The Silent Vows | VSOO (18+)

15.

"No."

He shrugs, swirling the amber liquid in his glass before turning his gaze to Jisoo.

"You must be the reason my son is running for his life."

Jisoo's spine stiffens. "I'm the reason he's still alive."

I barely suppress a smirk.

My father chuckles, raising his glass in mock salute. "Fair enough."

Then, his expression shifts, growing serious.

"How much does Minho know?"

I exhale, running a hand through my hair. "Enough."

He nods, setting his drink down. "Then we don't have much time."

Something in his tone makes the hairs on the back of my neck rise.

"You already knew he was coming," I say slowly.

His jaw tightens.

Jisoo catches on immediately. "How?"

A pause.

Then—he sighs.

"Because I made a deal with him."

The words slam into me.

My fists clench, my pulse roaring in my ears. "You did what?"

My father meets my glare, unapologetic.

"I told him you'd be here."

Jisoo's breath catches.

I take a step forward, fury burning through me. "You sold me out?"

"I saved your life." His tone is cold. "Minho was already closing in. This way, you're not walking into an ambush."

Jisoo shakes her head, disbelief flashing across her face. "You made a deal with him? Do you have any idea what he's done? What he's going to do?"

My father exhales, rubbing his temples. "I know exactly what Minho is capable of. And that's why you're going to end this."

Silence.

Then, he looks at me.

"You want to stop running?" His voice is sharp, cutting. Final. "Then kill him."

Jisoo crosses her arms. "And why the hell would we trust you?"

My father leans back against the desk, unbothered. "Because right now, I'm your best option."

I clench my jaw.

I hate that he's right.

Jisoo's fingers curl into fists. "What's the plan?"

My father picks up a folder, tossing it onto the table.

Inside—blueprints of Minho's main hideout. Security details. Weak points. Everything we need.

"You're not going to get another shot at this," my father says, watching me closely. "Minho won't stop until you're both dead. So you either take him out now—"

He pauses.

Then, he looks straight at Jisoo.

"Or he takes her first."

My blood runs cold.

Jisoo doesn't flinch, but I see the way her fingers tighten at her sides.

A choice is being forced on us.

And we both know—there's only one way this ends.

______

The wind howls outside, rattling the old windows.

Jisoo and I stand near the fireplace, away from my father's calculating gaze.

She watches me carefully. "You're thinking about it."

I exhale sharply. "Of course I'm thinking about it."

She searches my face. "Can you do it?"

I swallow hard. "I don't know."

Silence.

Then—Jisoo steps closer, her fingers grazing mine.

She's softer now.

Calmer.

"I do."

Her voice is quiet.

Certain.

"I know you can."

I look at her—really look at her.

She's not scared.

Not of Minho. Not of what we have to do.

And maybe that's why, for the first time in a long time, I believe her.

I inhale slowly, closing my fingers over hers.

"Then let's end this."