(Warning: This chapter has intense emotional scenes.)

~ʜᴀᴛᴇ ʏᴏᴜ: ᴊᴜɴɢᴋᴏᴏᴋ~

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Jungkook’s POV~

The sound of the pen writing smoothly on the paper filled my office room as I skimmed thoroughly through the contract details. My office was eerie quiet, the only other sound — except for the pen writing — was the ticking of the wall clock. Work had always been my escape from reality — a distraction from things I didn’t want to think about and bother myself.

The past few days had been too exhausting and frustrating for me. All those negative thoughts would come down crashing onto me at the most unexpected times. All I did to escape from them was to drown myself into work.

Working overtime had become my routine. I was supposed to leave my office at six in the evening. But I usually stayed upto nine. I didn't want to go spend even a little time with my fiancee. Something about it made me sick. How could I? Especially after finding out that... I've been a dad to a lovely, little girl all this time?

At nights, I'd have trouble sleeping. And my only solution was to drown myself in alcohol and get drunk until I passed out.

A hesitant knock on the door echoed through the silence of my room and snapped me out of my inner thoughts. It made me pause for a moment.

“Come in,” I muttered coldly, without looking up at whosoever it was.

The door creaked open and the familiar floral scent filled the air of the room. I paused whatever I was doing. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was.

I forced myself to stay composed, pretending to focus on the document in front of me. I took a deep breath, trying not to recall that scene that had been haunting me from the past few days. I clenched my jaw.

“What is it?” I asked, my tone stoic.

She stepped forward reluctantly, her heels clicking against the floor. Her hands trembled slightly as she placed a document on my desk.

I furrowed my eyebrows, trying to read what it was about.

A resignation letter.

I looked at the resignation letter and raised my eyebrow. A sense of irritation washed over me as I picked up the letter to read it. I looked up at her with a sharp gaze

"You're resigning? Why...?" I asked her coldly.

She looked away and murmured, “Personal reasons.”

That enraged me. It wasn’t enough for me. I frowned slightly at her vague answer. I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms, giving her a stern look.

"Personal reasons? That's it?" I stared at her in disbelief, "You've been an asset to my company and now, you want to resign without giving a proper reason?"

"I... I can't keep up with it. I have to quit my job... I'm sorry," she kept looking down as she apologised, giving me a small bow.

I stood up from my chair and walked around the desk towards her. My eyes narrowed as I stared at her, studying every detail of her face. I stepped closer, not leaving any personal space between us.

"You can't keep up with it? Is that all you have to say? After these five months of working for me, you're just going to give up like this?" I spoke with a hint of disbelief.

I didn't know what exactly I was feeling. Was I scared that I wouldn't see her ever again? Or was I just worried that my company would lose a brilliant employee?

She huffed, clearly looking uncomfortable by our close proximity. She murmured, "I have got some problems... I can't continue working here. Y-You will get someone better."

I stared at her with a cold, piercing gaze as I spoke, a bit louder this time, "I don't care about getting someone better. You've been nothing but loyal and competent since you started working here. I won't let you resign so easily," my voice was laced with determination.

"You need to understand... I can't do this...! It's personal stuff!" she stared back at me with wide, pleading eyes as she replied.

Suddenly, I felt something ignite inside me. I took a few steps closer to her. I could see how she flinched as I made my way towards her. She took a few steps back.

I grabbed her wrist, my grip firm. I pulled her closer to me, making her crash onto my buff chest. My eyes locked with hers, unyielding, as I spoke slowly, "Is it because of me that you want to resign?"

She shuddered under my touch and gritted her teeth as she replied, "No...! Why would I?"

I smirked at her words, "Really? But I can see it in your eyes," I moved my gaze across her face, "Why? What is it so personal that you can't share with me?"

Her eyes narrowed and they grew stoic as she snapped coldly, "Why should I? Who are you that I should tell you everything?"

I chuckled bitterly, "I don't know who I am, exactly. But I'm someone who should know about you. Everything," my gaze hardened as I spoke further, "Tell me."

»»————>

Seohwa's POV ~

I could feel shivers run down my spine as he leaned closer to me, our faces inches apart. The close proximity between us made me feel suffocated. It felt both nostalgic and disgusting to me. I was in a turmoil of thoughts.

I wanted to be close to him like this, in his arms, just like he used to hold me before. And at the same time, I wanted to run away from him, as far as I could.

He kept on staring at me with a sharp gaze, demanding me for an answer to his question. I sighed. I couldn't tell him the real reason. He would never leave my side then. And I didn't want it. I didn't want him back in my life again. I couldn't forgive him for everything he had done to me.

"My daughter is sick... She needs care. I need to stay back home to take care of her. My husband goes to work too," I lied to him skillfully, hoping that it would work.

But suddenly, he grabbed my waist and pinned me to the nearest wall. I gasped at his actions, fear creeping up onto my face.

»»————>

Jungkook's POV~

The mention of her daughter made me instantly feel a fit of rage. The image of her daughter flooded back to my mind. The image of MY daughter. She had exactly my face. I felt betrayed and heartbroken that she hid it from me all this time.

"Your daughter is sick? What kind of sickness?" I snapped, my voice rough. My gaze hardened, worried if it was really true. I would do anything for her — for my daughter.

She shook her head, "I... I don't know... I will take her... to the hospital," she spoke with a hint of reluctance. I could see it in her eyes that she was lying.

I kept my grip on her wrist firm, my eyes fixed on hers. I leaned closer to her face as I whispered, "Liar... You are hiding everything from me... Even the things that... I deserve to know," my voice turned cold and demanding, "Tell me. Everything."

I notice Seohwa's eyes widen for a moment. She looked away, avoiding my gaze as she mumbled, "What... what are you talking about? What did I... hide from you?"

"Everything!!" I snapped, my eyes turning darker as I glared at her, "Tell me the truth. Who's the father of your child?"

»»————>

Seohwa's POV ~

My heart stopped beating when I heard his question. No... No! Why is he asking me this?! How did he even find out! I started panicking as I felt my hands starting to sweat.

My breaths got faster as I stared at him dumbfounded. I stuttered, "What... what are you even asking me...?! It's my... husband!"

He scoffed at my answer, his grip on my wrist tightening. His expression is cold and unforgiving, "Your 'Husband'? Is that so?" his eyes turned even more darker, "Then why does she look like me?"

My eyes widened as I gasped, "You have never seen my daughter!! How do you even know what she looks like?!"

He looked into my eyes with an intensity I had never seen before. "I have my ways of knowing things," he chuckled coldly, " But the thing is... why did you keep it a secret from me?"

I swallowed hard, trying to avoid his intense gaze as I stuttered, "What... what secret are you talking about?"

A knowing smirk appeared on his lips as he watched me swallow hard. He leaned even closer, his grip on my wrist still tight.

"You know damn well what secret I'm talking about...," his fingers grazed my wrist, "You have a six-year-old daughter who looks just like me... Isn't that intriguing?," he whispered.

I tried my best to hide the truth from him, "I-I have told you... that I have a daughte-"

But he scoffed, interrupting my words, "Yes, you have told me you have a daughter. But you never told me that SHE'S MINE!" he said bitterly, his voice louder than before.

I widened my eyes and shuddered. The nightmare I dreaded the most... was unfolding before my eyes. No no... He can't know this!! This can't be happening! I shook my head vehemently, "N-no... S-she's not-"

He tightened his grip on my wrist even more as he snapped, "Don't dare lie to my face!" he yelled, "I saw  MY six-year-old daughter who has MY eyes, MY nose, MY lips, MY everything. And you're still denying it?! How pathetic!"

I couldn't hold back this time. Tears welled up in my eyes, my eyes filled with hatred as I snapped, "You n-never cared! Why should I tell you then?!"

He gritted his teeth, "I never cared?! Huh?!" he glared at me, "Ever since I saw you and my daughter, I have been spending sleepless nights, your and her face flashing into my mind every second!"

He pinned me to the wall harshly, grabbing both of my wrist tightly. I gasped, "Ah- leave me!"

"You think I will?" he chuckled coldly, "Now... that I know you have my child, I'll let you go? Not even in your dreams."

"You have to!" I glared at him, "I don't want to be with you!"

"So what? Does it change the fact you're mine?" he said coldly.

"I'm NOT yours!" I protested.

"You're damn MINE! You have been mine all this time and now... you're the mother of my child. So, you ARE mine! Only mine!" he said possessively. He grazed my cheek lightly, "I know... you want me too. I know you still love me."

"No!" I snapped, "I have moved on. You're nothing to me now. I HATE YOU!" my harsh words must have cut deep through him, because I felt his body tremble at my words.

"Bullshit," he murmured, his expression turned pained, "You still love me. You're lying-"

I interrupted him, "I hate you, Jeon Jungkook! You ruined my life!"

He shuddered at my words, "N-No...! I didn't...!" he leaned closer, as if to make me believe him, "I have made a mistake, yes, but... I'll be with you and our daughter from now on. I...I will make your lives better..."

"'My' daughter!" I snapped, "You... you ended our relationship! You are the one who cut off all our connections! You abandoned her even before her birth! You have NO rights-"

He interrupted me and spoke through gritted teeth, "Because you didn't even tell me! How was I supposed to know that I had a daughter?! How was I supposed to know you were pregnant?!!" I could feel his nails dig harder into my skin, "You never even gave me the chance to be a father!!You just kept her away from me, like she was yours and yours only!!! But she's not. She's MY daughter, MY flesh, MY blood!"

"Don't pretend as if I'm the one to be blamed here!" I yelled, "I called you... day and night... you didn't pick up! Whose fault is that, huh?!" that silenced him, "She's mine... All mine! I raised her alone! You were not there when I needed you the most!"

"And you?" he huffed breathlessly, "What are you doing now? Mindlessly blaming me? Do you even know my circumstances?!" he snapped.

"What circumstances did you have?!" I was in a turmoil of emotions. I chuckled bitterly, "Your girlfriend would break up-"

"Shut up!" he snarled, making me flinch, "Don't dare say that! I was FORCED! I broke up with you to SAVE YOU!" his eyes welled up with tears and his voice cracked.

"Save me?" I chuckled sarcastically.

"You know how powerful my father is! He...," Jungkook swallowed hard, "H-He threatened me... that... he'd harm you... and your brother... I didn't want that!

That made me widen my eyes and stare at him in disbelief.

"Everything is forced!" he shut his eyes close as he trembled, "Me going to Germany... Me getting engaged... Everything!"

I felt a sense of pity for him all of a sudden. It gave me a hint if relief that he didn't betray me purposely. But it was all short lived as my anger rose again. I scoffed, "So what, now? You're no longer the 'Kookie' I used to know! You're Jeon Jungkook now. Enjoy your life as it is."

"What do you even mean by that!" he exclaimed, "I'm still the same me! The same 'Kookie' who used to be madly in love with you!" he grabbed my shoulders and shook me lightly, "I don't care if I'm engaged. I want my daughter! I want you! I want us, as a family!"

"I don't want you back! I don't want you to ruin my daughter's life now, after you've ruined mine! Your wedding is scheduled for next month. Go and marry her."

"I don't want that! And I'll be with you. I'll be with my daughter. I have missed SIX YEARS of her life, Seohwa!" he stared into my eyes with a pained expression, "I missed everything...! Her first steps... her first word... her first day of school... everything! Let me be with her now...!" he looked at me with pleading eyes.

For a moment, I felt like giving up, looking at his sad, doe eyes. I felt like giving up to what my heart wanted — to be with him. But then, I gained back my composure again, "Your wedding... what will you do with it? Cancel it?" I chuckled bitterly.

Jungkook heaved a deep sigh and remained silent. He had always been an obedient son, who would obey everything his father said without a single thought. It was hard, probably impossible, for him to go against his father.

"See? It's better for us to live our lives as it is. You live with her and be happy. I have been living like this with my daughter and I'll be happy in the future as well," my voice cracked a bit as I spoke. The emotions I was feeling was overwhelming.

Jungkook trembled but he remained silent. His grip on my shoulders loosened a bit as he kept looking down.

My emotions got the best of me as I spoke with a hoarse voice. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I needed to convince him, "At least... let me live my last few days in peace..."

That struck Jungkook as if a huge truck had crashed onto him. His head snapped up at me and his eyes widened. He stared at me in disbelief, "L-Last days...?" I looked away and sighed heavily, "What do you mean by that?"

I didn't answer him.

He gritted his teeth, his breaths ragged as he shook me, "Don't hide it! Tell me, Seohwa!" he asked in desperation.

"I... I'm diagnosed with... blood cancer...," the words left my mouth, my voice soft, like a whisper.

»»————>

Jungkook's POV~

The words that left her mouth, knocked out all the air of me. My eyes widened in disbelief and panic as I stared at her.

Blood Cancer...

The words rang in my mind as if someone was tolling a bell right at my ear.

This is why... she was at the hospital...

"H-How... l-long...?" I stuttered.

"A year...," she murmured.

A year...?! She has been suffering for a year?!

"Why... didn't you tell me earlier?!" I sounded pathetic now, my voice broken.

"I didn't want to bother you with my needs...," she said, softly.

I gripped her shoulders tightly, "Don't give me that bullshit...!" I gulped, "How much... do you need? For the treatment?"

She shook her head.

"Tell me, Seohwa! I'll pay... no matter how much it is...," I tried to be soft, assuring her that everything would be okay. But inside, I felt like I was dying. I was panicking.

She looked into my eyes, her eyes filled with tears. I hated it — tears in her eyes. I wanted her to smile. She sighed, "There's no treatment... I'm in the last stage...!"

And that was another blow to me. My breath hitched and my eyes widened with shock and panic. I shook my head in denial, "No... N-No... It c-can't be-"

Suddenly, Seohwa grunted and gasped sharply. I immediately let go of her shoulders. She hastily clutched her chest and gasped again.

I was too shocked by what was happening that I wasn't able to move a muscle. It was until I saw Seohwa slide down the wall and fall onto her knees. I panicked.

"S-Seohwa...!!" my body shuddered as I immediately leaned down and grabbed her, pulling her into my arms. "Seohwa...?!" I placed my hand above hers that was clutching her chest, "Seohwa!! What's... what's wrong?!"

Her face contorted in pain as she gasped, "It's... hurting...!!"

My breaths turned erratic. I was panicking. I gulped hard, "I... I will call... the ambulance! Please... It'll be okay!"

Holding her firmly, I took out my phone from my pocket and dialed the  emergency medical number with my trembling fingers.

"Hello? Emergency service?" a man's voice resounded from the other side of the line.

I stuttered, "Please... my... my wife... she's... she's sick!"

"Hang in there, Sir!" the man assured and hung up.

I glanced back at Seohwa, "S-Seohwa...!! You... you're gonna be okay...!! Please-"

All of a sudden, Seohwa shuddered and she started coughing. Before I could even comprehend, the sight unfolding before my eyes made my blood freeze.

Blood... There's blood... on the floor!!

I shivered as I held Seohwa and shook her, "Babe!!"

Her breaths were deep and shallow, blood stuck on the corner of her lips. I could feel my tears spilling out as I gently grabbed her neck and pulled her to my chest, holding her firmly, "B-Breathe... S-Seohwa breathe!"

"J-Jung... J-Jungkoo-"

I shook my head and cut her off, "D-Don't... Don't s-speak...! J-Just rest!"

I ruffled her hair and sniffled, "H-Hang on...! You- you're going to be... o-okay-"

She shook her head as tears streamed down her cheeks too, "I... I c-can't... Kooki-"

"No!" I yelled painfully as tears stained my face, "Y-You have to! For... for our daughter! For me!"

"I-It's my f-fate..." she whispered, her words being like a punch to the gut.

I shook my head again, "You can't! I-I won't let you! You... you can't leave me!"

My body shuddered as I cried. I cupped her cheek, "I... I love you... Seohwa! D-Don't leave me...!"

She was barely breathing. Her eyes were almost closed as she gave me a weak smile, "I... I... l-love you... t-too... Kookie..."

Kookie. The word that I had yearned to hear from her lips again. I smiled amidst my tears as I leaned closer, "C-Call me t-that... again..."

She had closed her eyes by now as she murmured, "K-Kookie..."

I panicked, seeing her close her eyes, "O-Open your eyes...! B-Babe-"

But she didn't.

"Babe...!" I patted her cheeks, "W-Wake up...! D-Don't play a sick joke like this!!"

My entire body was trembling violently as I placed my finger on her neck to check her pulse... and the realisation hit me like a bullet train. I felt a cold shiver run through me as I realized...

she was gone....

I gripped her tighter, my voice desperate, "No... No, no... You can't just... open your eyes, please... Open your eyes..."

But she was completely still in my arms, growing colder and colder. I shook her, my voice breaking with desperation, "No... no... no... no no...," I chanted helplessly as tears streamed down my cheeks uncontrollably.

I shook her body violently, "No no no no!!! Wake up wake up wake up!"

My heart dropped as I felt an overwhelming sense of despair and panic crashing down onto me as I held her lifeless body in my arms. A loud, choked sob left my mouth as I buried my face in her chest. Her still chest, with no heartbeat or movement.

"No... No, this can't be happening... You can't be gone... Please... Please, come back... Come back come back!" I choked out amidst my sobs.

I shuddered as I cried out in her chest. I grabbed her wrist again, squeezing it so tightly, as if to bring her back to life, as if I was trying to give some of my own life to her. But could it do anything at all? No.

I gently cupped her face, my heart breaking at the feel of her cold, unmoving skin. I brush a strand of hair away from her face, my fingers trembling. I trace the outline of her cheek, trying to memorize every curve, every contour, every detail of her beautiful face, "Please... Don't leave me like this... I can't do this without you... I can't live in a world without you in it... Please..."

The woman who never left my mind all these years, the woman who made my heart flutter, made me hope for a happier life and a future with her, a happy little family with her...

was NO MORE.

I moved my hand down to her wrist again and kept on squeezing it tightly, although I knew it was of no use. I was unable to breath by now, due to the force of my strangled sobs.

And then... something made me still.

A twitch...

A small twitch...

In her hand.

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*sobs* Damn, I have cried for an hour before I began writing this...3.8k chapter. I'll try to update Chapter 6 as soon as I can.

I hope this chapter was able to make you cry.

Stay tuned! 💜