Days passed. Slowly, subtly, yet undeniably, something was changing between them.

Jungkook wasn’t sure when it started, but his habits had shifted. He no longer just existed under the same roof as Arin—he observed her. Not just in passing glances but in quiet, stolen moments. He noticed the way her brows furrowed in concentration when she reviewed documents at night, the way she always poured Jungsoo’s milk before her own coffee in the morning, the way she rubbed her temples when she was stressed but never voiced a complaint.  He felt it in the way his gaze lingered on Arin longer than before, in the way his mind drifted to her even when he wasn’t home.

It wasn’t just about Jungsoo anymore.

At least, that’s what he was afraid to admit.

He had always known Arin was a good mother. But now, he was beginning to realize she was an extraordinary one.

And Arin… she noticed him too.

She noticed how he made more effort now. The shift in Jungkook’s demeanor. He had always been a good father, but now… now, he was present in a way he never had been before. How he took time from his demanding schedule to join them on weekends. He asked about her day, made small talk at dinner, and—even more surprisingly—he never forgot to whisper a soft goodnight before they went to sleep.

She should have been happy. After all, wasn’t this what she had always wanted? A family that felt like one?

Then why did it leave her feeling so confused?

And why did she feel this nervous anticipation whenever his eyes lingered on her just a second too long?

He was becoming present—not just as Jungsoo’s father, but in her world too.

But it confused her.

She wanted to ask him why. Why was he suddenly here, truly here? Why was he looking at her like that sometimes, as if he was seeing her for the first time? But she never did.

For Jungsoo’s sake, she didn’t voice the thoughts that kept her up at night. Because if she did, she was afraid of the answer.

    🅂🄷🄰🅃🅃🄴🅁🄴🄳 🅅🄾🅆🅂

Jungkook is feeling things he didn't feel before like Jealousy but he denied it every time. Jungkook was never the type to get irritated over trivial things. At least, he thought he wasn’t.

But now he proved himself wrong.

It was a regular weekend afternoon, and Jungkook had agreed to join Arin and Jungsoo on their little coffee run. Jungsoo loved the strawberry smoothies from a particular café near Arin’s office, and Jungkook had no reason to refuse.

They had just ordered when a young barista, probably in his mid-twenties, smiled a little too brightly at Arin.

“You come here often, don’t you?” the guy asked, leaning against the counter as he prepared their drinks. “I always see you with your son.”

Arin gave a polite nod. “Yeah, Jungsoo really likes the smoothies here.”

The barista chuckled. “He’s got good taste. And his mom too, I guess.”

Jungkook, who had been scrolling through his phone absentmindedly, suddenly froze.

Did he just—

Arin didn’t seem to think much of the comment, offering a small, nonchalant smile before turning to Jungsoo.

But Jungkook?

He felt an immediate surge of irritation.

He cleared his throat, stepping closer and placing his hand on the small of Arin’s back—a gesture that was instinctive, possessive.

“She really has good taste,” Jungkook said, his tone clipped. “By the way I'm jungsoo's father.”

The barista blinked, clearly taken aback, before muttering a quick hello and rushing to complete their order.

Arin shot Jungkook a look, one eyebrow raised. “What was that?”

Jungkook shrugged, taking a sip of his coffee. “Nothing.”

But deep inside, he hated how easily people thought they could flirt with her.

---------

Like one time, Jungkook had come to pick up Arin from work one evening, something he rarely did in the past. But lately, he found himself making excuses to spend more time with her.

He was waiting outside the building when he spotted her talking to a man near the entrance.

A well-dressed, good-looking man.

Jungkook didn’t know who he was, but he didn’t like the way he stood close to Arin. And he definitely didn’t like the way she laughed at something he said.

His fingers clenched around the steering wheel as he watched them.

It wasn’t as if Arin was flirting—he knew her well enough to know she wasn’t like that. But the easy way she conversed with the man, the familiarity in their interaction, made something ugly coil in Jungkook’s stomach.

By the time Arin and jungsoo got into the car, Jungkook’s mood had soured completely.

“Who was that?” he asked, trying to keep his tone casual.

Arin gave him a curious look. “Who?”

“The guy you were talking to just now.”

“Oh, he's my new assistant. We were just discussing a project.”

Jungkook scoffed. “Seemed like a pretty funny project.”

Arin frowned. “Excuse me?”

Jungkook exhaled sharply, gripping the steering wheel tighter. He knew he was being unreasonable. But he hated the way his chest tightened at the idea of another man making her laugh like that.

“It’s nothing,” he muttered, starting the engine.

Arin didn’t push further, but she glanced at him from the corner of her eye.

Jungkook had no explanation for his behavior, but he knew one thing—he didn’t like seeing her comfortable with another man.

---------

Not only that he even got jealous of his own son. It was bedtime, and Jungkook found himself standing outside Jungsoo’s room, arms crossed as he listened to the soft laughter coming from inside.

Arin and Jungsoo were curled up in bed, the bedside lamp casting a warm glow over them. She was reading him a bedtime story, her voice gentle and soothing, while Jungsoo giggled at whatever she said.

Jungkook should have just walked away.

But instead, he lingered, watching through the slightly open door.

Jungsoo wrapped his small arms around Arin’s neck. “Eomma, I love you sooo much,” he said in his sleepy voice.

Arin kissed the top of his head. “I love you too, my baby.”

Jungkook felt something in his chest tighten.

The scene was so heartwarming, so natural. So intimate.

And yet, he felt like an outsider.

He was happy that Jungsoo adored his mother—of course, he was. But something deep inside him twisted with jealousy.

Because Jungsoo got all of Arin’s love, all of her attention. Because she held him without hesitation, kissed him without a second thought.

And because, for the past few nights, He noticed that Jungsoo had been the  getting daily an “I love you” from her.

Not that Jungkook wanted it too.

Did he?

He shook his head, stepping away from the door before he could entertain the thought further.

But as he lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, the warmth of jealousy still lingered in his chest.

And for the first time, he wondered—when was the last time he had hugged Arin like that? Or did she ever hug him?

--------

Another time, It was a Sunday, and the three of them were at the mall. Jungsoo had begged to go to the arcade, and as always, Arin had given in to their son’s big, pleading eyes.

Jungkook, on the other hand, was distracted.

It had started when a stranger—some guy in his early thirties—offered to help Arin pick up the shopping bag she had dropped.

Arin, always polite, had thanked him with a small smile.

Jungkook had hated it immediately.

It wasn’t that the guy had done anything wrong. But Jungkook saw the way his eyes lingered on Arin, how he smiled a little too much when she spoke.

Jungkook wasn’t an idiot. He recognized that look.

So, without thinking, he stepped closer to Arin, wrapping an arm around her waist.

Arin looked up at him in surprise, but Jungkook ignored her, keeping his eyes on the man. “Thanks for helping my wife,” he said smoothly, emphasizing the last two words.

The man blinked before quickly nodding and walking away.

Arin turned to Jungkook, raising an eyebrow. “He was just helping, You don't need to act like he did some crime.”

Jungkook shrugged, acting like it was nothing. “Didn’t like the way he was looking at you. He was looking at you weirdly.”

Arin huffed. “You’re being ridiculous.”

Maybe.

But Jungkook couldn’t shake the irritation in his chest.

And for the rest of the day, he made sure to stay a little closer to Arin than usual.

--------

Jungkook had never imagined a day would come when he’d feel jealous of a kindergarten teacher.

It sounded ridiculous, even to himself.

But here he was—leaning against the doorframe of Jungsoo’s classroom, arms crossed, his jaw tightening as he watched the scene unfold in front of him.

It was a parent-child activity day, and since he got busy with a last-minute meeting,Arin is already in kindergarten but Jungkook had volunteered to come later. It was supposed to be a fun day, a chance to spend time with Jungsoo and meet other parents.

But now, instead of enjoying it, Jungkook was staring at a man—a young, overly enthusiastic teacher—who seemed to be way too friendly with Arin.

“Mr. Jeon!”

Jungkook turned his attention back to the classroom teacher, who was smiling warmly at him. “Please come in and take a seat. We’re about to start the next activity.”

Forcing a polite nod, he walked in and settled next to Jungsoo, who grinned up at him.

“Appa, we’re making flower bracelets today! Eomma helped me halfway, but now you have to!” Jungsoo said excitedly, holding up a string of colorful beads.

Jungkook ruffled his son’s hair, but his eyes flickered back to Arin.

She was on the other side of the room, crouching beside another group of kids, laughing softly at something the young male teacher had said.

Jungkook’s grip on the bead string tightened.

She was laughing.

Not the forced, polite laugh she often gave when talking to acquaintances.

No—this was different.

It was soft, unguarded, real.

And it wasn’t for him.

It was for someone else.

Jungkook’s gaze darkened as he watched Arin talk to the young male teacher, who was kneeling beside a group of kids, smiling at her like she was the most fascinating person in the room.

Jungkook wasn’t an idiot. He knew when a man was interested.

And the way that guy leaned in slightly when she spoke, the way his eyes lingered just a fraction too long on her face—Jungkook wanted to scoff.

It was ridiculous how much it irritated him.

He had no right to feel this way.

She wasn’t his in the way that mattered.

But watching someone else bask in the warmth of her presence, watching someone else pull laughter from her lips so effortlessly—it made something ugly coil inside him.

A sharp tug on his sleeve snapped him out of it.

“Appa,” Jungsoo whined, pouting. “You’re squeezing the beads too hard. You’ll break them.”

Jungkook blinked, looking down at his hands. He’d been clutching the tiny string of beads with so much force that his knuckles had turned white.

Forcing himself to relax, he exhaled through his nose. “Sorry, buddy. I got distracted.”

Jungsoo hummed, tilting his head. “By Eomma?”

Jungkook stiffened. “What?”

The little boy grinned, completely oblivious to the turmoil inside his father. “You’re looking at her a lot.”

Jungkook swallowed. “I was just—”

“Who’s that?” he asked casually, nodding toward the teacher.

Jungsoo followed his gaze and beamed. “Oh! That’s Teacher Saeon! He’s really nice! He helps us with drawing and stories.”

Jungkook let out a low hum, trying not to glare as the teacher leaned in slightly while speaking to Arin.

“Eomma likes him,” Jungsoo added innocently.

Jungkook stiffened. “What?”

Jungsoo, too busy picking his favorite beads, didn’t notice his father’s sudden change in tone. “Eomma  says Teacher Saeon is good with kids. And he always helps us. So he's good guy.”

Jungkook felt something ugly churn in his stomach.

That didn’t mean she liked him.

Right?

He didn’t realize he was frowning until Jungsoo tugged at his sleeve. “Appa, are you okay?”

Jungkook forced a smile. “Yeah, of course. Just… concentrating on this bracelet, buddy.”

Jungsoo giggled. “You’re making it all black! Eomma said we should use pretty colors.”

Jungkook looked down. He really had picked only black beads. Scowling at himself, he forced his attention back to the activity, determined to ignore the unnecessary annoyance simmering inside him.

But his resolve shattered when he heard Arin laugh again.

Not the polite laugh she used in social settings.

No.

The soft, real one. The one that she didn't used  for him.

And for some damn reason, that stung more than it should have.

Jungkook pressed his lips into a thin line, forcing himself to look away. It’s nothing. He told himself. She respects him as a teacher, that’s all.

But then, Arin laughed again.

And this time, Saeon said something that made her shake her head, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Jungkook felt his stomach churn.

For the rest of the event, he remained silent, keeping his responses to Jungsoo short and distracted, his thoughts consumed by a jealousy he didn’t want to acknowledge.

But later that evening, he realised his behaviour.

--------

What is wrong with me?

Jungkook leaned against the bathroom sink, staring at his reflection. His grip on the edge was tight, knuckles turning white.

This wasn’t normal. This wasn’t him.

He wasn’t supposed to care this much.

So why did it bother him when Arin smiled at another man?

Why did his stomach twist when Jungsoo hugged her so tightly, like he was the only one who mattered in her world?

And why—why the hell—did it feel like something inside him was changing every time he looked at her?

He exhaled shakily, running a hand through his hair.

Jungkook standing there—frustrated, confused, and hating the fact that, for the first time in years, he wanted her attention.

And worse, he hated the realization creeping into his mind.

That maybe, just maybe…

He was jealous.

I don’t love her.

Right?

      🅂🄷🄰🅃🅃🄴🅁🄴🄳 🅅🄾🅆🅂

Jungsoo had been persistent.

For the past few days, he had begged, pleaded, and even attempted to bribe Jungkook with his best puppy-dog eyes.

“Appa, please! I wanna go to a restaurant for dinner!”

Jungkook had tried to reason with him, suggesting they order takeout instead. But Jungsoo had been adamant.

“Nooo! I wanna sit in a restaurant like a big boy!”

Even Arin, amused by their son’s determination, had eventually joined in. “It’s been a while since we ate out together, Jungkook. Maybe we should go.”

And that was how he found himself in the current situation—Jungkook crouched before Jungsoo, his fingers deftly threading the laces of the boy’s tiny sneakers. His son squirmed impatiently, his little hands gripping the hem of Jungkook’s jacket for balance.

“Appa, you’re taking forever,” Jungsoo huffed, bouncing slightly on his heels.

Jungkook sighed, tightening the knot. “If you keep moving, you’re going to trip on your own shoes before we even leave.”

“But I wanna go now! I’m hungry!”

Jungkook chuckled, shaking his head at his son’s dramatics. “Patience, buddy. We’re almost done.”

Just as he was about to tie the final loop, a soft click echoed from the hallway—the distinct sound of a door unlocking.

And then—

“Are you both ready?”

Jungkook froze.

His hands stilled, his grip on the laces going slack.

His head snapped up on instinct, eyes landing on the source of the voice.

And for the first time in a long time—his breath hitched.

Arin stood there near the bedroom doorway, adjusting the delicate strap of her dress, the soft shimmer of the fabric catching the warm lighting of their home.

Jungkook stared.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t noticed Arin’s beauty before. He had.

But tonight—

Tonight, it felt different.

She wasn’t in her usual work attire, the structured blazers and pencil skirts that made her look effortlessly powerful. Nor was she in the comfortable oversized sweaters or casual jeans she often wore at home.

Tonight, she was in a dress—sleek yet elegant, its navy-blue color complementing her fair skin, its fitted silhouette accentuating curves he had never truly paid attention to before. Her long hair cascaded over one shoulder in soft waves, and though her makeup was minimal, it highlighted the sharp curve of her cheekbones, the delicate slope of her nose, the natural fullness of her lips.

A dress.

And she looked—

Jungkook felt his mouth part slightly, his thoughts blanking.

His heartbeat stuttered.

Had she always been this breathtaking?

A memory surfaced—Eunwoo’s teasing words from weeks ago.

"Your wife is gorgeous, man. How the hell did you hide her from us for six years?"

Back then, he had scoffed, brushing it off.

But now—

Now, standing here, completely caught off guard, he realized just how right Eunwoo had been.

Arin was—

Jungkook swallowed.

Gorgeous.

He barely registered Jungsoo tugging at his sleeve until the little boy let out an impatient whine.

“Appa!”

Jungkook blinked rapidly, as if snapping out of a trance.

“You tied it wrong!” Jungsoo huffed, kicking his foot lightly. “It’s all loose!”

Jungkook looked down, realizing he had barely even finished lacing the shoe. He cleared his throat, shaking off the strange daze clouding his mind.

“Right. Sorry, bud.”

Arin took a few steps forward, watching them with a soft smile. “Jungsoo, are you excited for dinner?”

The little boy’s frustration disappeared in an instant. “Yes! I’m going to eat so much!”

Then, with wide, innocent eyes, he tilted his head at her.

“Eomma, you look really, really pretty today.”

Jungkook felt something tighten in his chest.

Arin blinked, caught off guard by the sudden compliment. A faint pink dusted her cheeks before she let out a small laugh, brushing a hand through Jungsoo’s hair.

“Oh? Do I?”

Jungsoo nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! You look like a princess!”

Jungkook exhaled through his nose, ignoring the way his own heart gave a strange lurch.

Princess.

He hadn’t thought of it like that. But now that Jungsoo had said it—he couldn’t not see it.

Arin smiled warmly. “Well, thank you, my little prince.”

Jungkook stayed silent, keeping his head down as he tightened the last knot on Jungsoo’s shoes.

But then—

“Appa, doesn’t Eomma look pretty?”

Jungkook stiffened.

Arin’s gaze flickered to him, waiting for his response.

For a second, he felt trapped.

He didn’t want to answer.

Didn’t know how to answer.

Because the truth was—yes. She looked stunning. More than he had ever admitted to himself before.

But admitting it out loud?

Jungkook forced a casual shrug, masking whatever this strange feeling was.

“Yeah. She looks nice.”

Arin raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with his lackluster response.

Jungsoo, however, pouted. “Just nice?”

Jungkook sighed, ruffling his son’s hair. “Alright, alright. She looks very nice. Happy now?”

Jungsoo grinned, satisfied.

Arin only shook her head, an amused smile playing on her lips. “Alright, let’s get going.”

The car ride was filled with Jungsoo’s chatter.

Jungkook focused on driving.

Or at least, he tried to.

But every so often—when he thought she wouldn’t notice—his gaze flickered to the passenger seat.

To her.

Arin sat comfortably, her fingers occasionally playing with the hem of her dress, her gaze focused on the passing lights outside. The soft glow of the street lamps illuminated her face, highlighting her delicate features.

Jungkook’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.

Why do I keep looking at her?

It wasn’t the first time they had gone out together. It wasn’t the first time they had dinner as a family.

But something about tonight felt… different.

Was it the dress?

Or was it the way he was finally allowing himself to see her?

Not just as Jungsoo’s mother.

Not just as his wife in name.

But as a woman.

Jungkook exhaled slowly, shaking his head.

He didn’t know what this was.

Didn’t want to know.

Didn’t want to think too deeply about it.

So instead, he forced his gaze back to the road, pretending his mind wasn’t in chaos.

But even as he did—his fingers curled a little tighter around the wheel.

Because the truth was—

He had already started thinking about it.

        🅂🄷🄰🅃🅃🄴🅁🄴🄳 🅅🄾🅆🅂

Jungkook had made the reservation earlier that day, choosing a child-friendly section of the restaurant. It was still elegant, still refined, but it had a warmth to it that he knew Jungsoo would love. Soft lighting, cushioned seats, and an atmosphere that was both welcoming and intimate.

As they arrived at the entrance, a staff member greeted them with a polite smile.

“Good evening, Mr. Jeon. Your table is ready.”

Jungkook nodded. “Thank you.”

The hostess led them through the restaurant, past softly murmuring couples and neatly dressed servers, before stopping at a cozy booth in the corner. The seating was spacious yet private, the perfect balance of comfort and exclusivity.

Jungkook let Arin slide in first, then helped Jungsoo into his seat before taking his own.

The moment they settled, Jungsoo’s eyes widened as he took in his surroundings.

“Wow!” he gasped, bouncing slightly in his seat. “This place is so pretty!”

Arin smiled, adjusting the napkin on her lap. “You think so, sweetheart?”

Jungsoo nodded enthusiastically. “Look at the shiny lights, Eomma! And the candles! Are those real fire?”

Jungkook chuckled as he ruffled Jungsoo’s hair. “They’re fake, buddy. Just for decoration.”

Jungsoo pouted. “Aww, I wanted to blow one out.”

Arin laughed softly. “Maybe next time, we can get you a real candle to blow out.”

Jungkook had made a reservation in advance, ensuring they got a  table tucked away in a quieter section. He wanted Jungsoo to enjoy the experience without too much noise or crowding. He had done it all for Jungsoo.

Because his son had been so excited about this.

But now, as he sat there, he couldn’t stop his mind from wandering elsewhere.

TO ARIN.

Jungkook watched her as she spoke. The way her lips curled into a soft smile, the way her eyes reflected the warm glow of the restaurant’s lights—it made his chest tighten.

She smelled like vanilla and jasmine, a scent so subtle yet so distracting.

She sat across from him, calm and composed, flipping through the menu as if unaware of the way she was affecting him. Her perfume—light, floral, utterly intoxicating—hung in the air between them, and every time he inhaled, it did something to his senses.

Jungkook was trying. Trying to focus on Jungsoo’s endless chatter about food.

But his body betrayed him.

He barely noticed when he subtly slid his chair a little closer to Arin’s. It wasn’t much—just an inch, maybe two—but the need to lessen the distance between them was overpowering.

Nothing obvious.

But enough that he could feel the warmth radiating from her, even though their arms weren’t touching.

Why did he want to be close to her?

He didn’t understand.

But he didn’t stop himself, either.

Jungkook exhaled through his nose, shaking his head at himself. What the hell is wrong with me?

Jungsoo, oblivious to his father’s internal turmoil, continued his excited chatter.

“Eomma, Appa! Look at that big fish in the water!” Jungsoo pointed excitedly at the large aquarium near their table, his small fingers pressing against the glass. “Do you think he’s lonely?”

Arin smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Maybe. But look closely, sweetheart. There are other little fish swimming with him.”

Jungsoo gasped. “Ohhh! They are his friends! Then he’s not lonely!”

Jungkook chuckled, reaching over to ruffle his son’s soft curls. “That’s right, bud. He’s got company, just like we do.”

Jungsoo huffed, crossing his small arms.“I wanna eat everything!” he announced dramatically, pointing at the menu. “Noodles, pizza, chicken—everything!”

Arin chuckled. “That’s a lot of food for one little tummy.”

Jungkook smirked. “If we order all that, you’ll have to eat until morning.”

Jungsoo’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Mm-hmm,” Arin teased. “And we’ll have to roll you home like a little dumpling.”

Jungsoo giggled. “I don’t wanna be a dumpling!”

Jungkook found himself smiling—genuinely smiling.

This moment.

This warmth.

It felt… right.

After some debate, they decided to order a variety of dishes to share—pasta for Jungsoo, grilled chicken for Arin, and steak for Jungkook, along with a few sides.They placed their orders, and as they waited for their food, the conversation remained light. Mostly, it was Jungsoo talking—about his school, his toys, the stars he had seen outside the car window on the way here.

Jungsoo continued talking animatedly.

“Appa, did you know I saw a really big dog today? It was this big!” He stretched his arms wide, nearly knocking over a glass.

Jungkook caught it just in time, shaking his head fondly. “That big, huh?”

Jungsoo nodded. “It was like a fluffy bear! Mommy said I can’t have one, though.”

Arin sighed. “Because you already had a goldfish that you barely taken care of. So we gave it to so mun.”

Jungsoo pouted. “Fish are boring. They don’t even play with me.”

Jungkook snorted. “That’s because they’re fish, Jungsoo.”

Their food arrived shortly after, the delicious aroma filling the air.

Jungkook helped Jungsoo cut his pasta into smaller pieces while Arin placed a napkin on his lap, making sure he wouldn’t make a mess.

It felt so… domestic.

So natural.

Arin wasn’t hesitant, wasn’t distant.

And for once, Jungkook felt included.

He didn’t feel like an outsider looking in.

He felt like part of a family.

As they ate, Jungsoo kept talking between bites, his small hands gesturing excitedly.

“And then, at school, we painted pictures! Mine was a blue dinosaur! Eomma, I’ll show you when we get home, okay?”

Arin nodded warmly. “I can’t wait to see it.”

Jungkook watched them, something unspoken settling in his chest.

This… this was the happiest he had felt in a long time.

Jungsoo’s laughter.

Arin’s soft smiles.

The easy flow of conversation.

There was no awkwardness tonight. No walls between them.

Just warmth.

Just them.

For the first time, he felt like he belonged.

And it was the best feeling in the world.

Arin responded jungsoo with patience, while Jungkook threw in a few remarks, but most of the time, he found himself just watching her.

The way the dim lighting made her skin glow.

The way a single strand of hair had fallen loose from behind her ear.

The way she smelled—clean, delicate, entirely too distracting.

Jungkook was enjoying this. Too much.

It felt so… natural.

So right.

And for the first time in a long time, something inside him settled.

This—being here, with them—felt like home.

But fate had other plans.

Jungkook was enjoying the evening more than he expected. The warmth of their little family moment made something inside him soften. Arin wasn’t distant, Jungsoo was laughing, and for the first time in a long time, Jungkook felt like he belonged.

But just as he was savoring the rare feeling of peace, a voice interrupted their moment.

“Arin?”

Jungkook’s head snapped up at the unfamiliar voice.

Standing near their table was a tall man, dressed in an expensive, perfectly tailored navy-blue suit that screamed wealth and sophistication. His polished leather shoes shining under the restaurant lights. His jet-black hair was styled neatly, his sharp features exuding confidence and refinement. His handsome face carried a smooth confidence, the kind that came naturally to men who were used to power.He carried himself with the ease of a man who knew he owned every room he walked into.

Jungkook frowned.

Who the hell is he?

Jungkook instantly disliked him.

Arin, who had been sipping her drink, froze for a brief second before recognition dawned in her eyes.

“Seokjin?” she gasped, surprised.

Then, to Jungkook’s absolute horror, her lips curved into a genuine, radiant smile—the kind he had never seen her wear before.

She looked… happy.

Too happy.

Something inside him twisted.

Seokjin chuckled. “Wow, it’s really you.” He glanced her up and down with familiarity, as if she was someone he’d known for years. “I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

Arin laughed softly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I know! I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Jungkook clenched his jaw.

She was laughing.

Not just any laugh—no, this was different. This wasn’t the polite, composed Arin he knew. This was a softer, more playful version of her, almost… youthful. This was the kind of laugh that was light, free, and personal. It made his chest tighten in a way he didn’t understand.

And he didn’t like it.

Jungkook glanced at Jungsoo, who was looking between his mother and the stranger with curiosity.

Before Arin could introduce them, Jungsoo spoke up first.

“Mommy, who is he?”

Arin smiled warmly at her son. “Jungsoo, this is Kim Seokjin. He’s an old friend of mine.”

Seokjin’s gaze shifted to Jungsoo, and his expression softened. “And who is this little guy?”

Jungsoo, ever the social butterfly, beamed. “I’m Jeon Jungsoo! I’m five years old!”

Seokjin chuckled. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Jungsoo. You’re a very handsome young man.”

Jungsoo puffed out his chest proudly. “I know! My Appa tells me that all the time.”

Seokjin smiled, amused. “Oh? And where is your dad?”

Before Arin could answer, Jungkook stood up.

His movements were calm, but his eyes burned with something unreadable.

“I’m his father and Arin's husband.”

His voice was steady, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.

The words came out firm.

Unapologetic.

Possessive.

He extended his hand, but there was no warmth in the gesture—only dominance, only silent warning.

Seokjin, unfazed, tilted his head slightly as he studied Jungkook.

It didn’t take a genius to see the stark contrast between them.

Seokjin looked like he belonged in Arin’s world—the world of high-end suits, expensive wines, and business negotiations worth millions.Perfectly tailored suit. Expensive watch. Refined posture.

And then there was Jungkook, standing there in a simple black T-shirt, ripped jeans, and a leather jacket.

Casual. Rugged. Completely different from the polished image Seokjin exuded.

Casual. Ordinary.

For the first time, an uncomfortable thought crossed Jungkook’s mind.

Do I even fit into her world?

Jungkook suddenly felt out of place.

Like he didn’t belong in Arin’s world.

But he didn’t let that show.

Instead, he stared Seokjin down, his grip firm when they shook hands.

Seokjin, unfazed, simply smiled. “Kim Seokjin, CEO of IGIN. Arin and I were very close friends”

Then, to Jungkook’s growing irritation, he turned to Arin with a teasing glint in his eyes and wink at her.

Arin giggled. “That’s true.”

Jungkook stiffened.

Wait.

She giggled?

Not just smiled—she giggled like a teenager with a crush.

What the hell was going on?

Jungkook’s grip on his glass tightened as Seokjin smirked, clearly entertained

“Well, Arin you look different. Where's the Arin who loves skirts?”

Before Arin could answer, Jungsoo piped up again, standing on his seat.

“Eomma still loves skirts!”

Seokjin blinked in surprise before bursting into laughter. “Oh? Is that so?”

Jungsoo nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! I take care of Mommy, and I always tell her she’s pretty when she wear skirts!”

“Well, Jungsoo, I think you’re doing an amazing job,” Seokjin praised. “But if you ever need help, let me know. Your mom’s a handful sometimes.”

Arin playfully rolled her eyes. “Oh, please.”

Jungkook’s mood darkened further.

What was this easy, comfortable banter?

Why did she seem so… relaxed with him?

He didn’t like it.

Not one bit.

Jungkook sat stiffly in his chair, the warmth from earlier now a distant memory.

He tried—really tried—to ignore the way Arin’s entire demeanor had changed the moment Seokjin arrived. The ease in her smile, the lightness in her laughter, the way her eyes sparkled in a way he had never seen before.

And now, to make things worse, his own son was falling for Seokjin’s charm.

Jungsoo, who had been busy poking at his food, suddenly looked up, tilting his head as he studied Seokjin. His small brows furrowed in thought, and then, out of nowhere, he grinned.

“You look like a prince!”

The table went silent for a moment.

Then—

Arin burst into laughter.

Seokjin followed suit, chuckling as he leaned forward slightly, amusement dancing in his sharp eyes. “A prince, huh? That’s a first.”

Jungsoo nodded eagerly, his little hands gesturing animatedly. “Yeah! You’re tall, and you have nice hair, and your clothes are so shiny! Just like the princes in my books!”

Arin, still laughing, reached out to cup Jungsoo’s cheek affectionately. “Sweetheart, you’re too cute.”

Jungkook, however, was not laughing.

If anything, he was seething.

His wife and his son were both completely enamored by Seokjin, showering him with attention and admiration while he sat there like an outsider.

First, Arin’s warm, genuine smiles.

Now, Jungsoo’s innocent fascination.

And then there was Seokjin himself—polished, confident, and effortlessly fitting into the world that Arin had once belonged to.

Jungkook forced himself to look at the man properly.

Seokjin was everything he wasn’t.

He felt like he didn’t belong.

The realization hit him like a gut punch, and for the first time that evening, jealousy turned into something worse—doubt.

Maybe I never fit into her world to begin with.

But he masked it.

He forced a small, tight-lipped smile, swallowing the bitterness rising in his throat.

“Jungsoo,” he said, his voice steady but firm. “You do know your dad is handsome too, right?”

Jungsoo blinked, turning to Jungkook. “Huh?”

Jungkook raised an eyebrow. “I mean, come on, bud. You always tell me I look cool.”

Jungsoo nodded quickly. “You are cool, Appa! You look like a superhero!”

Jungkook smirked slightly, but the small victory was short-lived.

Because the moment Jungsoo turned back to Seokjin, he said, “But Uncle Jin looks like a prince and he's a CEO! Like Eomma. So, he's prince and you are superhero”

Seokjin chuckled, shaking his head. “This kid is going to make me blush.”

Arin grinned. “He’s just like complimenting people.”

Jungkook clenched his jaw, shoving a piece of steak into his mouth to keep himself from snapping.

Then, just when he thought the conversation couldn’t get any worse—

Seokjin leaned back in his chair, before casually asking,

“So, Arin, what about this year’s reunion? Are you finally attending?”

Arin immediately tensed.

Jungkook, who had been too busy drowning in jealousy, suddenly took interest.

“Reunion?” he asked, glancing between them.

Seokjin nodded. “Yeah. Our college holds an annual alumni reunion. It’s a big deal. But Arin here has skipped it for the past six years.”

Jungkook turned to Arin, curiosity piqued. “You skipped?”

Arin averted her gaze, stirring her drink absentmindedly. “I was busy.”

Seokjin scoffed playfully. “That’s the excuse you use every year. Work, business trips, personal reasons—you always find a way out.”

Jungkook noticed the way her fingers tightened slightly around her glass.

Why does she avoid it?

“I really was busy,” Arin insisted, though there was a slight edge to her voice.

Seokjin sighed dramatically. “Well, I hope you don’t dodge it this time. Everyone’s going to be there. We all miss you, Arin.”

Jungkook didn’t miss the way Seokjin said her name.

Soft. Familiar.

Like she was important to him.

And it made something dark coil in Jungkook’s chest.

Before Arin could reply, Jungsoo suddenly tugged on her sleeve.

“Eomma, what’s a reunion?”

Arin smiled down at him, thankful for the distraction. “It’s when old friends meet again after a long time.”

Jungsoo gasped. “Then you should go, Eomma! Meeting friends is good thing!”

Arin hesitated. “Sweetheart—”

“Jungsoo’s right,” Seokjin cut in, smirking. “You should go.”

Jungkook’s grip on his fork tightened.

There it was again—that easy, natural conversation between them.

And for the first time that night, Jungkook wasn’t just jealous.

He was afraid.

Afraid that maybe, just maybe—

Arin would be happier in a world that he didn’t belong to.

Arin shifted in her seat, already regretting this encounter.

Seokjin, ever the persistent one, leaned forward with an easy smile. “Come on, Arin. It’s been six years. Don’t tell me you’re going to make excuses again.”

Arin exhaled, forcing a small smile. “It’s not an excuse, Seokjin. I really don’t have time.”

Seokjin scoffed playfully. “Oh, right. You’re a big CEO now. Too busy running an empire to meet your old friends?” He winked, teasing. “Should I start making an appointment just to talk to you?”

Arin rolled her eyes, though amusement flickered across her face. “I’m not that busy.”

“Then you can come,” Seokjin said, triumph in his tone. “The reunion is in two weeks. You have plenty of time to clear your schedule.”

Before Arin could form another excuse, Seokjin turned his attention to Jungkook, as if to seal the deal. “You should come too, Jungkook. It’s a plus-one event. It’ll be fun.”

Arin opened her mouth to protest, already prepared to politely decline—

But then—

“We’ll be there,” Jungkook said smoothly.

The words left his lips so casually, so confidently, that for a moment, Arin thought she misheard.

Her head snapped toward him, eyes wide in shock. “What?”

Jungkook met her gaze, feigning innocence. “We’ll go.”

Seokjin grinned, looking far too pleased. “That’s the spirit, man!” He clapped a hand on Jungkook’s shoulder. “It’s going to be a blast. Everyone’s going to love you.”

Arin was stunned.

Out of all the scenarios she had imagined for this dinner, this was not one of them.

“Jungkook, we can’t just—”

“Why not?” Jungkook leaned back, smirking as if he had everything under control. “It’s just one night.”

Arin frowned. “It’s at night. And what about Jungsoo? We can’t leave him alone.”

Jungkook’s smirk deepened.

“We can leave him at the Kim Mansion,” he said smoothly. “He can stay the night there and play with So-Mun. Taehyung and Miso can take care of him.”

Arin’s lips parted slightly, caught off guard.

“Plus,” Jungkook continued, tilting his head, “my parents will be there too. So we don’t have to worry about anything.”

Seokjin nodded approvingly. “That’s perfect, then! No excuses this time, Arin.”

Arin wanted to protest—she really did.

But the way Jungkook was looking at her, his smirk practically daring her to argue, made her hesitate.

Something about this whole situation felt off.

Why was Jungkook suddenly so eager to attend her reunion?

And why did it feel like he was challenging her?

She narrowed her eyes at him slightly, trying to read between the lines.

Jungkook just smiled.

A smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

The moment Jungkook mentioned the Kim Mansion, Jungsoo’s face lit up with pure excitement.

“Really?!” Jungsoo gasped, his big round eyes practically sparkling. “I can stay at Grandpa and Grandma’s house?”

Jungkook nodded, ruffling his son’s hair. “Yeah. You’ll have fun with So-Mun, and Uncle Taehyung and Aunt Miso will take care of you.”

Jungsoo practically bounced in his seat. “Yessss! I wanna go! I wanna play with So-Mun and show him my new toys!” He turned to Arin, eyes pleading. “Eomma, please? Can I go?”

Arin hesitated. Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to object, but looking at Jungsoo’s bright, expectant face, she found herself unable to say no.

“…Okay,” she finally agreed, though there was uncertainty in her tone.

Jungsoo beamed, clapping his hands. “Yayyy!”

Seokjin chuckled, watching the scene unfold with amusement. “Well, that settles it, then,” he declared, leaning back in his seat. “I’ll let everyone know it’s confirmed—Arin is finally coming to the reunion.”

Jungkook nodded, looking far too smug for Arin’s liking. “Great. We’re looking forward to it.”

Arin shot him a sharp side-eye, her expression unreadable. Her fingers lightly gripped her fork, a silent tension radiating from her. She didn’t argue, but the way she hesitated before responding made it clear—she wasn’t entirely pleased with this arrangement.

“…Yeah,” she said reluctantly. “We’ll be there.”

Seokjin, oblivious to the unspoken tension between the couple, smiled warmly. “I’m really glad, Arin. It’s been way too long.”

She nodded, offering him a small, polite smile. “Yeah… it has.”

After a brief pause, Seokjin sighed and glanced at his watch. “Anyway, I should probably get going. I didn’t mean to interrupt your family time—I just couldn’t believe it was really you when I saw you.” He smiled at Arin, a warmth in his gaze that didn’t sit well with Jungkook. “It was really nice seeing you again.”

Arin returned the smile, though this time it was softer, more genuine. “You too, Seokjin.”

Seokjin then looked at Jungsoo, his expression playful. “And you, little man—keep being awesome, okay?”

Jungsoo giggled, nodding enthusiastically. “I will!”

With one last glance at Jungkook, who had remained silent but observant throughout the farewell, Seokjin gave a polite nod. “Jungkook, it was nice meeting you. See you both at the reunion.”

Jungkook forced a tight smile, though his grip on his fork had slightly tightened. “Yeah. See you.”

With that, Seokjin gave a final wave before walking away, disappearing into the crowd of the restaurant.

And just like that, the air around their table shifted.

Where there had been laughter and light conversation moments ago, a heavy silence now settled between Arin and Jungkook.

Jungsoo remained blissfully unaware, still excitedly chattering about staying at his grandparents’ house.

But Jungkook?

His jaw was clenched, his fingers drumming against the table in a rhythmic motion as he stared at his plate, lost in thought.

That unfamiliar feeling—the one that had crept up the moment Seokjin appeared—was still burning in his chest.

Jealousy.

It was ugly. It was irrational.

But damn it, it was there.

    🅂🄷🄰🅃🅃🄴🅁🄴🄳 🅅🄾🅆🅂

As Seokjin’s figure disappeared into the crowd, the once lively atmosphere at the table grew eerily silent.

Just moments ago, they had been laughing, enjoying their meal, and basking in the warmth of a rare peaceful evening together. But now? Now, that warmth was gone, replaced by a thick tension that neither Arin nor Jungkook acknowledged aloud.

Arin’s smile had faded completely, her expression now unreadable as she absentmindedly pushed her food around her plate. She wasn’t talking anymore, her bright energy from earlier completely extinguished.

Jungkook, on the other hand, was struggling to keep his composure. His grip on his utensils tightened as he tried—really tried—not to let his emotions get the best of him. But the scene that had unfolded just moments ago kept replaying in his head, stoking the fire of his jealousy.

The way Arin had smiled at Seokjin—the way her entire face had lit up when she saw him.

The way she had giggled. Actually giggled.

And worst of all, the way Seokjin had looked at her.

Like he knew her. Like he belonged in her world.

Jungkook clenched his jaw, shoving a piece of food into his mouth to keep himself from saying something he might regret.

Jungsoo, completely oblivious to the shift in his parents' mood, happily swung his little legs under the table, humming to himself as he continued eating.

“Eomma, Appa!” Jungsoo suddenly piped up, breaking the silence. “Can I bring my new toy cars to Grandpa’s house when I stay there?”

Arin blinked, shaking herself out of her daze. She forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Of course, baby. You can bring whatever you want.”

Jungsoo grinned, clearly thrilled. “Yay! Mun will love them! He likes cars too!”

Jungkook merely hummed in response, his mood still sour. He wasn’t upset with Jungsoo—no, never. He could never be upset with his son.

But Arin?

He exhaled through his nose, pushing away his plate even though there was still food left. He suddenly didn’t feel hungry anymore.

Neither did Arin, it seemed, as she quietly set her utensils down, barely touching the rest of her meal.

The rest of the dinner passed in silence.

Jungsoo kept talking, blissfully unaware of the unspoken tension between his parents. Arin answered when necessary, her voice softer than before, but she no longer initiated conversation.

And Jungkook?

He was too busy drowning in his own thoughts, the bitter taste of jealousy still lingering on his tongue.

    🅂🄷🄰🅃🅃🄴🅁🄴🄳 🅅🄾🅆🅂

The drive back home was no different.

Jungsoo, still high on excitement, sat in the backseat, rambling about his upcoming stay at the Kim Mansion, about all the things he would do with So-Mun, about how fun it was going to be.

Jungkook merely hummed in response, his hands gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly.

Arin sat beside him, staring out the window, her expression distant. She hadn’t spoken a word since they left the restaurant.

The car felt suffocatingly silent, save for Jungsoo’s enthusiastic chatter.

Jungkook wanted to say something.

He wanted to ask her why she had been so damn happy to see Seokjin.

Why she had smiled like that.

Why she had giggled like a schoolgirl, when she had never once giggled like that with him.

But he held himself back.

Not here. Not now.

Not in front of their son.

So, he remained quiet.

And as they continued driving through the quiet streets of Seoul, Jungkook realized something.

Tonight had started off as one of the best nights of his life.

But now?

Now, all he felt was a gnawing, unfamiliar ache in his chest.

    🅂🄷🄰🅃🅃🄴🅁🄴🄳 🅅🄾🅆🅂

The drive home was quiet. Too quiet.

Jungkook kept his eyes on the road, his grip on the steering wheel firm, knuckles slightly pale. The tension in the car was thick, stretching between them like an unspoken force. Arin sat beside him, her arms crossed as she stared out the window, her face unreadable. But he knew. He felt it.

She was irritated. Annoyed. Maybe even angry.

And it only fueled the restless fire simmering in his own chest.

Jungkook exhaled sharply as they pulled into the driveway. The headlights illuminated their home—a place that should have felt warm and welcoming, but tonight, it felt like just another space filled with unsaid words.

The moment he put the car in park, Arin unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to the back seat, where Jungsoo was still sleeping, his tiny chest rising and falling in soft, even breaths.

"Jungsoo," she whispered, gently shaking him.

The little boy stirred, mumbling something incoherent as he clutched his stuffed dinosaur tighter.

Jungkook reached to help, but before he could, Arin was already unbuckling their son, lifting him into her arms as if it were second nature.

"Let's go inside," she murmured, her voice softer now, almost gentle.

Jungkook got out of the car, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he trailed behind her. The elevator door clicked open, the familiar scent of their home filling the air.

Jungkook kicked off his shoes lazily, while Arin moved with practiced ease, carrying Jungsoo up the stairs.

"I'm giving him a bath," she said over her shoulder, her tone neutral, but Jungkook still heard the distance in it.

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I'll be in after."

She didn't respond, just disappeared into Jungsoo's room, leaving Jungkook standing alone in the dimly lit hallway.

Arin moved with quiet efficiency, setting Jungsoo down on the bathroom counter as she turned on the faucet, adjusting the water temperature.

The soft sound of running water filled the room.

Jungsoo rubbed his sleepy eyes, letting out a tiny yawn. "Eomma… sleepy…"

"I know, baby," Arin murmured, carefully peeling off his little shirt. "But you’ll feel better after a warm bath."

Jungkook lingered by the door, watching.

Arin worked with patience, her hands gentle as she lifted Jungsoo into the tub, making sure the water was just right. She poured some of his favorite bubble bath in, and within seconds, the tub filled with tiny white clouds of foam.

Jungsoo giggled sleepily as the bubbles tickled his skin.

"Look, Eomma! Snow!"

Arin chuckled softly. "It does look like snow, huh?" She scooped some bubbles onto his small hand, watching as he tried to blow them away.

Jungkook leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. He had seen this routine countless times, but there was something about it tonight—something that made his chest tighten.

He used to be more involved. He used to be the one lifting Jungsoo into the tub, laughing with him, making silly bubble beards.

When had he stopped?

Arin didn’t look at him, just focused on their son, washing his tiny arms and legs with slow, careful motions.

Jungkook shifted, clearing his throat. "I can take over if you want."

Arin finally glanced at him. Her expression was unreadable, but she gave a small shake of her head. "I got it."

Jungkook clenched his jaw but said nothing.

A few minutes later, Arin lifted Jungsoo out, wrapping him in a fluffy blue towel before carrying him to his room.

Jungkook followed silently.

Jungsoo sat on the bed in his fresh pajamas—his favorite set with tiny sharks printed all over. His damp hair stuck to his forehead as he yawned, rubbing at his eyes.

Jungkook walked over, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Hey, bud. Ready for a bedtime story?"

Jungsoo’s face lit up instantly. "The knight story!"

Jungkook chuckled, ruffling his son's hair. "Again? You never get tired of that one, huh?"

"It's the best," Jungsoo mumbled sleepily, curling up under his blankets.

Arin sat on the other side of the bed, pulling the covers up to his chin.

Jungkook leaned back slightly, clearing his throat. "Alright, so once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there was a brave knight…"

His voice softened as he wove the familiar tale—about the fearless knight who had to battle a mighty dragon to save his kingdom.

Jungsoo listened with half-lidded eyes, fighting sleep.

Arin didn't say much, just watched quietly as Jungkook continued.

By the time the knight had finally defeated the dragon, Jungsoo’s tiny breaths had evened out, his little hand curled into a fist against his pillow.

Jungkook exhaled, reaching out to brush a stray strand of hair from his son's forehead.

"He’s out," Arin murmured.

Jungkook nodded. He reached for the bedside lamp, switching it off. The room was cast in shadows, the only light filtering in from the hallway.

Neither of them moved at first.

Then, finally, Arin stood, stepping away from the bed. Jungkook followed her out of the room, quietly shutting the door behind them.

As they stepped into their bedroom, the tension from earlier returned, curling around them like a suffocating fog.

Jungkook ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.

Something inside him ached—something he couldn't name.

Anger.

Frustration.

Something dark and unfamiliar, clawing at his chest.

Why the hell did tonight feel different?

Why did he feel so damn bothered?

He turned slightly, glancing at Arin.

Arin stood at the vanity, unfastening her earrings with quick, almost aggressive movements. Her reflection in the mirror showed the tension in her brows, the slight purse of her lips.

Jungkook, on the other hand, leaned against the bathroom doorway, rubbing the towel through his damp hair after his shower. He was trying—really trying—not to acknowledge the thick air between them, but it was suffocating.

He could feel it in the way Arin’s hands moved a little too sharply, in the way she exhaled a little too forcefully. She wasn’t just tense—she was annoyed.

And he knew exactly why.

She was waiting for him to say something.

But tonight, he wouldn't.

He tossed the towel onto the chair, grabbing a T-shirt from the closet. Just as he pulled it over his head, Arin finally spoke.Her arms were crossed, her lips pressed together in frustration.

"You shouldn’t have said yes."

Jungkook stilled for a fraction of a second before turning to look at her. “Yes to what?”

Arin scoffed, stepping closer to him. “Don’t play dumb, Jungkook. You know what I’m talking about.”

Jungkook sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “The reunion.”

“Yes! The damn reunion!” Arin snapped, throwing her hands up. "You shouldn’t have agreed to the reunion," Arin repeated, her tone clipped. "Why did you say yes without asking me?"

Jungkook let out a breath, his jaw tightening. "I didn’t think it was a big deal."

Arin scoffed, turning to face him fully. "Not a big deal? Are you serious, Jungkook?"

He gave her an unimpressed look. "Yeah, I am. It’s just a damn reunion, Arin. Why are you acting like I signed us up for something life-changing?"

"Because it’s my reunion!" she snapped, taking a step toward him. "Not yours. Mine. And you had no right to agree without asking me."

Jungkook let out a humorless chuckle. "No right? They asked us, Arin. Not just you. And I didn’t realize I needed your permission to accept an invitation."

"That’s not the point!" she burst out. "The point is, I don’t want to go!"

Jungkook crossed his arms. "Why? Why don’t you want to go?"

"Because I just don’t!" she bit out. "I haven’t attended a single reunion since we got married, and I don’t want to start now!"

"Why, Arin?" His voice was sharper now, his patience slipping. "What is it about this reunion that bothers you so much?"

Arin exhaled in frustration, running a hand through her hair. "You wouldn’t get it."

Jungkook clenched his jaw, something simmering beneath his skin. "Try me."

Arin glared at him, lips pressed together. But then, after a moment, she sighed and turned away, muttering, "I just don’t want to go, okay?"

And that—that—was what broke him.

Something inside Jungkook snapped, his frustration boiling over into something sharper, something angrier.

Arin’s eyes narrowed. “You just don’t get it.”

“No, Arin. You don’t get it,” Jungkook countered, his voice low, dangerous. “Why does it bother you so much? Why the hell are you acting like this is some kind of crisis?”

“Because it is, Jungkook!” Her voice wavered slightly, frustration laced in every word. “You don’t understand, and you never try to understand!”

Jungkook let out a sharp exhale, shaking his head. “No, you know what? I think I do understand.”

Arin frowned. “Jungkook—”

“You don’t want to go because you don’t want to be seen with me,” he snapped.

Arin blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

"Why the hell does it affect you so much?" he finally exploded, his voice loud enough to echo in the bedroom. "Why are you acting like this is the worst thing in the damn world?"

Arin turned back to him, eyes blazing. "Because I don’t want to deal with their bullshit, Jungkook!"

His jaw tightened. "Bullshit?"

"Yes!" she nearly shouted. "You don’t get it, do you? My entire college group—they’re all successful, wealthy, powerful people. They have different, Jungkook. And I—" She stopped herself, breathing hard.

Jungkook let out a bitter laugh. "And what, Arin? You don’t want them to see that your husband isn’t one of them?"

Arin’s eyes widened. "That’s not—"

"That’s exactly it," Jungkook cut her off, his voice dropping into something dark. "That’s why you’ve never gone, isn’t it? Because you don’t want to show them who you married."

Arin inhaled sharply. "That’s not true—"

"Is it embarrassing for you, Arin?" Jungkook taunted, taking a step closer. "That your husband isn’t some CEO or business heir? That he’s just a mere detective?"

Arin’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

Jungkook scoffed, shaking his head. "That’s why you act so damn differently towards Seokjin and me, huh?" His voice was full of accusation now. "Because he fits into your world. Because he is the kind of man people expect you to be with."

Arin’s expression flickered with something unreadable.

Jungkook laughed bitterly. "That’s why you were so comfortable around him tonight. But with me?" His jaw clenched. "You could barely look at me."

"Jungkook, that’s not—"

"Don’t lie to me, Arin!" he cut her off, his voice rising. "You think I don’t notice? The way you look at them and then the way you look at me?"

She swallowed, her hands tightening into fists. "Jungkook, stop—"

"No, you stop," he shot back. "You act like it’s all in my head, but it’s not, is it? You think I’m beneath you, don’t you?"

Arin flinched slightly. "I never said that."

"You didn’t have to," Jungkook muttered, shaking his head. "Your actions say it for you."

“I mean, it makes sense, doesn’t it?” he continued bitterly. “You—CEO Min Arin. And me? Just some detective.” He spat the word like it was poison. “I don’t fit into your world, do I?”

Arin’s eyes widened, shocked at his words. “That’s not—”

“That’s why you haven’t gone to your reunions since we got married, isn’t it?” Jungkook cut her off, voice rising. “Because you don’t want them to see who you really ended up with. You don’t want them to see that you married someone who isn’t like you, who doesn’t wear fucking thousand-dollar suits like Seokjin or Taehyung—”

“Stop it, Jungkook!” Arin snapped, stepping forward. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about!”

Jungkook laughed bitterly. “Don’t I?”

The air between them was charged, heavy with the weight of everything they hadn’t said before.

“No, you don’t!” Arin’s voice cracked with frustration. She exhaled sharply, rubbing her temple. "I don’t think you’re beneath me, Jungkook. And you think I give a damn about status? About whether my husband wears a fucking suit or a leather jacket? You think I didn’t go because I was ashamed of you?."

"Then why the hell are you making such a big deal out of this?" he snapped. "Why have you avoided every single reunion since we got married?"

Arin fell silent.

Jungkook scoffed. "Because you’re ashamed, Arin. Admit it."

Arin looked away. "That’s not true."

Jungkook let out a bitter chuckle. "Right. Of course not."

Silence stretched between them.

Jungkook ran a hand through his hair, letting out a shaky breath. "You know, Arin…" He exhaled, his voice suddenly quieter. "If you wanted a husband like Seokjin or Taehyung, you should’ve married one of them."

Arin’s head snapped up. "Jungkook—"

"Because clearly, I was never enough for you," he finished, his voice empty.

Arin stared at him, her throat tightening. "That’s not true," she whispered.

The air in the room was thick with tension. Jungkook’s last words still hung between them, heavy and sharp, like the aftermath of a sudden storm.

"Because clearly, I was never enough for you."

Arin’s chest rose and fell rapidly, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. She had taken a lot—let a lot of things slide over the years, swallowed down her emotions for the sake of peace—but this?

This was too much.

Her anger ignited like wildfire.

"How dare you say that?" she snapped, her voice trembling with fury. "How dare you assume things about me without even knowing the truth?"

Jungkook turned back to face her, his expression still laced with resentment. "Then tell me the truth, Arin! Because all I see is a woman who doesn’t even want to be seen with her own husband!"

Arin let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "You think you know me? You think you understand me, Jungkook?" She took a step closer, her eyes burning with frustration. "Have you ever tried to see the real me? The Arin that exists beyond your insecurities?"

Jungkook’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

"You think I didn’t go to the reunions because I was embarrassed of you?" She scoffed, shaking her head. "Do you even know what my life has been like since we got married?"

Jungkook frowned, his arms crossing over his chest. "Oh, so now you’re going to play the victim?"

Arin’s eyes flashed. "You’re damn right I am!" She took a deep breath, her voice shaking now—not with weakness, but with years of bottled-up frustration. "From the day we got married, I got many responsibilities then, I had a newborn baby to take care of. Do you even remember that? Do you remember how I had to handle everything alone while you were busy chasing criminals?"

Jungkook stiffened.

"I had no time, Jungkook. No time for myself, no time for stupid reunions, no time for anything except my job and my family! That was all I had!" Her voice broke slightly, but she quickly swallowed the lump in her throat. "I didn’t avoid those reunions because I was ashamed of you. I avoided them because I was exhausted—physically, mentally, emotionally! And where were you? Were you there?"

Jungkook exhaled through his nose, gripping his hair in frustration. "I was working, Arin! You know I couldn’t just—"

"Exactly!" she snapped. "You were working. Always working. And I was left to handle everything else!" Her voice turned bitter. "Do you know how alone I felt, Jungkook? How much I struggled?"

Jungkook’s face flickered with something—guilt, maybe—but it was gone in an instant. His jealousy and anger overpowered it, clouding his judgment.

"You think you struggled?" he shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "At least you had your family. You had your brother helping you."

Arin frowned, sensing the change in his tone. "What are you talking about?"

Jungkook scoffed, taking a step back. "Oh, come on, Arin. Don’t act innocent now." He let out a dry chuckle. "I know everything."

Arin’s stomach twisted. "...What?"

Jungkook’s eyes darkened. "I know about you and Yoongi planning to divorce me."

Silence.

For a moment, Arin forgot how to breathe.

She stared at him, her heart pounding against her ribs. "What... did you just say?"

Jungkook let out a humorless laugh. "Don’t pretend like you don’t know. I heard you that day, Arin. You and Yoongi. Talking about how you should just leave me. How it would be better for you. How you deserve someone else—someone better."

Arin’s lips parted in shock. "Jungkook—"

"How long, huh?" he interrupted, his voice cold now. "How long have you been waiting for the right moment to get rid of me?"

Arin shook her head quickly, her breath uneven. "That’s not—Jungkook, you don’t understand—"

"Oh, I understand perfectly," he spat. "It all makes sense now. The distance, the coldness, the way you act so differently around them—Seokjin, Taehyung, your business world. You’ve always wanted someone from your world, haven’t you?" His voice was bitter, filled with something beyond anger. "You never wanted me. You just married me for the sake of your career."

Arin’s hands trembled. "Jungkook, that’s not what that conversation was about."

"Then what the hell was it about?" he demanded. "Because from where I was standing, it sounded like my wife and her beloved brother were planning my replacement!"

Arin’s breathing was erratic now. "That’s not true! That day, Yoongi was just—he was just concerned about me! He thought I was unhappy, and he—"

Jungkook let out a cold chuckle. "Concerned? Oh, yeah, I bet he was. He never liked me, did he? He always thought I wasn’t good enough for his little sister."

"That’s not—!" Arin stopped, frustration overwhelming her. "You don’t even know the full story! You only heard one part of that conversation, Jungkook! You don’t know what I said after!"

Jungkook folded his arms, his expression unreadable. "Then enlighten me, Arin."

She took a shaky breath. "I told Yoongi that I wasn’t going to leave you."

Jungkook stood there, his breath uneven, his mind clouded with emotions he couldn’t untangle. His fists clenched at his sides, his heart hammering against his ribs, but he didn’t move. He couldn’t.

Arin took a deep breath, her voice steadier now, but filled with undeniable anger.

"You really think I wanted to divorce you?" She let out a humorless laugh, shaking her head. "If I wanted that, Jungkook, I could’ve done it way back in the first few months of our marriage."

Jungkook’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t interrupt.

Arin stepped closer, her eyes burning with raw emotions. "Do you even remember those months? Do you remember how you acted like I was nothing but a burden? Like I was just something your father forced onto you?" Her voice trembled, but not with weakness—no, it was laced with years of hurt, frustration, and exhaustion. "Do you remember how you refused to acknowledge our marriage? How you barely looked at me, barely spoke to me?"

Jungkook swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry.

"If I wanted to leave you, Jungkook, I could’ve done it then." Arin’s voice was steady, yet sharp enough to cut through the suffocating silence between them. "Or how about when you packed your bags and left for Busan? You left me—your pregnant wife—alone, without a second thought."

Jungkook flinched. He had no defense for that.

"But I stayed." Arin’s voice softened slightly, but the pain remained. "I stayed because for me, this marriage was real. Because despite everything, I knew that Jungsoo deserved a family. Because I knew how to put my family before my own damn pride."

Jungkook looked away, his chest rising and falling with uneven breaths.

"But you?" Arin let out a bitter chuckle. "You think you can just walk back in like nothing happened? That we can just pretend like the past didn’t exist?"

Jungkook’s hands trembled at his sides, but he didn’t move, didn’t speak.

Arin’s next words came out in a whisper, but they cut deeper than any yell.

"I’ve built my life without you, Jungkook. Surrounded by the silence you left behind."

Jungkook’s breath hitched.

Arin stepped back, crossing her arms over her chest. "Your shadow doesn’t scare me anymore. It only reminds me of the distance between us."

Silence filled the space between them, heavy and unrelenting.

Jungkook closed his eyes for a brief moment, feeling the weight of her words settle deep in his bones.

He had hurt her. He had left her. And now, no matter how much he wanted to fix things, he wasn’t sure if he could.

Jungkook stood frozen. His body felt heavy, as if the weight of his past mistakes had suddenly come crashing down on him all at once. He couldn't move, couldn't speak—just stood there, his mind spinning as Arin's words replayed in his head like a haunting melody he couldn’t silence.

All those years… The way he had treated her. The way he had shut her out, abandoned her, refused to acknowledge the reality of their marriage. He had left her alone—pregnant, vulnerable, and forced to carry the weight of their fractured relationship on her own.

He had been so caught up in his own pride, his own damn stubbornness, that he never stopped to see her.

And now, the damage was done.

And yet… she had stayed.

Not because she had to, but because she chose to. Because she had always put their son—their family—before anything else.

Jungkook’s throat tightened. His hands curled into fists at his sides, nails digging into his palms. A sharp pang of guilt stabbed through his chest, twisting deeper with every realization that hit him.

She wasn’t the one at fault.
She never was.
It was him.

He opened his mouth, desperate to say something—anything—to take back the pain he had caused her. But before he could, Arin spoke again, her voice softer this time, but no less firm.

"I'm not asking for much, Jungkook," she said, exhaling a slow breath. Her eyes, filled with years of silent suffering, met his. "I just don’t want Jungsoo to feel like his family is different from everyone else’s. I don’t want him to grow up feeling like his parents can’t even stand to be in the same room together."

Jungkook's jaw clenched.

"I know you’re trying," she continued, her expression softening just a little. "And I appreciate that. I really do. But I need you to understand… this isn’t just about us anymore. This is about him. About his happiness."

Jungkook's heart twisted painfully in his chest. He knew she was right. Every single thing she said was right.

He had spent so much time drowning in his own emotions—his jealousy, his insecurities, his resentment—that he had failed to see the bigger picture.

Jungsoo.

Their son, who deserved love, warmth, and stability. Who deserved parents that could set aside their differences, if only for his sake.

Jungkook exhaled shakily, raking a hand through his hair. His anger, his frustration—it all felt so small now compared to the regret weighing down on him.

The weight of silence hung thick between them.

Jungkook could feel it pressing down on him, suffocating him more than the anger that had burned through his veins just moments ago. But now, that anger had been replaced by something heavier—something far more painful.

Guilt.

He let out a slow breath, raking a hand through his dark hair as his gaze remained locked on the woman standing in front of him. The woman he had spent years misunderstanding, misjudging, and pushing away.

"You don’t need to thank me," he muttered, his voice laced with exhaustion and something deeper—regret. "I'm not doing this to earn your appreciation, Arin."

Her brows furrowed slightly, waiting for him to continue.

"I'm doing it for Jungsoo," he admitted, his voice quieter now, rough around the edges. His jaw clenched as he tried to steady his emotions. "Because he deserves happiness. He deserves a family that isn’t broken."

Arin exhaled, her expression unreadable.

Jungkook swallowed the lump in his throat. "I regret a lot of things, Arin. And I know—" his voice faltered for a moment before he forced himself to go on, "I know I can't undo everything I've done. I can't take back the years I made you feel alone, the way I treated you… the way I left you when you needed me most."

A bitter chuckle escaped him, void of humor. “But I can at least try to do better now. For him. I’ll make up for everything. Somehow.”

Arin’s lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out.

Jungkook didn't wait for a response.

With one last glance at her, he turned on his heel and left the room.

Arin stood there, staring at the empty space he had occupied just seconds ago. She should have felt relieved—this was what she had wanted, wasn’t it? For him to realize his mistakes, to acknowledge everything she had carried alone all these years.

But why did it feel so... hollow?

---

Jungkook entered Jungsoo’s room quietly. The small lamp on the bedside table cast a warm glow over his son’s sleeping form.

Jungkook sat on the edge of the bed, watching the slow, steady rise and fall of Jungsoo’s chest.

His fingers twitched at his sides. He had been so caught up in his own emotions, his own bitterness, that he had failed to see the things that truly mattered.

Arin had never abandoned their family. She had been the one holding it together all along.

And he… he had been the one tearing it apart.

Jungkook leaned forward, brushing a stray lock of hair from Jungsoo’s forehead. The boy stirred slightly but remained asleep, his tiny hand curling against the blanket.

Jungkook sighed, his heart aching with unspoken words.

"Maybe if I hadn't been so damn stubborn back then, things would be different."

"I pushed her away, too caught up in proving I wouldn't change..."

"And now? Now I'm left wondering if it's too late to fix what I've broken."

Lying down beside his son, Jungkook let out a slow, shaky breath.

Maybe tonight, just for a little while, he could pretend that everything was okay.

Maybe tomorrow, he would figure out how to mend what was shattered.

As his eyes fluttered shut, he hoped—prayed—that it wasn’t already too late.

---

Meanwhile, in their bedroom, Arin lay awake, staring at the ceiling.

Despite everything, despite the pain, the anger, the years of unspoken resentment—her heart ached for him.

Because no matter how much she tried to deny it, a part of her still wanted to believe that Jungkook could be the man she once dreamed of. The man she once hoped he could be.

But hope was a dangerous thing.

And Arin wasn’t sure if she had any left to give.

And for the first time in a long time—

Arin let herself cry.

Author’s Note

Hey, lovely readers!

Wow, this chapter was intense, wasn’t it? Jungkook and Arin’s relationship is filled with so much history, pain, and unspoken words, and I really wanted to capture the weight of their emotions in this scene. Jungkook is finally realizing the damage he has done, but is it too late? And Arin—strong, resilient Arin—has been holding everything together for so long that even she doesn’t know if she has the strength to hope anymore.

This chapter was all about raw emotions—anger, regret, guilt, and a lingering love that neither of them is ready to admit. They’re both standing at a crossroads, and the next step they take could either mend the broken pieces or shatter them even further.

What do you guys think? Is there still hope for them, or has the damage already been done? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Thank you so much for reading, supporting, and staying on this journey with me. Your comments and feedback mean the world to me! Stay tuned for the next chapter—it’s going to be even more emotional.

Until next time,
StarlitWings ✨