Threads of fate

After the party ended, the Kim family members one by one bid their goodbyes to Minji and her family. The night had been long, and everyone was ready to return to their villa and rest. Jin, holding Jiho's hand while carrying a sleepy Jiwon in his arms, was the last to approach Minji.

"Take care, Minji," Jin said softly, adjusting Jiwon's head against his shoulder.

Minji pouted. "You're leaving so soon? I barely got to spend time with you!"

Jin chuckled. "I think we spent enough time, considering how you kept dragging me to meet all your friends."

Minji grinned. "I had to! Do you know how many people were asking about you?"

Jin shook his head fondly. "We'll talk later. Have a good night, and congratulations again."

Minji said good night and left the place to see her parents.

Just as Jin turned to leave, Namjoon stepped forward, stopping him. Jin sighed internally, already knowing what was coming.

"Jin hyung, please..." Namjoon’s voice trembled slightly, thick with emotion. "We really need to talk. Please don’t shut us out."

Jin hesitated. He knew this moment would come, but he had been avoiding it all night. "There's nothing to talk about," he said, keeping his tone firm.

Namjoon didn't budge. "You know that's not true. We need to talk, all of us. You can't keep running from this, please hyung."

Jin clenched his jaw. He didn't want to do this-not now, not ever. But he also knew that delaying it wouldn't change anything. One way or another, they would have to face this conversation. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"Fine," he finally said. "I'll meet you all after I put my kids to sleep."

Namjoon gave a small nod. "We'll be waiting."

Without another word, Jin turned and walked away, tightening his grip on Jiho's hand as he led him toward their villa. Jiho looked up at him curiously but didn't say anything. Jiwon was already half-asleep in his arms, her little hand curled around his shirt.

Once they reached their villa, Jin carefully laid Jiwon in bed and tucked her in before turning to Jiho. The boy yawned, rubbing his eyes as he climbed onto the bed beside his sister.

"Appa, are you going somewhere?" Jiho mumbled sleepily.

Jin brushed a hand through his son's hair. "Just for a little while. I'll be back before you wake up."

Jiho hummed in response, already dozing off. Jin watched them for a moment, his heart softening at the sight of his two precious children sleeping peacefully. They were the reason he had built a new life. The reason he had chosen to leave everything behind.

With a heavy heart, Jin quietly left the room, closing the door behind him. Without telling anyone in his family, he made his way back to the resort, where the BTS members were waiting for him in a private room.

He didn't know what was about to happen, but he braced himself for it.

The atmosphere inside the private room was heavy with tension as Jin stepped in. The air felt suffocating, filled with anticipation, regret, and emotions left unsaid for too long.

Jimin was the first to notice him. His eyes widened in shock and relief as he rushed toward Jin without hesitation. "Hyung!" he cried, wrapping his arms tightly around him. "We missed you so much."

Jin didn't move, didn't react. He stood still for a few seconds before slowly, gently removing Jimin's arms from around him. The warmth that used to be in his touch was no longer there. His expression was unreadable as he took a step back, creating a distance between himself and the people he once called family.