78. Kim Taehyung's Wrath

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Kim Conglomerates

Jungkook stood by the shelves, her brows furrowed in concentration as she sifted through the files. Her fingers moved quickly over the piles of documents.

The board meeting was in less than an hour and she had to find one crucial file to prepare for the presentation. She bit her lip as her fingers reached toward a particularly high shelf, standing on her toes to retrieve a thick folder.

But then--

Jungkook's attention was interrupted when the door suddenly clicked open and her eyes travelled towards it, seeing a familiar face entering.

Lee Sangwoon.

Her stomach twisted with nauseating feeling. Jungkook stood frozen for a moment, her chest tightening with a blend of anger and disbelief.

The nerve of this man.

The last time she had seen him, he'd dared to call her at midnight, only to treat her as if she were some object of desire to be used and discarded at his will. Her skin crawled at the thought.

Jungkook had despised him then and she despised him now, even more so after everything that had happened.

Sangwoon stood in the doorway, his lips curling into that all-too-familiar, self-assured smirk. His dark eyes scanned the room as if he owned the place, before they locked onto Jungkook.

"Jungkook," he greeted, his voice smooth as if nothing had changed.

"I see you're still playing the dutiful wife." His words dripped with mockery as he stepped further into the room, hands casually shoved into his pockets.

Jungkook's eyes blazed with anger.

"What the hell are you doing here, Sangwoon? You've got some nerve showing up like this even after that night."

"Oh? Secretory Kim doesn't remember the faces of the board meeting. Lee corps. is one of the members too." Sangwoon moved backwards and closed the door. The click of the locked door echoed the sense of trap that Jungkook felt at that moment.

"Well, How have we gotten ourselves so lucky that Madam Kim is alone today, what are the chances?" Sangwoon whispers in the end while moving forward.

"It seems Mr. Kim didn't beat you enough that you have the audacity to come crawling back into my life, Sangwoon," Jungkook spat, her words cutting through the air like daggers.

He froze for a moment, the mocking smile faltering as her words hit harder than he expected. Jungkook didn't give him a moment to recover.

"What do you think my life is, some daily soap opera? That you can just pop in and out at intervals like some creepy villain?"

He chuckled, unbothered by the venom in her voice, continuing to close the distance between them. His gaze never left her and it was all too clear he was enjoying her discomfort.

The moment Sangwoon advanced closer, Jungkook instinctively moved back. Her eyes flicked to the lock, making her stomach twist with unease.

"Isn't it funny how fate works?" he mused. "How it brings us back together in this very moment?" He paused, his gaze lingering on her with a sickening intensity.

"How could I stay away from someone so... irresistible?"

Jungkook's chest tightened, her heart pounding as she fought to keep her calm. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, ready to defend herself if necessary.

"Don't mistake my silence for fear," The wife hissed, her voice cold despite the storm raging inside her. "You're the last person I want near me."

Sangwoon enjoy the discomfort he was causing. He shoved his hands inside his pants pockets as he took a glance at the cabin and then at Jungkook.

"Pretty place, right?" Sangwoon raised one of his eyebrows as he whispered deeply looking at the fierce eyes.

Sangwoon was dazed by the beauty, he always had, ever since he had first seen jungkook, he was entranced.

Jungkook stood her ground, her body stiff with defiance as she met his eyes. The sunlight pouring through the office window illuminated her features.

Her button nose, the slight arch of her brows, and her sharp, fierce eyes—everything about her was a portrait of strength and beauty. Jungkook could feel Sangwoon's eyes dragging down her body, making her skin crawl with his gaze.

Jungkook was aware of Sangwoon's gaze on her and the way it trailed down on her body, the curve of her waist and hips and then again got settled on her chest which was covered in an elegant white frill blouse shirt.

Lust began to stir within him, something he'd never quite been able to rid himself of when it came to Jungkook.

He couldn't help himself.

The desire forcing a smirk onto his lips. He had always been drawn to her like a moth to a flame and seeing her now only made it worse.

"You know," Sangwoon began again, his voice now dripping with a sickly sweet tone, "I just returned after running a quick errand outside and I heard you were alone. Everyone's busy preparing for the board meeting, and I guess your husband is, too?"

The air in the atmosphere had grown thick as jungkook began to feel her throat getting dry, fear flumping in the pit of her stomach while she kept her eyes fixated in front with all her will.

"Get lost from here, bastard,"

Sangwoon chuckled lowly. "Come on, Jungkook. No need to be so uptight. We can have a little fun. What do you say? My ex-fiance," he taunted, his smirk widening as he stepped closer.

"Fun? What absurd nonsense are you muttering?"

Sangwoon's grin only deepened as he moved even closer, his voice dropping to a dark whisper. "You know, I just couldn't stop myself from coming to you today."

His voice lowered in the end as he boldly extended his hand up and caressed a finger down at jungkook's cheek. The contact sent a cold shiver through her and she quickly jerked away, her body flinching at his touch.

Sangwoon's chuckle echoed in the room as he leaned closer. "Oh, what? You don't like it?"

Her breath became shallow as she stepped backward, her instincts screaming for her to run, but her legs felt heavy, like they were made of lead.

"I said, stop. Let go of me!"

Her words were sharp but her breath hitched in her throat as he suddenly grabbed her wrist with an iron grip, pulling her toward him.

"You know, you've become quite untouchable these days," he murmured, eyes narrowing. "Hiding behind Mr. Kim's name like a good little wife. But I remember you before that."

Jungkook's  eyes widened in alarm, but she fought back, to free her arm from his grasp.

"No! Let go of me!" She tugged at her arm, fighting against the vice-like grip he had on her wrist.

Sangwoon only chuckled, tightening his hold. His other arm snaked around her waist, holding her in place as he moved even closer, trapping her against the edge of Taehyung's desk. He leaned in, his breath hot against her ear as she struggled in his arms.

"Why fight it, Jungkook?" he murmured. "You don't have to be shy. It's just us, you and me."

Jungkook's chest heaved with each labored breath. Her free hand balled into a fist at her side, nails digging into her palm as she pushed against his chest, trying with all her strength to create some space between them.

"Let go of me, Bastard," Jungkook spat, her voice laced with venom.

With every ounce of strength she could muster, Jungkook twisted her body, using the momentum to push him away but his hold was too strong and she was stuck, unable to escape.

"No, It can't happen. I can't feel weak,"

Jungkook's eyes darted around the room, desperately searching for a solution, for something—anything—that could help her escape this nightmare. But Sangwoon's overpowering presence felt like a wall closing in, leaving her with nowhere to go.

The man leaned closer, his breath hot against her skin, reeking of arrogance and malice. His lips ghosted over her jawline, brushing against her cheek in a way that made her skin crawl. Jungkook stiffened, her entire body screaming in discomfort. Her heart raced faster as bile rose in her throat.

"I know you like it," Sangwoon murmured, his voice full of vile insinuation.

"You're just too afraid to admit it. It's in your blood to enjoy this, isn't it? Every courtesan and their daughters I've met were all slùts. You're no different."

The words hit Jungkook like a slap to the face, freezing her in place. Her mind wobbled from the venom in his voice. She stopped struggling, her breath hitching as his cruel words echoed in her ears.

Is that what he thought of her?

Jungkook turned her head to look at him, the tears in her eyes only sharpening the fire that burned in her glare. Her lips parted, trembling with disgust. Her dignity, her pride, felt like it had been torn apart and scattered at her feet.

Sangwoon smirked, clearly reveling in her silence. He thought he had won, that he had crushed her resolve. But he underestimated her.

Jungkook's hand searched the desk behind her, feeling for anything she could use. Her fingers brushed against something cool and solid—a pen. Gripping it tightly in her palm, she adjusted her hold, positioning it like a weapon.

Sangwoon's smug expression faltered for a split second as Jungkook's defiance shone in her tear-filled eyes.

"What's the matter, Jungkook? Speechless?" he sneered, moving even closer.

And then it happened.

Jungkook acted on pure instinct, using all her strength as she brought the pen down hard against his arm. A sharp, pained groan tore from Sangwoon's lips as he stumbled back, his grip on her arm loosening.

Her breath came in ragged gasps as she took a step back, holding the pen like a lifeline. Her hands trembled, but her resolve remained firm.

Tears streamed down her face, salty and hot, but they no longer signaled defeat—they were the release of all the anger, fear, and frustration that had been building inside her.

"You disgust me," Jungkook hissed, "I told you to stay away from me! You perverted, sick bastard!"

Sangwoon clutched his arm where she had stabbed him, his face twisting in pain. His arrogance was replaced with something uglier, more dangerous, but Jungkook didn't back down.

Jungkook gasped sharply as Sangwoon yanked her shoulders, his grip bruising and his intentions vile. The wound on his hand from her earlier pen stab forgotten, his mind now clouded with desire. His gaze made her stomach churn, but she refused to give in to despair.

A broken cry escaped her lips as Jungkook futilely tried to pull her captured arm free. She pushed against his neck with her free hand, her small palm pressing desperately against his skin, but he was too strong.

His face inched closer, the nauseating stink of his cologne filling her senses. Her head turned sharply to the side, tears streaking down her cheeks, as she tried to keep his lips away.

The mere proximity of him made her want to scream, but she held it in, her mind chanting one name over and over: Taehyung.

The only thing she could think about right now was Taehyung, her heart sobbed for her husband as her legs felt like jelly and her body was almost giving up from all the movements she was currently making.

"Let me go!" Jungkook hissed through gritted teeth, her voice shaking but firm. Her legs almost collapsing beneath her, but she planted her feet as best as she could.

She wouldn't crumble—not now.

"Why are you struggling so much, Jungkook? Stop acting like some virtuous, untouched saint," he sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "You've done it for your precious husband, haven't you? And God knows for how many other men before him." His smirk widened cruelly.

Through her gritted teeth, Jungkook managed to stammer, " You'll regret this—you'll pay for this! Once my husband finds out, he'll—he'll destroy you!"

Mention of taehyung in such a vicious and shameful way made her feel more nauseate.

Sangwoon's predatory smirk didn't falter. If anything, it grew darker.

"Your husband?" he scoffed, trailing a finger from her temple down to her cheek. His touch made her skin crawl, and she flinched violently, jerking her face away. He ignored her reaction, brushing a stray strand of hair from her tear-streaked face.

"How will he know, Jungkook?" Sangwoon whispered. "You won't tell him. No one needs to know. Let's have a little fun—you'll enjoy it, I promise. I'll even make you feel good." 

"Or... is it money you're after? Is that what this is about?"

Before Jungkook could respond, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a bundle of cash, tossing it toward her. Jungkook flinched at the sudden action and looked around her.

The crisp bills fluttered through the air, landing at her feet. Each note was like a slap to her dignity, a cruel reminder of how little he thought of her.
Jungkook stared at the money, her vision blurred with tears.

Her breathing grew erratic.

Jungkook's body trembled, her hands clenched into tight fists as Sangwoon's vile words rang in her ears. The scattered money on the floor made bile rise in her throat, memories she had buried deep within her heart now clawing their way to the surface.

Kara.

Her stepmother's name alone was enough to send a wave of nausea through her.

The woman who had wrapped poison in honeyed words, who had tried to pull her into this filth, whispering that beauty like hers was wasted if not used. That power lay not in strength or wit but in surrender—an exchange of dignity for comfort, soul for survival.

Jungkook had fought tooth and nail to escape that fate.

She had clawed her way out of the suffocating shadows Kara had tried to trap her in, refused to let herself be molded into another pawn, another pretty thing for men to leer at. She had burned bridges, severed ties, endured scorn and ridicule—anything to stay clean of the filth that clung to her stepmother like a second skin.

And yet today, after all her struggles, after all the wars she had fought—

A man from nowhere dared to throw money at her.

As if she were for sale. As if her worth could be measured in crisp bills and greedy hands. 

A choked sound left her throat.

Sangwoon chuckled, mistaking her silence for submission. "There, see? You understand now. It's simple, Jungkook. You and I—"

SLAP!!

A loud crack echoed in the office.

Jungkook's palm stung, but she didn't care. The force of her slap sent Sangwoon's face snapping to the side, a red imprint blooming against his cheek.

For the first time, his arrogant smirk faltered.

Jungkook stepped forward, shoving him with both hands. Sangwoon stumbled back, his eyes wide with shock, a sharp intake of breath hissing through his teeth.

She looked at him like he was dirt beneath her shoes—no, not even dirt. He wasn't worth that much.

"You're disgusting," Jungkook sneered, her voice laced with venom. "A spineless bastard dressed in expensive suits, thinking money makes you powerful. But here's the truth, Sangwoon—money can buy desperate women, but it will never buy dignity. It will never buy me."

Sangwoon blinked, still stunned. His hand flew to his cheek, feeling the burn of her slap. His mouth parted slightly, but no words came out—he had never expected this, never imagined that the soft-spoken, beautiful Jungkook would retaliate with such rage.

Jungkook's breath trembled as she glared at him, her eyes dark with fury.

"You dare," she seethed, stepping closer, her presence suffocating, dangerous. "You dare to think you can throw money at me like I'm some commodity for sale? That I'd bend, break, shatter for the weight of your filthy bills?"

Jungkook kicked the bundle of cash at his feet, sending the bills flying across the room. 

"Pick it up," she sneered, her voice cold as steel. "Since you're so fond of using money as your weapon, let it comfort you now. Let it remind you that's all you have—paper. Powerless, empty, meaningless paper."

Sangwoon's expression twisted, anger flickering in his eyes as his pride took a hit. He straightened, attempting to regain control. "Jungkook—"

"Shut up!" Jungkook barked, her voice sharp as a whip.

He flinched.

"If you ever—ever—try this again, if you so much as breathe in my direction, I will ruin you," she seethed, her voice vibrating with sheer fury. 

Sangwoon clenched his jaw, his wounded ego twisting his features but before he could muster a response, Jungkook took a step forward, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"Mark my words," she said, each word was a promise of destruction. "You will regret every second of this when Mr. Kim finds out."

Sangwoon stood frozen, his arrogance draining from his face, leaving only the pale shadow of a man who had just made the worst mistake of his life.

Them, his hand twitched, reaching toward her again, but she didn't let him. Using all her strength, she shoved him backward. The impact sent him stumbling, his eyes widening in shock. It was the perfect opening—one she didn't hesitate to take.

Her heart slammed against her ribs as she turned on her heel, bolting toward the door.  Her legs felt like jelly but adrenaline drove her forward. Her hand grasped the doorknob, twisting it desperately. Tears blurred her vision, but her focus remained sharp.

Sangwoon snapped his head toward the door, his eyes widening in panic as Jungkook bolted out. This wasn't good—this wasn't part of his plan. He had thought he could manipulate her, force her into silence.

But now, with the door flung open and Jungkook gone, his control was slipping like sand through his fingers.

"Damn it," he hissed under his breath. He lunged forward, but it was too late.

The door slammed against the wall, the echo ringing like a death knell for his schemes.

The moment Jungkook stepped past the threshold of that room, the moment she was free—her composure cracked.

Her breath hitched. The rage that had burned so fiercely inside her flickered, crumbling beneath the overwhelming weight of something far worse.

Fear.

It hit her all at once. The shaking in her limbs, the sting in her eyes, the bile rising in her throat. She slowed, her knees threatening to buckle. Her fingers curled into fists, nails digging into her palms, as if she could stop the filth from creeping beneath her skin.

He had thrown money at her.

Like she was nothing.

A sob clawed at her throat, but she swallowed it down.

With trembling hands, she wiped her face, as if erasing the horrors of what had just happened.

The spotless halls of the building blurred around her as she hastened her steps, her heels clacking loudly against the floor like the pounding of her panicked heart.

Her vision wavered with tears but her legs carried her forward with a singular, desperate purpose—Taehyung. She needed him. Her soul screamed for him and her body obeyed, moving her through the corridors of the sprawling estate.

Jungkook was a vision of chaos and desperation, yet there was something hauntingly beautiful about the way she moved. The delicate fabric of her dress billowed behind her as she ran, each step lifting the hem slightly off the ground, revealing her dainty, hurried strides.

Her flowing dress trailed behind her like a delicate banner in the wind, fluttering gracefully despite her hurried pace. The fabric caught the sunlight streaming through the windows, shimmering with every stride. Each step she took was both frantic and elegant, her feet barely touching the ground as if she were gliding rather than running.

The soft patter of her tears joined her footsteps, each drop glinting like tiny jewels as they fell. Her face was streaked with the evidence of her sorrow, her lips trembling as she bit back sobs that threatened to escape.

Jungkook ran through the main hall, her disheveled state drawing the attention of every onlooker she passed.

Heads turned, whispers rising in her imprint.

To the onlookers, she seemed almost ethereal, like a fallen star streaking across the earth, beautiful in her chaos yet heartbreakingly fragile. Tears streamed down her cheeks, falling in perfect, crystalline drops that left faint traces on her flushed skin. Her hair flowed wildly behind her, each strand reflecting the rawness of her emotions.

Her flushed cheeks, tear-streaked face, and flowing dress painted a hauntingly beautiful picture of a beauty fighting against the odds.

Jungkook didn't care about the stares, the murmurs, or the judgment in their eyes. She couldn't hear their words, couldn't see their faces. Her entire world had narrowed down to one thought, one destination: Taehyung.

Her mind called out for him, her soul yearning for the man who was her anchor, her protector.

She needed him now more than ever.

Her feet carried her instinctively toward the Central Meeting Hall. She knew he'd be there. The reliable presence she could lean on when her world felt like it was collapsing.

Her legs ached, her lungs burned, but Jungkook didn't stop.

Bursting out of the main corridor and into the open walkway that led to the Central Building, the wind caught her dress, lifting the soft fabric as if encouraging her onward. The sunlight kissed her tear-streaked face, highlighting the glistening trails of emotion as they continued to fall.

And so Jungkook ran, her tears mixing with the wind, her dress flowing like a river, her heart screaming only one name. She ran toward the only person who could make everything right again.

Jungkook ran toward Taehyung.

Jungkook reached the meeting room, her vision blurred by tears and her heart pounding like a drum.

Without hesitation, she pushed the door open, the sound of it slamming against the wall reverberating through the grand space. Her trembling figure stepped inside, her teary eyes desperately scanning the room until they landed on him.

Taehyung.

He was seated at the head of the table, his pen hovered mid-air above a document, his expression shifting instantly from focus to stunned surprise. The light from the large windows behind him cast a soft glow around his figure, making him appear almost ethereal.

The room was filled with other employees—executives, managers and assistants—all staring at Jungkook with wide eyes. Murmurs rippled through the room, confused whispers at the sight of their boss's wife, disheveled and crying, storming in unannounced.

But none of it mattered to Jungkook.

None of it mattered to Taehyung.

Taehyung rose slowly from his chair, his brows knitting together in worry as he carefully removed his glasses and placed them on the desk.

His sharp features were now etched with concern, his gaze fixed entirely on Jungkook as he took in her state—her dress slightly wrinkled and flowing awkwardly from her hasty movements, her cheeks stained with the streaks of countless tears, her hair messed around her damp face.

Her lips quivered, and her chest heaved as though she'd run a marathon to get to him.

The papers before him, the meeting, and the eyes of everyone else in the room faded to irrelevance as his focus remained locked on his wife.

"Jun—" he began, taking a step forward.

But before he could say another word, Jungkook ran to him, her footsteps echoing in the vast room. Her fragile frame collided with his and he instinctively reached out, steadying himself and her. His hands immediately found her waist, pulling her trembling body closer as she buried her face into his chest.

"Jungkook," he whispered again, softer this time, his voice trembling with both confusion and worry.

His arms enveloped her protectively, his hand instinctively running up and down her back in soothing motions. He could feel her shivering, her fingers clutching the fabric of his blazer as if it was her lifeline.

The room fell utterly silent, save for the muffled sound of her sobs and Taehyung's steady breathing. The employees exchanged awkward glances, unsure of whether to leave or stay.

"Jungkook," he murmured again, pulling back just enough to tilt her chin up so he could see her face. His thumb brushed away a stray tear from her cheek as his dark eyes searched hers for answers.

"What happened? Who hurt you?" His voice, though soft, carried an unmistakable edge of anger beneath the tenderness—a warning to anyone who dared to cause her pain.

Jungkook's lips trembled as she tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat. Her tear-filled eyes gazed into his, silently pleading for the comfort only he could give.

Taehyung felt his heart shatter at the sight of her so broken, so fragile. He cupped her face gently, his thumbs wiping away the endless stream of tears as he leaned closer.

"Shh, you're safe now," he whispered, promising her that nothing and no one could harm her as long as he was there.

"I'm here, Jungkook. Tell me what happened."

Taehyung gently cupped Jungkook's face, his thumb brushing away the endless trail of tears as he looked into her red-rimmed eyes.

"Jungkook," he called her name softly, his tone filled with both love and urgency.

"What happened? Please, tell me. You're scaring me."

Jungkook's lips trembled as she tried to speak, but all that came out were strangled cries. Her delicate fingers shakily pointed behind her, attempting to indicate something, but her body betrayed her, shuddering violently.

"Take your time," Taehyung encouraged gently, his hand shifting to cradle the back of her head. "I'm here. Just breathe."

Taehyung moved back slightly, just enough to take her hand in his and guide her to his chair. Lowering her into the plush leather seat, he crouched beside her and grabbed a glass of water from the table.

Gently, he brought it to her lips, his free hand tenderly running through her hair as he coaxed her to drink.

"Just a sip," he whispered.

Jungkook obeyed, taking a small sip that seemed to steady her frayed nerves. Taehyung set the glass down carefully before kneeling again in front of her.

Finally, Jungkook took a shaky breath, her voice breaking as she stammered, "Th-that Sangwoon... he..."

Jungkook sniffled, wiping her tears hastily as she choked out, "He tried to force me... and I-I slapped him."

The silence that followed her revelation was deafening.

The employees sat stunned, their wide eyes flicking between Jungkook's broken figure and Taehyung's stiff posture.

A shift in the atmosphere occurred as Taehyung slowly processed her words, his gaze fixed unseeingly on the ground. His arms wrapped protectively around Jungkook, pulling her closer as he pressed a soft kiss to her hair.

"You did well," he whispered, though his voice carried an edge of steel.

His expression remained unreadable. His jaw clenched so tightly it was a wonder it hadn't cracked, his shoulders rigid as rage boiled beneath his composed exterior.

"How dare he?"

The thought rang like a war drum in Taehyung's mind.

His dark eyes glinted with uncontrolled rage as he inhaled sharply, catching the faintest trace of another man's scent on his wife's dress. It sent a fresh wave of rage coursing through him, his hands tightening their hold around her.

His eyes were nothing but dangerous right now as wife's sobs echoed in his ear while he glared at the front wall with a poker face, Lee Sangwoon's appearance flashed in front of his eyes making him more infuriated.

Nevertheless, he tried his best not to explode giving a quick reaction and kept his emotions in check. He forced himself to focus on the sobbing wife in his arms.

"Jungkook," he said firmly, his voice steady but filled with tender care. "Look at me."

Her eyes remained shut, tears slipping through her lashes as her head shook slightly. Taehyung sighed softly, his thumb brushing against her cheek as he repeated, "I said, look at me."

His tone was patient, leaving no room for argument.

Slowly, Jungkook's eyes fluttered open, revealing the raw vulnerability within. Her tears glistened like broken shards of glass, and Taehyung felt his heart break all over again.

"What else did he do to you?"

Taehyung's eyes weren't demanding but rather understanding as he asked the sensitive question. The eyes were contradicted by the way how his face didn't show even the slightest of emotions he was feeling, his expressions as icy as ever.

"Tell me," Taehyung said when the wife remained silent, probably because of fear.

He could feel how badly jungkook was shivering and what adverse effect the scenario had left on her, the sight of teary eyes which he valued the most in this world ached his heart more than anything.

Taehyung didn't care about their surrounding, he didn't care about how many people were there listening to them and watching them, he didn't care how they shouldn't be discussing such matters in front of everyone, he didn't care at all if the scene was being created, his main concern was only jungkook right now, nothing mattered to him except his wife.

"I was in your office... looking for a file for the board meeting," Jungkook started, her voice trembling. A hiccup broke her sentence as her hands tightened their grip on his shirt, her fingers trembling against his chest.

"I was alone. That's—" Her breath hitched. "That's when he came in... and locked the door."

Taehyung's brows furrowed deeply, his hand stilling on her arm as the words hit him. His jaw tightened slightly but his eyes remained fixed on her, silently urging her to continue.

Jungkook exhaled a shaky breath, choking back another sob. "He started saying... things," she whispered, her tone thick with the memory. "Things that made me feel... uneasy. His gaze... I could feel it. It wasn't right. I didn't feel safe at all."

Taehyung's hand paused. The warmth of his palm steadied her trembling, but his eyes were dark, stormy, and unreadable.

Her voice dropped lower, faltering. "Then... he touched me in a way that wasn't right—"

"Where?" Taehyung interrupted, his voice a low growl, the question clipped and burning with restrained fury. His arm around her waist tightened, possessive and protective, as he leaned closer, his nose almost brushing her temple.

Jungkook hesitated, her trembling lips parting but no words coming out. Instead, her small hands reached up to clasp Taehyung's. The touch was delicate and Taehyung immediately loosened his hold, letting her guide him.

Slowly, Jungkook moved his hand, her fingers trembling as they traced the path Sangwoon had taken: from her cheek, to her jawline, down the curve of her neck, and finally stopping at her collarbone. Her breaths hitched with every inch, but Taehyung's hand remained steady, his gaze never leaving her face.

Taehyung's eyes followed the trail of his hand, his fingers curling into a fist as he realized the violation she had endured.

The difference was clear as crystal.

Jungkook released his hand and let it fall to his side. "It wasn't the same," she murmured, her voice trembling but steady enough for Taehyung to hear. "You... you make me feel calm. Whole. Like it's okay to breathe again."

Her fingers clutched at his shirt. "But his—" Jungkook stopped, biting her lip as tears welled up.

"His touch made me feel filthy. Unclean. Like I didn't belong in my own skin."

Taehyung's jaw tightened, the tendons flexing as he absorbed her words. His free hand came up to cup her face, his thumb brushing a tear away as it fell. His eyes, though ablaze with fury, softened for her, an unspoken promise of retribution shining in their depths.

"No one," he growled, "I swear, no one will ever make you feel like that again."

The thought of another man touching her—his wife—lit a fire inside him that threatened to consume him whole.

"I tried to move away," Jungkook continued, her voice barely a whisper. "But he grabbed me... he wouldn't let me go. I kept telling him to stop, to let me go, but he just... wouldn't. He..."

Jungkook lifted her tear-soaked face, her voice trembling as if each word clawed its way out of her throat. "He told me to... to sleep with him,"

"And to keep it a secret. When I refused," Jungkook continued, her voice rising with raw emotion, "he called me a... a slût. A whôre."

She spat the words out as though they burned her tongue, tears cascading freely down her cheeks. Her hands clutched at the fabric of Taehyung's shirt as if she needed to hold onto something—anything—to keep from crumbling completely.

Her next words came with a sob that tore through the room. "He said it was in my blood... being a courtesan's daughter. That I'd like it. That it was my nature to enjoy being treated like that."

Taehyung's entire behaviour changed, his stillness becoming something lethal. His chest heaved as he struggled to keep his breathing steady. His eyes darkened, stormy with unrestrained rage and his hands curled into fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"What?" His voice came out as a low, dangerous growl, almost unrecognizable. It carried a menacing edge that made even Jungkook flinch.

She bit her lip, trying to hold back more tears, and looked down, but Taehyung gently tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Look at me," he demanded softly, his tone both firm and tender. "He said that to you?"

Jungkook nodded shakily, her throat bobbing as she swallowed her sobs.

Taehyung's arms tightened around her as if shielding her from the memory. His jaw clenched so tightly that the muscle jumped beneath his skin, his entire frame vibrating with barely restrained rage. 

His hand moved to her hair, gently running his fingers through it in an effort to comfort her, but his mind was miles away—dark, seething, and deadly.

"I hated it so much. He made me feel so... unpure." Her words were a whisper now, muffled against his shirt. "At the end... he threw money at me. He said I was refusing because I wanted money."

That was it. The final straw. The last thread of control snapped.

Taehyung shifted, gently but firmly moving Jungkook onto the couch. Her wide eyes blinked up at him, confused as he brushed a soft kiss to her forehead. His touch lingered, a promise of comfort and retribution in one.

"Stay here," he said, his voice low though it carried a lethal undertone. He straightened, the hard lines of his body radiating barely contained fury.

Before anyone could react, Taehyung turned on his heel and strode toward the door. His movements were fast and exuded a dangerous energy that made the employees scramble out of his path. The door swung open with a force that made the hinges groan as Taehyung disappeared down the corridor, his long strides eating up the distance.

The room remained silent, the air thick with tension and dread.

The employees exchanged nervous glances, none daring to speak, as Jungkook clutched the edge of the couch, her tears falling silently now.

Everyone knew one thing: Lee Sangwoon wouldn't just face the wrath of a boss. He'd face the wrath of a husband.

Yoongi's eyes followed Taehyung's retreating figure. Without a second thought, Yoongi hastened his steps, falling into stride behind Taehyung, whose movements were sharp like a blade ready to strike.

Back in the room, Clara stepped forward, her concern evident as she carefully secured an arm around Jungkook's trembling shoulders.

"It's okay," Clara whispered softly, her voice soothing as she guided Jungkook to sit down on the couch. Jungkook's face was pale, her hands still clutching her dress like it was her only lifeline.

Clara quickly glanced around and spotted a soft blanket draped over the armrest. She grabbed it and gently wrapped it around Jungkook's shoulders, her touch light and careful as though Jungkook might break.

"You're safe now," Clara murmured, her voice was compassionate.

Jungkook nodded faintly, her wide, tear-filled eyes staring at the door Taehyung had exited through. Despite her fear, there was comfort in knowing that Taehyung would never let anyone hurt her again.

Meanwhile, Yoongi struggled to keep up with Taehyung's furious pace.

"Taehyung, listen to me," he called out. "Don't do anything reckless. Think this through."

But Taehyung?

Taehyung didn't even slow down, his broad shoulders stiff with fury. It was as if Yoongi's words hadn't reached him, his sole focus locked on the man who had dared to violate his wife's dignity.

"Taehyung, think about Jungkook. She needs you calm—she doesn't need—"

Taehyung stopped abruptly, turning his head just enough to shoot Yoongi a look that could pierce steel. His voice was cold, almost chilling.

"I am thinking about my wife. And that's exactly why he won't walk out of here unscathed."

Yoongi opened his mouth to respond, but the determination in Taehyung's eyes made him falter. This wasn't the composed Taehyung he knew—this was a husband ready to avenge the woman he loved.

Taehyung's fury was a fire that could scorch anything in its path. His eyes were cold, narrowed to slits, his jaw clenched with an almost painful force as he walked faster, barely noticing Yoongi's calls behind him.

The man was a storm, his anger enough to make even the bravest of men shrink back. His every step echoed through the halls as employees scrambled to avoid him, whispering among themselves, fear creeping into their voices.

"What in the world has gotten CEO Kim so dreadfully angry?"

Taehyung didn't care to answer. As Taehyung rounded the corner, his gaze landed on Sangwoon, who was chatting casually with another employee, completely unaware of the storm heading his way.

The moment Sangwoon turned and saw Taehyung, his face paled, all color draining as he realized his mistake had caught up with him.

Before Sangwoon could utter a word, Taehyung closed the distance in two swift strides, his hand gripping the man's collar with unrelenting force.

With one violent tug, Taehyung yanked him forward, sending papers scattering as the female employee let out a startled gasp.

The look in Taehyung's eyes was lethal. "So this is where you hide," he growled, his voice dangerously low. "You thought you'd walk away from this unscathed?"

Sangwoon's eyes wide with fear as he realized the gravity of his situation. The moment he laid a hand on Jungkook, he'd sealed his fate.

But it was too late to rethink now—he had already crossed the line.

Taehyung didn't pause, he grabbed Sangwoon by the collar as though he were nothing more than a rag doll. The fury in Taehyung's eyes was like molten lava, burning with an intensity that would melt anything in its way.

"How dare you?"

He shook Sangwoon violently, back and forth, as if trying to rattle the coward out of him. The other man's attempts to speak were useless, his voice strangled by the terror gripping him.

He had crossed the wrong man—and Taehyung was done with mercy.

"You laid a hand on her. MY wife." Taehyung's words were slow, each syllable dripping with anger. His grip tightened on Sangwoon's collar, making it impossible for the man to breathe properly.

Taehyung's grip on Sangwoon's collar was ironclad, and with a forceful yank, he dragged the man across the floor, his boots scraping against the polished tiles.

He didn't care about the shocked gasps from the employees lining the hallways—his only focus was on the trembling figure before him, the man who had dared to lay hands on his wife.

Taehyung would die before letting someone step on Jungkook's integrity.

The employees, frozen in shock, watched the scene unfold, unable to even comprehend the force of what was happening. They had never seen their boss like this—uncontrollable, wrathful, a beast unleashed.

And it was all for her, for Jungkook.

Taehyung's rage only grew as he neared the Central meeting room. He flung open the door with such force that it banged against the wall. Inside, Jungkook looked up, her tear-streaked face hauntingly beautiful, but her expression shifted to one of shock as she saw the scene unfolding before her.

Sangwoon was dragged to the floor before her, his body now barely able to move. The sight of him so close to her made Jungkook recoil instinctively, her heart racing in fear. She took a few hasty steps back, her body trembling as she distanced herself from the man who had tormented her just moments ago.

But Taehyung's fury didn't stop. Not until he made sure that every ounce of Sangwoon's arrogance was wiped away.

Taehyung roughly lifted Sangwoon off the floor, his grip like a vice on the man's collar. Without a moment's hesitation, Taehyung's fist uncurled and his hand flew, delivering an earth-shattering slap across Sangwoon's face.

The sound was thunderous—sharp, deafening, and utterly final.

It wasn't just a slap; it was a statement, a public declaration that some transgressions could not be forgiven. The slap echoed through the high-ceilinged office, reverberating off the glass walls, drawing gasps from everyone present.

Sangwoon's head snapped violently to the side, his vision blurring as pain seared across his cheek. He stumbled back, only to be yanked forward again by Taehyung's unyielding grip. His face flushed red, not only from the physical sting but also from the overwhelming humiliation.

Around them, the scene was surreal.

Executives from partner companies, seated at the polished table, stared wide-eyed, their faces showed shock and disbelief. Conversations that had once been about mergers and profits had ground to a halt as they bore witness to the spectacle.

Taehyung's deep voice broke the oppressive silence, slicing through the tension like a blade.

"You're a guest in my company," he spat, his tone dripping with venom, "but instead of showing respect, you tried to disgrace my wife." He leaned in closer, his face mere inches from Sangwoon's, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl.

"Do you even know what you've done to yourself?"

Sangwoon opened his mouth to stammer an excuse, but another slap followed, the force even greater this time. The executives flinched, some even turning their faces away, as if shielding themselves from Taehyung's wrath.

"You dare to walk into my company, sit at my table, and tarnish the sanctity of my family?" Taehyung's voice grew louder, each word laced with raw fury.

"You think your slimy reputation can withstand this? Look around, Sangwoon. These people won't remember you as a businessman anymore. They'll remember you as the man who fell at my feet."

Sangwoon's breathing was labored, his pride utterly shattered. He glanced desperately around the room, seeking even a shred of sympathy or assistance, but found only wide, judgmental stares.

His reputation was crumbling right before his eyes.

Jungkook trembled as she watched. Clara placed a comforting hand on her arm, her own face pale from the intensity of the scene. Jungkook's eyes remained fixed on her husband.

Taehyung shoved him toward the center of the room, where all eyes could see his pathetic state.

"To everyone here," Taehyung announced, "this is what happens to men who prey on the innocent. Who think they can disrespect a woman—my wife—and walk away unscathed."

Taehyung's gaze shifted, drawn to Jungkook, standing a few steps away. Instantly, the storm within him softened into a calm, his hard expression melting into one of tenderness so profound it felt like watching the sun break through a stormy sky.

Jungkook stood there, her fingers nervously fidgeting, her frame small and trembling. Her wide, tear-filled eyes met his and Taehyung's heart clenched.

Taehyung exhaled slowly, his chest heaving as he carefully shrugged off his blazer. The motion was strikingly graceful.

Crossing the room, Taehyung came to stand before Jungkook. His towering form loomed protectively over her but his touch was anything but overwhelming as he draped the blazer around her trembling shoulders.

His fingers brushed against her bare collarbone as he adjusted the fabric. Jungkook's breath hitched at the contact, her tear-streaked face tilting slightly toward his touch, like a flower turning toward sunlight.

Taehyung's hands lingered on her shoulders as he leaned down, his forehead nearly brushing hers. His lips found her temple, pressing a kiss so tender, so unhurried, it felt like a quiet vow.

Jungkook closed her eyes, her tears spilling over once more, though these were not of pain or fear—they were of relief.

Taehyung finally pulled back, just enough to meet her gaze. His thumb gently wiped away the stray tears on her cheeks, his touch feather-light.

"Today," Taehyung said, his voice like steel, "I will make him regret his birth."

The words hung in the air like a death sentence and Jungkook's heart shuddered with both relief and dread.

Jungkook's fingers curled into his shirt, holding on to him like a lifeline. Taehyung's jaw tightened as he glanced back at the crumpled figure of Sangwoon on the floor, his eyes darkening again with the simmering fury he had momentarily put aside.

The contrast between the ruthless protector and the loving husband was startling.

There was a one undeniable truth:

Kim Taehyung was a man who loved fiercely, protected fiercely, and when provoked, punished fiercely.

The room held its collective breath as Taehyung took a step forward. He shrugged off the tenderness like a second skin, his rage reemerging with unrelenting force.

His sharp jawline was tense, his lips pressed into a thin line as his piercing gaze zeroed in on Sangwoon, crumpled and pathetic on the floor.

Without breaking eye contact, Taehyung reached for the cuffs of his white shirt. His long fingers deftly undid the buttons at his wrists. He rolled the fabric back, baring his forearms, the veins prominent and adding to the raw masculinity radiating off him.

With his sleeves now rolled to his elbows, Taehyung straightened and adjusted his stance, his shoulders broad and posture imposing. His tongue ran over his bottom lip briefly, a motion that seemed casual yet added to the simmering intensity he exuded.

Taehyung then tilted his head slightly, his gaze narrowing as his lips curled into a cold, sardonic smirk. The smirk didn't reach his eyes—it was a cruel, calculated expression that promised retribution.

Taehyung crouched before him, his forearms resting on his knees, his expression disturbingly calm.

"Tell me," he murmured, his voice void of emotion, "what were your last words to my wife?"

Sangwoon's lips parted, but no sound came. His throat bobbed, sweat trickling down his temples as he floundered for an answer.

Taehyung hummed, tilting his head. "Wasn't it something about her bloodline? That she should enjoy what you did?" His voice was quiet, but the danger in it was suffocating. "Say it again."

Sangwoon visibly flinched. "I-I—"

"You can't, can you?" Taehyung smiled, but it was cruel. "Because you only had the guts to say it when she was alone. When she couldn't fight back."

His expression darkened, and before anyone could react, his fist drove into Sangwoon's face with a sickening crack.

A gasp rippled through the room. Jungkook jerked in place, her hand flying to her mouth, but she didn't look away. Sangwoon crumpled to the ground, blood trickling from his split lip. He groaned, but Taehyung didn't give him a chance to recover.

"You've crossed every line today, Sangwoon," he said, his voice low and rough, dripping with venom.

"Let me show you what regret feels like."

Taehyung began to remove his belt. The room fell silent, the sound of leather sliding through belt loops cutting through the air.

Jungkook stood frozen, her breath shallow. She clutched the lapels of Taehyung's blazer tighter around herself. Her fingers trembled slightly, her heart pounding against her ribs.

She had never seen Taehyung like this before—not just angry but absolutely livid.

Taehyung's grip on the belt tightened, his knuckles turning white. His jaw clenched, a vein pulsing in his neck, but it was his eyes that were the most terrifying.

They were no longer just dark—they burned. A silent, seething fire raged within them, one that promised no mercy.

Sangwoon flinched, his body trembling as he attempted to scramble back. His hands clawed at the floor, his breath coming in erratic gasps as if he were drowning in his own fear.

"Please, Taehyung! I—!" Sangwoon stammered, his voice breaking as he held up his hands in a feeble attempt to shield himself.

"I was wrong, okay? Have mercy!"

Taehyung tilted his head, his lips curling into a sneer.

"Mercy?" he spat, his voice dripping with contempt as he took another step forward. His shoes clicked against the polished floor, the sound echoing ominously.

"You dare beg for mercy after what you've done to my wife?"

Jungkook couldn't tear her eyes away from the scene. Her hands clutched Taehyung's blazer draped over her shoulders, her knuckles white with tension.

"Did you have mercy when you dared to touch her?" Taehyung's voice was eerily quiet, which somehow made it even more terrifying.

Sangwoon opened his mouth to respond, but—

Snap!

The first strike came. The leather sliced through the air, landing across Sangwoon's back with a sharp crack. Sangwoon screamed, his voice hoarse and raw as he writhed on the floor. His body curled inward, his spine arching from the pain.

Jungkook gasped softly, her hands trembling. She had never seen this side of Taehyung before—this side that did not forgive. Did not forget.

Taehyung didn't stop.

Snap!

Another lash, this time across his side. Sangwoon's body jerked violently as he let out another agonized cry.

"You filthy piece of sh*t," Taehyung snarled. "You don't deserve mercy. You deserve every ounce of humiliation you tried to inflict on my wife!"

Snap!

Sangwoon cried out again, tears streaming down his face as he begged, his voice cracking with desperation.

"Please, Taehyung! Stop! I was wrong—I was wrong!"

"Wrong doesn't even begin to cover it!" Taehyung thundered, his voice booming with his wrath.

Snap!

Another strike landed, this time across Sangwoon's legs, leaving the man writhing and sobbing on the floor. 

"How dare you?" he growled, his voice low and venomous, the words dragging out like a curse. "How f*cking dare you throw money at my wife?"

Snap!

The belt came down again, the leather striking across Sangwoon's shoulder, eliciting a bloodcurdling scream. He writhed, his fingers clawing at the polished floor as if he could sink into it and disappear.

But Taehyung didn't let up.

"You thought she was some cheap thing you could buy?" Taehyung's tone was dangerous, his smirk sharp as a knife. "You thought you could humiliate her—make her feel small?"

Snap!

The blows rained down, each one harsher than the last. Sangwoon sobbed, his body convulsing under the force of Taehyung's fury.

Jungkook stood frozen, her breath trapped in her lungs. She had seen him angry before, but never like this—never so utterly consumed by violence.

Her fingers clutched the lapels of his blazer still draped over her shoulders, the fabric smelling of him, grounding her even as the scene before her unfolded like a nightmare.

Sangwoon coughed, his mouth stained with blood as he tried to push himself up on trembling arms. "T-Taehyung... p-please..." he croaked, voice raw and broken

Taehyung's rolled-up sleeves revealed the flex of his forearms as he gripped the belt tighter, his hair falling messily across his forehead from the exertion of his fury.

"Stand up," Taehyung ordered. His voice wasn't loud, yet it echoed in the vast room, leaving no room for defiance.

Sangwoon whimpered, his fingers clawing at the floor as he struggled to push himself up. His legs shook violently beneath him, his body battered and weak. He had never felt fear like this before—not in all the years he had played his dirty games, manipulating, deceiving, preying on the vulnerable.

But standing before Taehyung now, he realized one simple truth.

He was nothing.

"Taehyung, please—" Sangwoon rasped, his voice hoarse, but he barely managed to straighten his knees before—

CRACK.

The belt struck across his thigh. Sangwoon collapsed with a cry, his breath hitching as white-hot pain seared through his skin.

"Did I say you could beg?" Taehyung's voice was dangerously low, like a storm whispering before it destroyed everything in its path. He crouched down, gripping Sangwoon's chin between his fingers, forcing the pathetic man to look into his eyes.

"You talk too much," Taehyung mused, tilting his head slightly. "But today, you'll listen."

Sangwoon whimpered, his lips trembling as he tried to shake his head. "I—I didn't mean—"

Taehyung's grip tightened.

"You didn't mean to put your filthy hands on my wife?" His voice was soft, yet every syllable dripped with venom. "You didn't mean to humiliate her, to make her feel unsafe in her own safe place?"

He leaned closer, their noses nearly brushing.

"Tell me, Sangwoon. Do you know what fear feels like?"

Sangwoon swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. His silence was answer enough. Taehyung smiled, but there was nothing warm about it.

"Then allow me to teach you."

He stood to his full height once more, his posture effortlessly dominant. Taehyung extended the belt again, letting it dangle loosely from his fingers. The leather swayed gently, taunting.

"You see, I've spent my whole life dealing with men like you," Taehyung continued, his voice even, as if he were discussing business. "Men who think their power comes from their last name, their connections, their ability to exploit the weak."

His gaze darkened.

"But you made a mistake, Sangwoon."

Taehyung stepped forward, pressing the sole of his polished shoe against Sangwoon's chest, forcing him back onto the cold marble.

"You picked the wrong person."

Sangwoon coughed, clutching at Taehyung's ankle, his face pale. "T-Taehyung—"

CRACK.

The belt lashed across his side, stealing the air from his lungs. Sangwoon gasped, his back arching as agony flared through him.

"You picked my wife," Taehyung continued, unmoved. "And in doing so, you picked me."

He crouched again, one knee pressing into Sangwoon's ribs, pinning him down effortlessly. The sheer difference in power between them was humiliating.

"I don't believe in mercy," Taehyung murmured. "Not for men like you."

Sangwoon choked on his breath. "I—I swear, I won't—"

"Won't what?" Taehyung cut in smoothly. "Try again? Find another poor person to terrorize?"

Sangwoon shook his head violently. "No! I swear, I—"

Taehyung smirked. "You swear?" His thumb brushed the corner of Sangwoon's bruised mouth, mockingly gentle. "That's funny."

And then, his fingers closed around Sangwoon's throat. Not enough to choke him—just enough to remind him that if Taehyung so much as squeezed, it would be over.

"You don't get to swear on anything, Sangwoon," Taehyung whispered. "Because you're not a man of your word. You never were."

The pressure on his throat increased just slightly, enough to make Sangwoon gasp.

"But I am," Taehyung continued, his gaze never wavering. "And I'm telling you now—this is your last night in this city."

Sangwoon's eyes widened, pure terror reflecting in them.

"I'll give you a choice," Taehyung said, leaning in.

"Either you disappear forever or I make you disappear."

Sangwoon shuddered, his body racked with fear. "P-please... please..."

"You don't deserve to say 'please.'"

Taehyung's grip tightened for a brief moment before he suddenly let go. Sangwoon collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air, his body convulsing as he coughed violently.

Taehyung straightened, adjusting the cuffs of his pristine shirt as if he hadn't just nearly choked the life out of a man. His voice was cold when he spoke again.

"You're done, Sangwoon." He nudged Sangwoon's shoulder with his polished shoe, forcing the man to roll onto his back. "Your business? Finished. Your name? Tarnished. Every connection you have, every single ounce of power you think you hold—I'll burn it to the ground."

Sangwoon wheezed, his lips parting to protest, but Taehyung crouched beside him again, his fingers gripping his jaw tightly, forcing him to look into his dark gaze.

"Leave this city by sunrise," Taehyung murmured. "If I ever hear your name again, if I so much as get a whisper of your presence near my wife, I won't just ruin you." His thumb pressed against Sangwoon's cheek, just below the bruises forming from the blows he'd received.

"I'll bury you." 

Sangwoon lay sprawled on the cold marble, his breath coming in ragged gasps, his body trembling from the sheer force of Taehyung's wrath. Taehyung grabbed Sangwoon by the collar.

The fabric bunched in his grip as he hauled the man up, his movements effortless despite the dead weight. Sangwoon let out a weak whimper, his limbs flailing slightly but Taehyung barely even acknowledged it.

And then, he shoved him forward. Right at Jungkook's feet.

Sangwoon barely caught himself, his palms slapping against the marble as he crumpled, his body folding in on itself. His head hung low, his shoulders hunched as if he could somehow make himself smaller.

Jungkook had gone still. She hadn't moved an inch since Taehyung had thrown Sangwoon at her feet. Her fingers curled at her sides, her jaw tight but she said nothing.

Taehyung let his gaze flicker to her briefly, taking in the way she was holding herself together. The way she was forcing herself to remain composed despite the storm raging inside her.

And then his eyes snapped back to Sangwoon.

"Apologize," Taehyung ordered, his voice cutting through the thick silence like a blade.

Sangwoon flinched violently, his entire frame trembling.

"I—" His voice cracked, hoarse and broken. "I... I'm sorry—"

Taehyung's jaw ticked. His patience, already razor-thin, snapped. His foot came down, pressing against Sangwoon's shoulder, forcing him lower, making him bow in the most humiliating way possible—forehead nearly touching the marble at Jungkook's feet.A

"Louder."

Sangwoon let out a small sob, his breath hitching. His hands clenched into weak fists against the floor.

"I—I'm sorry, Jungkook," he gasped.

Taehyung's foot didn't move.

"For what?"

Sangwoon sucked in a shuddering breath, his entire body shaking.

"For—" He coughed, his throat dry. "For everything."

Taehyung scoffed.

"That's not good enough. Say it properly," he said. "Apologize for every single thing you did. Every call. Every touch. Every filthy glance you dared to throw her way."

Sangwoon's breathing grew erratic. He tried to push himself up slightly but Taehyung immediately pressed him back down, ensuring he stayed exactly where he belonged—beneath Jungkook's feet.

"I—I'm sorry!" Sangwoon gasped. "For the calls, for calling you at midnight—f-for disturbing you, for making you uncomfortable—"

Jungkook's nails dug into her palms.

"For touching you—!" Sangwoon choked on his words, his entire body trembling. "For—for looking at you that way, for making you feel unsafe—I was wrong, I was disgusting, I—I was nothing—"

Sangwoon let out another weak sob. His forehead was nearly touching the floor now, his body curled in complete submission.

"I was wrong to—to try and control you, to think I had any right—" His voice cracked as he swallowed thickly. "I shouldn't have done it, I—I swear, I'll never—I—please..."

His voice cracked. "I swear I'll never come near you again. I'll leave. I'll disappear—I'll do whatever you want, just..."

He sucked in a sharp breath, his entire frame heaving. Before he could even attempt to lift his head, Taehyung's foot was there again, pressing him right back down.

"Ah-ah," he tutted. "Did I say you could look at her?"

Sangwoon whimpered.

"Keep your fucking head down."

Sangwoon obeyed instantly, his body trembling violently under Taehyung's boot. His breathing was uneven, shallow, as if the sheer force of shame and fear had hollowed him out from the inside.

"I should've broken your hands the moment you reached for her," he murmured. "Maybe then you would've learned your fucking place."

Jungkook inhaled sharply. Sangwoon sobbed.

"Just please."

Jungkook stood still, her arms crossed over her chest, her face blank—but her nails dug sharply into her skin. She hated this man. Hated that he had ever thought he could have control over her, that he could dictate her life.

And now, he was nothing but a crumpled mess beneath her husband's foot.

Taehyung watched him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "Did you hear that, Mrs Kim?"

Jungkook blinked, her chest tight. She nodded, barely managing to find her voice.

Taehyung let out a small hum, tilting his head. "Do you accept?"

Jungkook swallowed hard. She let her gaze drop to Sangwoon's pathetic form, taking in the way he lay broken and humiliated, his face pressed against the cold marble. 

Jungkook lifted her chin slightly, forcing herself to meet Taehyung's waiting gaze. "No. I don't forgive you."

A slow smirk curled Taehyung's lips, dark amusement flickering in his gaze. He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head slightly, as if he had expected nothing less.

Sangwoon stiffened, his breath coming in panicked gasps. "P-please—" he rasped, trying to push himself up, but Taehyung's foot pressed down harder, pinning him in place.

"Did you hear that, Sangwoon?" Taehyung murmured, his voice almost gentle, almost mocking. "My wife doesn't accept your apology."

Jungkook's hands curled into fists at her sides. Her heart was pounding, but her voice remained steady. "I don't believe you're sorry," she said coldly. "You're only afraid."

Sangwoon whimpered, his entire body trembling.

"And fear," she continued, her gaze dark and unyielding, "isn't repentance."

Taehyung hummed in agreement. "You see, I gave you a chance. A single chance to crawl away with whatever shred of dignity you had left. But my wife?" His smirk widened. "She's much crueler than me."

Jungkook didn't flinch at his words. She simply stared down at the man who had once made her feel powerless, who had tried to control her, who had thought he could buy her silence.

But now, he was nothing.

Sangwoon let out a pitiful sob, his body sagging under the weight of it all. "Please," he begged, his voice cracking. "Please, I'm sorry—I swear, I swear I'll never—"

"Enough." Taehyung's voice sliced through the air, sharp and final. He removed his foot, letting Sangwoon slump onto the floor like a discarded rag.

"You said you'd do whatever we wanted, didn't you?" Taehyung mused, dusting off his sleeves.

Sangwoon nodded desperately.

Taehyung turned, gaze flickering to the men standing behind him—the silent shadows who had been watching from the beginning, waiting for orders.

"Make sure he leaves the city," Taehyung said, smooth as silk. "I don't care where. I don't care how. But if he's still here by morning..."

He let the sentence hang in the air.

The threat did not need to be spoken.

Sangwoon was too weak to fight as two men grabbed him, dragging his broken form toward the exit. His whimpers faded into nothing, swallowed by the weight of his own sins.

As soon as he was gone, Taehyung let out a slow breath, the tension in his shoulders finally easing.

The room was deathly quiet, the employees too terrified to speak or even move. They had seen something they'd never forget.

Finally, Taehyung tossed the belt aside, the sound of it hitting the floor startling everyone in the room. He ran a hand through his hair, slicking it back as he turned toward Jungkook.

His expression softened the instant their eyes met. The storm that had once raged so violently in his gaze was now replaced with tenderness, like a gentle rain after a fierce storm.

There was no anger, just the raw devotion radiate from him like an aura.

Jungkook's eyes traced the way his shirt clung to his skin, damp with sweat, wrinkled and untucked at the waist. The sleeves revealed the taut muscles of his forearms, still tense from the violence he'd unleashed.

His knuckles were bruised, raw, smeared with streaks of crimson that weren't his own. His hair was a disheveled mess, dark strands falling over his forehead, damp with sweat.

The faint sheen of sweat on his skin made the fabric of his shirt almost translucent, outlining the strength beneath, but it was his face—his eyes—that held her attention.

His eyes never left hers. Jungkook stood frozen for a moment, her tear-filled eyes locking onto his, seeking the comfort she so desperately needed.

As if reading the unspoken plea in her eyes, Taehyung took a step forward, his hand reaching out to gently brush away the tears that had slid down her cheek. The simple motion was enough to break something inside her and Jungkook stepped into him without hesitation.

His arms enveloped her with a tenderness that made her heart ache. One hand cupped the back of her head, pulling her gently against his chest, while the other settled on her waist.

"I'm sorry," Taehyung whispered, his voice barely audible, but full of regret. "I never wanted you to see that. I'm sorry you had to go through this."

But Jungkook only held him tighter, her small hands gripping his shirt as she sobbed quietly.

Behind them, the room remained eerily still.

The employees, who had witnessed the entire scene, stood frozen in shock and fear. They could do nothing but watch, too afraid to even breathe, knowing one undeniable truth:

Kim Taehyung was not a man to be trifled with, especially when it came to his wife.

Taehyung exhaled slowly, his eyes never leaving Jungkook's face. She looked fragile, exhausted, her small frame trembling slightly in his hold. He couldn't bear to see her like this—scared, shaken. He needed to get her away from this place, away from the stares of others, away from the lingering scent of blood in the air.

Without another word, he bent down, slipping a strong arm beneath her legs while the other supported her back. Jungkook barely had time to react before she was lifted effortlessly into his arms. A soft gasp escaped her lips, her breath catching as she instinctively clutched his shirt.

Her fingers trembled against his chest, feeling the dampness. His scent was different now, muskier, mixed with the sharp tang of iron and the faintest traces of cologne.

"Mr Kim—" Jungkook's voice was barely a whisper, her body still shaking from everything that had happened.

But Taehyung didn't let her finish. His gaze flickered down, silencing her without a word.

The message was clear.

Don't say anything. Don't worry. I've got you.

Jungkook bit her lip and rested her head against his chest, his heartbeat grounding her.

The employees parted like the sea as Taehyung strode through the hall. The meeting—he had almost forgotten about it. His time was scheduled, his presence expected.

"Sir—your meeting with the investors—" one of his secretaries hesitantly reminded him but she trailed off the moment Taehyung turned his gaze toward her.

"It's postponed," he stated curtly, not even bothering to look back as he walked past.

No one dared question him again. His only focus was the woman in his arms, his wife, who was clinging to him as if afraid he would disappear. And right now, nothing—nothing—was more important than her.

As soon as Taehyung stepped out of the building, magic began in the air before him. A portal formed in an instant—a gateway only he could command.

Jungkook barely had time to register it before the world around them shifted.

In a blink, the cold air of the hallway was replaced by the familiar warmth of their bedroom.

Their Sanctuary

Taehyung exhaled slowly as he stepped forward, finally home. The tension in his shoulders remained, but the moment he reached the bed, his arms loosened just a fraction.

Carefully, almost hesitantly, he lowered Jungkook onto the soft sheets. Jungkook let out a small sound of protest, her fingers gripping his shirt tighter, not wanting to let go. His shirt bunched in her hands. She wasn't ready to be alone.

Taehyung paused. Instead of pulling away, he sat down beside her, allowing her to cling to him as much as she needed.

Jungkook buried her face against his chest, her body exhausted beyond words. The past hour had been a whirlwind—Sangwoon's attack, Taehyung's fury, the brutal punishment, and now, being in the safety of their bedroom.

A soft sigh left her lips, her grip loosening just a little as her exhaustion caught up with her.

Her voice was small. "You're hurt..."

Taehyung glanced down at himself—his once-pristine white shirt was now wrinkled, translucent from sweat, smeared with both his blood and Sangwoon's. His knuckles were raw and bruised, his breath still slightly uneven.

"It's nothing," he dismissed, but Jungkook shook her head, her brows knitting together in distress.

"It's not nothing," Jungkook insisted, her voice gaining a hint of strength. "You fought for me. You got hurt because of me."

Taehyung stilled. Then, with a sigh, he reached out and gently cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing soothing circles against her skin.

"I fought because no one—no one—gets to lay a hand on you and walk away unscathed," he said, his voice deep and unwavering. "You are my wife, Jungkook. And I will destroy anyone who dares to harm you."

A lump formed in Jungkook's throat. His words weren't just promises. They were truths. She wanted to say something but his gaze held her still.

Then, in a softer voice, Taehyung added, "Now, let me take care of you."

Jungkook barely managed to sit up before he was fixing her pillows, making sure they were fluffed perfectly. She tried to push the covers off, but he tucked them right back around her, shaking his head.

Taehyung smoothed down her messy strands, his eyes soft. "You're tired. So stay in bed."

Jungkook pouted, her lips pressing together in a way that made Taehyung's chest tighten.

"But—"

"No buts." His fingers lightly traced over her cheek, down to her chin, then tilted her face up. His thumb brushed over her bottom lip, his gaze darkening slightly. "You're not leaving this bed unless it's in my arms. Understood, Mrs. Kim?"

Jungkook swallowed.

Why did his voice have to be so deep?

"Stay put," he murmured, brushing his fingers against her cheek. "I'll be right back."

Before Jungkook could protest, he disappeared into the bathroom. A few moments later, he returned with a warm towel. Jungkook blinked in confusion, but before she could ask, Taehyung was already sitting on the edge of the bed, taking her hands in his.

She gasped slightly when she felt the warm towel against her fingers. He was wiping her hands.

"I can do that—"

He shot her a look. A sharp, warning look.

Jungkook immediately shut her mouth.

Mr. Kim was in full husband mode.

Taehyung took his time, carefully wiping away any lingering traces of dust, any sign of what had happened earlier. His fingers brushed over her knuckles. Like he was memorizing her all over again.

When he was done, he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against her fingertips.

Jungkook's breath hitched.

This man...

"You're never leaving my side again," he murmured.

Jungkook hummed sleepily. "Bossy."

Taehyung chuckled, pressing a kiss against her temple.

"Damn right."

Jungkook smiled against his shirt, feeling nothing but warmth, nothing but safety.

And Taehyung?

He swore to himself as long as he was alive, no harm would ever touch her again.

Jungkook exhaled shakily, her fingers gripping the fabric of Taehyung's shirt. The warmth, the his heartbeat beneath her cheek—it grounded her. But the storm inside her hadn't fully settled.

Jungkook pulled back slightly, her breath uneven, but she didn't go far—not really. One of her hands slipped to the bed beside them, steadying herself, while the other rested against Taehyung's chest, right over his heart. 

Taehyung's frown deepened, his grip on her waist tightening. Both of his hands remained there, warm and possessive, his thumbs brushing lazy circles against her dress. He refused to let her put any real distance between them.

Their bodies were close—so close that Jungkook could feel the heat radiating off him, could feel his breath ghosting over her lips.

Jungkook's fingers curled slightly against his chest, pressing into the warmth of him. Her eyes searched his—dark, patient, filled with something unshakable.

Jungkook hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "When he threw money at me... I—I felt disgusting."

Taehyung stilled. His grip on her waist tightened, his jaw ticking. But he said nothing, waiting, letting her speak.

"I felt like I was back there again," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "Back in that house. Back in that filth."

Her voice wavered. "Today, when he did that... it felt like no matter how far I ran, I'd always be that girl in their eyes. Someone they could buy. Someone they could control."

A muscle ticked in Taehyung's jaw. His fingers moved to cup her face, his touch gentle despite the raging fury in his eyes.

"I hated that I froze," Jungkook confessed, her voice shaking. "For a second, I was back there again. Back in that life, back to feeling helpless, back to—"

"You're not there anymore, Jungkook." Taehyung murmured. His hands moved, one sliding up her spine, the other slipping to the nape of her neck. He pulled her in, their foreheads nearly touching. 

Her breath hitched.

"You're here," he whispered against her lips. "With me. And no one—no one—gets to make you feel like that again."

Jungkook's fingers trembled against his chest, curled weakly into the fabric of his shirt, as if afraid to hold on too tightly. As if afraid she might break.

"You are not filth. You are not something to be bought or thrown away," Taehyung vowed. "You are mine. And I will never let anyone treat you as anything less than what you are—precious."

A small, broken sound escaped her lips, and instantly, Taehyung pulled her closer, his hand firm against the small of her back, molding her to him.

"You are my wife. My Jungkook." His lips ghosted over her cheek, lingering, tender. "And I will never let you feel anything less than treasured. My smol fireball."

Jungkook let out a choked laugh, a mix of emotions crashing into her at once. Tears welled in her eyes, overflowing from the sheer warmth of Taehyung's love, but at the same time—

"Smol fireball?" she sniffled, pulling back slightly to glare at him, lips jutted out in a pout.

Taehyung chuckled, his hands slipping up to cradle her face, thumbs brushing away the tears that slipped down her cheeks. "Mm. My smol fireball," he repeated, his voice teasing yet laced with infinite affection. "Fierce, unstoppable... but so smol in my arms."

Jungkook pouted, nudging her forehead against his chest. "Not smol..."

Taehyung hummed, kissing the top of her head. "No?" His grip on her waist tightened just a little. "Then why do you fit so perfectly here? Like a pocket-sized menace."

Jungkook gasped. "Kim Taehyung—!"

His deep chuckle rumbled against her skin. "See? Even your temper is fun-sized."

Her pout deepened, but the tears in her eyes betrayed the truth—she wasn't actually upset. She was just Jungkook and Taehyung adored every second of it.

And when she sulked harder, refusing to meet his gaze, he kissed the tip of her nose.

"Alright, alright," he relented, amused. "You're not smol."

Jungkook perked up immediately. "Damn right, I'm not."

"...You're tiny."

Jungkook sniffled again. "Dumb husband."

Taehyung grinned, his lips brushing against her temple. "But I'm your dumb husband."

Jungkook let out another soft laugh, burying herself deeper in his warmth, in the safety of his embrace. "Yeah," she whispered. "Mine."

Taehyung smirked, feeling victorious. "Say that again?"

Jungkook lifted her head, her teary eyes narrowing slightly. "Say what?"

"That I'm yours." His grin widened, mischief dancing in his gaze. "Come on, Mrs. Kim, louder this time."

Jungkook scoffed, rolling her eyes as she wiped at her cheeks. "Ugh, I take it back. You're annoying."

Taehyung gasped, placing a hand over his heart. "Excuse me? After everything I just did for you? After I beat a man half to death in your honor?"

 "Mm, I don't recall asking you to."

Jungkook sassily flicked her hair over her shoulder and sat prettily on the bed. She pulled her knees to her chest, resting her chin lightly against them, her arms wrapped loosely around her legs.

And she was just... looking at him.

Big eyes more shiny after crying, they were filled with amusement and something softer—something that made his breath hitch. The warm glow of the bedside lamp caught the curve of her cheek, the slope of her nose, and those damn soft lips that she was definitely pouting on purpose.

"I mean it was impressive, I suppose. But I never asked for it." Jungkook spoke, blinking at him.

Taehyung was mid-rant, when he suddenly—glitched.

His wife looked so pretty. Too pretty.

His brain short-circuited. Words? Gone. Thoughts? What are those?

Jungkook blinked innocently. "Why'd you stop?"

Taehyung stared. His throat bobbed. Jungkook tilted her head, all angelic curiosity, her cheek pressing against her knee. "Tae?"

Oh, f*ck.

His fingers twitched, his entire body betraying him as he swallowed hard. "Stop that."

Jungkook blinked. "Stop what?"

He pointed at her. Vaguely. Desperately. "That. Whatever you're doing."

Her lips curved. "You mean... sitting?"

"No!" Taehyung dragged a hand down his face, glaring at the ceiling like it had personally wronged him. "You're being pretty on purpose."

Jungkook gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "Me? Pretty? I thought I was your smol fireball?"

"You're both," he muttered, looking thoroughly betrayed. "And it's ruining my entire argument."

Jungkook smirked now, all mischief. "Oh? So you were arguing?"

Taehyung scowled. "I was—until you decided to be illegally adorable."

"Illegally adorable, huh?"

"Yes."

Jungkook giggled, burying her face into her knees, absolutely delighted. "I win."

Taehyung groaned, throwing himself onto the bed beside her, rubbing his temples. He was all set to deliver his dialogues—but then—his wife sat so prettily, knees pulled to her chest, hands resting over them, looking at him with those big eyes.

His mind blanked.

For a second, he just stared.

Then, shaking his head, he huffed and started over. "This is what I get for being a devoted husband."

Jungkook peeked at him from behind her knees, eyes twinkling. "A devoted husband, huh?"

Taehyung exhaled loudly, throwing an arm over his face like he was suffering. "Yes. The most devoted. The best husband."

Jungkook grinned. "Mmm, debatable."

Taehyung snapped his head toward her, mouth agape in outrage. "Excuse me?"

Jungkook shrugged innocently, playing with the hem of her sleeve. "I mean, a best husband wouldn't sulk after losing an argument to his adorable wife."

Taehyung scoffed. "Adorable wife? Wow. Look at you. Just throwing around words now."

Jungkook smirked, fluttering her lashes. "Oh? Am I not adorable, Mr. Kim?"

Taehyung glitched again.

She was doing it again. Sitting all pretty, batting her lashes, looking like the smug little brat that she was.

His eye twitched.

"Illegal," he muttered.

Jungkook perked up. "What?"

"Illegal," he repeated, rolling over until he was right in front of her. "You. Doing that. Existing like that. Being adorable. IS Illegal."

Jungkook giggled, pressing her hand to his cheek. "Aww, my big husband is weak for me?"

Taehyung grabbed her wrist, his smirk curling at the edges. "You have no idea."

Before she could react, he yanked her forward, making her squeal as she tumbled into his chest. 

"TAE—!"

Jungkook's breath hitched as her body collided with his chest. Her hands instinctively slid up to his shoulders for balance, but Taehyung wasn't about to let her go that easily. 

His grip on her wrist tightened, pulling her even closer, trapping her effectively. "No escaping, Mrs. Kim. You started this."

Jungkook squirmed, face burning. "I did not!"

Taehyung hummed, way too satisfied. "You did. And now, as a devoted husband, I have to do my duty."

Jungkook stilled, suddenly wary. "What duty?"

His grin turned absolutely wicked.

"Tae, wait—no—"

But it was too late.

Kim Taehyung had already begun his attack.

The first kiss landed at the corner of her mouth, barely there. Jungkook sucked in a sharp breath.

Then another kiss—on her cheek, then the other. Taehyung moved lower, his lips brushing over her jaw, featherlight touches that sent shivers down her spine.

Jungkook's fingers clenched into his shirt. "Mr Kim..."

"Mm?" He hummed, his lips now tracing the sensitive skin beneath her ear. "Something wrong, Mrs. Kim?"

Jungkook tried to glare at him, but the way his voice dipped made her resolve crumble. "You're—you're playing dirty."

Taehyung chuckled, his breath hot against her skin. "You started it, love."

Jungkook swallowed, her body betraying her as she melted into his touch. Her fingers slid up, clutching his shoulders for support as he continued his slow, torturous assault of kisses—her temple, her nose, her chin—everywhere but her lips.

A frustrated whine built in her throat. "You're so annoying."

Taehyung only smirked, pulling back just enough to look at her, eyes dark and utterly amused. "I thought I was dumb?"

Jungkook scowled, her cheeks burning. "Shut up."

"Make me."

Jungkook huffed. And then, she grabbed his collar and pulled him down, her lips capturing his in a kiss that wiped the smirk right off his face.

For a second, Taehyung froze.

Then—

A low groan rumbled from his throat, and suddenly, it was him pulling her closer, deepening the kiss until she was breathless.

Jungkook pulled away, breathless, her heart pounding in her chest.

Taehyung's eyes were half-lidded, his lips still parted as if she had completely taken him by surprise. But then that damn smirk returned.

"I love when my wife dominates me," he murmured, his voice husky, teasing.

Jungkook's face burned. "Oh my god—shut up."

Taehyung chuckled, absolutely delighted, his grip on her waist tightening. "What? I'm just appreciating my very assertive wife."

Jungkook groaned, burying her face against his chest. "I hate you."

Taehyung laughed, his fingers slipping into her hair as he kissed the top of her head. "Liar."

Jungkook muttered something incoherent, and Taehyung only grinned harder, knowing full well he had won this round.

__

For all who will be wondering "Where the heck did Sangwoon come from???"

It's because sangwoon didn't got enough dose for his filthy actions in ealiers chaptes, he didn't got bless by Mr Kim's hands and belt. 😏

So, that's why.  😜