Jungkook pushed open the door to the cozy little cafe, the chime of the bell overhead feeling both familiar and strange. The aroma of freshly ground coffee mingled with the faint murmur of nearby conversations, instantly reminding him of the countless mornings he’d spent here, sharing hurried coffee breaks and late-night chats with his colleagues. Today, though, everything felt different.

Spotting Eunwoo by the window, he made his way over, receiving a warm clap on the shoulder. "Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence!" Eunwoo grinned, clearly glad to see him.

Jungkook managed a half-smile, his gaze flickering to Hana, who was sitting across from Eunwoo, her eyes lighting up as soon as she saw him.

"Jungkook-sunbae!" she said brightly, leaning in a little too close as he took his seat. "You have no idea how boring things have been around here without you."

She smiled, her tone playful, and Jungkook politely returned the greeting but kept his distance. He knew Hana’s usual, slightly flirtatious tone; she’d always had a bit of a crush on him. But today, his mind was far from their usual back-and-forth.

"So," Eunwoo said, jumping in as they all settled down, "how’s Busan treating our resident Seoul detective?"

Jungkook shrugged, trying to keep it casual. "It’s… different," he replied, glancing down at his coffee cup. "I’m adjusting, though."

The conversation flowed as easily as ever, the three of them reminiscing about old cases, sharing laughs over the station’s new recruits, and the quirks of their boss that hadn’t changed at all since he’d left. Hana animatedly recounted a recent undercover op she’d done, her expressions growing more exaggerated as she relived the details, making them all laugh. But even as he smiled and nodded, Jungkook’s thoughts drifted.

He was still thinking about the ultrasound appointment today, that startling, surreal moment when he’d heard his baby’s his son's heartbeat for the first time. The faint, rapid thump-thump had taken him by surprise, stirring something deep in him that he couldn’t quite shake.

They exchanged stories of old cases and updates about mutual friends at the station, Hana jumping in with a dramatic recounting of a recent bust she’d been a part of. Jungkook nodded along, half-engaged, until Eunwoo’s gaze turned serious.

"So... how’s the case going? You know, the one that led to your transfer."

At that, Jungkook’s jaw tightened. He hadn’t expected Eunwoo to bring it up, especially not in such a casual setting. His voice cooled as he replied, "It’s confidential. You know how it is, Eunwoo."

Eunwoo raised his hands in mock surrender. "Whoa, easy there, Mr. Detective! Just trying to keep up with Seoul’s most mysterious export to Busan."

Eunwo , try to defuse the tension. "Hey, no need to get all detective-serious on us, Jungkook. Just curious! You’ve been missed around here, that’s all."

The reminder that they’d missed him pulled at something inside Jungkook, but the weight of his secret – the reason he’d been sent away in the first place – kept him from fully relaxing. And yet, he knew Eunwoo didn’t mean any harm; he was just trying to bridge the gap that had grown between them since Jungkook had left.

"Yeah, sunbae, things haven’t been the same without you," Hana added, her gaze lingering on him a little longer than necessary. "Any chance you’ll be coming back to Seoul for good? Busan can’t possibly keep you forever."

The light-hearted tone did little to ease Jungkook's guarded mood, but he appreciated the attempt. Hana, sensing the shift, attempted to bring the conversation back to lighter topics, sharing an amusing story about a rookie at the station.

Through it all, though, Jungkook’s mind kept drifting back to his recent ultrasound visit with Arin. The memory of his baby’s tiny heartbeat, the way it echoed in his mind, lingered more vividly than anything Hana or Eunwoo could say. He’d barely grasped the idea of fatherhood, and now the thought was growing on him like an unfamiliar, delicate weight.

"So, sunbae," Hana teased with a coy smile. "Are we ever going to see you back here in Seoul? Or are you too charmed by the beach life now?"

Jungkook chuckled, brushing off the question. "You know I’m not there for the beaches, Hana."

Eunwoo, sensing the need for some levity, chimed in. "Ah, Jungkook, don’t let Busan steal all your Seoul charm. We’ll have to drag you back here kicking and screaming."

They fell silent for a moment, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Eunwoo sensed the shift and quickly changed the topic, sharing a funny story about one of the new rookies at the station who had accidentally handcuffed himself during training. Hana and Eunwoo laughed, and Jungkook chuckled along,

After a bit more banter, Hana and Eunwoo excused themselves, both of them needing to get back to the station. "Take care, Jungkook. And don’t be a stranger," Eunwoo said, clapping him on the shoulder one last time.

"Yeah, sunbae, don’t forget us little people," Hana added with a wink, although Jungkook merely gave a nod in reply.

Jungkook nodded, offering a polite wave as they left, watching them go with a mix of relief and nostalgia. Being around them reminded him of a part of himself he’d almost forgotten, a version of Jungkook who wasn’t burdened with a secret marriage or a baby on the way.

But that version of him was gone now, replaced by something more complex. There was no going back to the simple days of his career as a detective in Seoul. Now, he had something far more significant – a child, a future he couldn’t ignore.

With a deep breath, Jungkook headed back to his family house, his mind still on that heartbeat, that tiny, fragile life. He didn’t know what kind of father he would be or if he was even ready, but in that brief moment in the ultrasound room, he’d felt a spark of purpose he hadn’t anticipated. And for the first time, he found himself hoping he could live up to it.The thought of his unborn child echoed alongside his footsteps, a rhythm that somehow seemed to be growing louder with every step he took.

_______________________________________

When Jungkook entered the family home, he felt the usual weight settle over him. The familiar warmth of the house was muted by the tension he knew was lingering in every corner, especially with his sudden return. As he walked towards his room, hoping for a few moments of solitude, he heard his mother’s voice call out softly.

“Jungkook,” Soojin called, and he could already tell from her tone that ignoring her wasn’t an option. “You’re only here for a few days. Can’t you spare some time to be with your family?”

He paused, fighting the urge to tell her he just needed a moment alone. “I just thought—–,” he replied, but his voice lacked conviction.

Soojin gave him a knowing smile, one that made it clear she saw through his excuses. “Come on, Jungkook. It’ll do you good.”

Reluctantly, he nodded, and they walked together to the living room. The scene was almost picturesque—Taehyung and Miso sat close together on the couch, Miso cradling their newborn son, who slept peacefully in her arms. Across from them, Jungkook’s father, Kim Minho, sat with his usual stern expression, though his gaze softened as he watched Miso with the baby.

As Jungkook took a seat, he felt the tension in the room shift subtly, everyone aware of his presence yet unsure how to address it. He offered a polite nod to Taehyung and Miso, who gave him warm smiles, and he forced himself to relax, even if just a little.

Jungkook moved to a seat, nodding slightly in greeting. It didn’t take long before the usual chatter began, conversations flowing around him as he listened more than he spoke. His gaze occasionally drifted to Taehyung and Miso, who seemed fully engrossed with their son, who had fallen asleep in Miso’s arms, his tiny face soft with peaceful innocence.

“So, Taehyung,” Soojin said with a smile, her tone warm as she looked at her other son. “Have you two decided on a name for the little one?”

Taehyung and Miso exchanged a look, both of them smiling before Taehyung replied, “Yes, we’ve thought about it for a while now, actually. We’re naming him Kim So Mun.”

A chorus of approving murmurs followed, Soojin’s eyes lighting up with pride as she repeated the name softly. “Kim So Mun. It’s beautiful.” She looked at Miso, her expression filled with admiration. “It’s perfect for him.”

Jungkook watched as the family celebrated this moment, a strange sense of detachment settling over him. He was happy for them, genuinely, but it felt like he was looking in from the outside, separated by an invisible barrier. His thoughts drifted, thinking of his own situation—a child on the way, his son whose little image makes him happy earlier and a wife he hadn’t wanted before but now she's going to give birth to his son.

Then, he felt his father’s gaze on him. It was a look he knew well—cold, judgmental, and unyielding.

“So, Jungkook,” Minho started, his voice cutting through the room’s warmth like a knife. “How’s Busan? You’ve been there for over three months and didn't find time to visit. Do you even think about your family anymore?”

Jungkook’s jaw tightened, and he kept his voice calm, not wanting to start an argument. “It’s… fine. Busan’s busy. A lot to manage.”

Minho scoffed, clearly unimpressed with the answer. “Busy, huh? That’s always your excuse. Meanwhile, you’re abandoning your responsibilities here. Have you considered what you’re doing to Arin, leaving her here alone while you’re off playing detective? Have you ever thought about anyone here? Anyone other than yourself and that job of yours?”

Jungkook felt his patience wearing thin, but he forced himself to remain composed. “Arin knows the situation. We agreed I’d take this job in Busan. It’s important to me, Dad.”

“Important to you,” Minho echoed, his tone dripping with disapproval. “Everything is always about you, isn’t it, Jungkook? Did you even think about how she feels? She may not say it, but anyone can see it—she needs you here. She’s carrying your child, for heaven’s sake!”

Jungkook’s frustration finally broke through his calm facade. His voice was edged with irritation as he replied, “Look, from the start, this marriage was never what I wanted.I never asked for this marriage, and now I’m supposed to act like… like it’s everything I wanted? I agreed to it because you and my freedom, not because I wanted to settle down and play house.”

A stunned silence filled the room as Jungkook’s words sank in. He could feel the shock radiating from everyone around him, but he was too far gone to stop now.

“This family, this marriage, this child—it’s all just something you pushed onto me. You wanted me to be a ‘responsible son,’ so you arranged this whole mess. And now you expect me to be grateful for it?” His voice rose, and he could see his mother’s face pale with distress, but he couldn’t hold back the bitterness that had been festering inside him.

Kim Minho’s eyes narrowed, his tone now laced with disappointment. “Jungkook, I’m not asking you to play pretend. I’m asking you to grow up. You have a family now—Arin is carrying your child, and yet you treat her as if she doesn’t exist. If you can’t be a good son, at least try to be a decent husband and father.”

Jungkook could feel the pressure building up inside him, a tension he’d been holding back for so long. His voice rose, frustration spilling over. “This is exactly why I left, Dad. I didn’t want this life—being tied down, having to care about everyone else’s expectations. From the start, I never wanted any of this.”

His words hung in the air, his tone harsher than he’d meant. But now that he’d started, he couldn’t stop, anger and frustration finally boiling over.

“This family, this marriage, even this child—it’s everything I never wanted!” he continued, ignoring the shock that registered on everyone’s faces. “I’m expected to act like some perfect son, but how am I supposed to do that when all I feel is resentment? I’m just trying to get by, and none of you seem to get it!”

In his blind frustration, he hadn’t noticed Arin standing just outside the doorway. His heart sank as he realized Arin had overheard everything. She just came from office after a hectic day , only to hear his outburst, his words cutting through her like a blade. She stood there, frozen, her face carefully neutral,  For a split second,  hurt flash across her face, but she quickly masked it, her expression blank as she stepped into the room.

She took a breath and forced a small, polite smile, stepping into the room as if she hadn’t just heard her husband declare their marriage a burden. “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she said softly, her voice betraying none of the pain he’d just inflicted.

The silence in the room was suffocating. Soojin’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes shining with unshed tears as she looked at her son with a mixture of disappointment and sorrow.

“Arin…” He hadn’t meant for her to hear that, he was really happy earlier, he really wanted to do anything for his child but his father words make him angry he didn't mean this he didn't want to hurt anyone but it was too late. The damage was done.

Before anyone could respond, she turned and walked out, leaving behind a silence that felt suffocating. Soojin moved as if to follow, but Minho placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.

Minho’s voice was low, filled with controlled anger. “You don’t even realize, do you? You’re so wrapped up in your own pride that you can’t see how much Arin’s been trying, how much she’s sacrificed to make this work.” his father said, his voice low and filled with disappointment. “You don’t realize it, but she’s been doing her best to make this work. She doesn’t deserve this.”

Soojin’s face was pained as she turned to Jungkook. “She’s trying so hard to be understanding, to make this easy on you. And you—” Her voice trembled. “You can’t even see it, can you?”

Soojin’s voice trembled as she added, “She’s given you nothing but understanding, Jungkook. She’s stood by you even when you didn’t deserve it. And yet, you keep pushing her away.”

Jungkook’s irritation faltered, replaced by a pang of guilt, but he couldn’t bring himself to apologize. He muttered, “She knew what she was getting into. It’s not like I ever pretended to be someone I’m not.”

Soojin shook her head, visibly heartbroken. “I don’t recognize this man in front of me. You’re going to be a father soon, Jungkook.  This isn’t just about you, Jungkook.  It’s time you start acting like one, and yet you’re choosing to throw it all away.”

Minho, however, had no sympathy left. His voice was cold and final. “I regret this marriage more than you ever will, Jungkook. I thought… I thought maybe marriage would make you realize what’s important. But you’re so blinded by your own selfishness that you’re willing to hurt the one person who has stood by you without question.You may have just lost the best thing that ever happened to you.”

Jungkook felt the weight of his father’s words pressing down on him, suffocating him with guilt and resentment. He wanted to argue, to defend himself, but the truth was laid bare before him—he had hurt Arin in a way he couldn’t take back. But he still didn't back off.

“Maybe you should have thought about that before pushing me into this,” he replied bitterly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Soojin sighed, trying to hold back tears as she looked at her son. "You can’t keep blaming everyone else for your own choices. Someday, you’ll regret this, Jungkook."

With that, she walked away, following Arin to comfort her, leaving Jungkook feeling more alone than ever. He sat there, the weight of their disappointment pressing down on him. He’d wanted to be free, to live life on his own terms. But now, with everyone he cared about hurt and disappointed, he was beginning to realize that freedom had come at a steep price.

He left the house, storming out into the night air. The guilt and frustration churned inside him, making it impossible to think straight. He hadn’t meant to hurt anyone, least of all Arin, but the reality of his situation felt like a cage he couldn’t escape.

As the weight of Jungkook’s harsh words settled over the room, Taehyung and Miso exchanged a tense glance. They could see the raw pain in Arin’s eyes, masked behind her composed expression, and it tore at them. Miso’s grip tightened around Taehyung’s hand, her heart aching for her sister-in-law, who had been nothing but patient and kind.

Just when both make their way to arin. Minho stops them “Taehyung, Miso,” Minho said, looking over at them with a nod. “ Don't worry about Arin, you should not go there instead you should take So Mun to bed. He needs his rest, and you both need to focus on him now. We’ll handle this.”

Miso hesitated, her gaze lingering on so mun, but she still not wants to leave Arin alone in this moment. But she knew Minho wasn’t one to be argued with, especially when he had that serious look in his eyes. She turned to Taehyung, who nodded slightly, understanding her reluctance but silently assuring her they’d respect his father’s wishes.

With a heavy heart, Miso leaned down to kiss So Mun’s tiny forehead. She looked one last time at Arin room direction before reluctantly turning to follow Taehyung towards their room.

As they made their way to their bedroom, Miso could barely contain the emotions simmering inside her. Once they were out of earshot, she released a shaky breath, and Taehyung immediately wrapped an arm around her, sensing her distress.

“This isn’t fair,” Miso whispered, her voice barely steady. “She’s doing everything she can, Taehyung. And he… he just shuts her out. How much longer can she keep this up?”

Taehyung’s jaw tightened, the anger and frustration clear in his eyes. “I know. She doesn’t deserve any of this. Jungkook’s my brother, but… sometimes, he’s just so blind to the people who care about him.” He paused, his voice softening as he looked at her. “But Arin’s stronger than she seems. She’ll find a way to get through this.”

Miso leaned into his embrace, finding comfort in his steady presence. “I just wish… I wish we could do more for her,” she murmured. “She deserves happiness, Taehyung. She deserves someone who sees her.”

He nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “She does. And maybe, one day, Jungkook will realize that too. But until then, we’ll be here for her. That’s all we can do.”

They shared a quiet moment, both feeling the weight of Arin’s pain, as well as the helplessness that came with not being able to change Jungkook’s stubborn heart. For now, all they could do was be there—for Arin, for each other, and for their own little family.

--------★----------★------------★---------★-------

Back inside, Arin sat alone in her room, staring blankly at the wall. She knew Jungkook hadn’t wanted this life, but hearing it out loud had hurt more than she’d expected. Soojin knocked softly, coming in to sit beside her, trying to offer comfort. Soojin gently touched Arin’s shoulder. “Honey… I’m so sorry you had to hear that.”

But Arin shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s… it’s not that bad,” she said, trying to convince herself more than anyone else. “I understand where he’s coming from. He’s frustrated, and he didn’t mean it.”

Minho sighed, leaning against the doorway, his eyes filled with sorrow. “You don’t have to defend him, You don’t need to make excuses for him, Arin. You’ve done more than enough. You’ve been patient, forgiving… qualities he doesn’t deserve right now, Arin. This isn’t what I wanted for you. I thought… I thought maybe he’d change, that he’d see how lucky he was to have you.”

Arin forced a smile, her heart aching. “He just… he needs time. He just… he feels trapped. I understand that. He’s… frustrated, and he doesn’t mean it. He’s just hurting, that’s all.”

Minho’s expression darkened with regret. “I thought… I thought this marriage would help him find his way, that it would give him a purpose beyond his reckless job. But I was wrong. I’m sorry, Arin. I should never have put you in this position.”

Arin shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. “You wanted what was best for him, Father. You don’t have to apologize. You were just trying to help.”

Minho shook his head. “ I shouldn’t have pushed you into this.”

She managed a small, sad smile. “Don’t be. You just wanted what was best for him.”

But as she sat there, surrounded by her husband’s family, she couldn’t shake the hollow ache in her chest. she couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe she’d always be just that—someone Jungkook felt trapped by. She’d told herself countless times that Jungkook’s indifference didn’t hurt her, that she could endure it. But after tonight, she wasn’t so sure. The pain was there, raw and undeniable, even as she forced herself to push it down, to put on a brave face for everyone else.

Yet deep down, a part of her wondered if she’d always be in this role—quietly suffering, standing by a man who saw her as nothing more than an obligation.

************************************

Author’s Note:

Hey lovely readers!

Wow, this chapter was a rollercoaster, right? Jungkook is really struggling here, caught between his duty and his feelings, and it’s heartbreaking to see him lash out. He’s finally voicing all that pent-up frustration he’s been bottling up since the marriage, but it’s also painful to watch him hurt Arin in the process. 😭 We’re seeing him reach his breaking point—and unfortunately, Arin is the one feeling the brunt of it.

Arin, on the other hand, is just… incredibly strong and patient. She’s holding on, hoping Jungkook will eventually open his heart to her, but how long can she endure this? She’s trying to understand him, even when he’s pushing her away. 💔 She might be bruised emotionally, but she’s not backing down.

And let’s not forget Jungkook’s family—they want what’s best for him, but they’re also realizing that maybe they pushed too hard for this marriage. Even Minho, who’s usually so strict, is feeling regret for pressuring Jungkook and Arin into this situation. Everyone’s starting to realize the cost of their decisions.

Let me know what you think! Do you think Jungkook can find his way back and learn to appreciate Arin, or is he digging a deeper hole with every argument? And what about Arin? How much more can she take? 😬

As always, thank you for your support, comments, and love for this story! Your thoughts mean the world to me, so keep sharing them below. Let’s keep riding this emotional journey together!

—StarlitWings ✨