The emotions that break your heart is sometimes the very ones that fix it...

Other Titans quickly cleared a path for Sri as she approached the scene, her heart pounding in her chest. The sight of Arin's lifeless body sent a wave of nausea coursing through her. The white shirt that once symbolized his youthful spirit was now stained a deep red with dried blood. His throat had been brutally slit, and despite the horror of it all, he looked too peaceful, as if he were merely sleeping.

"I will not return without Kai's blood in my knife even if it costs my life!" His words echoed in her mind, a haunting reminder of the determination that had ultimately led to his demise. Dark Squads had taken him down, and she couldn't shake off the heavy burden of guilt.

Sri cursed herself for sending him out alone. She had underestimated the enemies, and now Arin had paid the ultimate price. A hurricane of emotions roared inside her, but her exterior remained stoic and cold, betraying none of the turmoil within. Even Jungkook, her brother and fellow Titan, couldn't bear to look at Arin's body. The jolly soul they all cherished was gone, replaced by a stark reminder of their violent reality.

She focused on the open wound, her heart heavy with loss. Arin was not just a member of the Titans; he was family. Though there had never been any romantic feelings, she had loved him like a brother.

Sri recalled the day she had rescued him from a gang of thugs. He had been so grateful that he wanted to follow her every order. She had tried to shake him off, even beating him up to deter him, but he proved too stubborn to let go. Eventually, she had relented, giving him a chance. He had turned out to be a dedicated member of the gang, always supportive and never questioning her decisions.

Now, he lay lifeless before her, stolen away far too young. A fire ignited within her; she would avenge his death, no matter the cost. Clenching her fists, she stormed out of the room, the weight of her grief propelling her forward.

Meanwhile, Taehyung had just emerged from the washroom, curiosity gnawing at him as he waited for Sri's return. When she finally entered, he could see that she looked worse than before. Her eyes were glazed, and there was an intensity about her that made him uneasy.

She ignored him completely and sank onto the bed, gripping the bedsheet tightly. Taehyung's gaze flickered to the glass of poisoned water, then back to her. "You don't look good. What happened?"

Silence enveloped them, thick and uncomfortable. Sri's blank stare bore into his, and after what felt like an eternity, she spoke, her words catching him off guard.

"You always bring out the worst in me."

Before he could respond, she stood and enveloped him in a tight embrace. Taehyung was taken aback, his heart racing at the unexpected warmth of her body against his. He had anticipated anger, perhaps guilt, but not this sudden affection.

His mind raced with confusion. Why was she behaving this way after everything that had happened? Did she expect him to continue loving her even after she had sentenced him to death? He might have been compassionate, but not to the extent of overlooking the darkness that surrounded her. Or was he?

Taehyung hesitated, his arms slowly wrapping around her in return, but he couldn't shake the nagging doubt in his mind. Was this a moment of weakness for her, or a manipulation of her feelings? The embrace felt like a desperate plea for connection amidst chaos, and he was torn between his desire to comfort her and the reality of her actions.

His heart softened when he heard a sob escape Sri's lips. She buried her face in his chest, seeking refuge from the storm of emotions raging within her. She believed he was the curtain that would hide all her tears. "Fuck! I shouldn't be crying," she cursed, her voice trembling with suppressed anguish.

The doctor couldn't help but ask again, "What happened?"

"They killed Arin." Her loud whisper stunned Taehyung. He hadn't expected to hear that the vibrant, jealous young man was gone. His eyes filled with tears, not just for Arin but for the loss Sri was enduring. Although they had never been particularly close, he had grown attached to the gang members over the past eight months, and hearing of Arin's death felt like a personal blow.

"I raised him. I saw him grow up," Sri rambled, her breath hitching between sobs. "If I had known they would kill him, I would have never sent him there." The guilt weighed heavily on her heart. She knew her curtain wouldn't be there for long and that she didn't deserve any love from him. In this moment of vulnerability, she felt selfish for leaning on Taehyung, but she had grown accustomed to him. After sharing her past with him, she felt an unfamiliar sense of freedom. No one, except Jungkook, had known her story before.

Her curtain of strength fell whenever she came into contact with the doctor. "I never wanted him to die." She choked on her words, making excuses, but deep down, she knew it was due to her negligence. She cried not only for Arin but also for Taehyung, who had somehow become entwined in her chaotic life.

Taehyung wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer, realizing the truth—he couldn't live without his madwoman. Whom was he even fooling? One step away from her would break him. "It's okay... cry it out. Arin is at peace now," he whispered, trying to provide comfort even as his own heart shattered.

Sri choked on her sobs and reached for the glass of water that rested on the nightstand, her eyes hollow and desperate. Taehyung's heart raced. He suddenly regretted his decision to poison her. "Wait!" he shouted, pulling her into his embrace and throwing the glass away. It shattered upon impact, the water spilling everywhere across the floor. The sound echoed in the room, sharp and jarring.

When had he become so evil, contemplating murder? Relief washed over him when he realized he had stopped her just in time. "I-I am sorry—I'll clean this up," he stammered, feeling a rush of guilt, but Sri didn't respond. Instead, he felt her weight shift, her body growing heavier in his arms.

"S-Sri? Wake up!" he panicked, fear gripping him as he realized she had succumbed to unconsciousness. His heart raced as tears streamed down his cheeks, the sight of her limp form twisting a knife in his chest. He feared she might have drunk it. But he clearly saw it was untouched.

Without a second thought, he scooped her up in a bridal carry and rushed over to the bed, shards of glass piercing his feet, but the pain barely registered. One thing was clear—he could never forgive himself if something happened to her.

He laid her gently on the bed and checked her pulse, desperate for reassurance. Everything seemed stable, yet confusion clouded his mind. Why had she fallen unconscious? Even with his medical knowledge, he felt utterly clueless about the poison's effects. All he could do was wait for her to regain consciousness, anxiety clawing at him.

After what felt like an eternity, Sri finally stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Relief flooded Taehyung; he wrapped her in a tight embrace, fearing she might vanish if he let go. He sobbed into her shoulder, overwhelmed by the moment. "I am sorry. I am so sorry."

Sri, still disoriented, opened her eyes to find Taehyung trembling, tears soaking her shirt. "Why are you sorry?" she asked, her voice muffled by his embrace.

In truth, all she remembered was being hit by a wave of dizziness before slipping into unconsciousness.

"I—" Taehyung hesitated, torn between honesty and the fear of shattering her perception of him. He couldn't bring himself to confess the dark act he had considered. The thought of becoming a backstabber in her eyes was unbearable. He resolved to atone for his misdeeds by accepting whatever fate S decided for him. He wouldn't fight her anymore; he deserved punishment for even contemplating the unthinkable.

One thing he knew was that he had to expose Viper before his death. How dare he threaten S? In that moment, the weight of his feelings for her crashed down on him like a tidal wave. She had become his anchor in a world filled with chaos, and he would do anything to protect her, even if it meant sacrificing himself in the process.

Someone else was keeping an eye on the couple in Sri's room. A satisfied grin spread across Jungkook's lips as he observed everything unfold on his monitor. He was acutely aware of the delicate situation.

Jungkook's return had been sudden and unannounced. The current turmoil surrounding them was too chaotic for anyone to notice his presence; he blended seamlessly into the rebellious crowd. He had overheard the tense conversation between Taehyung and Viper, and now he knew exactly how to handle the betrayer who dared to threaten his sister and his boss.

Jungkook decided to use this opportunity to test Taehyung's true intentions. Rumors of Sri and Taehyung's relationship had circulated, but Jungkook needed concrete proof of the doctor's sincerity. He kept a close watch on every move Taehyung made, especially when he first administered the poison. Jungkook's heart raced as he waited, unsure if it would be too late to intervene. But just as he thought the worst had happened, he burst into the room, saving Sri from the brink of disaster.

Arin's death weighed heavily on their hearts, so Jungkook chose to let the matter slide—for now. He ordered one of his men to replace the poisoned water with a fresh glass while Taehyung was out of the room. To further ensure his sister's safety, he had set up a hidden camera in the room during that time. Jungkook knew that if Sri discovered what he had done, she would bury him alive. But he had no choice; this risk was necessary for her protection.

As he monitored the couple, Jungkook's heart softened at Sri's breakdown. For a fleeting moment, it felt like his old sister was back, the one who was vibrant and full of life. He felt a sense of relief knowing she had someone there for her during such a tough time, but anger simmered within him at the same time, knowing that the same person had tried to kill her.

When he saw Sri pass out, Jungkook's anger reached a boiling point. He gripped the corner of the table tightly, ready to unleash his fury on the doctor. However, as he observed Taehyung's desperate attempts to revive her—how he threw the glass aside, risking injury as he walked over the shattered pieces, and how he cried for her—Jungkook's resolve began to waver. He had found his proof.

When Sri finally started to wake up, Jungkook stepped toward her room, intent on confronting Taehyung. As he opened the door, he met the doctor's eyes, which quickly darted away in shame. Taehyung hesitated but eventually approached Jungkook, the underboss.

"I think you should know this..." he addressed both the Titan leaders. "Sri didn't fall unconscious without a reason. Viper tried to poison her, but I threw the water away before she could drink it." He whispered the last words, guilt threading through his voice, before limping out of the room.

Jungkook chuckled at the naive doctor. Taehyung truly was a pure soul. But Sri was not pleased with the news. Viper had crossed a line this time, and he needed to pay dearly for it. "JK, bring Heekyung here, right now," she commanded, her voice steely as she held her favorite revolver firmly in her palm.

"If you don't mind, can I handle him?" Jungkook asked, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"Fine then. Make him sound melodious to my ears," she smirked back at her brother. Jungkook matched her expression with a sly grin. The gangster siblings shared an unspoken understanding of the grim fate awaiting Chen Heekyung, aka Viper. They were ready to ensure that he would pay for his betrayal, and there would be no mercy when the time came.

Guess what? I AM DEAD. Why is he like this??😭