Closer Than This...(vsoo)

The morning was unusually quiet in the apartment. The tension of the past days hung heavy in the air, but something had shifted in Jisoo.

She wasn't the same person who had sat in silence, lost in despair. Now, there was a glint of determination in her eyes that hadn't been there before.

Taehyung sat at the kitchen counter, sipping his coffee and going over emails, but his gaze kept drifting to Jisoo. She was pacing back and forth in the living room, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. Her brows were furrowed in deep thought, but there was a fire in her demeanor that he hadn't seen in days.

"Jisoo," he finally said, setting his mug down.

She stopped pacing and turned to him, her expression unreadable. "Yes?"

He studied her for a moment, leaning back in his chair. "You seem... different today."

Her lips twitched in a faint smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I am."

Taehyung raised an eyebrow. "Care to elaborate?"

Jisoo crossed her arms, her gaze steady. "I've decided I am done being a victim, Taehyung. I've spent too much time letting their lies and schemes control me. My parents didn't raise me to be weak. If Heyjin and Taehwan think they can break me, they're in for a rude awakening."

Taehyung's eyes widened slightly, and then a slow, approving smile spread across his face. He stood and walked over to her, stopping just a few feet away. "You've been through hell these past few days, and yet here you are, ready to fight back. I am impressed."

Jisoo tilted her head, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Impressed? Is that all?"

He chuckled, the sound low and warm. "More than impressed. I am in awe, Jisoo. Most people would crumble under the weight of everything you've endured. But you... you're stronger than I ever realized."

Her expression softened at his words, and for a moment, she allowed herself to feel the warmth of his admiration. "I don't feel strong, Taehyung. Most of the time, I feel like I am barely holding it together."

"And yet you're still standing," he said, his voice firm. "Strength isn't about never falling. It's about getting back up every time you do. And that's exactly what you're doing."

Jisoo looked down, her grip on her phone tightening. "It's not just about me anymore. My parents deserve justice. Their memory deserves better than the lies Heyjin has been feeding me. And you... you deserve better than to be caught in the middle of all this."

Taehyung's expression softened, and he stepped closer, his hand reaching out to gently tilt her chin up so she was looking at him. "Jisoo, don't ever think that I regret being a part of this. Being with you, standing by your side, it's where I want to be. No matter what happens, we're in this together."

Her eyes glistened, but she didn't let the tears fall. Instead, she gave him a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Taehyung. For everything."

He smirked, his hand dropping from her chin but lingering near hers. "Well, if you're thanking me now, I might have to start keeping a tally."

She rolled her eyes, a hint of amusement breaking through her serious demeanor. "Don't push your luck."

Taehyung laughed, the sound easing the tension in the room. "I wouldn't dare."

Jisoo took a deep breath, her resolve solidifying once more. "I am going to the Kim mansion today. I need to confront Heyjin. I need to hear the truth from her mouth."

Taehyung's playful expression disappeared, replaced by concern. "Are you sure that's a good idea? She's dangerous, Jisoo. She's already proven she'll do anything to protect her secrets."