Location: Kim Empire Headquarters – Boardroom
A sharp knock echoed as Taehyung stepped into the boardroom.
Thirty executives turned their heads. Everyone held their breath.
Because Kim Taehyung never, ever looked rattled.
But today?
There was something in his eyes. A storm. Cold and electric.
He dropped a velvet box on the center of the table.
It landed with a dull thud.
"Open it," he said calmly.
No one moved.
So he did it himself.
Inside: a crushed, burned copy of his late father’s original business blueprint, marked in red ink with one word:
"Obsolete."
And on top of it?
A note in silver script.
- “Let’s build something better.
Together or not—your choice.
—JJK.”
Taehyung didn’t say a word.
But his hand trembled.
Not with fear.
With the need to destroy someone.
---
Later — Private Hallway
Hoseok caught up with him, breathless.
"He sent it publicly to the office? Who the hell sends a threat inside a gift box?!"
Taehyung didn’t stop walking.
"He’s provoking me."
"Then why aren’t you shutting him down?"
"Because, Hobi," Taehyung said through clenched teeth, "I want to know why I haven’t."
---
Jungkook’s Private Suite – Evening
Jungkook sat shirtless at his piano. Playing low notes in the dark. A cigarette untouched in an ashtray beside him.
His phone buzzed.
He didn’t check it.
He knew.
Taehyung wouldn’t message.
He’d come.
And he did.
---
The Door Slammed Open
Taehyung stepped in, drenched from rain, breath sharp like a knife.
"You want a war?"
Jungkook stood slowly, lips curled slightly.
"I want you."
"Then take what you want, Jeon," Taehyung hissed, walking right up to him. "But don’t you dare pretend it’s love."
Jungkook stared into his eyes, voice low.
"Love isn’t forgiveness. It’s fire."
Taehyung grabbed his shirt.
Their chests touched.
Their history burned between them like gasoline.
“You ruined my father’s name.”
“You ruined me, Taehyung.”
Taehyung faltered. Just for a second.
Because Jungkook’s voice cracked. Just slightly.
And it wasn’t an act.
“You think I didn’t bleed when you left me?” Jungkook said, voice rough. “You think I forgot how your silence killed me every day for eight years?”
“You deserved it!”
“Then stop acting like you didn’t love me first!”
Taehyung froze.
The rain on his coat. The shaking in his hands. The twist in his heart.
"That night," Jungkook whispered, “I waited. But you never came. You left me with nothing but the sound of your silence.”
Taehyung let go.
“I came here to destroy you,” he whispered.
Jungkook stepped forward.
“Then burn me.”
---
Flashback – Age 19, Seoul
A rooftop. A birthday. Taehyung had stood with a small cake. One candle.
Jungkook never showed up.
He found out later.
Jungkook had been arrested for leaking private documents.
But Taehyung never asked why.
He believed what they told him.
Because hate was easier than heartbreak.
---
Present
Taehyung turned, leaving.
“Don’t follow me.”
But Jungkook just whispered to the empty room:
“I already am.”
---
End of Chapter 4
......................
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