The Silent Vows | VSOO (18+)

13.

Jisoo goes still.

My stomach tightens.

"Jungkook," I say slowly. "What are you saying?"

Jungkook meets my gaze.

And in that moment, I know.

I know before he even pulls the gun.

Jungkook's gun is steady, his expression blank.

"You don't have to do this," I say quietly.

His jaw tightens. "I don't have a choice."

I can hear Jisoo's breath quicken beside me, her hands clenching into fists.

"You sold us out," she says, voice shaking with fury.

Jungkook flinches. Just slightly. But enough.

"Minho made an offer." His voice is hoarse. "He promised me—"

Jisoo laughs, but there's no humor in it. Just cold, bitter disbelief.

"Unbelievable," she breathes.

I watch Jungkook carefully, my muscles coiled, ready. "What did he promise you?"

Jungkook's grip on the gun tightens.

He doesn't answer.

Because we already know.

Minho promised his life.

Minho promised freedom.

And Jungkook took the deal.

I shift slightly. Just enough to test him.

The gun doesn't waver.

Jisoo's voice is sharp. "After everything—"

"He would have killed me, Jisoo," Jungkook snaps. "Do you understand that? He's going to kill all of us."

"Then why not fight?" I demand.

Jungkook lets out a sharp, humorless laugh.

"Fight?" He shakes his head. "You don't get it. Minho's already won. You think you can keep running? You think this ends with us just walking away?"

He takes a slow breath.

His next words slice through the air like a blade.

"It's over, Taehyung."

No.

Not yet.

Not while I'm still breathing.

I don't hesitate.

I move.

Jungkook pulls the trigger—but I'm faster.

I slam into him, knocking the gun away. It fires off, the shot echoing through the safe house, shattering the window, but Jisoo is already moving—grabbing a knife from the table.

Jungkook struggles against me, but I grab his wrist, twisting it back.

"Don't make me do this," I warn, voice rough.

Jungkook's eyes flash. "You think you're any better than me?"

I don't answer.

Because the truth is—I don't know.

Jisoo moves beside me, her knife pressed to his throat.

Her hands aren't shaking.

Her voice isn't, either.

"Give me one good reason," she breathes, eyes dark.

Jungkook swallows.

He doesn't speak.

Then, finally, he laughs.

"Guess I picked the wrong side," he mutters.

Jisoo's grip tightens.

I touch her arm. "Jisoo."

She hesitates.

Then, she lets go.

"Get out," she says.

Jungkook hesitates. Just a fraction of a second. But then, he does.

And just like that—it's over.

The second Jungkook is gone, Jisoo staggers.

I catch her.

Her entire body is shaking.

I press my forehead against hers, forcing her to look at me.

"We're alive," I remind her. "That's what matters."

Her breath is uneven, her fingers gripping my shirt like a lifeline.

Then—she pulls me into a desperate kiss.

It's rough, messy. A mix of anger, relief, and something much deeper.

I kiss her back just as hard.

Because I don't know what comes next.

All I know is that we're running out of time.

And the next time Minho finds us—

There won't be another escape.