chapter 26

"Kookie, what's your plan after school?"Mia's voice was full of excitement as she looked at her boyfriend, who was seated beside her, eating his lunch. Jungkook, dressed in his school uniform, his sleeves slightly rolled up, lazily poked at his food with his chopsticks before answering."Hyungs have decided to hang out, so I'm gonna join them," he said, his tone neutral, but there was a hint of hesitation-something almost imperceptible."Why?""Nothing special, just thought maybe we could spend some time together..." Mia trailed off, her voice dipping slightly.Jungkook exhaled softly, setting his chopsticks down. His eyes met hers, and for a brief second, guilt flickered in them. He was never the type to neglect her, but today, he had already made plans."I'm sorry, Mia. If you had told me earlier, I wouldn't have agreed to this plan." His voice was gentle, sincere.Mia, ever understanding, smiled. "It's okay, Kookie. If not today, then maybe on the weekend? What do you say?"Jungkook gave a small nod, his lips tugging into the softest of smiles. "Yeah. Weekend sounds good."Mia was perfect.She was kind, patient, and warm-everything a person could ask for in a girlfriend. She never demanded too much, never forced him into anything. Even now, she smiled, though he could tell she was a little disappointed.She was his past. A past he cherished.But then there was Y/N.His wife.And she was different.Unlike Mia, Y/N never asked for his time. She never demanded his attention. She never questioned why he was distant or why his heart seemed tethered elsewhere. But what set her apart the most was the fact that she understood him-without him needing to say anything.She cared for him, even after the cruel words he had told her on the very first day of their marriage."To the outside world, we are a married couple, but inside this house, we are nothing but strangers."His jaw clenched at the memory.Mia was a beautiful past-someone he never regretted knowing.And Y/N... she was his present. His future. A future he had foolishly ruined with his own hands.The past which he never forgot and the present in which he never lived. Jungkook's life was a mess-a tangled web of choices he had made, actions he had taken, and regrets that refused to loosen their grip on him. And the worst part?He had no one to blame but himself.He had built this chaos with his own hands, brick by brick, decision by decision, until he found himself trapped within the walls of his own mistakes. He had been reckless, selfish even, and now the weight of it all was pressing down on his chest, suffocating him, making it hard to breathe.If only he had been aware of his actions sooner. If only he had realized what he was doing-what he was destroying-before it was too late.But regrets never changed the past. They only haunted the present.And his present? It was a mess.Not only had he ruined his own life, but he had dragged Y/N into it too. He had bound her to his mistakes, shackled her to his unresolved feelings, forcing her to live in the shadow of a love that had never truly been hers to begin with.And even now-after everything-he was still doing it.Still keeping her at arm's length.Still letting his past dictate his present.Still pretending like he didn't see the pain behind her quiet smiles.Jungkook squeezed his eyes shut, pressing his fingers to his temple.How had he let things get this bad?How had he let her become collateral damage in a war he had waged against himself?His heart clenched, heavy with a guilt that had long since taken root inside him.Y/N deserved better.Better than this empty house.Better than a husband who barely spoke to her.Better than the silence that stretched between them like an unspoken goodbye.Yet, despite everything... she never complained.She never blamed him.And maybe that's what hurt the most.Because if she yelled, if she fought, if she demanded answers, maybe he could convince himself that he was still in control.But she didn't.She simply stayed. Quietly. Patiently.And that terrified him.Because deep down, Jungkook knew-he could push her away a thousand times, but one day, when she finally decided to leave, there would be nothing left for him to hold on to.And that, more than anything, was a future he didn't know how to face."Are you busy?"The soft voice pulled him back from the depths of his thoughts, grounding him in the present. Jungkook blinked, realizing he had been staring blankly at nothing, completely lost in the chaos of his own mind.He had come here for a distraction-some kind of escape-but instead, all he had done was drown deeper in the mess of his own making. His life was a disaster, and the worst part? He was the only one to blame.And yet, he wasn't the only one suffering because of it.His gaze lifted, and there she was.Y/N stood by the door, her presence quiet yet unwavering. Her hands were neatly clasped together, her expression soft, as if she was hesitant to disturb him. But she always looked like this-gentle, composed, carrying a kind of innocence that never failed to captivate him.It was something so unique about her.Her innocence.Not the kind that came from being naive-because he knew better than to think she was naive. It was the kind that remained untouched by the cruelty of the world, the kind that made him feel even filthier in comparison.And maybe... maybe that was why he could only admire her from a distance.Or, at least, when she was close enough to fix his tie.Maybe that's why he never bothered to learn how to do it himself.Jungkook swallowed, shifting in his seat as he let that thought settle. It was ridiculous, wasn't it? Such a simple thing-tying a tie-and yet, he never tried. Not even once. Because it was the only time he could let her linger close. The only excuse he had to feel her delicate fingers brushing against his collar, to let himself indulge in the quiet moment before stepping into the chaos of his life.He would never admit it. Not to himself. Not to her.But maybe, just maybe, that was the real reason why he always left his tie undone in the morning.And now, standing at the door, she was looking at him the same way she always did-without judgment, without resentment.Just patience.His fingers twitched, resisting the familiar urge to reach for her, to trace the softness of her skin, to hold onto something that still felt pure in his tainted life.But he didn't. He couldn't.So instead, he looked away, forcing his voice to remain steady."No," he murmured, his tone softer than usual, "Do you have something to say?"Y/N hesitated for a second before speaking."You didn't come to eat. S-so I just wanted to ask about dinner. Do you want me to bring it here for you?"Jungkook's gaze flickered back to her, scanning her face for any hint of irritation or resentment. There was none.She wasn't asking out of obligation. She never did.Even after everything, she still cared.His jaw clenched slightly at the realization. It made him feel even worse.For a few seconds, he didn't answer. His eyes lingered on her, memorizing the way she always stood on the edge of his world-never demanding anything, never asking for more.And suddenly, he found himself asking, "Is s-she still here?"The shift in Y/N's expression was almost imperceptible, but Jungkook caught it-the brief flicker of something in her eyes before she quickly masked it."N-no, she's gone," she answered quietly.Jungkook exhaled, nodding. He wasn't sure why he had asked. Maybe because he didn't want to ruin Y/N's evening more than he already had. Maybe because he didn't want her to see him like this-lost in memories of a past that no longer held any meaning.Or maybe... just maybe... because tonight, he wanted something different."I would like to have my dinner here," he finally said.Y/N nodded, as if expecting his response, and turned to leave.But before she could step away, the words left his lips before he could stop them. "Y/N."She turned back instantly. "Yes?"There was something about the way she always responded to him-without hesitation, without doubt. It made something stir inside him.He looked at her for a moment, then averted his gaze, focusing back on his laptop."Bring yours too."Silence.Jungkook resisted the urge to look at her, afraid of what he might see. Shock? Hesitation?But then-"Okay."A simple response. No questions. No expectations.Jungkook didn't know why that made his chest feel lighter.Y/N walked back to the kitchen, lost in her thoughts, replaying Jungkook's words in her head."Bring yours too."It wasn't a big deal. Or at least, it shouldn't be.But it was.It was the first time he had asked her to eat with him, even if it was just a simple dinner. And the way he had looked at her-not with cold indifference, not with the usual detached formality-but with something softer, something almost... hesitant.She barely noticed where she was walking until a familiar voice snapped her out of her daze."Y/N!"She blinked, looking up to find herself in the dining area, standing near the table where Bora, Zaid, and Leena were seated.When did I get here?Bora and Zaid were staring at her curiously, while Leena was too busy stuffing her face to care."Where were you? Come and join us," Bora said, motioning for her to sit. "And where's the cold bunny? Will he not eat?"Y/N shook her head slightly, trying to push her thoughts aside."He's working in his study room, so he wants to eat there. I'll take it to him."Bora nodded, then tilted her head. "If that's what he wants, then okay. Should I help you?""No, you please continue. I'll do it."Bora shrugged. "Alright." She went back to eating, while Zaid sent Y/N a knowing glance but said nothing.Y/N quickly made her way into the kitchen, preparing a tray with Jungkook's dinner. She carefully arranged the food, making sure everything was in place. Maybe she was being too meticulous, but-She wanted it to be perfect.When she was finally satisfied, she picked up the tray and stepped out of the kitchen, ready to leave the dining area.But before she could take a step-"Wait."Leena's voice stopped her.Y/N turned her head, finding Leena eyeing the tray with curiosity."For whom are you taking so much food?" Leena asked, arching a brow. "It looks like it's for two.""Don't tell me..." Leena's lips curled into a mocking smirk. "You two are going to eat together? That's surprising."She laughed, but there was an underlying bite to her words.Y/N's fingers tightened around the tray as she turned to fully face Leena. Her expression was unreadable, but there was something different in her eyes-something firm, unwavering."Why?" Her voice was calm but sharp. "Can't we?"Leena blinked, momentarily caught off guard.It wasn't the reaction she had expected.Y/N was supposed to stammer, to shy away, to not say anything. She was supposed to be the soft, timid girl who let things slide.Not this.Leena let out an awkward laugh, trying to recover. "That's not what I meant, Y/N. Of course you can. After all, you two are husband and wife, not strangers, right?"Y/N held her gaze, her grip on the tray steady."Exactly." Her voice was unwavering. "We are husband and wife. And today, my husband asked me to join him for dinner. So that's what I'm doing. Am I doing something wrong?"Silence.Leena's smirk faltered.She hadn't expected Y/N to snap back. She had underestimated her, assuming she was just a naive, harmless girl who wouldn't dare to talk back.But this?This was a side of Y/N she hadn't seen before.Zaid and Bora, on the other hand, were practically vibrating with silent excitement. They were loudly cheering in their heads, exchanging wide, proud grins as if telepathically high-fiving each other."Yes! That's my sister-in-law. Tell her!"Leena's face turned slightly pink with embarrassment. "N-no, of course not." She mumbled, looking away.Y/N didn't wait for her to say anything else. She adjusted the tray in her hands and straightened her shoulders."Then if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be."With that, she turned around and walked away, leaving Leena speechless.The second she disappeared, Zaid and Bora couldn't hold it in any longer."That was amazing." Bora whispered excitedly. "Did you see her face? She totally wasn't expecting that."Zaid grinned. "Our Y/N is finally fighting back. I love it."They turned to each other and, without a word, slapped their hands together in a victorious high-five.**Y/N carefully placed the tray on the small glass table positioned near the large window of the study room. The city lights outside twinkled like tiny stars, painting the night with a breathtaking glow.A perfect view for a dinner date.Except... this wasn't a date.It was just dinner. Nothing special. Nothing extraordinary.Yet, her heart wouldn't stop racing.Jungkook wasn't in the room when she entered, probably in the washroom, giving her a moment to process what was happening. For the first time since their marriage, they were going to sit and eat together-like an actual couple.The thought made her smile. Exciting yet funny.It was as if destiny was playing some strange game with her.She shook her head at the thought and decided to set the table properly. She adjusted the plates, placed the cutlery neatly, and then-on impulse-she slid the curtains to one side, revealing the stunning night view. The city stretched out endlessly, glowing under the moonlight.It feels surreal.For a second, she let herself indulge in a little fantasy-pretending she was in a fancy hotel, on a romantic dinner date with her husband. Except, this wasn't a fantasy. It was real. And strangely, that made it even more precious.A warm feeling bloomed in her chest.Maybe tonight, just for tonight, she could allow herself to enjoy this moment.She let out a small, content sigh and turned around-only to freeze.Jungkook stood by the doorway, watching her.Y/N's breath hitched.Something about his gaze was different tonight. It wasn't cold or distant. It wasn't guarded like usual. It was... softer. Almost as if-No.She quickly looked away.She had learned not to expect things. Not to let her heart hope for something that wasn't there.Jungkook noticed her sudden avoidance and frowned slightly. He had been enjoying watching her-her face calm, lost in thought, illuminated by the soft glow of the city lights. It was rare to see her like that, and he had wanted to take in the sight just a little longer.But then she looked away.Why did she turn around?He suppressed a sigh. It's okay. There will be more chances.Clearing his throat, Jungkook stepped further inside."I went to wash my hands. Is it ready?" He asked as he pulled out a chair and sat down."Uh, yes. L-let me just serve you."Y/N hurried to put food on a plate and gently slid it toward him."Thank you."She only gave a small nod before stepping back, maintaining a proper distance as she stood beside the table.Jungkook frowned at that.Why was she standing?"Take a seat." His voice was soft, but firm enough to leave no room for argument.Y/N hesitated for a second before timidly nodding and sitting across from him.And then-Silence.Thick, suffocating, painfully awkward silence.Jungkook stared at his plate, wondering why on earth he had suddenly decided to do this. What was he thinking?Y/N, on the other hand, was too busy contemplating her own life choices. She had thought agreeing to this was a good idea. Maybe she was wrong.If the whole dinner went on like this, she was sure she would faint from the sheer awkwardness.Jungkook tapped his fingers against the table. He wasn't one to feel nervous often, but right now? He was a mess.Why was this so hard?He groaned internally before finally blurting out-"Uhmm... this is getting awkward."Y/N flinched at the sudden confession."It is," she silently agreed in her mind.Jungkook ran a hand through his hair, looking anywhere but at her. "To clear this awkwardness... please say something."Y/N blinked at him. "W-what do you mean say something? What should I say? You say something."Her voice was small, and she kept her head down, eyes fixed on her plate.Where did she suddenly get the courage to talk like this?"Let me think. Yeah,tell me something about yourself." Ok they are behaving weird now and they knows it. Jungkook mentally hissed after saying. What nonsense he is blabbering? Y/N finally lifted her head, staring at him in disbelief.They both knew how ridiculous that sounded.Of all things to say, that's what he went with?"Seriously, Jungkook?" He scolded himself in his head. "Are we strangers now?"But in a way... they kind of were.They were married, yet they barely knew each other.Y/N hesitated before answering. "A-about me? There's nothing interesting to know and share." She fidgeted slightly. "And what do you want to know?"Jungkook leaned forward slightly, his dark eyes locking onto hers."Everything."Y/N's breath caught in her throat.There was something about the way he said it-something raw, something real. As if he truly meant it.His gaze held hers, steady and unwavering.For the first time, he wasn't just looking at her.He was seeing her.Hope this chapter was good. I will work hard and learn things to give a satisfying chapter. Share your opinions munchkins 💜