🥀 57. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐛𝐲𝐬𝐬

Enjoy 🌸

Night time

Jungkook sat at the vanity, her damp hair was messily tucked by a claw clip and a few rowdy strands fell over her face and pale neck. A faint floral scent lingered in the air from her post-shower routine and her cheeks were still rosy from the warm water. She wore a pastel pink robe that complemented her rosy complexion, the silky fabric draping elegantly over her petite frame, cinched neatly at her waist with a sash highlighting her graceful posture.

With one knee tucked under her on the chair, she dabbed a small amount of serum onto her fingertips, patting it gently across her cheeks and forehead. Jungkook glanced at the small collection of products on the vanity, her lips pursing thoughtfully before selecting an eye cream and swiping it underneath her eyes.

Her reflection was radiant but Jungkook wasn't focused on her appearance. Instead, her attention was fully on her husband. Taehyung sat at the edge of the bed and was engrossed in a thick book.

"So, you know, what happened, Mr Kim?" Jungkook began, reaching for her hand cream and squeezing out a drop. She rubbed her palms together, the faint citrus scent wafting into the room.

"It started with the printer breaking down again. I swear, it's like that thing has a personal rivalry against me. I mean, how hard is it to just replace it? We're a multimillion-dollar company, but nooo, let's make Jungkook suffer."

"Hmm," he hummed again, eyes still scanning his book.

Jungkook squinted at him in the mirror but pressed on, unscrewing the cap of her lip balm. "And then, Mr. Lee,"

Jungkook continued, moving on to apply her lip balm. "He's so smug, Mr Kim. Like, the printer jam wasn't even my fault but he just had to make a comment. 'Secretary Kim, maybe you're not feeding the paper correctly.' Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Genius—should I have sung it a lullaby first?"

Jungkook huffed, her lips pressing into a pout. "I wanted to shove that jammed paper in his face."

Taehyung made a low sound of acknowledgment, turning another page. Though his eyes scanned the pages, it was clear he wasn't truly reading. His ears were tuned to every word she said, and every now and then, the faint smile would tug at his lips.

Jungkook paused, her hands resting on the vanity as she turned halfway to glare at him. Her lips pressed together briefly, but then she perked up, determined to get his attention.

"And then, when I got home, Yeonjun tried to call me 'sil' again. I mean, how many times do I have to tell him to use my name?"

Taehyung hummed softly in acknowledgment, his eyes scanning the text. Jungkook glanced at him through the mirror, her brow furrowing slightly at his lack of reaction but pushed on regardless.

"You should really talk to your brother about this, Mr Kim." She paused, expecting a witty comment or a shared exasperation, but none came.

Jungkook frowned, setting down the hand cream with a quiet clink. She spun in her chair to face him fully, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes.

"Kim Taehyung," she said pointedly, her voice tinged with annoyance.

"Hmm?" he replied absently, his tone so casual it made her pout deepen.

"Have you heard anything I've said?"

"Hmm? yes!" Taehyung looked up briefly, his expression perfectly calm, before his eyes dropped back to the page. "You were talking about work."

"Wow, insightful," Jungkook deadpanned, throwing her hands up.

Jungkook narrowed her eyes at him through the mirror. "I knew it," she muttered, more to herself than to him.

"The point is, you're not even looking at me! How can you say you're listening when you haven't made eye contact once?"What kind of husband just goes, 'Hmm,' all the time?"

Taehyung tilted his head, the corner of his mouth curving upward. "The kind who knows his wife talks enough for the both of them."

Jungkook gasped. "Excuse me? I'm just sharing my day with you! You should be grateful."

Taehyung finally looked up, his eyes calm but attentive. His lips quirked upward, and he stood, walking over to stand behind her.

"Hmm,"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jungkook asked as he approached her.

Instead of answering, Taehyung walked over to where she sat at the vanity, her figure glowing softly under the warm light. Without a word, he picked up the towel she had carelessly draped on the chair's backrest.

"What are you—" Jungkook started, but her words were cut off when his hands gently reached for the oversized claw clip holding her hair in place.

The soft click of the clip opening was followed by the tumble of her damp hair, cascading over her shoulders in a waterfall of silk. Taehyung paused for a heartbeat. His gaze paused on the way her dark strands radiated under the light, his face unreadable but quietly captivated.

"M-Mr. Kim?" Jungkook stammered, her earlier frustration faltering.

Her fingers twitched against her lap, unsure of what to do with herself. She tried to keep her composure, but the way his hands hovered near her hair, his presence so close made her chest tighten.

He didn't answer. Instead, he unfolded the towel, holding it delicately and gently began patting her hair dry. Jungkook's breath hitched at the tender care in his touch.

Her eyes darted to the mirror, watching his reflection. His usual stoic expression was present, but there was a quietness about him, a focus that made her heart skip a beat. She tried to speak again, to say something to break the silence, but no words came.

"You were saying something?" Taehyung asked in low and teasing tone, though his focus remained on her hair.

"I—I was!" Jungkook's voice wavered slightly as she tried to remember the fiery points she had been making earlier. "About how ungrateful you are, not listening while I talk about my day..."

"Hmm," he hummed again, still softly drying her hair.

"That's again not a real response!" she huffed, crossing her arms.

Taehyung set the towel aside, his fingers brushing against her shoulder as he leaned closer. Their reflections in the mirror were startlingly intimate. Jungkook's wide, doe-like eyes met his gaze, and the intensity made her heart flutter despite herself.

"I heard everything, Jungkook," he said softly, his tone had enough teasing to make her lips twitch into an involuntary pout.

"Oh, really?" she challenged, her tone filled with skepticism  as she crossed her arms lightly over her chest. "Then what was I saying?"

"You were annoyed at Yeonjun," he began, his hands still lightly arranging the damp strands so it fell neatly over her shoulders. "You want a Jungkook-friendly printer in the office and your meeting with Mr Lee was unnecessary. Did I miss anything?"

Jungkook blinked, stunned at his accuracy. "Well... no, but—"

"But?" he prompted smoothly, his fingers brushed the ends of her hair. He leaned in closer, just enough that his musky scene filled her senses entirely as he tilted his head.

"You—you weren't even looking at me!" Jungkook burst out, her blush deepening as she felt his presence. Her voice rose slightly. "How was I supposed to know you were paying attention?"

Taehyung's lips quirked upward again. "Mrs Kim," he murmured, his voice soft as he reached out to gently brush a stray strand of hair behind her ear, "I always hear you."

The words left her speechless. She could only stare at him through the mirror, her earlier frustration melting away under his gaze. His fingers brushed lightly along the curve of her ear as he pulled back, sending a shiver through her.

"Well... you could've said something," Jungkook mumbled, her eyes darting down as her fingers fidgeted with the sash of her robe, tugging at it absentmindedly.

Taehyung tilted his head slightly, observing her. He leaned in closer again, the distance between them dwindling to mere inches. His lips hovered just near her ear, his deep voice resonating softly. "Why would I interrupt when you look so beautiful while talking?"

Jungkook's breath hitched audibly, her hands freezing mid-motion as her mind scrambled to process his words. The heat rushing to her cheeks was almost unbearable, and she was certain her blush now matched the rosy tint of her robe. She dared a glance at their reflection, only to find his eyes locked on hers.

Jungkook swallowed hard, her tongue darting out nervously to wet her lips. Her mind racing to find some good sassy words.

"You—you're so full of yourself," she muttered, though her voice was barely above a whisper now, her earlier anger nowhere to be found. Her cheeks burned, and the rest of her retort died on her lips, leaving her to chew nervously on the inside of her cheek.

Taehyung's gaze still fixed on her as if to memorize every detail of her flustered state. Then, he straightened, the distance between them returning as he stepped back. His lips quirked upward in the faint smirk, the kind that made her want to both shove him away and hide her face in her hands.

"I'll take that as a compliment," he said simply before turning back toward the bed, leaving Jungkook sitting on the vanity with her heart racing and her thoughts in disarray.

The wife bit her lower lip, trying—and failing—to suppress the giddy smile that threatened to spread across her face. Jungkook's hands fumbled as she tried to regain her composure, her eyes darting to the vanity in an attempt to focus on anything other than the smirk Taehyung had left behind.

But in her flustered state, her elbow grazed the edge of a small bottle.

Clink, clatter.

The sound of a few products toppling over broke the silence and Jungkook froze, staring at the fallen items as if they were somehow conspiring against her. Her cheeks, already tinted pink, turned a deeper shade of crimson.

"Careful, clumsy wife," Taehyung drawled, his deep voice tinged with amusement.

The sound of his voice startled her and she froze mid-movement. Her heart skipped a beat as her cheeks flushed hot. Straightening abruptly, she turned to face him, determined not to let him see how flustered she was.

But the moment her eyes met his and that infuriating smirk tugging at his lips, all resolve fled. Her mind offered no witty comebacks, so the words tumbled out without any filter.

"Clumsy will be your kids."

The room went still for a beat, her words hanging in the air.

Taehyung blinked, clearly taken off guard. His smirk faltered just for a second, his eyes flickering with surprise, he hadn't expected her to counter so boldly. But then, the corners of his lips tugged upward again, his smirk returned. This time tinged with mischief.

He pushed off the bed, taking a step closer to her. Jungkook's breath hitched, his dark eyes seemed to hold hers captive.

"Obviously," he said smoothly, his deep voice tinged with seriousness, "because of you."

The realization of what she'd just said hit Jungkook like a bolt of lightning. Her eyes widened, and her mind raced, replaying her words. Did I seriously say that out loud? Her mouth opened, but no coherent retort came.

Her face turned an even darker shade of crimson as she stammered, "Y-you—"

Taehyung tilted his head slightly. "Me?" he asked innocently, his voice was teasing, as if daring her to complete her sentence.

Jungkook's hands flailed slightly, her embarrassment overtaking her. She turned sharply on her heel, refusing to let him see her spiraling. Her movements were rushed, her fingers fumbling as she picked up a stray comb from the vanity, only to drop it again.

Her thoughts were a chaotic jumble.

Behind her, Taehyung watched her reaction, his eyes sparkling. She was clearly scrambling to gather herself and he was enjoying every second of it.

"Stop saying nonsense," Jungkook muttered under her breath, though her voice lacked the dominance she wanted.

"I'm not saying nonsense, Mrs Kim," he said smoothly, taking another step closer. "It's truth."

Jungkook huffed, gripping the edge of the vanity as if it were her lifeline. Her mind screamed at her to ignore him but her traitorous heart pounded wildly in her chest.

When Jungkook still didn't respond, Taehyung leaned slightly to the side, catching her flustered expression in the mirror. Her eyes shot up to meet his reflection in the mirror, her cheeks practically glowing.

The wife glared at the husband through the mirror, willing her face to cool down but the knowing look in his eyes only made her flush harder. She hated—absolutely hated—how easily he could rattle her.

"Don't you have something better to do?" Jungkook snapped, her voice slightly higher than usual as she desperately tried to regain control of the situation.

"What exactly do you want me to do at this hour of the night, Mrs Kim?"

"Go to your second wife," Jungkook snapped, her voice sharp and dripping with sarcasm.

The room fell silent.

Taehyung blinked, his smirk disappearing as he processed her words. His brows lifted slightly, and for the first time that night, he looked genuinely taken aback.

"My... what?" he asked, his tone filled with disbelief. But Taehyung's smirk returned, wider and more dangerous than before, as if he had just been handed the most entertaining puzzle to solve.

"And who might that be, darling?" he drawled, taking a slow step toward her.

"Y-Your...laptop," Jungkook weakly answered.

"Mrs. Kim," he started, "are you calling my laptop my second wife?"

"I only said that because you spend more time with it than with me," Jungkook shot back without thinking, then froze, realizing how whiny that sounded.

Taehyung leaned down slightly so his face was closer to hers. "Ah, so that's what this is about," he murmured, his voice low and playful. "You miss me."

Jungkook whipped around to glare at him, her cheeks blazing. "I don't!" she protested, though her voice cracked betrayed her.

Taehyung countered, stepping closer, his hands casually sliding into his pockets.

"Don't worry, Mrs Kim," Taehyung said, his voice dropping into a low murmur that sent shivers up her spine, "I'll make sure to spend more time with my first wife from now on."

Jungkook's eyes widened, and she froze for a split second, her mind racing as the weight of his words settled in. Unable to process a proper response, she resorted to action.

She stepped forward and gave him a firm push against his chest—not enough to make him stumble but enough to make her point. Then, she spun around and made a beeline for the bed.

"Running away, are we?"

Jungkook didn't dignify him with a response. Instead, she grabbed the edge of the duvet and dove under it, yanking it over her head.

Her muffled voice came from beneath the covers. "I'm done talking to you!"

The faintest grin lingered on his lips as he thought, She's so easy to rile up.

Jungkook peeked out from under the duvet just enough to catch a glimpse of Taehyung turning back toward the bed after switching off the lights. Her heart raced as he strolled to the other side and sat down, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight.

"What are you doing?" Jungkook asked, her voice muffled by the fabric still shielding her flushed face.

"Sleeping," Taehyung replied nonchalantly as he fluffed the pillow and stretched out next to her, one arm resting behind his head. "Last I checked, this is my bed too, Mrs. Kim."

Jungkook pulled the blanket tighter around herself. "Can't you sleep somewhere else? Like on the couch?"

He turned his head toward her. "Why would I do that? My first wife might get lonely."

She groaned audibly, the blanket muffling the sound but not enough to escape Taehyung's ears. Jungkook peeked out again, only to meet his gaze glinting in the dim light.

Her hand shot out from under the duvet, flailing blindly toward him. "Go away!"

Taehyung caught her wrist, his grip firm but gentle. "Careful," he murmured, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin. "You'll hurt yourself like this."

The softness in his tone made Jungkook freeze, her heart skipping a beat. Slowly, she peeked out again, her wide eyes meeting his calm gaze.

"Why are you like this?" she asked, her voice smaller now, almost unsure.

"Like what?" he countered, his expression unreadable but his eyes carrying a quiet intensity.

"Like... like this," she said, gesturing vaguely toward him with her free hand. "You say these things and act so—so..." She trailed off, unable to find the right words and instead glared at him in frustration.

Taehyung's lips curved slightly, the faint smile that was more warmth than mockery. "Because I'm your husband," he said as if the answer was the most natural thing in the world.

Jungkook's heart stuttered at the sincerity in his voice, and she quickly yanked her wrist free, retreating under the blanket once more.

"Goodnight!" she blurted, her voice muffled but undeniably flustered.

Taehyung didn't respond immediately but when he did, his voice was softer, gentler. "Goodnight."

The room fell quiet, save for the soft rustle of the duvet as Jungkook fidgeted, trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach. Her cheeks still burned, and she clenched her eyes shut, determined to ignore the way her heart seemed to race every time he spoke.

"Stupid Husband," Jungkook whispered to herself, her heart fluttering despite her best efforts to remain annoyed.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The dark ash jinn moved silently through the dense forest, her figure barely visible under the cover of towering trees and mist that clung to the ground like a shroud. Her skin was the color of burnt charcoal, glowing faintly under the moonlight and her eyes burned with a deep hunger. Her thoughts consumed her as she roamed deeper into the forest.

She had one singular goal: Taehyung.

The world he inhabited, the love he shared with Jungkook, had to be destroyed.

The jinn's sharp eyes darted to the ground, catching sight of something hidden among the roots of an ancient oak tree. A small flower, its petals a dark, almost unnatural purple, lay nestled beneath the thorns.

Poison hue.

A flower born from the ashes of death, its seeds were capable of sowing destruction unlike anything else in this realm. It was said that one drop of its essence could unravel the soul, bringing chaos and death to anything it touched.

Her fingers reached down, brushing against the petals, feeling the coldness of its power. She had waited for this moment, for this flower to bloom in the depths of the forest.

"This flower's seeds are not meant to be used by the weak," she whispered to the flower, as though it could understand her words.

The jinn's lips curled into a sinister smile as her gaze flickered toward the dark sky.

Now that it had, her plan could begin.

The jinn knew that Taehyung, the powerful eldest son of the Kim Clan, was nearly untouchable. His magic was fierce, his heart strong, and his bond with Jungkook, an unbreakable force.

But nothing was truly impervious—not even love.

She had witnessed it before—how the strongest could fall, how even the brightest light could be swallowed by the darkest shadow.

But Taehyung's fall would be different. It would not come at the hands of some rival or enemy, but from the very person who was meant to protect him—the one he trusted most.

Jungkook.

The thought made her lips curl into a twisted smile. If Taehyung's heart was so deeply tethered to hers, if Jungkook was the one thing he could not live without, then it was Jungkook who would be the key to his downfall.

She was not here to kill Jungkook.

No, that would be too quick, too easy. What she needed was something far more subtle, more insidious.

Jungkook's love for Taehyung would become the instrument of his demise.

With a dark chuckle, the jinn stood up, the poison hue flower clutched in her hand. She held it delicately in her palm. Her magic flowed through the flower's veins, unlocking the power hidden within. The faint purple glow of the flower intensified as she loaded it with her dark energy, preparing it for the moment.

"I will make the poison work its way into him. Each kiss, each touch will be a moment that brings him closer to his end." The jinn's eyes narrowed, a cruel smile tugging at her lips. "Jungkook's love will become the chains that bind him. As long as they stay together, the poison will flourish."

Every moment they spent together would bring him closer to destruction. Jungkook, in her innocence and devotion, would unknowingly be the harbinger of his death.

"And when it is planted in her heart, when it blooms beneath her skin, it will begin to bloom in him too. The more they love, the faster it will grow."

Taehyung's power would dwindle, and Jungkook would become the one to pull him into the abyss—a fate sealed by the very bond they shared.

"This flower will be your undoing, Kim Taehyung. It's not just a weapon—it's a curse, a curse wrapped in love."

The jinn disappeared into the shadows, her mind already planning the next step in her game. The flower would soon find its way to Jungkook.

And when the time was right, the final piece of her plan would fall into place, bringing Taehyung to his knees and leaving her standing victorious in the ruins of their love.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Night Time 3 a.m.

In the odd night hours, a softphone buzzing interrupted the calm.

Taehyung stirred slightly, but his arms remained wrapped around Jungkook. He didn't fully wake, lulled by her warmth against his. Meanwhile, a small figure moved under the heavy duvet, stirring gently from slumber.

Jungkook's brows furrowed as she blinked, trying to shake off the haze of sleep. The phone's faint vibration persisted, calling to her. She let out a sleepy murmur, her hand sluggishly slipping out from beneath the covers and lazily reaching towards the bedside table. Her fingers drifted over the surface, blindly tracing in search of the device. They brushed against a glass of water, Taehyung's eye glass and finally found the solid, familiar shape of her phone.

With a soft sigh, she pulled it closer, bringing it near her cheek without even opening her eyes. Her thumb brushed over the screen, silencing the buzzing sound.

Jungkook tossed away the phone and nestled back down, a slight shift in Taehyung's embrace brought her closer to him. Instinctively, Jungkook turned into his warmth, her head tucking beneath his chin as she burrowed against his chest. Taehyung, even in his sleep, respond, his arm draping over her.

The minutes stretched, and the room settled back into the deep quiet of the night. But The silence was once again broken by the persistent buzzing.

Jungkook let out a small groan, muffled by the pillow, as she shifted beneath the covers. Her eyes, still heavy with sleep, blinked open slowly, lashes fluttering against the dim room. Reluctantly, she pushed herself up, her body protesting as she sat up lazily, the duvet sliding down her shoulders.

Squinting at the glowing screen, Jungkook's eyes barely focused as she took in the unknown number blinking across her phone. She pouted slightly, lips pursing as she frowned at the unwelcome interruption. The dull light from the screen cast a soft glow on her sleepy features, illuminating her half-lidded eyes that held only confusion and annoyance.

With a heavy sigh, she let her head loll to one side, considering her options in a foggy daze. Part of her was tempted to just toss the phone aside, bury herself back under the blankets, and snuggle back into Taehyung's arms.

But curiosity got the better of her—barely.

She slid her thumb across the screen, too tired to think much beyond, Who's disturbing me at this hour?

The moment she tapped the screen, a voice crackled through the speaker.

"Hello, darling..."

Jungkook's drowsiness evaporated, replaced by a sharp alertness. Her spine stiffened, and a chill prickled across her skin as she stared at the phone in her hand, wide-eyed.

Her fingers tightened around the device, but she didn't respond, her heart beginning to pound in her chest. Swallowing, she trying to calm herself and suppress the shiver creeping up her spine.

The voice remained silent after the initial greeting, as though waiting for her response. But Jungkook knew better than to speak back. Instead, she ended the call, letting the screen go dark in her trembling hand.

For a moment, she just sat there, frozen in the dim light, eyes trained on the phone. She'd recognize that voice anywhere—it was Sangwoon, her ex-fiancé, the man she thought she'd left far behind in her life.

The memories of him were tainted, unsettling, and the sound of his voice brought it all rushing back with a force that made her stomach turn.

Her hand trembled as she clutched the phone, bile rising at the thought of him reaching out to her, here, now, in the sanctuary she'd built with Taehyung. She wanted nothing more than to bury herself back in her husband's embrace, to forget this moment entirely.

But the creeping dread made her feel strangely frozen, her mind racing through a thousand possibilities about why he would reach out to her now. Ai this odd hour.

Finally, She turned to look at Taehyung. The last thing she wanted was to disturb him, to bring this darkness into their life. But knowing Sangwoon was trying to reach her sent a shiver down her spine that was impossible to ignore.

The phone buzzed again, its screen flashing insistently. Jungkook's jaw clenched.

Enough was enough.

She wouldn't let Sangwoon invade her peace—or Taehyung's.

Gritting her teeth, she slipped out of bed, her feet barely making a sound as she padded across the room. She cast a quick glance back at Taehyung, ensuring he was still asleep, then wrapped herself in a robe and stepped out onto the balcony, closing the door quietly behind her.

The cool night air hit her face as she stepped out. She took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around the phone as she braced herself, then answered the call.

"How dare you call me at this odd hours, creepy Homo sapien"

Her voice was barely more than a whisper, but it held a fierce edge she hadn't known she could summon, each word laced with anger.

There was a pause on the other end. Then came that voice filled with the same sickly sweetness she remembered so well.

"Oh, Jungkook," he drawled, "It's been too long. Don't sound so cold, darling. We have unfinished business, don't we?"

"NO," Jungkook gripped the railing, forcing herself to stay calm, to not let him see the effect he had on her. "There's nothing left between us, Sangwoon," she replied, her tone icy. "You have no right to call me. Leave me alone."

A low chuckle drifted through the phone, sending another wave of unease through her.

"Meet me outside,"

Jungkook's grip on the phone tightened as she listened to Sangwoon's audacious demand. The nerve of him, calling her at this hour, demanding her presence as if he had any hold over her.

Jungkook scoffed, her voice shaking as she bit out, "Are you out of your damn mind, Sangwoon? You think I'd leave my husband and come meet you in the middle of the night? Get over yourself."

Sangwoon chuckled, that infuriating sound sending her blood boiling. "Now, now, Jungkook," he replied smoothly, as if her anger amused him. "I thought you'd be a little more eager to see an old friend."

Her patience snapped. "Friend? You don't even deserve to be called a good human, Bastard," she hissed. "Don't ever call me again. Get it through your thick skull—whatever you think we had, it's over. It was over the day I left."

"Guess what?" Sangwoon purred, "You were going to become the wife of this bastard,"

Jungkook felt the bile rise in her throat at the words, but she swallowed it down. she was done letting him get under her skin. She was no longer the same naive person who'd let him control her life.

"Thanks to God and my fate," jungkook said sharply, her voice slicing through the call like ice. "That I was spared from being bound to you. We were never meant to be tied in any relationship."

"What about Jimin's and Yoongi's relationship?" Sangwoon tsked. "What if my wife came to know that you were going to be my second wife,"

"Then the relationship will break," Sangwoon's mocking voice continued, dripping with satisfaction. "And Jimin's heart, too. I've heard how dear family is to Kim Taehyung. Imagine his reaction, Jungkook."

Jungkook's heart pounded, each word from Sangwoon feeling like a knife twisting deeper. He was taunting her, targeting the very core of what she cherished most—her family, her loved ones, the life she and Taehyung had carefully built together.

"You wouldn't dare," Jungkook hissed. "Drag them into this, and you'll be crossing a line even you can't come back from. Leave them out of your twisted games."

Sangwoon only chuckled darkly, undeterred by her threat. "Oh, but isn't it interesting? What if people knew? The powerful Kim Taehyung's wife... was meant to be my second choice. Imagine how that might taint your perfect little life."

"So," he continued smoothly, "if you want this little secret to stay between us... come and meet me. Right now. Or I might just feel the need to share a few... truths with my dear wife."

Without waiting for a response, he ended the call. The silence that followed felt suffocating, and Jungkook's pulse thundered in her ears. She stood there, staring at the blank screen, her body still from the shock but her mind racing, Sangwoon's words repeating in her head.

Her hands were trembling, but it wasn't fear that took hold of her now—it was anger, a fierce flame that burned away the last remnants of hesitation. She took a deep and tossed the phone aside, letting it clatter onto the table.

She closed her eyes briefly, jaw clenched, letting the cool night air calm her.

The decision solidified within her: Sangwoon would never get his way. She would meet him, face him, and put an end to his threats once and for all.

Jungkook moved quietly, slipping back into the bedroom, casting a glance at Taehyung's sleeping form. His peaceful face eased her nerves, and for a brief moment, she hesitated. She hated keeping anything from him, but Sangwoon's threats were hers to confront, not Taehyung's burden to carry.

With silent steps, she grabbed a coat from the closet, pulling it around her shoulders. She made her way to the bedroom door. One step, then another, she edged toward the door.

She paused, her fingers hovering over the handle, and glanced back at Taehyung. She whispered under her breath.

"I'm Sorry,"

With that, Jungkook opened the door just enough to slip through and stepped out, carefully pulling it shut behind her. The hallway was dim and she moved quickly, descending the stairs and slipping out of the house into the brisk night air.

And with that, Jungkook braced herself for whatever awaited her in the darkness.

□■□

Sangwoon stood in the park, a cruel smirk spreading across his lips as he heard the quiet click of the phone disconnecting. He had said what he needed to—putting enough pressure on Jungkook to make her do exactly what he wanted.

He paced slowly across the dimly lit park, his thoughts consumed with the twisted game he was playing.

Her marriage, her peace—it was all temporary. He knew the buttons to push, the threats to make. He had no intention of letting her go—not now, not ever.

Sangwoon's smirk deepened as he imagined her torn, sitting there and contemplating. She'd do it, of course. Jungkook was too soft, too worried about the people she cared for.

"Kim Taehyung," he murmured, rolling the name around on his tongue like a bitter taste.

□■□

Taehyung's phone buzzed sharply, pulling him from the deep sleep he'd been drifting in. He stirred, blinking in the darkness as his gaze shifted to the screen. The unknown number flashed again. A sigh escaped him, annoyed that someone would be calling at this hour, but he answered the call nonetheless, his voice low and groggy.

"Hello?" he muttered, trying to shake off the sleep.

"I told you I would show Jungkook's real face," Sangwoon's voice smirked through the phone, sending a chill down Taehyung's spine.

"Check where your wife is."

Taehyung's eyes widened as the last words sunk in, but before he could respond, the call ended abruptly, the silence in his ear suffocating. His heart skipped a beat.

Where's Jungkook?

His first instinct was to turn to her, but as he looked over at the empty space beside him, his chest tightened. He shot out of bed, panic creeping into his movements. She wasn't there.

Not in the bathroom. Not by the windows. His mind raced, and he fought to steady his breath.

Without hesitation, he pulled his phone back up, calling back the number, but it rang once, twice, and then went silent. No answer.

Then, almost as if to mock him, a new message popped up on the screen. Live location attached.

The address. A part of town he knew well, but it wasn't a place he ever wanted to go.

"Come here soon,"

Without wasting another second, he stormed out of the room, his heart pounding in his chest as he hurried toward the garage. He couldn't afford to waste a second—Jungkook was out there, and Sangwoon was making his move.

The drive felt like an eternity, each passing moment dragging his thoughts deeper into the pit of worry and rage.

Please be okay, Jungkook, he thought, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.

Please be safe.

As the location drew closer, Taehyung's heart raced.

• ───────────────── •

Jungkook reached the isolated park Sangwoon had messaged her about, and an uneasy chill ran down her spine as she took in her surroundings. The park was deserted, shrouded in darkness, with only the dim glow of a garden light casting long shadows around her.

Every instinct screamed at her to turn back, but she forced herself to keep moving, gripping her phone tightly in her hands.

"Welcome," Sangwoon's voice slithered through the quiet night, chillingly close.

Jungkook flinched, instinctively stepping back as she spotted him approaching, his figure emerging from the shadows. She forced herself to stand tall, even as her heart raced, her gaze steadying into a glare.

"What the hell do you want, Sangwoon?" Jungkook spat, venom dripping from her voice. "You just can't help but slink around like the slimy coward you are, can you? Some pathetic excuse for a man—cornering me in the middle of the night like this? You're even more worthless than I remembered."

Sangwoon's smirk faltered for a moment, his expression darkening, but Jungkook didn't stop. The words poured out, sharp and unfiltered, each one fueled by the anger she'd held back for too long.

"You're nothing but a sad, sick joke. Coward! This all was a pathetic attempt to intimidate me."

Sangwoon clicked his tongue, shaking his head with disappointment. "Tsk, tsk. I thought you came alone," he said, his voice laced with sarcasm. He paused, his gaze lingering on her clenched fists and the anger blazing in her eyes.

"But it seems you brought all that anger with you," he added, a sly smile curling at his lips.

"If you had this much of a problem with me, then why did you come?" he taunted.

Jungkook's jaw clenched so tightly she could feel her teeth ache. Her hands balled into fists, nails digging into her palms as she fought to keep her composure.

"Because you threatened me," Jungkook spat. "If anything happens to Jimin's relationship, or if you dare touch Mr Kim's reputation, I will make sure you regret it." Her words were as sharp as a blade, cutting through the night air with undeniable certainty.

"Don't think for a second that I'm bluffing, Sangwoon. I don't care how you play your little games, but you touch them—and I will end you."

Sangwoon's smirk twisted. "Fall in love with Kim Taehyung so quickly, huh?" he sneered, his voice laced with mockery. "What a joke. You really think you can stand up to me?"

"Shut up."

The words were a command, cutting through his taunts.

"I'm not playing around,"  she continued. "The hand which can bake cookies... can bake you into dust too."

But as she spoke, Sangwoon's eyes flickered to the side, his gaze narrowing as he saw Taehyung's car pull up at the entrance.

A flash of opportunity sparked in his eyes, and in that moment, he made his move.

Before Jungkook could react, he lunged forward, pulling her into a sudden, tight embrace. He started speaking loudly, mocking words against her ear, trying to taint the air with his twisted affection.

"Come on, Jungkook. I'm sorry. You know I'm still the one you belong to."

Jungkook froze for a split second. Then, with a strength born from the desperation to escape, she twisted violently in his grasp, pushing against his chest with all her force.

Her eyes flashed with rage, her voice a low growl. "Get your filthy hands off me, you bastard."

She tried to break free, the anger and disgust at his touch giving her the strength to shove him away, but Sangwoon wasn't backing down. His arms tightened around her, but Jungkook's resolve was ironclad.

Jungkook's palms slammed against Sangwoon's chest, shoving him away with every ounce of strength she had. Her body trembled with fury, and for a brief moment, she thought she had gained some space.

But before she could even take a breath, she saw him.

Taehyung.

He was standing at the side, his tall frame rigid with tension. His eyes... His eyes were bloodshot, a piercing shade of grey—like a storm brewing in the depths of the ocean. His jaw was clenched tight, his whole posture exuding rage, but he didn't move.

Jungkook's heart skipped a beat as she saw Taehyung standing there. His body was tense with anger, the storm brewing in his intense eyes making her pulse race with anxiety. It wasn't just the intensity of his gaze—it was the fear that gnawed at her insides, the fear that he might misunderstand everything.

Her hands shook as she stood there, frozen for just a moment, eyes locked with Taehyung's.

What if he believed she was here by her will, that she'd been playing some kind of game with him?

What if the trust they'd built shattered in an instant?

The thought twisted inside her like a blade, her chest tightening. She opened her mouth to explain, to tell him everything was okay, but the words refused to form. She couldn't even begin to explain how it felt to be caught between the man she loved and the man who had once tried to claim her as his.

Sangwoon's voice interrupted her frantic thoughts, dripping with mockery.

"Isn't this a pretty sight, Taehyung?" He took a slow step forward, enjoying the tension, like a predator circling its prey.

"Your lovely wife, standing so close to me." He chuckled, as if this was all some game he controlled.

Jungkook turned to Sangwoon, her eyes flashing with a fury that made her pulse quicken. She wanted to shout, to tear him apart with her words but Taehyung's gaze on her made her freeze.

The uncertainty flooded her again—was he watching her with suspicion? Was he thinking that she had somehow invited this situation?

"Mr Kim," she breathed, taking a shaky step toward him, her heart in her throat.

"Please, you have to understand—this isn't what it looks like. I didn't come here by choice, I—I was forced into this." Her voice faltered, but she pushed on, desperate to make him understand. "Sangwoon is trying to mess with us. He's threatening Jimin, he's trying to ruin everything."

Sangwoon stood off to the side, watching with a smirk, like a spectator at a play. His eyes flicked between them, enjoying the drama unfolding, knowing just how to push their buttons.

Taehyung's expression remained unreadable for a moment, but then, slowly, he took a step forward, his presence filling the space between them.

The cold, stormy fury in his gaze was unmistakable.

"Finally," Taehyung's voice rumbled. "You've shown your true colors,"

Jungkook blinked at his words and a crystal clear tear rolled down her flushed cheeks, tracing the curve of her face like the last remnants of a storm.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Well, well, well... What a good scene to leave you all hanging! Isn't it? 😉

The storm is brewing but what happens next?

Is this the beginning of the end for Jungkook and Taehyung, or is it just the calm before an even bigger storm?

Things are about to get much more complicated.

To be continued... 😈