Jungkook
He should've known.
From the beginning — he should've known.
The way Taehyung looked at him that night in the ballroom. Like he'd seen a ghost, not a boy.
The way his fingers trembled the first time they touched his skin.
The way he kissed like he was trying to resurrect something.
It was never about Jungkook.
It was about someone else who used to look like him. Sound like him. Be him.
And now?
Now Jungkook was just a replica — a breathing reminder of a love long lost.
A substitute for a memory.
His chest felt like it had been carved open with glass.
He stood in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection with dead eyes.
Who was he?Who was he, really?
Not Taehyung's. Not even his own.
Just a stand-in.
A body for Taehyung's forbidden desires.
Not love.Not protection.Just… filling a hole someone else left behind.
He touched his lips where Taehyung had kissed him.
They burned.
Not from heat… but from shame.
Earlier that day, he'd heard the staff whispering again.
But this time, he listened.
And what he heard?
"He looks just like Aurel… it's frightening."
"Do you think that's why Master Taehyung keeps him here?"
"History repeating itself. But this time… more dangerous."
Jungkook didn't even cry when he heard it.
He just walked away.
He didn't want confirmation.
He already knew.
When Taehyung came to see him that night, Jungkook didn't say a word.
Didn't look at him.
Didn't smile.
Just sat there at the window, staring into nothing.
"Jungkook," Taehyung said softly.
Like he cared.
But his voice wasn't warm tonight.
It was laced with guilt. With distance. With something darker than silence.
Jungkook didn't move.
"I never meant—"
"To use me?" Jungkook cut in.
Finally turned to look him in the eye.
Taehyung's lips parted, but no answer came.
And that was all Jungkook needed.
A nod would've hurt less than this silence.
Jungkook stood. Slowly. Calmly.
Walked past Taehyung like he wasn't even there.
Like he had become the ghost now.
In the hallway, he found Elias waiting.
As if he knew.
"You figured it out, didn't you?" Elias asked.
Jungkook didn't reply.
Elias just sighed, handed him something.
Another photo. Another match.
And a note.
"You were never the first.But you might be the last."
Jungkook held the match like it was the only light left in this place.
But he didn't strike it.
Not yet.
Because some things needed to burn slowly.
Especially love built on lies.
End of Chapter 14