Author pov:

Ha-rin stood in front of the mirror, brushing her hair and trying to muster some confidence. "It's just a rejection on Instagram," she told her reflection. "No big deal. You're overreacting. He probably has a hundred requests a day."

She sighed, adjusting her top. "Come on, Ha-rin, you're better than this. Don't let it get to you. Focus on your day,not some guy."

She took a deep breath and gave herself a determined nod. "You've got this."

After finishing her morning routine, Ha-rin headed downstairs to find her mom cooking breakfast. The smell of pancakes filled the air, making her stomach rumble.

"Good morning, sweetheart," her mom greeted with a warm smile. "How did you sleep?"

"Morning, Mom. I slept okay," Ha-rin replied, forcing a smile as she took a seat at the kitchen table.

"That's good to hear. We have a busy day ahead," her mom said, placing a plate of pancakes in front of her.

"Thanks, Mom," Ha-rin said, picking up her fork. "What's on the agenda?"

"Your dad has a business dinner tonight. He wants you to come along," her mom explained.

Ha-rin's eyes widened. "A business dinner? Do I have to?"

"Yes, your dad insisted. He wants you to meet some important people," her mom said with a chuckle.

Ha-rin nodded, trying to focus on the positive. "Alright, I'll be there."

As she ate breakfast, her thoughts drifted back to Jungkook. She wondered if she would see him on campus today and what she would say if she did. The rejection on Instagram still stung, but she tried to remind herself that it wasn't the end of the world.

After breakfast, Ha-rin grabbed her bag and headed out the door. The walk to campus was refreshing, the morning air cool against her skin. She took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind and focus on the day ahead.

Classes passed in a blur, her thoughts often drifting back to Jungkook. During a break between lectures, she found herself scrolling through her phone, absentmindedly checking her notifications. There was still nothing from him.

"Focus, Ha-rin," she whispered to herself, shaking her head. "You have more important things to worry about."

As the day went on, she managed to keep herself busy with assignments and study sessions. By the time evening rolled around, she was feeling a bit better. The thought of the business dinner lifted her spirits, though she was nervous about meeting new people.

When Ha-rin got home, she found her dad getting ready for the dinner. He looked up and smiled when he saw her.

"Ha-rin, there you are. Ready for tonight?" he asked.

"Yeah, I guess so," she replied, trying to sound enthusiastic.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine. Just be yourself," her dad said, giving her a reassuring pat on the back.

They arrived at the hotel, and Ha-rin's nerves started to kick in. She followed her dad and mom inside, trying to stay composed. The hotel was elegant, with dim lighting and a sophisticated atmosphere.

As they walked through the lobby, Ha-rin saw Jungkook and his family. She stopped midway, her heart pounding in her chest. Her parents continued ahead, greeting the Jeon family.

Her dad turned back and noticed her hesitation. "Ha-rin, what's wrong?"

Without waiting for a reply, Ha-rin quickly said, "I'm not feeling well. I'm going home," and walked away swiftly.

She could feel Jungkook's eyes on her as she exited the hotel, but she didn't dare look back. Her emotions swirled inside her, a mix of confusion and hurt. She needed to get away, to clear her head.

𓍯𓂃𓂃𓂃𓍯𓂃𓂃𓂃

Ha-rin pov:

As I sat on the bench in the park, a deep sadness washed over me. Watching the kids play and laugh, I couldn't help but think about the childhood I never got to enjoy. The happy families, the carefree days-I had missed out on all of that.

I was adopted, and I knew it all too well. Memories from my early years started flooding back. I was about five years old when my birth father, often drunk, would scream and throw things.

My mother had left us when I was too young to understand why. One night, I remember cowering in a corner as he yelled at me, his words slurred and venomous.

"You're useless!" he had shouted. "Why did she leave me with you?"I shook my head, trying to push the memories away.

The neighbors had heard the commotion and called the authorities. The next thing I knew, the NGO came and took me away from the chaos. I was placed in an orphanage, scared and confused.

The nights were long and lonely, the uncertainty of my future weighing heavily on my young heart.Then one day, a kind couple walked into the orphanage.

They looked at me with warmth and love in their eyes. My adopted parents. They took me into their home, giving me the stability and care I had never known. They were patient with me, helping me heal from the trauma of my past.

Despite their love, a part of me always felt like I was on the outside looking in. I couldn't shake the feeling of being different, of not truly belonging.

I wiped away a tear, taking a deep breath. I couldn't let my past define me. I had come so far, and I needed to be strong for myself. But in this moment, sitting alone in the park, I allowed myself to feel the pain and sadness. It was a part of me, but it didn't have to control my future.

𓍯𓂃𓂃𓂃𓍯𓂃𓂃𓂃

Epilogue:

I was walking across campus, the sun casting a warm glow over everything as I headed to my next class. The day felt unusually bright, the kind that makes you believe good things are just around the corner. I clutched my books close to my chest, lost in thoughts about the assignments and upcoming exams.

As I rounded the corner, I saw Jungkook standing there with a group of his friends. He was wearing a casual black T-shirt and jeans, his dark hair falling slightly into his eyes. He looked effortlessly cool, like he always did. His friends were laughing, engaged in animated conversation.

I felt a sudden surge of courage and decided to approach them. "Hi, Jungkook," I called out, trying to sound cheerful and casual.

Jungkook glanced at me, a flicker of recognition passing through his eyes. His face remained expressionless, though, his lips set in a thin line. One of his friends, a tall guy with an athletic build, turned to Jungkook and asked, "Who's this?"

Jungkook's expression hardened, and he shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know her. Maybe a fan."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I felt a pang of hurt and embarrassment wash over me. I forced a smile, though it felt brittle, and quickly walked away, my heart heavy.

𓍯𓂃𓂃𓂃𓍯𓂃𓂃𓂃

Dear Readers,Thank you for your unwavering support and for joining me on this journey. Your likes and comments mean the world to me and fuel my creativity. If you enjoyed this part, please let me know your thoughts. Your feedback is my greatest inspiration.

Happy reading.✨

"Love is not finding someone to live with; it's finding someone you can't imagine living without.♡"

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