There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: (1) Recklessness, which leads to destruction; (2) cowardice, which leads to capture; (3) a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; (4) a delicacy of honor which is sensitive to shame; (5) over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble.
━
The Art of War
Sun Tzu

≣

It was times like this - with the mind veiled over in a thick confusion, the body weighed down with a bone-weary exhaustion, the heart longing to stand beside its other half, and the soul refusing to believe in witnessed betrayals - that one was inclined to make bad decisions.

Poor judgments.

Stupid calls.

Sure, many believed that royally screwing up often imparted valuable life lessons. By making a mistake and living through the consequences, one learned from the experience and then made wiser choices down the road. However, that type of progression required time and the opportunity to reflect. One had to truly grasp what went wrong in the past in order to do better in the future.

Unfortunately for Jungkook, he lacked the time needed to properly reflect. There was no freedom or safety to consider how his previous stints of irrational thinking led to unfavorable outcomes. There was no break - no pause - in this nightmare to contemplate how not to fuck up from this point forward.

And due to that absence of time, freedom, and safety, Jungkook had to reach a verdict quickly. He had to decide whether to respect Taehyung's order of remaining in this bedroom or to satisfy his own desire of monitoring his angel's well-being.

Obviously, his natural inclination was to foolishly return to the tunnels. After hearing that Bogum planned on speaking with Taehyung, Jungkook's stomach coiled with uneasiness. He feared that the socialite would become violent if left unsupervised; he simply wanted to be close in case something adverse started to unfold.

In all fairness, however, Taehyung's ask of Jungkook - to stay put and prepare for the next leg of their journey - wasn't asking for much at all. Resting, eating, and sleeping were the smartest ways to pass the time until midnight, especially since neither of them could predict what was to come. They had to have clear minds and a high level of alertness so they could readily respond to any obstacle in their path.

And on top of that, Jungkook knew Taehyung could fend for himself. The elder wasn't a prideful man; if he had any doubts about his encounter with his ex, he would've asked Jungkook to hang around. But he didn't. No, Taehyung was fully capable of handling this particular matter on his own.

But that didn't mean Jungkook wasn't worried.

Fuck, he was more than worried . . . he was terrified. That always-present fear resided right in the center of his chest, constricting his breathing and putting a strain on his heart. It filled his mind with terrible images, visions he prayed would never become a reality. And in uncertain times like this, that fear made it incredibly challenging to stay back when the one person Jungkook loved more than anything was at the mercy of monsters.

Fuck.

He didn't know what to do.

In a rare display of level-headedness, Jungkook attempted to remind himself that he and Taehyung had once gone days without each other. At the start of their relationship - before their relationship could even be called a relationship - they were forced to separate amidst numerous risks and endless dangers. Four lonely days passed during that period, and in that scenario, there had been zero promise of a reunion. Nevertheless, they both endured. They made it back to each other.

But that was before.

That separation was before he and Taehyung willingly committed to the other, before they had the opportunity to really work as a team. That was before they grieved together, held each other through their pain, saved each other over and over again. That was before they offered up their minds, shared their bodies, surrendered their hearts, and laid bare their souls.

That was before they fell in love.

And this was after.

Jungkook had a duty to stand by his love, to offer unconditional support as they both faced unspeakable horrors. He held a responsibility to defend his other half whenever possible, to protect him from any preventable harm. He made a commitment to never give up, to fight for his angel in all capacities.

And - except for justified exemptions or extreme cases - he had the moral obligation to respect Taehyung's wishes, to trust the elder's decisions rather than indulge his own impulsive actions.

Fuck.

This wasn't how Jungkook expected his internal argument to play out. He thought he could convince himself that loving Taehyung made things completely different, that he could justify his desire to sneak out and watch over the elder. Instead, he reminded himself that loving Taehyung made him completely different, that he trusted and respected his angel more than he wanted to entertain his fears.

At the end of the day, wasn't that so much more significant? Not demonstrating his love through grand gestures or a willingness to set himself on fire, but through trust and respect instead?

Absolutely.

And yeah, while he was fucking terrified of leaving Taehyung on his own, Jungkook also didn't want to do anything to jeopardize their escape. He could unintentionally put them both in danger - all in the name of soothing his worries - and could even risk their lives. And there was also one fact that Jungkook couldn't deny: Taehyung could protect himself and did not need a knight in shining armor to chaperone his every move.

Hell, Taehyung was already that knight for himself.

So, feeling settled, Jungkook stepped further into the bedroom and away from the bookcase. He would do as was asked - he would rest, eat if given food, and sleep - and in ten hours, would reunite with his angel once more. He would have faith that all would work itself out and be okay. He would hold out hope that this would all be over soon.

For now, that was all he would do.

But because life loved to challenge Jungkook in the most brutal of ways, his resolve was immediately put to the test when he heard something out of place: movement from the other side of the bookcase.

Someone was in the tunnels.

Jungkook stumbled forward, his ear pressing to the imperceptible gap between the wall and bookcase. Everything was softened and muffled, though he was able to distinguish faint footsteps passing by the room. After a couple of beats, they were entirely out of earshot.

Whoever this person was, they couldn't possibly be Taehyung. Only two or three minutes had passed since they parted ways; the confrontation with Bogum was unlikely to be over so soon. Besides, judging by how the footsteps resonated through the tunnels, this person moved towards Taehyung's room. And if that was the case . . .

Did that mean Taehyung was in danger? Was this person on their way to help Bogum?

Fuck.

Fucking shit.

Not for the first time during the last few minutes, Jungkook didn't know what to do. If he stayed here, he could risk multiple people ganging up on Taehyung and physically harming him. However, if he followed this unknown person, he could potentially get both himself and his angel into serious trouble.

Jungkook bit into his lower lip, his teeth all but piercing his skin as he tried to determine the wisest decision. His biggest concern right now was making his and Taehyung's situation worse, though he lacked insight on how to make things better. But as he continued to stand here, his heart racing and blood pounding in his ears, he realized he had no time to debate any of this.

He had to follow his gut instinct.

Without wasting another breath, Jungkook reengaged the button on the bookcase, praying the gentle buzzing would go unnoticed. When the doorway was finally open enough for him to slip through, he proceeded into the darkness without bothering to close the hidden door. If worse came to worst and he needed to run back to the safety of the room, he didn't want to lose precious moments fiddling around with the mechanics.

Unlike the first time he navigated these tunnels - when he blindly walked into walls on his way to find Taehyung - he kept a hand against the cold stone to guide his way. With no light to illuminate the path ahead, he didn't want to unexpectedly stumble down a flight of stairs or meet some other unanticipated hurdle. All he needed was to trip over his feet, to make any noise whatsoever, and his position would be compromised immediately.

Jungkook couldn't afford that type of mistake.

After taking a few more silent steps, Jungkook paused to strain his ears for more out of place sounds. He needed to hear something; if he didn't, he risked walking right into the person and getting a gun to the head. But as he waited, as he held his breath and willed his frantic heartbeat to be quiet, there was nothing. No other footsteps, no ragged breathing, no cocking of a gun.

There was nothing at all.

Until there was something.

About six or so meters ahead, the muted sounds of a conversation reverberated through the tunnels. The words were faint - indistinguishable, really - though Jungkook immediately recognized the owners of the voices.

Taehyung and Bogum.

All tension released from Jungkook's body; it was odd to feel relieved while he was in an enclosed space with a possibly gunned assailant, but his priorities had Taehyung's welfare placed far above his own. He was thankful to be close enough to his angel should he need to intervene. If anything went wrong, he could take action before the situation got worse.

Jungkook took a cautionary step closer, not in the hopes of eavesdropping on Taehyung and Bogum but to determine whether or not the assailant was an active threat. He realized too little too late, however, that he was wholly unarmed. If he needed to defend himself, he had nothing but his own two hands.

Well, maybe that was enough.

Jungkook knew he was strong, the muscles coating his frame a testament to the countless hours spent in the gym. He also had experience using his muscles for self-defense and could rely upon his years of taekwondo to help him outmaneuver an opponent. If it came down to it, his body could serve as his weapon of choice. He wouldn't be completely defenseless.

That realization gave him a small surge of reassurance, enough to advance a couple of more steps. And while he still couldn't see anything, what he heard next - coming from just two meters ahead - propelled him into immediate action.

"No, no, no. Fuck."

It was Namjoon.

Jungkook closed the space between them within seconds, hurdling into his brother's body like a freight train. He used the surprise of the attack to his advantage, slamming Namjoon into a flimsy-feeling wall and pressing a forearm to his windpipes. It wasn't easy keeping the hold steady - not as Namjoon scratched at his arms, kicked his ankles, and elbowed his stomach - but he managed to maintain the upper hand.

"What was that?" Bogum asked from the other side of the thin wall, his words slightly alarmed. Now that Jungkook was closer, he could hear everything in better detail.

"What was what?" Taehyung countered, his tone steeped with boredom and disinterest.

Bogum's voice got louder as he approached Jungkook and Namjoon; whatever they were pressed against must be the entrance into the room. "That sound. It came from the other side of the mirror."

"Okay . . .?" Taehyung drawled noncommittally, almost like he thought Bogum was deranged. It was a smart strategy; acting like the socialite heard something that didn't happen was an excellent way to stir doubt and a lack of confidence.

Namjoon's knee crashed upward then, colliding with Jungkook's balls in a sharp, unforgiving motion. Tears instantly sprung to Jungkook's eyes as he caved inward, a weak whimper slipping through his lips. The pain was everywhere - his stomach, his pelvis, his dick. He could barely register what was happening, though somehow possessed the foresight to press his entire weight into his brother, pinning him to the wall.

When another moan of agony fell from his mouth, Namjoon stilled beneath him. "Wait. Kook?"

"Shut up," Jungkook tried to hiss, but the threat came out as a plea instead. "Stop . . . stop . . ."

Jungkook was still so out of it that he didn't know what he was asking. Stop moving? Stop talking? Stop all of this?

Before either of them could say anything more, Bogum hummed from inside the room. "I thought . . . Nevermind."

"What, you're hearing things now?" Taehyung taunted, a thick undercurrent of amusement coloring his tone. "Has the pressure of staging a kidnapping, of living a criminal life, finally made you snap?"

"As much as I would love to take credit for this, especially since it will lead to the end of Korean National Oil, I can't. None of this was my idea," the socialite responded neutrally. "Namjoon is the mastermind here."

"Sure. Okay. And what motives would he have?"

A delighted laugh sounded from the bedroom, and if Jungkook had to guess, he'd say that Bogum wore a shit-eating grin on his face. "That's right. I forgot you didn't know. Your bodyguard lied to you for years, Tae. He never cared about you. All he cared about was exacting revenge on your pitiful father."

Taehyung didn't immediately respond. He was probably weighing his options, deliberating how many details he should reveal. But when he failed to say something - to either ask questions or deny the claim - Bogum continued with his tirade.

"You two are related, you know. Yes . . . Your father just so happens to be Namjoon's father as well. Funny coincidence, right?" The socialite said with a condescending lilt, a mock pout evident by his tone. "Must make a person feel like shit if their own dad didn't want them. If he preferred another son. Must make a person real vulnerable, if you ask me."

The socialite paused after that, probably assuming that Taehyung would have a shocked reply. But, seeing as this news wasn't particularly new news, he received no reaction. No . . . Taehyung gave him nothing at all.

"So, do you get it now?" Bogum prompted, his words slowly becoming more and more agitated. "Namjoon knew you were family for years and never said anything. He wanted to destroy your father from the inside out and didn't care if you were the collateral. And now, after all his years of planning, he's seeing this through to the end. He's accomplished all of this on his own."

That finally motivated Taehyung to speak up. "Oh, I doubt it was all on his own. You forget that I know you, Bogum. I know how you operate. You use people to get what you want and don't hesitate to break them in the process."

Jungkook's heart rate increased exponentially as he listened in on this conversation. He was nervous that his angel would goad the socialite into doing something stupid; he worried that Bogum would harm Taehyung if antagonized enough.

"Hm, maybe you're right," Bogum retorted, speaking through his teeth. "Maybe I should use you again and see what I can get this time around . . . Maybe I should find a way to use Jungkook, too."

Namjoon stiffened beneath Jungkook's hold, his hands flying to the arm across his throat. But he didn't struggle or attempt to break free; instead, he gripped Jungkook tightly, almost like he feared he'd slip away.

And while Jungkook didn't understand what that meant, he maintained his hold. He wouldn't risk anything by reducing the pressure over his brother's windpipes . . . this was the only advantage he had at the moment.

Back in the room, Taehyung practically snarled out, "If you so much as lay a finger on him -"

"Would you rather I touch you instead?" Bogum offered in a sickeningly sweet voice. "I would be more than happy to oblige if that's the case."

Jungkook saw red, felt red, tasted red. Each one of his muscles quivered as he fought to remain still, fought to contain his urge to barge into that room and assault that fucking son of a bitch. Heat flushed through his body as he unknowingly pressed harder against his brother's throat, effectively cutting off his air supply.

"Kook, I can't breathe," Namjoon wheezed out, his words wavering at the end. "I'm not . . . Not here to hurt Tae. Promise."

Jungkook snapped out of his anger-fueled daze, his attention finally returning to the present. He could hear the labored pants coming from Namjoon, could feel his brother's nails digging into his skin. And while he still had his doubts about this entire situation, he didn't want to choke his brother to death.

So he dropped his arm and stepped back. If his brother had questionable intentions, this would be a surefire way of revealing them. But before either of them could make their next move, Bogum broke the tense silence once again.

"Ah, this is why I've missed you, Taehyungie. We always have so much fun," the socialite said with a chuckle. "In fact, I'm not ready for our time together to end. I'll have some food prepared, and we can catch up some more over lunch."

"I want you to send food to Jungkook as well," Taehyung said in reply. Leave it to him to always think about Jungkook, even when his own circumstances were unfavorable.

"And why would I want to do that?"

"Send him food, and I'll pretend like I'm actually enjoying your company."

When Bogum laughed - claiming that he could work with that - Jungkook let his shoulders relax. He was reasonably confident that the socialite wasn't going to actually lay his hands on Taehyung . . . Bogum seemed to be all bark and no bite, at least for right now. And while it still wasn't easy to leave his love here on his own, Jungkook turned away.

He knew his efforts were better spent confronting Namjoon than continuing to eavesdrop.

His fingers wrapped around his brother's wrist in a harsh hold as he took a step back. "Come with me."

Namjoon didn't budge. "I have to -"

"You don't have an option," Jungkook fired back, his words harsh even though his voice was barely a whisper.

Without waiting for an answer, he spun on his heels and headed back in the direction of his room. It was far more challenging to navigate while tugging someone else along, though surprisingly, his brother didn't offer too much of a struggle. Instead, Namjoon softly signaled when they needed to round a corner or proceed over a slight incline.

A few moments later, they arrived at the entrance to Namjoon's old bedroom, the door-slash-bookcase still wide open. Warm sunlight flooded into the tunnel, helping to brighten the darkened space. It also helped Jungkook take in his brother's fatigued face, to observe the sallow skin, droopy eyes, and overall haggard expression.

The assessment didn't go unnoticed by Namjoon. "What?"

"You look like shit." It was an honest response, though Jungkook didn't think twice about buffering his thoughts. He didn't particularly care about his brother's feelings right now. "Why were you in the tunnels? Why were you spying on Taehyung?"

"I wasn't spying on him," Namjoon was quick to defend, his eyebrows scrunching together.

"Then, why -?"

"You were supposed to be gone," his brother interrupted, taking a fraction of a step closer to him. "I . . . Taehyung knows about these tunnels. He knows them better than anyone. I was so sure that he would've come to get you, that you two would've been out of the house by now. I came into the tunnels to watch Bogum's reaction when he realized you both got away."

Jungkook froze as he let those words sink in, his teeth piercing his lip and his nails digging into his palms. Did his brother seriously expect him to believe that he wanted them to escape? Especially after all Namjoon did today alone - from using violence to bring them here to berating him just thirty minutes ago - why would Jungkook trust him on this?

No . . . any trust that he once held for his brother was far gone. In its place was a strong distaste, a pained acceptance of betrayal and loss.

"Sorry if I have a hard time believing that," Jungkook said at last, stepping back to put more space in between them. "In case I need to remind you, you knocked me out. You kidnapped me and Taehyung. And then you dragged me into this house, telling me that I didn't love Tae . . . that we couldn't love each other so soon. Yeah. Sounds like you're on our side, alright."

Namjoon sighed heavily, a tired and ancient sort of sound that seemed to come from the depths of his soul. He looked at Jungkook with an open and vulnerable expression, his eyes sad and pleading. He even tried to smile reassuringly, though the corners of his lips had difficulties quirking up.

"When I knocked you out back at the orchard, Bogum was standing ten or so meters behind you. He had a gun, Kook. It was aimed at you. It . . . It was a warning to me, a signal to stop wasting time. I had to go into that bunker and confront Taehyung, but I was scared to leave you up there without me. So I figured knocking you out would be the safest option for you, that way Bogum wouldn't try anything."

No.

That had to be another lie.

That couldn't possibly be the truth . . . Right?

Fuck, fuck, fuck. Jungkook didn't know what to think . . . he was so fucking confused. After all he witnessed, after learning so many disparate pieces of information and trying to tie them all together, Jungkook knew he shouldn't believe a word that came out of his brother's mouth. Even if it made sense, even if his instincts were telling him that this was the truth, he just couldn't. He couldn't let himself be hurt or disappointed again.

But his gut was begging him to reconsider, to shut off his mind and listen to his heart.

"And then the things I said to you . . . I know you love Taehyung, Kook. I see that love; I felt it when I took you away from him," Namjoon said steadily, his breathing even and quiet. "I don't doubt your love for each other for a second."

"Then why . . .?"

But as Jungkook contemplated everything for a minute, he started to understand. Years of knowing his brother allowed him to see exactly why Namjoon had said what he said.

"You wanted to make me mad, didn't you? You wanted to make it easier for me to leave you behind," Jungkook determined, his mind quickly flitting over their earlier conversation. And while that exchange had been heated and emotionally charged, it did contain one other important clue . . . His brother, while speaking hateful words, did not fail to remind Jungkook of just how much he loved him.

And throughout his entire life, his brother always - always, no matter if they were in a fight or not - did his best to show his love for Jungkook.

Namjoon looked down for a moment, studying his worn boots and dusty jeans. When he brought his gaze back up to Jungkook, his eyes were misted over. "I know you hate me . . . I want you to hate me, Kook. I want you to leave me behind and to never think of me again. But . . . But I'm selfish, too. I want you to know that I'm so fucking sorry, that I love you so much. That despite everything I've done, that in the end . . . I just wanted a better life for you all."

A lump formed in Jungkook's throat, so he didn't bother to clear it. "What the fuck is going on, Joon? And don't lie to me. Don't run away. Tell me."

Namjoon stared at him for a moment, his lips popping open as he visibly struggled with what to do. He looked so weary, so thoroughly drained, like he could collapse any second now. And as he continued to stand there, dejected and defeated, Jungkook only saw one thing:

A broken and grieving man.

But even as Namjoon took a deep breath and rolled back his shoulders, he didn't try to conceal the weight of his inner turmoil. No, he let those emotions flit freely across his face, highlighting his guilt and despair and anguish.

"It's my fault, Kook," his brother started softly. "Everything that happened to Taehyung and his family . . . All of it was my idea. And what Bogum just said about me being the mastermind . . . It's true."

Finally, Jungkook had an admission. He had an answer to the who; he had a name to tie to this entire crime. He had someone to blame. And yet . . .

"No," he whispered, the word so quiet he wasn't sure if he'd actually spoken it aloud. "It couldn't have been your idea. It wasn't your idea. Bogum put it in your head and he's making you think that this is all on you. But . . . But it's not."

Jungkook wasn't sure if he was trying to convince his brother or himself at this point. He also didn't know why he was even bothering. His trust in Namjoon had dissipated and he just got a confession, for fuck's sake. He should be backing away, steeling his emotions, and promising himself to never think of his brother as his hero again.

But he didn't do any of those things, and he couldn't decide if he was just plain stupid or if he possessed an outrageous amount of hopeful naivete.

Probably both.

"Jungkook, listen to me. I knew exactly what I was doing."

"No. Tae and I overheard you with Bogum before. We saw him manipulating you," Jungkook said, his mind whirling with too many thoughts and memories and half-formed theories. "He wants you to believe you're the only one at fault here."

Namjoon violently shook his head, running his fingers through his already unruly hair. "I'm telling you the truth. Fuck, I don't have time to explain -"

"Then make time. If you want me to believe you're a fucking criminal, then tell me. Own up to it."

A fresh wave of adrenaline rushed through Jungkook's body, making him twitch with the contained energy. He just needed to hear his brother's explanation, to hear him detail every single part of his involvement in this disaster. Maybe then he could accept the truth.

Maybe then he could leave his brother behind and never look back.

Before Namjoon could make another excuse, Jungkook lifted his chin. "Does anyone else know about the tunnels?"

"No. Just Tae and me. And now you, which I still don't get -"

"Can anyone overhear us if we talk here?" Jungkook cut him off, jutting his thumb in the direction of the bedroom. "Can we talk freely without being discovered?"

The small puff of air that pushed through Namjoon's mouth was answer enough, though he added, "No one will be able to hear us."

"Then tell me, Joon. Talk. Help me understand." Jungkook fixed an unwavering gaze on his brother, daring him to disagree.

But Namjoon didn't.

Maybe he wanted Jungkook to understand.

"Close the door a little," his brother said rather than starting his story. "Just in case."

Jungkook did as was asked but kept the door just wide enough to let light trickle into the hallway. He wanted - needed - to observe Namjoon's face throughout all of this. "Okay. Now help me make sense of this, Joon. How did you get involved? Is it because you don't like your father?"

"It goes a little bit beyond not liking him," Namjoon responded with flaring nostrils. "Kook, I loathe that man. And I don't say that lightly, either. But I do. I hate him."

In all his years of growing up with Namjoon, Jungkook had never heard his brother admit to hating someone. Not their mother who openly resented them both, not Jungkook's dad who turned into an emotionally abusive alcoholic once he learned Namjoon wasn't his son. No one.

"I know Mom messed up by having an affair with him. I get that. And this doesn't make things okay, but she loved him. She wanted a life with him. But when she went to tell him about me, he . . . He told her that she should get an abortion. That she should end me. He didn't want to be with her and he didn't want me." A stray tear rolled down Namjoon's cheek as he paused for a moment, slowly inhaling and exhaling to regain control of himself.

Jungkook's heart lurched at hearing that, though he felt the need to ask something. "How do you know those things? Did Mom tell you?"

"What? Of course."

And perhaps it was insensitive - okay, it was definitely insensitive - but Jungkook had severe doubts in his mother's claims. The woman was, for lack of a better word, severely unbalanced. Not only was she perpetually bitter, complaining that the entire world was out to get her, but she often lied as a way to control her family. She was the living, breathing definition of scheming and calculating.

But he kept quiet. Now didn't feel like the right time to question something Namjoon spent years believing.

His brother swiped at his cheek before continuing. "And it's stupid. Even though I knew how much he hated me, I couldn't help but want to know him. After Mom showed me my birth certificate and a copy of the paternity test, I constantly researched my dad. I wanted to understand how a person could just walk away from their own son. But that research wasn't enough. I wanted to see him in person.

"So, after I learned he was promoted to CEO of Korean National Oil, I went to Seoul. I visited the lobby of his building every single day, hoping to get a glimpse of the man. And I did. The first time I ever saw him . . . Taehyung was by his side, calling him dad and I . . . I debated going up to him. I wanted to scream at him, to blame him for feeling so unwanted my entire life. I wanted to ask him why he didn't love me like he loved his other son. I just . . . I wanted to hurt him as much as he hurt me."

"Did you ever go up to him? Did you try to talk to him?" Jungkook asked gingerly, afraid that speaking any louder would disrupt Namjoon from telling his story.

"I tried twice. I went up to the front desk, but they wouldn't let me see him because I didn't have an appointment," his brother answered, clasping his hands in front of his body. "But I still sat in that lobby. For weeks. For months. I didn't know what I was doing, though it almost felt therapeutic in a way. Just being there - so, so close to him - I can't explain it. So I stayed and then one day . . . One day I met Bogum."

Jungkook's jaw clenched and his hands fisted, though he didn't open his mouth. This was the critical part; he had to discern how exactly the socialite persuaded his brother to walk down such a dark path.

"Bogum was the first person besides you to make me think that I was worth something. When we met, I felt wanted. Needed and desired. And that was so new to me at that point in my life. I finally had that sense of belonging, of acceptance. With him, I was never made to feel weak or unworthy. And when I finally opened up to him and revealed my relation to my father, he got so protective of me. I . . . I had really needed someone to look after me, and he did."

"I thought I had looked after you," Jungkook couldn't help but say, though he started to question whether or not his efforts had been enough. Looking back, his brother was always the one to comfort him, to give love to him. Had Jungkook not given enough of that in return?

"No, Kook, you did," Namjoon rushed to clarify, his fingers knitting together in a tight hold. "But you had enough to worry about with Mom and your dad. I couldn't bear troubling you with everything that I was going through."

The back of Jungkook's throat started to itch, the pain from not being trusted seeping through to his bones. "But I would've been there for you. I would've supported you just as you always supported me."

"There's no use focusing on that," Namjoon sniffed, looking away from Jungkook and studying the floor. "What's done is done, and I can't change the past. Bogum was what I needed back then and he helped me regain a part of myself that I had no idea was missing. And I felt so grateful to him . . . I thought that I loved him, to be honest, and even agreed to date him. But after a while, that intrigue and attachment started to diminish. I didn't rely on him as much as I had in the past."

"What did he do? I can't imagine he was happy about that. He seems like the type to be overly possessive," Jungkook said, basing that conclusion on what he'd seen and everything Taehyung once told him.

Namjoon hummed in consideration. "Honestly, I didn't notice any shifts in his behavior. Not at first. That was at a time when Bogum started getting more interested in the oil industry, so he was with his father quite frequently. He was pretty much guaranteed a leadership position at Golden Oil, even though he hadn't started from the bottom like everyone else at the company. No one wanted to upset his father, obviously, so they didn't question it. Hell, they didn't want to upset Bogum himself."

"Why not?"

"He has this unmatched ambition to succeed in anything he puts his mind to, even if it means using others or stepping on them to get ahead. And if someone dares to anger him, that's it. He won't stop until he witnesses their downfall."

"I can see why you thought you loved him," Jungkook remarked sarcastically to camouflage his fear. He didn't like hearing that one bit, especially not when his Taehyung was alone with the conniving socialite.

His brother ignored the comment, instead pushing back his hair with a shaky hand. "He started focusing more on Kim Chinhwa . . . my father . . . as talks of a merger began. He knew him well, of course, and never failed to mention the man's criminal involvement, maltreatment of his employees, or abusive tendencies towards his wife and son. And since I had already hated my father, the picture Bogum painted was not hard to believe."

Jungkook's head tilted to the side as he attempted to make sense of that depiction. Granted, he had never met Taehyung's father, so he couldn't make his own appraisal. But based on how Taehyung described the man, Kim Chinhwa sounded like a warm, gentle person. He seemed the complete opposite of what the world expected of a CEO.

He was about to challenge his brother's knowledge, to ask for some more details or added proof, but didn't get the chance.

"A year into knowing Bogum, he took me to a joint party for Golden Oil and Korean National Oil. No matter what, he was always committed to helping me get close to my father. So I went with him, determined to spend the evening watching my father and deciding what type of man he was for myself. And as I was roaming around, I saw Taehyung. I immediately recognized him - I understood he was my half-brother, too - and I . . . I hated him." Namjoon bowed his head at that, his voice losing some of its strength at the end.

Hearing about his brother's hatred for his angel was not easy for Jungkook. He had to concentrate on his breathing, to maintain a clear mind, in order to not completely lose it. So he bit his tongue, fully aware that getting upset now would change nothing.

When Namjoon finally looked at Jungkook again, there was a small warmth permeating from his eyes. "I was going to talk to Taehyung, you know. I had no plan, no idea what I was going to say, but I just needed to meet him. To compare myself to him. But on my way over, I bumped into Jin. It was almost as if fate needed to intervene before I lost my mind and sent Jin to save me."

Jungkook remembered hearing this story - or at least a light version of it - countless times before. The two got to talking, Jin convinced Namjoon to dance with him, Namjoon somehow managed to break Jin's eyeglasses, and the rest was history.

"For the first time in so long, I had something bright in my life," his brother said with a smile, a fondness enriching his tone. "I no longer focused solely on my hatred for my father or anything tied to him and his company. And when we started dating, I realized Jin was more meaningful than the rest of it."

"That was around the same time Bogum started dating Tae, right?" Jungkook questioned, striving to better understand the timeline behind everything.

Namjoon's smile fell as he nodded. "I don't know if this sounds shitty, but I'm pretty sure it was just to upset me. Once I officially left him for Jin, he did everything in his power to get me back. Flaunting his relationship with Taehyung, buying me gifts . . . Letting me know about open job positions at Korean National Oil . . ."

A tingling sensation bubbled over Jungkook's skin as he asked, "How did he know about jobs at a competing company?"

A pointed look was his first answer, with Namjoon raising his eyebrows and widening his eyes. "Bribed insiders, of course. Bogum's father even had the former Chief of Security at Korean National Oil in his pocket, which is how Bogum learned they wanted a personal bodyguard for Taehyung. He told me about it, saying it could be my opportunity to meet my father. And the more we talked about it, the more my anger rekindled. I hadn't exactly forgotten about my contempt, though it went to the backburner for a while."

"So you what? Interviewed for the job so you could sabotage Tae's family from the inside?"

"That . . . That had been my plan, in a way. But I had to get hired first. So when I went in for my interview, I . . . I thought of you, Kook. I slipped into that brotherly role all too easily. But the funny thing was just how easy it had been. Taehyung made it easy. And he . . . God, he wanted to be my friend so fucking badly. He was hurting - I knew he was hurting, I knew Bogum tried to hurt him and was never faithful - but he still managed to put me first. He seemed to realize I needed a friend as well."

Despite the circumstances, Jungkook's heart swelled at the very accurate description of Taehyung. Over these last few weeks, his angel worked tirelessly to support Jungkook and validate his wide range of emotions.

"He was very easy to fall in love with," Jungkook revealed, the words effortlessly rolling off his tongue. "I know it was quick, but we experienced a lot together and -"

"You don't have to justify it to me, Kook. I was an asshole earlier. I really just wanted to get you out of here." His brother reached out a hand, almost like he wished to rest it over Jungkook's arm. But after a second of consideration, he shook his head and let his hand fall to his side.

Jungkook gnawed on his lip, wanting to believe him but still unsure.

When he didn't say anything more, Namjoon licked his lips and continued. "Even after getting to know Taehyung for a couple of weeks, my anger didn't change. I still wanted my father to suffer. But I really didn't know him at all and mistakenly assumed his career was the one thing he valued most. So, after thinking things through, I thought the ultimate way to hurt him would be to ruin the career he spent his entire life working towards."

Jungkook tried to appear unaffected, to keep his voice even, but he ultimately failed. His pitch faltered as he asked, "The attacks? That was you?"

"The first and second," his brother admitted, his hands knotting together once more. "They were never violent in nature; I just wanted to scare my father into stepping down from his position. But they never worked and I was just so tired at that point, so I gave up."

No . . . Something wasn't making sense here. "Tae told me that there were ten attacks during the first six months of you two working together."

"There were. I . . . I had told Bogum about my plans, Kook. I told him when I planned on stopping, too. But he didn't give up. He enlisted the help of Golden Oil to carry on with the plan, realizing he could benefit from the arrangement as well. But he employed violent means, and soon enough, Tae, his mother, and I had to bounce around the country to avoid physical harm."

"Why didn't you say anything to Korean National Oil? If you planned on stopping, why didn't you speak up?"

Namjoon looked down at his intertwined fingers, his brows scrunching together as he reflected. "I didn't know who I could trust. I learned all too quickly how simple it was to bribe people. If I opened my mouth, I feared something bad would happen to Jin, or you, or even to Tae and his family. But I did want the violence to stop. So I told Bogum I would act as an insider and pass him information when I got it. I . . . I still wanted to ruin my father's career, but I didn't want anyone to get hurt."

"And he just agreed to stop?" Jungkook challenged, unable to control his incredulous inflection.

"No. I came up with a new idea. I knew Golden Oil and Korean National Oil planned on merging. They spent years discussing the particulars but were left undecided on when the deal would close because of the attacks. And I realized the ultimate way to take down my dad was to cause a massive scandal right as they merged, to stage something that questioned his leadership and ability to manage a massive company. But my plan would take years to see through and were dependent on the attacks stopping."

A surge of understanding and realization practically drowned Jungkook, and he stumbled back as it hit him full force. "The kidnapping policy . . . You were going to fake a kidnapping."

"Jin had a vague idea of everything I'd been doing at that point. He still held out hope that he was wrong - his love blinded him - but he had his doubts. He upped many insurance policies that were taken out in Taehyung's name to protect him and even maxed out the kidnapping policy. Bogum and his team learned about this and I . . . The plan fell into place.

"But years passed. I spent years with Taehyung and as I waited . . ." Namjoon broke off, cradling his head in his hands. "I grew to love Tae. I tried so hard to treat him better. And when we reached the end, when Bogum started asking me to set the plan into motion, I was struggling so badly. I had wanted retribution for my life for so long, but somewhere over the years, that anger faded. I gained a new brother and he filled the holes my father left. And I knew I no longer wanted to be the person I had become."

Jungkook didn't know when the tears had gathered at his eyelashes, but sure enough, multiple droplets streamed over his cheeks. "Then why didn't you stop it? Why didn't you tell someone?"

Namjoon finally did reach out to Jungkook, tentatively placing his hand on his shoulder. "I had multiple people watching me, Kook. I was terrified of reaching out for help, so fucking terrified that they would hurt you or Jin or Tae. So when the day of the kidnapping arrived, I decided to pretend to kidnap Tae. The plan had always been for him and me to lie low anyway, that way he wouldn't have known he was kidnapped, but I decided to scratch that plan. I was going to take him to Yoongi, the newly hired Chief, instead."

The warm touch to his shoulder helped ground Jungkook, and without thinking, he rested his hand over Namjoon's. "Then what happened? Why . . . Why did someone kill Tae's mom?"

"Bogum decided to hire someone to pose as a kidnapper to make things more realistic," his brother replied, eyes taking on a distant look as he seemingly recalled that day. "I remember going downstairs to look for Tae but found his mom with this stranger instead. There was shouting and yelling, and I quickly realized what was unfolding. The guy was getting heated, and neither Tae's mom or I could get him to calm down."

Jungkook knew what was coming next, though he still wasn't prepared to hear it all again. "She got shot."

A choked sob rumbled in Namjoon's throat as he nodded. "She tried . . . She tried so hard to help, to save us all . . . and . . . And once she got hit . . . I tried to lunge at the guy, to take him down, but he shot me, and I . . . I wanted it to be over. Once I saw that Tae's mom was dead, I wanted to die. I just . . . I wanted it to be over."

"Joon -"

"But then Bogum was there, dragging me out of that house. I couldn't run or get help or hide. He threatened you and Jin, and I -"

"Joonie -"

"All of it's my fault," Namjoon said brokenly, more tears pouring out from his eyes. "Every single fucking part of it. I'm the reason Tae's mom died. I'm the reason you're locked up and -"

"Namjoon," Jungkook interrupted, bringing both of his hands to his brother's shoulders. "You didn't kill her. Her death is not on your hands."

"But -"

Three harsh knocks sounded from inside the bedroom, coming from the locked door. "Open up, Jeon. I have food for you."

Jungkook quickly rubbed at his eyes, hoping they weren't too red. "Wait here. I'll be right back."

But Namjoon shook his head. "I have to go, Kook. I'm doing everything I can to keep these people distracted, to keep their attention off of you all. They'll notice if I'm missing for too long. But first, tell me this . . . Are you and Tae planning on leaving?"

"Jeon!"

"Yes," Jungkook breathed, searching his brother's face for a reaction.

The one he received was a relieved smile, one that stretched his brother's lips, cratered his cheeks, and warmed up his eyes. "Good. Go when it's dark."

"Alright, but Joon -"

"Go answer the door before they suspect something," Namjoon ordered, pushing Jungkook towards the entrance into the room. "Stay in there until you leave. I'll make sure no one bothers you. Alright?"

Jungkook let himself be shoved into the bedroom, though turned back before his brother could close the door. Lowering his voice into a whisper, he said, "Wait, Joonie. What about you?"

Namjoon surveyed him for a moment, his eyes tenderly tracing over every bit of his face. "Don't worry about me, okay? Just take care of yourself and Taehyung."

"Wait -"

But it was no use. Namjoon was gone.

Jungkook stared at the open bookcase for a moment, his mind utterly blank and numb. He learned too much too fast and had no time to process any of it.

"I'll leave you to starve if you don't open this fucking door," a rough voice called out, accompanying a bang against the frame.

Spurring into action, Jungkook closed the bookcase most of the way but left it open just a crack. Again, if things were to turn south quickly, he'd rather not deal with the mechanics of this door.

Once the seam wasn't evident to the casual observer, Jungkook threw open the door to the bedroom. He put on his cockiest smile and leaned against the frame, effectively becoming the brat Taehyung loved. "How sweet. You brought me lunch."

The gruff-looking man shoved a plate into his hands, lines creasing his forehead as he glowered. "I'd show some respect if I were you."

"And if I were you, I'd ask myself where I went wrong in life to end up as nothing more than a guard dog," Jungkook smirked, taking hold of the plate and stepping back into the room. "Now sit. Stay."

He slammed the door closed just as the guy's fist collided with the wood.

Jungkook spent the next thirty minutes eating on the bed, his feet tucked beneath him and back pressed against the wall. He stared at nothing in particular as he shoveled the food into his mouth, chewing and swallowing but barely tasting. There were too many thoughts swirling around in his head, too many details and revelations and questions. He didn't know what to think, so he just . . .

Didn't.

After he finished his meal, he managed to convince the guard to let him use the bathroom - in other words, he threatened to piss right there on the floor - and now he was back in the room. He stretched out on the bed and tucked himself under the blankets, resolved to staring up at the ceiling until midnight. There was no possible way he could fall asleep, not now. Not with how riled up he felt.

All of his doubts . . .

All of his fears . . .

They consumed his mind.

But as the minutes slowly passed, as the warmth from the blankets seeped into his body and the weight of his eyelids finally proved too much, Jungkook drifted off and away. And wherever he was in his sleep, whatever place his consciousness visited, he was safe.

He was safe, happy, and loved.

He was home.

Though that place - that beautiful, peaceful place - started to shake and crumble around Jungkook. The edges dissipated into nothingness, the warmth slowly cooled, and something was grabbing him . . . something touching him and pulling at him and -

"Sweetheart? Can you wake up for me?"

A deep, comforting voice melted over Jungkook's ears, the timbre so pacifying that he wanted to listen to it for forever. So rather than obey its gentle request, he snuggled deeper into the blankets and kept his eyes shut.

"Kookie," the voice hummed in amusement, gentle fingers brushing along Jungkook's forehead. "It's midnight. Time to leave."

Midnight. Time to leave. Those words stirred something within Jungkook, and before he could further resist, his eyes were opening and he was looking up at Taehyung.

"Tae?"

"Hi, sweetheart."

Taehyung was leaning over the bed, his hair falling forward and grazing his eyelashes. An affectionate, sentimental glow filled his eyes as he scanned over Jungkook, no part of him left unchecked for signs of injury or harm. And with the cool light from the moon decorating the elder's skin in icy blues and steely whites, he looked like an ethereal statue come to life.

He looked like an angel.

"Are you ready to go?" The elder asked, reaching out again to brush Jungkook's hair from his face.

"I need to tell you something first," Jungkook mumbled, his eyes blinking rapidly in an effort to wake up.

A small smile played at Taehyung's lips. "I already know you were lurking in the tunnels, Kook. And I'm not going to reprimand you for it, but if there's ever a next time, please stay put. I was so nervous and -"

"I wasn't lurking," Jungkook pouted, quick to defend himself. "Well, not intentionally. But I heard someone in the tunnels and thought they were going to hurt you."

"And you thought it was reasonable to check it out?"

"I know it was stupid, but I was just thinking of you. And then I realized it was Namjoon and kind of attacked him."

Taehyung's fingers froze on Jungkook's face and his eyes widened with concern. "Namjoon? You confronted him on your own?"

Jungkook softly hummed, unsure of how best to share all his brother had told him. He didn't have time to sugarcoat the massive amount of information he had learned; he had to restate each fact as bluntly as possible and let Taehyung decide what to make of it. And while this method of sharing Namjoon's story wasn't fair to his angel - the elder should've heard it directly from the source instead - it was better than nothing.

"I have a lot to tell you, Tae. Can we . . . If I whisper, do you think it's safe to stay in here?" Jungkook looked to the door, unsure if his guard was still out there or not. He really didn't want to migrate to the tunnels and recount everything there. The cocoon of blankets and plush bed were far more comfortable.

Taehyung rolled to a standing position, edging silently to the door and pressing his ear against it. After a moment or two, he found whatever answer he was looking for and rejoined Jungkook in bed. But this time, he slipped under the covers and joined their hands.

"Sounds like your guy is sleeping," the elder murmured, adjusting the comforter so it was over their heads. "If we talk quietly, we'll be okay."

Jungkook repositioned himself so his legs were tangled with Taehyung's and they were looking into each other's eyes. It was a bit more difficult to see under the blankets, though he still retained a fair amount of his vision. "I don't know how to begin."

"It's okay," Taehyung assured him, placing a kiss over his knuckles. "Just start whenever you're ready."

So Jungkook did.

He started from the beginning, describing how he found Namjoon in the tunnels. He shared how his brother assumed they had escaped and how startled he was when he learned that wasn't the case. Then he tried to retell every single part of Namjoon's story, even though he knew he missed some of the smaller details. But by the end of it, Jungkook was confident that he conveyed the most important pieces . . . the pieces that made him wonder if his brother truly was a bad person or if he had just been led astray.

His voice got thick with emotion about halfway through, but whether that was from reliving the tale or feeling Taehyung cry in his arms, he didn't know. Either way, he held onto his angel through it all, sharing his strength and receiving a tremendous amount in return.

When Jungkook finished a short while later - after he backtracked a couple of times to fill in some forgotten parts - he stopped talking for a few minutes. He understood how fucking much he just unloaded on the elder; he had hours to process it all and still couldn't make sense of it. It would take an abundance of time, resources, and security for everything to sink in, but once again, they had none of that.

But at least they had each other.

"I don't know if my father ever knew about Namjoon," Taehyung said five minutes later, his voice hoarse around the edges. "I can't be certain of that. But I do know that my father would never abort his own child. He typically leans towards the pro-choice side, but if it was his choice . . . One of my cousins got pregnant at a really young age. She wanted to end it, but my dad urged her to think it through and . . . Oh, fuck. What if he's against abortions because he learned the hard way in the past?"

It was possible, of course, but Jungkook couldn't say for sure. It seemed the only way to fill in the missing links was to talk with Taehyung's father, though at the moment, that wasn't exactly a viable option.

"Maybe?" Jungkook said instead, his thumbs sweeping over the backs of his angel's palms. "I . . . I don't know. But if that really did happen . . . Actually, it doesn't matter if it happened. That's what Namjoon was told growing up. When he needed love from parental figures, all he heard was that he was unwanted. And it doesn't justify anything he did, but I . . ."

"You understand," Taehyung finished for him, his tone neutral. "I think I do, too. Namjoon was hurting and needed someone to hold his hand, but all he received was lies and manipulation. And all the decisions he made . . . It sounds like he realized he was wrong by the end of it. He was trying to correct what he had done. And if that's the case . . . I can't hate him."

"I don't think I can, either."

They stared at each other with wide eyes, both fully aware of how drastically this decision could affect them in the future. If they chose to absolve Namjoon from bearing the full weight of this tragedy, that could set them up for more disappointment down the road. But that didn't change their final verdict. No . . . They were still going to choose forgiveness over condemnation and understanding over hatred.

Taehyung leaned in closer, resting his forehead against Jungkook's. "So, what do we do -?"

They both froze.

A hushed conversation sounded from the tunnels, the voices trickling in through the crack left in the door. The words spoken were muffled, but the tones were both frantic and urgent in nature.

And they were getting louder. Closer.

"Flatten out," Taehyung whispered, rolling on his back and slightly lifting the sheets overhead.

Jungkook followed suit, pressing deep into the mattress and smoothing out the comforter. If one were to really look at the bed, the outlines of their bodies would be perfectly visible. However, if someone were to take a cursory glance, the bed might just appear messy and unmade.

Willing deep and controlled breaths in through in his nose, Jungkook closed his eyes. He needed to be as still and quiet as possible; they couldn't get caught when they were so close to freedom.

Taehyung seemed to realize the same thing. He rejoined hands with Jungkook and squeezed, sending the silent message of everything will be okay.

Just then, the conversation became clear and distinct. The voices of Jin and Namjoon echoed through the tunnels and drifted into the bedroom.

"Where are you taking me? Joon, slow down," Jin pleaded, a clear layer of apprehension and anxiety coating his tone.

"Don't worry. These tunnels are safe. No one on Bogum's team knows about them," Namjoon replied, sounding a bit out of breath. "I just want to check in on Kook. Tae wasn't in his room, so I'm assuming they left. But I -"

Jin's stunned response came from right outside of the bookcase. "What do you mean they left?"

"These tunnels lead out of the house. By now, both Jungkook and Taehyung should be gone."

The bookcase-slash-door creaked open, and Jungkook felt his brother peer inside of the room. After a tense ten or so seconds, Namjoon let out a relieved sigh.

"Okay, good. They're not here," Namjoon whispered. "But that means you have to go, too, Jin. When they find out Tae and Kook are gone . . . I don't want you here for that. You have to leave, okay?"

Jin made a distressed sound at the back of his throat. "Joonie -"

"It'll be alright, Jin. I'll be alright. I just . . . Did you find The Art of War?"

"I . . .," Jin hesitating, taking a few moments to gather his thoughts. "Yes. It's in one of Jungkook's backpacks. But Joonie . . . You have to destroy those documents. Burn them. Don't give them to Bogum. You know what he'll do with them."

Jungkook's body went rigid as he tried to understand. What would happen if Bogum got his hands on Namjoon's birth certificate and the paternity test?

His brother hummed a sad and resolved tune. "I know. I know. But I have to do this, Jin."

"No, you don't. You're not a martyr. You don't need to go down for this."

"If anyone deserves to pay the price for what happened, it's me. I know this and I've accepted it."

"Just stop," Jin retorted in a harsh whisper. "You are not the one who sent that shooter, Joon. You are not responsible for that woman's murder."

"But my actions led to her death. If it weren't for me, none of us would have been in that position," Namjoon attempted to rationalize, his inflection starting to get sharper and higher pitched. "And I'm not an idiot. I know I can't start over, but maybe . . . Maybe I can atone for all of my mistakes."

Jungkook was even more confused than before. What was his brother trying to say? What was he trying to do?

A faint sob - Jin's - broke the short pause in the conversation. "You can tell the truth. Things don't have to be this way."

But Namjoon wasn't listening. Instead of answering those words, he instead said, "If I do this, maybe one day my brothers will understand."

"And what about me?" Jin countered, tears straining his voice. "Does my opinion not count for anything?"

"It counts for everything. But Jinnie, I broke all of my vows to you. When I married you, I promised to make you happy and to keep you safe. To always do right by you. And I failed. I don't . . . I don't deserve to be your husband."

"I know you're convinced that you haven't earned the right to be happy. And I get why you feel that way. But you have come so far from the person you used to be. You have worked so hard to right your wrongs, to protect your brothers in every way you possibly could. And you have people who love you. You have a family."

"And that's why I'm deciding to do this," Namjoon replied, his voice thick with passion. "I'm doing this for the people I love. I'm doing this so that one day, you and Jungkook and Taehyung will know how sorry I am for my part in everything. I'm doing this because I regret each and every decision I made over the years. I'm doing this because I can't take it back, but I . . . I can repent. I can try to do right by all of you. And after everything I've done, that's what I deserve."

Jin didn't answer right away and Jungkook couldn't blame him. He didn't comprehend what his brother was saying, didn't get what decision had been reached. And because he didn't understand, he couldn't begin to formulate his own response.

But Jin apparently had more insight and cleared his throat. "If you're so unwilling to save yourself, fine. I'll do it. I'll go to the Chief and -"

"No. They're watching the Chief more closely than ever. If you go to him, Bogum won't hesitate to kill you. So, please. Please let me handle this."

"Your way of handling this is doing nothing. You're acting as if you already lost. Is that what you think?"

Namjoon pushed a heavy stream of air through his mouth, most likely trying to control his reaction. "I don't believe in defeat. Just missed opportunities and the need to do better next time. But don't worry . . . I will do better. I will fix this so my family can have a happy and healthy life. Even if it's without me."

Jin was fully sobbing now, his hiccups and whimpers resonating through the tunnels. "I can't be a part of this anymore. I can't do this, Joon. I can't . . . I can't watch you destroy yourself."

"And I'm not asking that of you," Namjoon muttered back, his voice broken and drained and battered. "I love you so much, Kim Seokjin. You gave me love and acceptance. You gave me your family name. And I'm so sorry. But I . . . I want you to leave. Go."

"I'll . . . I'll always love you. I want you to know that. But I . . . I just wish you would love yourself."

Footsteps sounded from the tunnels, resounding through the walls and getting fainter and fainter. Soon enough, they were gone, and the only noises left were Namjoon's muffled cries. But after a couple of moments, he pulled himself together. He pushed the bookcase closed - the invisible latch clicking into place - and he left.

It took Jungkook a full minute to move, to wipe at the wetness trickling over his cheeks. Well, he didn't move. He didn't wipe away his tears. It was Taehyung, pulling him into his body and wicking away the moisture.

Jungkook allowed himself to be held, finding comfort in his angel's gentle touches. And all he could think of was how revenge led his brother to destroy others, of how guilt led his brother to destroy himself.

"Kook," Taehyung started, his voice barely audible. "I . . . I get it. When I was with Bogum earlier, I remember observing how calm he was. He kept bragging about his plans for the merged company and how much he could do when he had more power. And the way he spoke . . . He doesn't think he'll be affected by any of this, of the scandals and the crimes. And now I realize . . ."

Jungkook pulled back so he could look at Taehyung. "What?"

"I think Bogum is going to pin all of this on Namjoon. If he has the birth certificate and paternity test, he can use that as proof. He can explain the motive. And based on what we just overheard . . ."

Oh, no.

No.

Everything - everything - was becoming clear. It was all so obvious.

"Namjoon knows," Jungkook realized, his heart falling into his stomach. "And he's going to willingly take the blame."

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

》 V A L E N W R I T I N G 《

To me, having one character play the role of "the bad guy" wasn't realistic. I didn't want to pin everything on one character that we could all be mad at, but instead show that people make mistakes and sometimes there are severe consequences. Sometimes our pride, insecurities, and weaknesses distract us from the truth, and as a result, we do things that hurt others.

That was Namjoon. He felt rejected his entire life and let that pain fester. He let his mind turn towards hatred and revenge. And honestly, that could've been the end of Namjoon's character development. In the beginning, I fully planned on leaving this character as "the bad guy." But that seemed too easy.

My whole goal with this story and these characters was to dive deeper than I ever had before. I wanted to build complex and flawed characters - I think it's far more interesting to tell the story of how someone strayed, of what happens when someone battles self-doubt, lies, and pain. I fully agree with something Gandhi once said, that man's nature is not essentially evil. So with my "bad" characters, I wanted to put that logic to the test. I realize things were probably confusing at times, but people are confusing. Their actions often make no sense at all until we understand that underlying motive. The scars.

I know this chapter was A LOT. There were so many details and revelations. I want to make sure it is all clear, so if there are any lingering questions, let me know here. I'll be sure to address them or clear them up in future chapters.

I had a lot of notes for this chapter, so I'll end it here. How are we feeling? Did we expect this of Namjoon? Thoughts? And as always, thank you so much for all of your support on this story!