The weeks after their wedding blurred into an endless cycle of silence. Jungkook got what he wanted—a life where he could focus entirely on his work. He barely came home, and when he did, he was too exhausted to do anything more than collapse into bed. It suited him just fine. Marriage had always felt like a chain, something that would weigh him down, but with Arin, it was more like living with a quiet ghost. They occupied the same space, but they never truly saw each other.

Arin, on the other hand, had her own world to handle. After finalizing her responsibilities at her father’s company, she was preparing for a much bigger step—taking over Kim Corporation as the new CEO. She had always been prepared for this type of moment, trained to run a company as massive as Kim Corporation, but now, everything felt heavier with the additional pressure of her father-in-law’s expectations.

---

On the morning of her first day at Kim Corporation, Arin stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her sleek black blazer. Her reflection stared back at her—poised, polished, but there was a hint of weariness in her eyes. It wasn’t the work that made her tired. It was the silence, the way Jungkook had settled into a life of complete indifference toward her. Sometimes, when she came home after long days at the office, she hoped he might be there. Perhaps they would have a real conversation, something beyond the cold, detached exchanges they shared.

But he never was.

Arin sighed, pushing the thought aside. This is my life now. We both agreed to this, didn’t we? She didn’t have the luxury of thinking about her marriage today. Today was about her—about proving herself to Kim Minho, her father-in-law, and taking her place in the business world.

---

As Arin walked through the towering glass doors of Kim Corporation’s headquarters, her heels clicking against the marble floors, she felt every eye turn toward her. She kept her posture strong, her expression calm, exuding the confidence she had built over years of training.

In the lobby, Kim Minho, her father-in-law, was waiting for her with a proud smile.

"There she is," he said, his voice booming through the hall. "My daughter-in-law and the new CEO of Kim Corporation."

The room stilled for a moment as those words sank in. All eyes were on Arin now, but she didn’t falter. She had expected this—the curiosity, the admiration, the whispers. She had built her reputation long before this day, but now, as the CEO of one of the largest corporations in South Korea, the stakes were higher.

"Thank you, Father," Arin replied, her tone respectful but steady. She glanced around the room, meeting the curious gazes of the employees gathered around. She could sense their thoughts, some admiring, others speculative. The employees stood at respectful attention, but quiet murmurs passed between a few of them as they watched her make her way to the elevator.

“She’s the new CEO?”

“Yeah, Mr.Kim  introduced her as his daughter-in-law.”

“She is Taehyung's wife, right? Their presence feels the same—so powerful.”

“That makes sense.”

The speculation floated in the air as they tried to piece together the mystery. No one had heard about Jungkook, and with Taehyung’s dominating presence in the company, it wasn’t hard to mistake Arin as his wife.

Arin, focused on her new responsibilities, didn’t hear their whispers. She was here to prove herself, not to be swayed by idle gossip. The thought of being mistaken for Taehyung’s wife might have amused her if she knew, but for now, she was laser-focused on her first day as CEO.

-------

After the formalities, Kim Minho introduced her to the senior executives, who were waiting in the boardroom for her official first day as CEO. The atmosphere was thick with expectation, but Arin was no stranger to pressure. She greeted each executive with a firm handshake and an air of professionalism.

"We’ve heard much about you, Ms. Min—" one of the older executives began before quickly correcting himself. "I mean, Mrs. Min. It’s an honor to have you lead the company."

"Thank you," Arin replied smoothly, not letting the slip-up affect her. She had grown accustomed to people addressing her as 'Ms. Min.' Her identity as Jungkook's wife felt distant, almost nonexistent.

Throughout the meeting, the executives admired her leadership skills, her composed manner, and the clear vision she had for the company. She could feel their respect growing, but alongside that respect, there were still whispers, questions that lingered in their eyes.

---

Meanwhile, across the city, Jungkook was immersed in his work at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. His days were long, often stretching late into the night as he worked on violent crime cases that demanded his attention. His colleagues noticed nothing different about him. There was no sign of a wedding ring on his hand, no mention of a wife waiting for him at home.

To them, Jungkook was the same as always—focused, dedicated, a man whose job consumed him. Eunwoo, his closest colleague, often teased him about his workaholic tendencies.

"Do you even have time for a personal life, Jungkook?" Eunwoo asked one day as they grabbed coffee during a brief break.

Jungkook only shrugged, his expression indifferent. "I’m fine with the way things are."

Eunwoo laughed, shaking his head. "Man, I don’t know how you do it. No one would believe you’re even capable of marriage. You’re married to the job."

Jungkook smirked slightly, not bothering to correct him. Married to the job. The truth was, that’s exactly how he felt. His marriage to Arin existed on paper, but in reality, they were more like distant roommates. They spoke occasionally, but the conversations were brief, nothing more than basic pleasantries exchanged out of obligation.

He didn’t mind it. He had always preferred solitude, and Arin seemed content with the arrangement as well. At least, that’s what he told himself.

---

Back at Kim Corporation, Arin was stepping into her new role seamlessly. As the days passed, she built a reputation as a competent and visionary leader. Employees admired her professionalism and the grace with which she handled her responsibilities.

But underneath it all, Arin couldn’t shake the hollowness that settled in her chest. She was succeeding in her career, but the silence at home gnawed at her. Every night, she returned to an empty apartment. Sometimes, Jungkook would come home late, quietly slipping into his room without a word.

One night, after a particularly long day, Arin found herself standing in the kitchen, staring at the clock. It was past midnight, and she hadn’t heard from Jungkook all day. She wondered if he would come home tonight.

As if on cue, the door clicked open, and Jungkook walked in. He didn’t acknowledge her, just headed straight toward his room.

For a moment, Arin hesitated, then spoke, her voice breaking the silence.

"Jungkook."

He paused, his hand on the door handle, but didn’t turn around. "What?"

Arin swallowed, suddenly feeling foolish for even trying. "I was just... I was wondering how your day went."

There was a long silence before Jungkook finally replied, his voice flat. "It was fine."

And with that, he disappeared into his room, leaving Arin standing alone in the dimly lit kitchen. She stared at the closed door, her heart heavy with the weight of their distance.

---

Days passed like this—two people living in the same space but barely acknowledging each other. Arin threw herself deeper into her work, finding solace in the structured world of business. She became a figure of admiration at Kim Corporation, her leadership praised by everyone, but none of it filled the emptiness she felt at home.

Jungkook, on the other hand, buried himself in his cases, avoiding the emotional complexity of his marriage. They had made an unspoken agreement to live like strangers, and for now, that was easier than confronting the reality of their relationship.

But deep down, in the quiet moments when Arin stood alone in the kitchen or when Jungkook lay awake in bed after a long day, they both wondered how long they could continue like this—living lives of strangers, bound by a marriage that neither of them wanted to acknowledge.

---

It had been a month since Arin and Jungkook’s marriage. The initial coldness that once defined their relationship had slowly thawed, replaced by a sense of mutual understanding. They weren’t close by any means, but the sharp edges had dulled. Their lives had fallen into a rhythm, one that was functional, yet surprisingly harmonious.

The apartment, which had once felt foreign and detached, now carried a quiet hum of routine. Arin had grown accustomed to the simple space. It was nowhere near the grandeur of her family’s estate or the Kims' mansion, but she liked it. The size was manageable, intimate even—something she hadn’t realized she missed until she lived here. She could finally breathe without the weight of endless halls and extravagant rooms pressing down on her.

Jungkook, on the other hand, was still the same in many ways—dedicated to his job, often out late, and his attention firmly planted on his work. But he was no longer entirely aloof. On the rare nights when he returned before midnight, they exchanged a few words, sometimes more.

One evening, Arin found herself at the kitchen counter, flipping through documents for the next board meeting at Kim Corporation. The clock ticked quietly in the background. Just then, Jungkook walked in, loosening his tie and setting his phone down on the table. He paused, glancing briefly at her before making his way to the fridge.

"Busy night?" Arin asked without looking up from her papers, her tone casual yet curious.

"Same as always," he replied, pulling out a bottle of water. He leaned against the counter opposite her, watching as she worked.

She glanced up and smiled slightly, appreciating that he was trying to engage in conversation more often these days. “I’ve got a big presentation tomorrow. I think your father’s been waiting for this one.”

“He’s always waiting,” Jungkook said, though his voice lacked the usual edge. He took a sip of his water, eyes flicking briefly to the papers she was reviewing. “You seem well-prepared.”

“I am.” Arin nodded, her confidence subtle but evident. “It's just...you know, it’s different when you’re trying to prove yourself.”

Jungkook nodded, understanding the weight of expectations better than anyone. “I get it. Kim Corporation isn’t easy to manage, especially when everyone’s watching your every move.”

There was a beat of silence. It wasn’t awkward, just a pause—comfortable in its own way.

Arin closed the folder, deciding that work could wait for the night. “How was your day?” she asked, genuinely curious now. “Did you get through the case you were working on?”

Jungkook nodded, leaning his head back slightly as if the weight of the day was catching up to him. “Yeah, we made some progress. It’s not much, but it’s something. There’s always more work, though. More cases.”

“I imagine it’s not easy to deal with,” she said softly, catching the faint look of exhaustion in his eyes.

“It’s not. But it’s what I do,” Jungkook replied. Then, surprisingly, he added, “And you? You’ve been managing well, right?”

Arin smiled faintly at the change in his tone. He was still distant, but there was an undeniable shift in their dynamic—one that made the cold walls between them seem less impenetrable. “It’s been challenging, but I’m getting the hang of it. Your father has high expectations, but I’m not planning to let him down.”

Jungkook chuckled under his breath. “Sounds like you’re handling things just fine.”

For a moment, there was a shared understanding. They weren’t friends, but they weren’t strangers either. They lived in parallel, but now, occasionally, those lines crossed. Neither expected warmth, but respect—respect was starting to form between them.

Arin gathered her papers and stood, ready to retreat to her room. But before she left, she turned to Jungkook and said, “Good night.”

Jungkook, who was still leaning against the counter, nodded slightly. “Good night.”

---

As the weeks passed, moments like these became more frequent. Though they still kept to themselves, the occasional conversations over late dinners or quiet mornings before work became less formal and more natural.

One night, Arin was preparing dinner when Jungkook came home earlier than usual. He paused in the doorway of the kitchen, taking in the scent of the meal she was cooking.

“Smells good,” he said.

Arin glanced over her shoulder, surprised to see him. “Thanks. There’s enough for two, if you’re hungry.”

Jungkook hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, I could eat.”

They sat across from each other at the dining table, the soft clatter of cutlery filling the silence. It wasn’t much, but it felt different. A month ago, they would have ignored each other or barely exchanged a word. Now, there was a silent agreement—a sort of truce.

As they ate, Jungkook broke the silence. “I’ve been thinking about your presentation last week,” he began, catching her off guard. “You handled the board really well. My father was impressed.”

Arin blinked, surprised. “He said that?”

Jungkook nodded. “Not directly, but I can tell. He doesn’t hand out compliments, but the fact that he hasn’t criticized you means you’re doing a good job.”

A small smile crept onto her face. “I’ll take that as high praise then.”

Jungkook smirked slightly before continuing with his meal. It wasn’t much, but moments like this—small exchanges, shared understanding—were becoming more frequent. They weren’t exactly close, but they weren’t as distant as before.

And in their strange, quiet way, they had begun to adapt to their new life. They weren’t the loving couple everyone expected them to be, but they were learning to coexist, learning to work together in a world that demanded too much from both of them.

---

The nights when Jungkook stayed late at work were still common, but he no longer ignored Arin when he came home. Sometimes, he even asked about her day, and she’d share small bits of information about the projects she was working on. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make the apartment feel less like a cold, empty space and more like a place they were both trying to make work.

And maybe, just maybe, they weren’t as far apart as they once thought.

---

Author's Note:

Hey, lovely readers!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! This one was all about subtle growth and the little moments that show how even the most distant people can start to understand each other with time. Jungkook and Arin aren’t in love yet, but they’re slowly building a connection—one step at a time. I really wanted to highlight how life isn’t always about grand gestures; sometimes, it’s the quiet, unspoken things that make a difference.

I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops further! There’s still so much to explore with their characters, and I’m excited to take you all along on this journey. As always, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. I love hearing what you all think and appreciate all the support!

See you in the next update!

With love, StarlitWings ✨