The Silent Vows | VSOO (18+)

14.

But at this point, we don't have another choice.

I meet her gaze. "My father."

Jisoo doesn't say anything for a long time.

Then—she nods.

It's not an easy decision.

I can tell by the way her hands tighten at her sides, the way she chews the inside of her cheek like she's trying to keep herself from arguing.

But she doesn't.

Because we both know—this is our only chance.

I pull out my phone, fingers tightening around it before I dial.

It rings.

Once.

Twice.

Then—a voice answers.

"Taehyung."

I exhale slowly. "Dad."

A pause.

Then—his voice sharpens. "I was wondering when you'd finally call."

Jisoo tenses beside me.

I ignore the bitterness in his tone. "I need a way out."

A dry chuckle. "I assume this has something to do with Minho?"

I clench my jaw. "He's after Jisoo. And me."

Another pause.

Then, finally—a sigh.

"There's a safe house outside the city. Take Highway 17. It'll take you into the mountains. I'll send coordinates."

I let out a slow breath.

It's more than I expected.

"Be careful, son." His voice is softer. Almost hesitant. "Minho isn't someone you can outrun forever."

The line clicks dead.

I lower the phone.

Jisoo is already watching me, her expression unreadable.

"You trust him?" she asks.

No.

But I don't say that.

I just tighten my grip on my phone.

"It's our only shot."

The drive is tense, filled with silence and unfinished thoughts.

Jisoo sits in the passenger seat, one hand resting lightly on the gun in her lap, the other pressed against the window as she watches the city fade behind us.

We're running.

But Minho is always one step ahead.

I feel it before it happens.

The shift in the air.

The way the road behind us is too quiet.

Then—headlights appear in the rearview mirror.

My pulse spikes.

"Taehyung," Jisoo says sharply.

I already know.

Minho's men.

They found us.

The SUV behind us picks up speed.

"Hold on," I grit out.

Then—I slam on the gas.

The engine roars as we weave through the dark highway, the world blurring past.

The SUV behind us doesn't hesitate.

It gains on us.

Jisoo curses. "We can't outrun them forever!"

I know.

I see the road up ahead—a narrow bridge.

It's a risk.

But we don't have a choice.

"Get ready," I warn.

Jisoo barely has time to react before—

A gunshot.

The back window shatters.

Jisoo ducks. "Shit—!"

I swerve hard, nearly skidding off the road.

Another shot.

The tires screech against the pavement.

Jisoo grabs the gun.

She leans out the window—

And fires.

Once.

Twice.

The SUV swerves.

Then—it crashes into the railing, flipping over.

For a split second, everything is silent.

Then, with a sickening crunch, the SUV plunges into the ravine below.

Jisoo stares out the window, chest heaving.

I grip the wheel tightly.

It's over.

For now.

_______

The city disappears behind us.

The road stretches into the unknown.

Jisoo exhales slowly, her shoulders finally relaxing.

"You okay?" I ask.

She nods. But I can tell she's lying.

I reach over, grasping her hand.

She flinches slightly at the contact—then squeezes back.

She doesn't let go.

Neither do I.

We drive into the night, our hands still intertwined.

For now—we're still here.

But we both know.

Minho isn't finished yet.

And the next time we face him—

Only one of us is making it out alive.