembling slightly.

Taehyung felt his chest tighten.

He immediately dropped to his knees and pulled Jungkook into his arms.

Jungkook’s body was so small, so fragile against him.

“Shh, baby,” Taehyung whispered, cradling his head gently. “I’m here.”

Jungkook couldn’t hold it in anymore.

Tears spilled down his cheeks.

His fingers clutched Taehyung’s expensive suit, burying his face into his warm chest.

Taehyung’s arms tightened protectively around him, his hand softly rubbing the younger’s back.

“It’s okay,” Taehyung whispered, pressing his lips to Jungkook’s soft hair.“Don’t cry, baby boy. I’ve got you.”

Jungkook let out a small sob,his body slightly shaking.

Taehyung’s heart ached.

He wanted to take him away from all of this.

But before he could say anything—

SMACK.

The sound of a hard slap echoed through the room.

Jungkook’s body jerked violently.

His head snapped to the side, the impact sending him crashing to the floor.

Taehyung’s world froze.

Jungkook lay motionless on the ground.

His books scattered. His soft brown curls fell over his face.

And then—

A small, painful whimper left his lips.

Taehyung’s entire body trembled.

Slowly, he lifted his gaze.

His father stood there, his hand still raised, eyes filled with pure rage.

“You don’t belong here, you worthless brat.” Jaehyun’s voice was merciless.

Jungkook squeezed his eyes shut,his hand pressing against his now bruised cheek.

His small frame curled up slightly, trying to endure the pain.

Taehyung lost control.

His rage exploded.

With a deadly glare, he rose to his feet.

“You’re going to regret that.” His voice was cold.

His father scoffed. “And what will you do? Run away with that poor trash?”

Taehyung didn’t answer.

Instead, he crouched down and carefully lifted Jungkook into his arms.

Jungkook blinked through his teary eyes. “T-Tae…”

Taehyung held him closer.“Shh, baby. Don’t talk. I’m taking you out of here.”

Jaehyun’s fury boiled.

“Put him down, Taehyung.”

But Taehyung didn’t listen.

His arms tightened around Jungkook’s trembling body as he marched out of the room.

Jaehyun’s voice boomed behind them.

“TAEHYUNG, IF YOU LEAVE, YOU’RE NO LONGER MY SON!”

Taehyung paused at the doorway.

Then—

Without looking back, he whispered:

“Good.”

And with that, he walked away—carrying his baby boy in his arms.

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