The Devil’s Cage (ch~2)

Your body trembled as his grip tightened painfully in your hair.

Tears blurred your vision, but your eyes still burned with anger—raw, uncontrollable anger.

Your grandmother…

The image of her falling… her unmoving body…

It replayed in your mind again and again, suffocating you.

Your chest felt heavy, your breath uneven, yet somehow—

you forced yourself to look at him.

Not with fear.

But with hatred.

“I won’t tell you anything.”

Your voice trembled… but the words were clear.

For a moment, silence stretched between you.

Then—

A low chuckle escaped his lips.

Cold. Mocking.

“You’re stronger than I expected,” he said, tilting his head slightly as if studying you.

His grip loosened, and you stumbled back, gasping softly.

“But strength…” he stepped closer again, his presence suffocating,

“breaks very easily.”

Your jaw clenched.

“Not mine.”

For a second—just a second—something flickered in his eyes.

Interest.

Then it disappeared.

“We’ll see.”

With a simple gesture of his hand, everything changed.

His men moved instantly.

Rough hands grabbed you before you could react.

“No—leave me!” you struggled, your voice sharp, refusing to sound weak.

You kicked, pushed, tried to free yourself—

but they were stronger.

Much stronger.

One of them covered your mouth.

Your screams turned into muffled sounds.

Your heart pounded wildly as panic tried to take over—

but you forced it down.

You wouldn’t give them that satisfaction.

Not him.

Not after what he did.

The last thing you saw—

was your house.

The place that once felt like home…

now destroyed.

Empty.

Gone.

Darkness consumed you.

Silence.

Then pain.

A sharp ache spread through your head as consciousness slowly returned.

You let out a quiet groan, your fingers twitching slightly as you forced your eyes open.

The ceiling above you was unfamiliar.

White. Smooth. Perfect.

Too perfect.

Your brows furrowed as confusion settled in.

Where were you?

You pushed yourself up slowly, your body weak, your movements unsteady.

Your gaze moved around the room—

and you froze.

It was huge.

Luxurious.

Every detail screamed wealth—expensive furniture, elegant decor, soft lighting.

But something about it felt wrong.

Cold.

Empty.

Like a beautiful prison.

Your breath hitched.

“So this is his world…” you whispered bitterly.

You quickly got off the bed, ignoring the dizziness, and rushed toward the door.

You grabbed the handle—

Locked.

Of course.

A bitter laugh escaped your lips.

“Kidnapping wasn’t enough?” you muttered.

“You had to lock me up too?”

You stepped back, running a hand through your hair, trying to steady your breathing.

Panic tried to rise again—

but you pushed it down.

No.

You wouldn’t break.

Not here.

Not in front of him.

The sound of the door unlocking made your body stiffen instantly.

Your gaze snapped toward it.

The door opened slowly.

And he walked in.

Jeon Jungkook

Dressed in black.

Calm.

Untouched by chaos.

As if nothing had happened.

As if he hadn’t just destroyed your life.

Your fists clenched.

“You’re awake,” he said casually, as if this was a normal conversation.

Your lips curled into a bitter smile.

“Disappointed?”

He raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Why would I be?”

You took a step closer.

Your fear was still there—deep inside—but you refused to show it.

“Because I didn’t die.”

Silence.

For a moment, his gaze locked onto yours.

Then—

he smiled.

Slow. Dangerous.

“That would make things… boring.”

Your stomach twisted in disgust.

“You’re sick.”

He didn’t react.

Didn’t get angry.

That made it worse.

“And you’re in no position to judge.”

His calm tone sent chills down your spine.

“Let me go,” you demanded, your voice firm despite everything.

He looked at you—really looked at you this time.

As if analyzing every reaction, every breath.

Then he took a step closer.

And another.

Until you could feel his presence all around you.

“Do you really think you have a choice?”

Your jaw tightened.

“I have enough to make your life hell.”

A small pause.

Then—

he laughed.

Not loudly.

Not crazily.

Just a quiet, amused sound.

And somehow…

that was more terrifying.

“You already lost everything,” he said softly.

“What exactly do you have left to threaten me with?”

Your breath caught.

For a second—

just a second—

his words hit where it hurt the most.

But instead of breaking—

you stepped closer.

Closing the distance yourself this time.

“You’re wrong.”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“I still have something.”

A pause.

“My hate.”

Silence filled the room.

Heavy. Thick.

His gaze darkened.

And for the first time—

you felt it.

Not just control.

Not just power.

But something deeper.

Interest.

Dangerous interest.

He leaned slightly closer, his voice dropping to almost a whisper.

“Good.”

Your heart skipped a beat.

“Because you’ll need it.”

A chill ran through your entire body.

You refused to step back.

Even when every instinct screamed at you to run.

“I’m not telling you anything about Jae.”

His expression didn’t change.

But the air did.

“We’ll see how long that lasts.”

You scoffed.

“You think you can scare me?”

He tilted his head slightly.

“No.”

A pause.

Then—

“I know I can break you.”

Your heartbeat quickened.

But you didn’t look away.

Didn’t flinch.

“Try.”

The word slipped out before you could stop it.

Silence.

Then—

that same smirk appeared on his lips.

Dark. Promising. Dangerous.

He stepped back slowly, as if giving you space—

but somehow making it feel worse.

“Be careful what you wish for.”

He turned toward the door.

Your chest rose and fell rapidly, your emotions a mix of anger, pain, and something you refused to name.

Before leaving, he stopped.

Without turning around, he spoke—

“Don’t let her get comfortable.”

Your heart dropped instantly.

The door opened.

Then closed.

And just like that—

he was gone.

But the fear he left behind…

stayed.

You stood there, alone in the silent room.

Your hands slowly clenched into fists.

Your nails digging into your palms.

Tears filled your eyes again—

but this time, you didn’t let them fall.

Instead…

you wiped them away.

Your gaze hardened.

“I won’t break.”

Your voice was quiet.

But your resolve wasn’t.

Because now—

this wasn’t just about survival.

This was about revenge.

And no matter how powerful he was…

no matter how dangerous this place was…

you would make him pay.

Even if it destroyed you in the proces

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