Closer Than This...(vsoo)

68.

Taehyung sat on the couch, his laptop resting on his knees, but his attention was entirely on Jisoo. She had returned from the Kim Mansion hours ago, but she hadn't said a word about what had happened.

Instead, she had changed into her workout gear and headed straight to the home gym. That had been over two hours ago, and she hadn't stopped since.

Her movements were sharp and deliberate as she flowed through her Pilates routine. Every stretch and twist seemed more like an outlet for her frustration than a focus on fitness. Her jaw was clenched, her eyes hard, and her breathing was steady yet intense.

Taehyung sighed, leaning back against the couch, watching her through the open glass doors of the gym. He hated seeing her like this...furious, focused, but not willing to talk. He could feel her turmoil even from a distance.

The sound of the doorbell broke through his thoughts. Taehyung stood to answer it and found Jungkook and Roseanne standing there, grinning as always.

"We figured Jisoo could use some cheering up," Jungkook said, holding up a bag of takeout.

"And we brought enough for everyone," Roseanne added, peeking past Taehyung. "Is she home?"

Taehyung stepped aside, letting them in. "She's home, but... she's been in the gym for hours. I don't think she's in the mood to talk."

Roseanne frowned, setting the takeout bag on the counter. "That doesn't sound like her. Is everything okay?"

"I don't know," Taehyung admitted, his voice low. "She won't say what happened at the mansion. She came back and just... started working out. I've never seen her like this."

Jungkook exchanged a glance with Roseanne before heading toward the gym. "Let me talk to her."

Inside the gym, Jisoo was mid-stretch when she noticed Jungkook leaning against the doorway, his arms crossed and a small smirk on his face.

"Two hours, huh?" he teased. "Trying to set a new world record or something?"

Jisoo didn't reply, her movements fluid as she shifted to the next exercise.

"Jisoo," Jungkook said softly, stepping closer. "Talk to me. What's going on?"

She paused for a moment, her hands gripping the edge of the reformer tightly. Her shoulders rose and fell with her deep breaths. "I don't want to talk about it, Jungkook."

"Why not?" he asked gently. "You've always talked to me. Whatever it is, we can figure it out together."

Jisoo shook her head, her ponytail swishing with the motion. "Not this time. This... this is something I have to deal with myself."

Jungkook was about to respond when Roseanne appeared beside him, her expression concerned. "Jisoo, we're worried about you."

"I am fine," Jisoo said, her tone sharper than she intended. She immediately softened, guilt flickering across her face. "I am sorry. I just... I need to clear my head."

Roseanne walked over, placing a hand on Jisoo's arm. "Clearing your head is one thing, but pushing yourself to the brink isn't going to help. Come on, let's take a break. We brought food."

Jisoo hesitated, her gaze flicking between Roseanne and Jungkook. Finally, she sighed and nodded, grabbing a towel to wipe her face.

When the three of them returned to the living room, Taehyung had set the table with plates and the takeout. His eyes met Jisoo's, and he gave her a small, reassuring smile.

"Feeling better?" he asked, his tone casual but laced with concern.

She nodded, though her expression remained guarded. "A little."

As they sat down to eat, the conversation turned light, with Roseanne chattering about her latest shopping trip and Jungkook chiming in with jokes.

Taehyung stayed quiet, observing Jisoo closely. She laughed at Roseanne's antics and even joined in on a joke Jungkook made, but there was still a distance in her eyes that he couldn't ignore.

Taehyung leaned back in his chair, watching her carefully. He knew Jisoo would open up when she was ready, but until then, he would do everything he could to support her.

As the takeout dinner neared its end, Jisoo leaned back in her chair, staring at the empty plate in front of her.

The light chatter had died down, replaced by a comfortable silence, but her mind was anything but quiet. She could feel the weight of everyone's gaze on her, their unspoken concern hanging in the air.

She took a deep breath, glancing at the three people who had been by her side through everything. Taehyung, sitting with his arms crossed, his sharp eyes never leaving her.

Jungkook, leaning forward, always ready to offer support. And Roseanne, who had been trying to lighten the mood but now sat quietly, waiting.

"I went to the Kim Mansion to confront Heyjin," Jisoo said suddenly, breaking the silence.

All three heads turned toward her, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity.

"What happened?" Taehyung asked softly, his tone measured.

Jisoo clasped her hands together tightly, her fingers trembling slightly. "I confronted her about everything...the car accident, my parents, the lies, and her involvement with Taehwan. I needed her to admit it."

"And?" Jungkook prompted, his voice low but urgent.

"She didn't deny it," Jisoo said bitterly, her gaze dropping to the table. "She admitted to orchestrating my marriage with Taehyung, working with Taehwan to take over Hyung's and Bliss. But when I asked about the accident..." Her voice broke for a moment, and she took a shaky breath. "She said she didn't know everything. That Taehwan kept the details from her."

Taehyung's jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists on the table. "That bastard."

Jisoo shook her head, her voice trembling. "She's been lying to me my whole life. I don't know what's true and what's not anymore. And now, knowing that Taehwan is pulling the strings..." She looked up, her eyes filled with desperation. "I don't know what to do."

Roseanne reached out, placing a hand over Jisoo's. "Jisoo, you don't have to figure this out alone. We're here for you."

Jungkook nodded firmly. "You've already taken a huge step by confronting her. That takes guts. Now we just need to figure out the next move."

Taehyung's gaze softened as he leaned toward her. "Jisoo, you've been through hell, but you're still standing. That says more about your strength than anything else. We'll handle this together."

Jisoo looked at him, her lips pressing into a thin line. "But what can we do? Taehwan and Heyjin are powerful, and they have years of lies and manipulation on their side. They're already ten steps ahead."

"Then we'll close the gap," Jungkook said determinedly. "We'll dig into everything...find their weak spots, their secrets. Everyone has something to hide, even them."

Roseanne nodded eagerly. "We'll find proof of what they've done. If we can expose them, they'll lose their power."

Taehyung placed a hand on Jisoo's shoulder, his touch firm but reassuring. "You're not alone in this, Jisoo. We'll fight them together. But you have to trust us and let us help you."

Jisoo looked at each of them, her heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and determination. For so long, she had felt trapped and isolated, but now, surrounded by these people, she felt a glimmer of hope.

"Okay," she said quietly, her voice gaining strength. "We'll fight them. But this time, we'll do it on our terms."

Her words were met with nods of agreement, and for the first time in days, a small smile tugged at her lips.

They didn't have all the answers yet, but with Taehyung, Jungkook, and Roseanne by her side, she felt ready to face whatever came next.

Because they are together.