The In Between | TH -JK 🩸

68: It's Not Goodbye

Chapter's playlist
(Without you) Lana Del Rey ✨
(It's not good-bye ) Laura Pausini ☑️ this one is a must..

Lia's face drained of color, her lips parting soundlessly as she tried to move forward, to escape, but Jungkook's grip tightened around her wrist, pulling her back into the weight of his presence.

You're interrupting us. Like always," Jungkook's voice cut low, his gaze flicking to Taehyung like steel, unyielding, almost daring.

Taehyung's steps echoed as he walked fully into the room. His expression was carved in stone, every line sharp with controlled rage. His eyes didn't leave Jungkook's hold on her.

Oh, I can see," Taehyung's tone was venom dressed in velvet, each word deliberate. "You want to force her? Like you always do with people."

The air cracked between them. Lia's chest heaved as she looked from one to the other, her heart caught between two storms colliding in the same space. Jungkook's grip didn't soften, but his jaw tightened at Taehyung's words, fire sparking in his dark eyes.

"Try to let her live the way she chooses to," Taehyung's voice was low but thunderous in its warning. "And if you don't, I really might interrupt."

He stepped closer, his hand reaching out, steady and sure, to take Lia's free one. The warmth of his touch felt like an anchor against the storm raging inside her.

Jungkook's eyes followed the movement, narrowing as fire flickered in his chest. His grip on her wrist only grew tighter, as though he were refusing to let go, refusing to lose what had once been his.

"You've always wanted to have her," Jungkook bit out, his words sharp, his voice cutting through the thick silence. His gaze locked with Taehyung's, a dangerous glint in the darkness. "But sadly, her heart still remembers my name. Her eyes are still looking for me—not you."

Her breath hitched, her chest tightening. Both of them pulled at her in different directions—not just physically, but with their words, past, and power.

She wanted to scream that neither of them truly understood, that she was drowning in the war they made of her.

Jungkook's jaw clenched as he pulled Lia closer into his orbit. His eyes burned into hers, voice low and seething.

"This asshole is using you to get back at me," he spat, nodding toward Taehyung. "Since the day he knew I had a thing for you, he started being interested. Don't you see it?"

He leaned in, his words harsher, more ragged.

You want to know why I left you? His voice cracked, somewhere between fury and anguish. "Because on the day I took you to Indonesia with me, he showed up there. He threw the past in my face—forced my hand. If I hadn't walked away, he would've dragged you straight into that same shitty mess. And I couldn't...

Jungkook's breath stilled, his throat tightening before he could finish.

He continued, his voice low as his hand brushed her cheek. I couldn't lose you too. I was... afraid.

Afraid she'd find out about Zoe?
Taehyung smirked, stepping closer.

Jungkook's eyes snapped up to him, dark and sharp.
I was hoping you wouldn't make me send you home with a black eye.

Jungkook? Lia's voice snapped as she strode back, eyes wide with hurt. "You could have told me the truth. You didn't have to push me away.

Her chest rose and fell unevenly, trembling breaths catching in her throat.  And now... I can't trust either of you. I feel like I'm being stuck between you, like I'm nothing but a game. Used.