Jeon Jungkook

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I smashed my fist into the desk, papers flying everywhere, the sound of splintering wood barely cutting through the haze of my mind. It wasn’t enough. The desk, the lamp, the chair—none of it was enough to release the frustration that had been building inside me all day. I grabbed a stack of files and threw them against the wall, watching as they scattered to the floor like my thoughts.

"Busan?" The word echoed in my head, bouncing around my skull until it made me dizzy. I thought about the meeting earlier, the way my senior had stood there in front of the whole team, all eyes on me when they announced the transfer.

"Jungkook, we need someone experienced for this case in Busan. It’s high-profile, sensitive... You’re the best fit. Are you okay with the transfer?"

Without thinking, I’d said "Yes." The answer came automatically, like it was a reflex. Of course, I wanted to be far away. Far from the drama, the expectations, the constant reminder of a life I didn’t want—being a husband, being tied down. "Yes," because it meant distance from everything that suffocated me.

But now... Now I wasn’t so sure.

I smashed a photo frame against the wall, shards of glass raining down around me. Why the hell was I second-guessing this? Why did my chest feel tight, like something was pulling me back, dragging me into a confusion I didn’t want to face?

This was what I wanted, right? To be free. To live without anyone expecting me to play a role I never asked for. Arin and I—we’re clear on what this is. There’s no confusion. No messy feelings. We fulfill each other’s needs when necessary, but there’s no love, no attachment. It’s transactional. So why does it feel like something’s wrong?

"Hey, man, you alright?" A voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Whoa, man, what the hell is going on? You redecorating or something?" He chuckled, stepping into the room, like he always does when he’s in a teasing mood.

I wasn’t in the mood.

He glanced around at the mess before zeroing in on me. "Heard you’re getting shipped off to Busan," he said, crossing his arms. "What’s that about? Trying to run away from something?"

His tone was light, but that last comment hit me wrong. I narrowed my eyes but didn’t respond. Eunwoo being his usual nosey self wasn’t new, but today it grated on my nerves more than usual.

Eunwoo kept going, oblivious to the tension building in me. "You sure you’re not just trying to avoid something at home, huh? Maybe a girl?" He wiggled his eyebrows like it was some kind of joke.

I stiffened. He didn’t know about Arin. Nobody in the office did, and I had kept it that way for a reason.

Eunwoo, misreading the whole situation, smirked. "What? Did you leave some chick hanging, or are you dodging a messy breakup or something? You don’t gotta run all the way to Busan just to escape your ex, man." He laughed, clearly amused by his own joke.

That was it. That was the push.

Without thinking, I lunged at him, grabbing him by the collar. "You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, so shut your mouth," I growled, my voice low and dangerous.

Eunwoo’s smirk vanished, replaced with shock. "Whoa, calm down, man! I was just kidding!"

But I wasn’t calming down. My fist balled up, and before I knew it, I swung at him, landing a punch square on his jaw. The sound of the hit reverberated through the room, and Eunwoo stumbled back, his eyes wide with surprise and anger.

"The hell’s wrong with you?" he spat, wiping the blood from his lip. He came at me, ready to hit back, but before he could, two of our colleagues rushed in, pulling us apart.

"Stop it! What’s gotten into you, Jungkook?" one of them shouted, holding me back while the other restrained Eunwoo.

Eunwoo glared at me, his chest heaving. "You’re losing it, man. I don’t know what’s going on with you, but that was messed up."

I yanked myself free from the guy holding me, breathing hard, my fists still clenched. The room was silent except for the sound of our heavy breathing. Everyone was staring, shocked. I never lost control like this. I was always the calm one, the composed one. But today, something had snapped.

I didn’t bother explaining myself. I just stormed out, ignoring the stares and whispers behind me.

The drive home blurred into a haze. I couldn’t shake the image of Eunwoo’s stupid smirk or the words he’d said. It wasn’t just that he’d been wrong about everything. It was something deeper. Like he’d hit a nerve I didn’t even know was there.

When I got home, the scent of something familiar hit me the moment I stepped inside. The house felt warm, lived in—like an actual home, something I rarely noticed before. I didn’t understand why, but I felt this overwhelming need to see Arin. To tell her everything.

Without thinking, I walked straight to her room and knocked. The moment she opened the door, all the tension, all the frustration from the day boiled over. I kissed her before I could stop myself, desperate and rough, like I needed her to pull me out of the chaos in my head.

It wasn’t like our usual moments. There was something raw in the way I kissed her, something that went beyond just need. But I didn’t have time to figure it out. I just kept going, kept losing myself in her, hoping it would help.

When it was over, I started to leave, but Arin’s voice stopped me for the first time.

"Jungkook."

I froze.

"What happened today?" Her tone was soft, curious but gentle. It felt strange hearing her ask me about anything. Usually, we didn’t talk unless we had to.

I sighed, the weight of the day crashing down on me again. "I got transferred to Busan," I muttered.

"Oh," she said, and that was it. Just "Oh."

For some reason, that made me feel… disappointed. I had expected her to say more. To care. Maybe even ask me to stay. But she didn’t. She just nodded, like it didn’t matter, like my transfer to Busan was as ordinary as the weather. And for some reason, that made me feel... disappointed.And why would she? We had an understanding from the start. No complications, no expectations.

So why did I feel so empty as I walked out of the room?

I left the room without another word, closing the door behind me, but as I walked away, my mind was still spinning. What the hell was I expecting? We had no attachment. No strings. I was just being ridiculous.

Busan would be good for me. Distance would be good for me.

But then why did I feel like I was leaving something behind?

_______________________________________

The morning light streamed through the kitchen window as I made my way to breakfast, the scent of fresh coffee and something delicious wafting through the air. My stomach churned with a mix of apprehension and dread. Would today be any different?

As I stepped into the dining room, I spotted Arin sitting at the table, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, a few strands framing her face. She looked up, her eyes brightening at my arrival, though there was a hint of uncertainty in her smile. I returned the smile, but it felt a bit forced.

“Good morning,” I muttered, taking a seat across from her. She had set a plate for me, brimming with toast and scrambled eggs. I felt a flicker of guilt thinking that she deserved more than my scattered emotions.

While I dug into my food, she broke the silence, her tone casual but laced with concern. “So, when are you heading to Busan?”

I swallowed a bite of toast, a heaviness settling in my chest. “In a week.”

“Oh, okay,” she said, her voice steady but her eyes searching mine. “If you need help with anything before you go, just let me know.”

“Yeah, okay,” I replied, keeping my voice even. I wanted to reach out and assure her that it would be fine, but something held me back. The way she brushed it off felt both reassuring and unsettling. Did she really think it was that simple?

We finished breakfast in a comfortable silence, but I could feel the weight of our unspoken thoughts hanging between us. After a few moments, I pushed my plate aside and stood up. “I’ll see you later,” I said, grabbing my bag and heading for the door, leaving her with a look that lingered in my mind.

As I arrived at the station, the familiar sights of my workplace felt different today. I spotted Eunwoo leaning against the wall, his expression unreadable. The memory of yesterday’s fight flooded back, the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I knew I had to make it right.

“Hey, Eunwoo,” I called, walking over.

He looked up, surprise flickering across his features. “You,” he said, crossing his arms defensively. “What do you want?”

“I… I wanted to apologize,” I started, my voice steadier than I felt. “What I did yesterday wasn’t right.”

Eunwoo frowned, his eyes narrowing. “You really think I’m gonna just accept your apology after that? You threw a punch, man.”

I took a deep breath, ready for a fight if it came down to it. “I messed up. I shouldn’t have lost my cool like that.”

Eunwoo studied me for a moment, the tension lingering in the air. Then he sighed, uncrossing his arms. “Look, it’s fine, bro. Just don’t let it happen again, okay? We’re all under pressure.”

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”

The day dragged on, filled with calls and meetings. I tried to focus, but my mind kept drifting back to Arin and the transfer.

Later that afternoon, my phone buzzed, interrupting my thoughts. I glanced at the caller ID—my father. I hesitated before answering.

“Jungkook,” his voice boomed through the speaker, “I heard you’re transferring to Busan. What’s going on?”

I sighed, rubbing my temples. “It’s just a case, Dad. .”

“I need you to come over to the house today,” he said, his tone brokering no argument.

“Alright, I’ll be there,” I said, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. I wanted to avoid the conversation, but I knew better than to defy him.

Pulling into the driveway, I stepped out and took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever awaited inside. As I walked through the front door, I was hit by the comforting aroma of home—something warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me.

The moment I entered the living room, my breath caught in my throat. There, sitting on the plush couch, was Arin, chatting animatedly with Miso, who was cradling her baby bump. My heart dropped, confusion flooding my mind.

“Arin?” I said, astonished.

She looked up, her smile fading as she realized my presence. “Oh, Jungkook! I didn’t know you’d be here.”

I felt a mix of emotions churning inside me—surprise, unease, and something deeper that I couldn’t quite place. “What are you doing here?” I asked, trying to keep my tone even.

“Just visiting. Your family invited me over,” she replied, glancing at Miso, who nodded in agreement, a smile still playing on her lips.

Miso patted her stomach gently. “I wanted to catch up before the baby comes. It’s been a while since we’ve all been together.”

“Yeah, I just… I didn’t expect to see you here,” I said, trying to process the scene in front of me. Arin, looking comfortable and at ease, was chatting with my family like she belonged. It felt like a snapshot of what life could be, but it also made my heart ache, reminding me of the uncertainty looming over us.

“Jungkook, sit down!” my father boomed from the dining area, breaking the tension. “We need to talk.”

I shot a glance at Arin, who gave me a small, encouraging smile. It felt like she was trying to bridge the gap between my family’s expectations and my own feelings. I nodded and moved toward my father, who was already glaring at me, a mix of concern and disappointment etched on his face.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were getting transferred?” he asked, arms crossed.

“Because I didn’t think it was that big of a deal,” I replied, the frustration bubbling up inside me. “It’s just a case, Dad. I thought you understood.”

“Understand? You’re still newly married, Jungkook! You should be here, not running off to Busan,” he shot back, his voice rising.

Before I could respond, I heard another voice in the background—Arin’s voice. It was a soft, reassuring sound that cut through the tension. “It’s okay, Father. Jungkook has his reasons for this transfer. Besides, if I have to travel abroad for work, I'll go , so it’s the same for him.”

I felt a swell of relief as my father paused, the anger fading a bit. “Well, if you say so, Arin. I just want him to be close by. Family is important.”

“Family is important,” she agreed. “But so is his career, and he needs to follow that path.”

The conversation shifted when Miso’s voice chimed in, playful and bright. “Will you be free for the birth of your nephew?”

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. “Wait, you’re having a boy?”

“Yes! We’re so excited!” she exclaimed, her excitement infectious.

As I stood there, surrounded by the warmth of family and the light chatter that filled the room, Miso's announcement struck a chord deep within me. The revelation that she and Taehyung were expecting a baby boy wrapped around me like a comforting blanket, but it also stirred something within me that I wasn't quite ready to confront.

“Congratulations!” I said, forcing a bright smile, but the moment felt surreal. I could see the excitement shining in Miso’s eyes, the way Taehyung looked at her—like she was the entire world. They were going to be parents, and soon, my elder brother would step into a role that came with so much responsibility and joy. A wave of happiness washed over me for them, but it was mixed with a twinge of longing that I couldn't quite shake off.

In the midst of their celebration, I found myself lost in thought. Would I ever feel the emotions my brother was experiencing right now? The thrill of impending fatherhood, the dreams of raising a child, and the weight of family legacy—it all felt so distant from me. My relationship with Arin was still new, complicated by the very fact that I was being transferred to Busan soon. The thought of starting a family felt like a dream for a different life, one that I wasn't sure I was ready for.

I shook my head slightly, trying to dispel those thoughts. Now was not the time for that. I needed to focus on the present, on my family and the joy they were experiencing. Miso’s laughter echoed in the room, and I couldn’t help but join in, even if it was a bit strained. It was important to celebrate this moment with them, to share in their happiness, even if it felt like a fleeting moment of joy amidst my swirling emotions.

As the evening continued, I forced myself to push aside those deeper questions, telling myself that my time would come. But as I watched my brother embrace Miso, the warmth radiating from their happiness made me wonder if that time was indeed approaching—or if it was a distant possibility I would have to wait for. For now, I would be content with my brother’s joy, allowing their excitement to momentarily eclipse my own uncertainties.

After dinner, the atmosphere was still buzzing with excitement over Taehyung and Miso’s news. My heart felt a mix of warmth and heaviness as I made my way to the parking lot, Arin walking beside me. I could see her lost in thought, her fingers fidgeting with the strap of her bag. The evening had felt almost normal, but the weight of my upcoming transfer loomed over us like a shadow.

As we reached our cars, I turned to her, a sudden thought sparking in my mind. “Hey, if you want, you can come with me,” I suggested, keeping my tone light, though I felt my heart race. We were headed in the same direction, after all.

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise, and for a moment, I wondered if I had overstepped. “Uh, I don’t know, Jungkook. I mean, I have my car here—”

“It’s no problem,” I interrupted, waving my hand dismissively. “I’ll drop you off tomorrow. Just leave your car here. It’ll be easier.” My usual voice was calm and collected, but inside, I was anxious, half-expecting her to turn me down.

Everyone around us—Taehyung, Miso, and my parents—seemed to pause, their eyes darting between us. I could feel the shock radiating from them, especially from Arin, whose expression was a mix of disbelief and contemplation, clearly taken aback by the sudden offer. But after a brief moment of hesitation, she composed herself, nodded slowly, and made her way to my car. As we drove home together, a mix of anticipation and unease filled the air, the comforting hum of the engine contrasting with the silent tension between us.

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Author's Note:

Hey, lovely readers! 💖 Thank you for joining me on this rollercoaster of emotions in Shattered Vows. Your support means the world! If you're enjoying the story, don’t forget to vote, comment, and share it with your friends!

Get ready, because more twists and turns are coming your way! Stay tuned for what’s next, and as always, I love hearing your thoughts! Happy reading! ✨