heart of ice 「 KimTaehyung * Y/N 」

Chapter 28: The Storm Begins

The weight of the phone in Y/N's hand felt unbearable. The last words Zayan had spoken echoed in her mind, sending a chilling sensation down her spine.

"I'm not asking."

Her hands trembled as she set the phone down on the coffee table. Every part of her screamed to tell Taehyung immediately, but at the same time, fear clawed at her heart. What if she told him, and things spiraled out of control? What if Zayan was capable of something worse this time?

A deep sigh left her lips as she ran a hand through her hair. She needed to think clearly.

Just as she was about to get up, the front door opened, and Taehyung walked in. He loosened his tie, his sharp eyes immediately landing on her. The second he saw her pale expression, his brows furrowed.

"What's wrong?" His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it—like he already knew something wasn't right.

Y/N swallowed hard. "Nothing. Just tired."

Taehyung didn't buy it. In three long strides, he was standing in front of her, tilting her chin up so she was forced to meet his gaze. "Don't lie to me, Y/N. What happened?"

Her lips parted, and for a moment, she considered keeping the phone call a secret. But one look into his dark, expectant eyes and she knew she couldn't.

She exhaled shakily. "Zayan called me."

The second the name left her lips, Taehyung's entire demeanor changed. His grip on her chin tightened slightly before he quickly released her. His jaw clenched, the muscle ticking as he took a step back, his hands curling into fists.

"What did he say?" His voice was calm—too calm. The kind of calm that signaled an approaching storm.

Y/N hesitated before repeating the conversation word for word. She watched as Taehyung's expression darkened with every sentence. By the time she finished, his breathing was ragged, and his eyes burned with an intensity that sent chills through her.

"He thinks he can come back into your life and threaten you?" Taehyung's voice was sharp, venomous. "He must be out of his damn mind."

Y/N bit her lip. "I don't know what he wants, but I have a bad feeling, Taehyung. He's not the same person I left behind."

Taehyung scoffed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I don't give a damn who he is now. The fact that he had the audacity to contact you means he hasn't learned his place."

She reached for his hand, gripping it tightly. "Please, don't do anything reckless."

His jaw tensed. "I won't let him get near you."

Y/N wanted to believe that. She wanted to believe that Taehyung's power, his influence, his presence—was enough to keep Zayan away. But something told her this was just the beginning.

—

Later That Night

The entire day passed in a blur. Taehyung made calls, setting up additional security around their home. He refused to let Y/N step outside without protection, which only heightened her anxiety.

By the time night fell, Y/N was curled up in bed, her thoughts running wild.

She stared at the ceiling, sleep nowhere in sight. Every sound outside made her flinch, her paranoia growing with each passing minute.

A shift in the bed beside her pulled her out of her thoughts. Taehyung turned to face her, his arm draping over her waist, pulling her against his chest.

"You're tense," he murmured against her hair.

She sighed. "I can't stop thinking about it."

Taehyung pressed a soft kiss against the side of her head. "You don't have to be scared."

"I'm not scared of him," she admitted. "I'm scared of what he might do. Of what he's capable of."

Taehyung was silent for a moment before he spoke, his voice low and firm. "If he lays a finger on you, I'll kill him."

Y/N tensed at his words. She knew he meant them. Taehyung wasn't the type to throw out empty threats.

She turned in his arms, resting her hand against his chest. "I just want this to be over."

He leaned down, capturing her lips in a slow, reassuring kiss. "It will be. I promise."

But even as he said it, a dark storm brewed outside their window.

And neither of them knew just how close it was to crashing into their lives.

—

Author's Note:

Things are getting serious now! 😳 Zayan is not backing down, and Taehyung is ready to do whatever it takes to protect Y/N. What do you think Zayan's real motive is? 👀 Let me know your thoughts! 💕