Isabella and Jungkook were sitting on the couch, the soft glow of the evening light filling the room. They had just settled down after dinner, and Jungkook was still processing the earlier tension he had witnessed between Namjoon and Hana.

“I hope they work things out,” Jungkook said, looking at Isabella with concern. “I hate seeing them fight.”

Isabella nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Yeah, it’s tough. But I think they’ll be okay. They just need to communicate better. Namjoon can be a bit dense when it comes to emotions, though.”

Jungkook chuckled, a hint of relief washing over him. “You’re telling me! It’s like he has a brick wall around his feelings sometimes.”

Isabella smiled, appreciating the shared understanding. “And when it comes to being a parent, it’s even more important to be open. If he ever pulls that ‘you’re overreacting’ crap with Hana—”

“Don’t finish that sentence,” Jungkook interrupted, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I don’t want to imagine that kind of situation. You’d probably go all mafia queen on him.”

“Oh, you better believe it,” Isabella replied with a smirk, leaning closer to Jungkook. “If you ever say anything like that to me when we become parents, I will fight back harsher than Hana did today. I won’t let you get away with that kind of nonsense.”

Jungkook gulped, his eyes widening slightly at her fierce tone. “I’ll remember that. I wouldn’t want to be on your bad side.”

Isabella laughed, feeling a warmth spread through her chest at the thought of their future together. “Good. Because I’m serious. Parenting is hard enough without dismissing each other’s feelings. I want us to be a team.”

“Absolutely,” Jungkook said earnestly. “I promise I’ll always be there for you, and I’ll listen. You won’t have to worry about me shutting down or being insensitive.”

“Good,” she replied, her voice softening. “I love that about you. You’re already such a great partner, and I know you’ll be an amazing father.”

They shared a moment of silence, their eyes locking in a connection that felt deeper than words. Jungkook reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind Isabella’s ear, his fingers lingering on her skin.

“You’re going to make an incredible mother,” he murmured. “I can’t wait for that day.”

Isabella’s heart raced at his words, a mixture of excitement and nervousness swirling within her. “Neither can I. But let’s focus on the present for now. One step at a time, right?”

“Right,” Jungkook agreed, and they both smiled, feeling a sense of peace enveloping them.

Meanwhile, on the terrace, Ariana and Tae were sharing a different kind of moment. The night sky was awash with stars, twinkling brightly above them as they leaned against the railing, enjoying the cool breeze.

Ariana wrapped her arms around herself, taking a deep breath as she stared up at the cosmos. “It’s so beautiful out here,” she said, her voice filled with wonder. “I forgot how calming it is to just be outside and breathe.”

“Yeah, it is,” Tae replied, glancing at her with a warm smile. “There’s something magical about the stars. They remind me that even when things get tough, there’s still beauty in the world.”

Ariana nodded, feeling the weight of her past slowly lifting. “You’re right. I’ve been so caught up in my fears and the memories of what happened… but standing here, I can almost feel hope again.”

Tae turned to face her fully, his expression serious. “Ari, I know you’re still healing. But I want you to know that I’m here for you. No matter what you need, I’ll always support you.”

“Thank you, Tae,” she said, her heart swelling at his words. “It means a lot to me that you’re willing to be patient. I don’t want to rush into anything, especially with everything that’s happened.”

“I get it,” Tae replied, his voice gentle. “I just want to be someone you can rely on. I like being around you, and I want to help you find your way back to happiness.”

Ariana’s cheeks flushed at his sincerity. “You’ve already done so much for me. I never expected to find someone like you in all of this chaos.”

Tae chuckled, a lightness returning to the moment. “I’m just a guy who enjoys spending time with an amazing woman. And if I get to help you along the way, then that’s just a bonus.”

Ariana smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. “You really know how to make someone feel special, don’t you?”

“It’s my secret talent,” Tae teased, flashing her a playful grin. “But seriously, I care about you, Ari. You deserve all the good things in life.”

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the sounds of the night surrounding them. Ariana gazed up at the stars, her mind wandering to the future. She had come so far, and though the journey ahead was still uncertain, she felt a flicker of hope ignite within her.

“Tae,” she said, breaking the silence. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course,” he replied, his tone encouraging.

“What do you see for yourself in the future?” Ariana asked, her curiosity piqued. “Beyond the mafia and everything that comes with it.”

Tae leaned against the railing, contemplating her question. “Honestly? I see myself doing what I love—protecting my family and those I care about. I want to be someone who makes a difference, even if it’s just in small ways.”

Ariana admired his determination. “That’s really inspiring. You have such a good heart, Tae.”

He shrugged, a hint of modesty in his expression. “I try. But I also want to be happy, you know? I want to find someone I can share my life with.”

Ariana’s heart raced at his words. “You’ll find that person. You deserve to be happy too.”

“I hope so,” Tae said, turning to look at her directly. “What about you? What do you want for your future?”

“I want to reopen my bakery and make it a place where people can come together,” she said, her voice filled with passion. “I want to create something special, just like my sister did. I miss that part of my life.”

“You should definitely do that,” Tae encouraged, his eyes shining with excitement. “I’ll help you however I can. If you need someone to taste-test your pastries, I’m your guy!”

Ariana laughed, feeling lighter at his enthusiasm. “I might take you up on that. You’ll have to promise not to judge my baking skills too harshly.”

“Never,” Tae said, a grin spreading across his face. “I’ll be your biggest fan, I promise.”

As they continued to talk under the stars, Ariana felt a sense of connection growing between them. It was still new, and she was cautious, but there was something undeniable about the way they understood each other.

“Thank you for being so supportive, Tae,” Ariana said softly, her eyes meeting his. “I really appreciate it.”

“Always,” he replied, his tone sincere. “You’re worth it.”

They stood there, sharing laughter and stories, slowly allowing their walls to come down. The world around them faded as they found solace in each other’s company, a spark igniting in the cool night air.

Back inside, Isabella and Jungkook were still on the couch, the earlier tension from the Namjoon and Hana situation now replaced with a light-hearted atmosphere. Jungkook pulled Isabella closer, resting his chin atop her head.

“I’m glad we had this talk,” he said quietly. “I feel more connected to you now than ever.”

“Me too,” Isabella replied, snuggling against him. “I think it’s important for us to communicate openly about everything, especially as we think about our future together.”

Jungkook nodded, feeling a sense of warmth spread through him. “I promise to always be honest with you. I want us to be partners in every sense of the word.”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Isabella said, her heart swelling with affection for him.

As they sat together, the laughter and joy of their friends resonated throughout the house, creating an atmosphere of love and unity. In that moment, everything felt right, and they were reminded of the importance of having each other, no matter the challenges that lay ahead.

In the midst of their struggles and victories, both couples knew they were building something beautiful together. The future was uncertain, but they had each other to lean on, and that made all the difference.