heart of ice 「 KimTaehyung * Y/N 」

Chapter 17: The Morning After

The first rays of dawn slipped through the curtains, casting a golden hue over the room. Y/N stirred slightly, her body nestled against the warmth beside her. For a moment, she allowed herself to enjoy the peace—the rare, fleeting sense of comfort.

But then reality struck.

Her eyes snapped open.

She was lying in Taehyung's arms.

Panic surged through her veins as she slowly tilted her head upward, her gaze landing on his sleeping form. His sharp features were softened by slumber, his dark lashes resting against his skin, his lips slightly parted. His arm was draped lazily over her waist, holding her close as if he belonged there.

As if she belonged there.

Y/N swallowed hard. What have I done?

Carefully, she untangled herself from his embrace, moving inch by inch to avoid waking him. The moment her feet hit the cold floor, she reached for her scattered clothes. Every moment from last night flashed in her mind—the way he touched her, the way he kissed her, the way he made her forget everything except him.

Her hands trembled as she buttoned up her shirt.

She needed to leave.

But before she could take a step, a deep voice cut through the silence.

"Running away already?"

She froze.

Slowly, she turned to see Taehyung propped up on his elbow, his dark eyes locked onto her with a knowing smirk. His tousled hair and bare chest made him look effortlessly breathtaking, but she forced herself to ignore it.

"I'm not running away," she replied, straightening her posture. "I just came to my senses."

Taehyung chuckled, sitting up fully. "Came to your senses?" His voice was laced with amusement. "Is that what you call last night?"

She glared at him. "It was a mistake."

His smirk faded slightly.

"A mistake?" he repeated, tilting his head.

Y/N crossed her arms, trying to mask the storm brewing inside her. "I don't know what came over me, but it won't happen again."

Taehyung stood up, not bothering to cover himself, making his way toward her with slow, predatory steps.

"And why is that?" he asked, stopping right in front of her.

She refused to back down. "Because I don't trust you."

Silence stretched between them.

Taehyung's expression remained unreadable. But then, his fingers brushed against her chin, lifting it slightly so she had no choice but to meet his gaze.

"You don't trust me," he murmured. "But that didn't stop you from moaning my name last night."

Her breath hitched, and heat rushed to her cheeks.

"Stop," she warned.

He smirked, leaning in just enough for her to feel his breath against her lips. "Afraid you'll give in again?"

Y/N clenched her fists. He was playing with her, testing her limits. But she wouldn't fall for it—not this time.

She pushed him away, forcing distance between them. "I won't let you play with me, Taehyung."

His eyes darkened. "You think I'm playing?"

She exhaled sharply. "Aren't you?"

For the first time, something unreadable flickered across his face.

"Last night meant something to me, Y/N." His voice was low, almost too quiet.

She scoffed. "You expect me to believe that? You spent months making my life hell, and now you suddenly care?"

Taehyung's jaw clenched. "You have no idea what I feel for you."

"Then tell me," she challenged. "Tell me why you keep hurting me if I actually mean something to you."

Taehyung exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Because you make me lose control."

Her heart skipped a beat.

"What?"

His gaze burned into hers. "I've always been in control—of my company, my decisions, my emotions. But you—" He let out a bitter chuckle. "You ruin all of that."

Y/N swallowed hard. "That's not love, Taehyung. That's obsession."

His expression hardened.

"Then what do you want from me, Y/N? You want me to let you go?"

She opened her mouth but found herself hesitating.

Did she?

Could she really walk away and never look back?

A part of her wanted to. But another part—the part that had craved his touch, his presence, the part that had chosen to surrender last night—wasn't so sure.

She hated him.

But she also wanted him.

"I don't know," she whispered.

Taehyung reached out, cupping her cheek. "Then stay."

Her heart pounded.

"I don't trust you," she repeated, but this time, her voice was weaker.

His thumb brushed against her lower lip. "Then let me make you trust me."

Y/N closed her eyes for a brief second, battling her own demons. But when she opened them again, she had made her decision.

She stepped back.

"No," she said firmly. "I need time."

Taehyung's expression darkened, but he didn't stop her as she grabbed her bag and headed for the door.

Just as she reached the threshold, his voice stopped her one last time.

"You can run all you want, Y/N," he said, his tone laced with a dangerous promise. "But you'll come back to me."

She didn't turn around.

She didn't have to.

Because deep down, she was terrified he was right.

Author's Note:

Whoa, what a chapter! 😳🔥 The tension between Y/N and Taehyung is at its peak, and emotions are running wild. Do you think Y/N made the right decision by walking away? Or should she have given him a chance? Let me know in the comments! 👀💖

Stay tuned for the next chapter because this battle between love and hate is far from over! 💥🔥Untitled Part 18