Chapter 15: The Last

The morning light cast long shadows across the mansion's grand hallway as Taehyung, his face pale and drawn, stood before Jaehyun, a suitcase at his feet. His eyes, usually bright with life, were clouded with a sadness that mirrored the heavy weight in his heart.

“Are you sure about this, Taehyung?” Jaehyun asked, her voice a soft whisper, her hand gently resting on his arm. Her eyes, usually brimming with warmth, were filled with a profound sadness that mirrored the pain in Taehyung's heart.

Taehyung nodded, his throat constricted with unshed tears. “Yes, Ma'am. I'm sure.”

Jaehyun's lips curved into a sad smile, her heart aching for the young man who had become like a son to her. “I'm so sorry, Taehyung. I wish things were different.”

“It's okay, Ma'am,” Taehyung said, his voice barely a whisper. “I'm grateful for everything you've done for me. I was happy here, in your mansion. You treated me so well.”

Jaehyun pulled him into a tight embrace, her arms enveloping him like a warm embrace. She held him close, whispering words of comfort against his hair, her voice trembling with emotion. “I'm so proud of you, Taehyung. You're a good man, a kind man. I hope you find happiness, wherever you go.”

Taehyung returned the embrace, his own tears finally spilling over, a torrent of grief and longing. “I hope the best for you and your company, Ma'am. Thank you for everything.”

They pulled away, their eyes locked in a silent exchange of unspoken emotions.  The air hung heavy with the weight of their farewell.

“Jungkook...” Taehyung began, his voice choked with emotion.

Jaehyun's eyes softened, a hint of sadness clouding her gaze. “Jungkook needs to fix some things on his own, Taehyung. He couldn't say goodbye.”  She reached into her pocket and pulled out a letter, its edges slightly worn. “He asked me to give this to you. He said to open it once you're on the plane.”

Taehyung took the letter, his fingers trembling slightly. He looked at Jaehyun, his eyes filled with confusion and a hint of longing. “I understand.”

Jaehyun led him outside, her hand gently resting on his arm. Jin stood by the car, his face etched with a mixture of concern and sadness.

“Goodbye, Ma'am,” Taehyung whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He turned to Jin, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.  “Let's go.”

Jin bowed his head to Jaehyun in a gesture of gratitude. “Thank you for everything.”

Jaehyun watched as the car pulled away, the city lights blurring into streaks of color as it disappeared into the distance. Tears streamed down her face, a silent testament to the bittersweet farewell. She felt the weight of Taehyung's departure, the unspoken longing in his eyes, the unspoken pain in his heart.

She knew that Jungkook needed to find his own way, to learn from his mistakes.  But she also knew that he would never truly be happy without Taehyung. She hoped that time, distance, and reflection would bring them back together.

The apartment door swung open, revealing Jungkook standing awkwardly outside of her apartment. Soojin, startled by his sudden appearance, stood frozen, her hand still on the doorknob. A wave of surprise washed over her, quickly followed by a surge of joy.

“Jungkook? What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice laced with a mixture of surprise and delight.

Jungkook stood there, his eyes fixed on her, but they held a hollow emptiness that made her heart sink. He looked lost, adrift, as if a part of him was missing.

“Do you want to come in?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Jungkook shook his head, his gaze remaining fixed on her. “No, I can't stay. I just... I needed to see you... to tell you something.”

Soojin's smile faltered, a sense of unease creeping into her heart. “Come on, Jungkook. What's wrong?”

His eyes never left her, his shoulders slumped, and his body radiated an aura of defeat.

“Soojin,” he began, his voice barely a whisper, “I need to apologize. I used you. I used you to make someone else jealous. I thought it would work, that it would make him realize my genuine feelings. But it didn't. It failed miserably.”

Soojin's heart lurched, the realization hitting her like a punch to the gut. She had been so blinded by her love for him, so eager to believe in his promises, that she hadn't seen the truth. She had been a pawn in his game, a means to an end.

“Jungkook...” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “I... I loved you. I thought we were building something real.”

He looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of regret and sorrow. “I know. And I'm so sorry. But there's nothing we can do. I need to end things between us.  I can't keep pretending anymore.”

“No, Jungkook, please,” she pleaded, her voice cracking with despair. “Don't do this. We can work things out. We can fix this.”

He shook his head, his eyes filled with a resolute sadness. “No, Soojin. There's nothing to fix. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for breaking your heart. I hope you can find someone better, someone who deserves your love.”

“No, Jungkook, please!” Soojin cried, her voice breaking into a sob. She dropped to her knees, her hands reaching out to him, her eyes pleading with him to stay. “Don't leave me. I love you. Please, don't leave me.”

Jungkook stood there, his heart aching with a mixture of guilt and sadness. He wanted to comfort her, to take her pain away because he was the one who hurt her, but he knew he couldn't. He had made his choice, and he couldn't go back.

“I'm sorry, Soojin,” he whispered, his voice filled with a profound sadness. He turned and walked away, leaving her kneeling on the floor, her sobs echoing in the empty apartment. He had broken her heart, and he knew there was no way to mend it. He had made a choice, a choice that had cost him dearly. But in his heart, he knew he had made the right one.