† 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝟱𝟰 †

╭─━─━─━─━─━─╮𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝟱𝟰†❝𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗠𝗢𝗜𝗟 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘❞╰─━─━─━─━─━─╯

༺ ☠︎ †  𝖁 𝖎 𝖘 𝖎 𝖔 𝖓  𝖎 𝖓  𝕯 𝖆 𝖗 𝖐  † ☠︎ ༻

Evie stirred beneath the heavy blanket as the soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting glow over the unfamiliar room. Her lashes fluttered before her eyes slowly opened.

For a moment, she blinked at the ceiling, her mind blank. Then it all came rushing back–the wedding, the night, everything. A tired breath escaped her lips as she shifted slightly, only to wince at the soreness that pulsed through her body.

She was in her night suit now and the room around her was silent. Too silent.

Turning her head, she frowned when she found the space next to her empty. Jungkook was gone. The bedsheet on his side was slightly creased but already cooling. Her eyes drifted to the clock on the wall. 6:00 AM.

So early.

She listened for a moment and then heard the soft sound of water running. The bathroom. He must be in there. Still, she wondered why he was showering so early, especially when it wasn't a working day.

With some effort, she pushed the blanket aside and sat up, groaning softly as a dull ache reminded her of the night before. It wasn't new to her–they had been physical before–but last night was something else. Wild. Intense. Rough in a way she hadn't expected. Her body felt totally wrecked.

But what lingered more than the ache was the way he'd just turned around and fallen asleep afterward. No words, no kisses, no soft touches–just silence. She tried not to overthink it. Maybe he was just tired, she told herself. It was a long day.

Feeling the dryness in her throat, she glanced toward the nightstand and reached for the water jug, only to find it empty. With a quiet sigh, she pushed herself to her feet, moving slowly, carefully.

Every step reminded her of how exhausted and sore she felt. Still, she stepped out of the room, gently closing the door behind her, and made her way toward the kitchen.

The house was big. Bigger than she remembered from the night before. And too quiet, except for the distant sizzling sound coming from the kitchen.

When she walked in, she found a maid busy preparing something at the counter. The scent of garlic and something frying lingered in the air.

Evie paused. It's only six... Why are they already cooking? she wondered, but maybe Jungkook had asked for an early breakfast.

She stepped inside quietly, not wanting to disturb anyone. The maid barely acknowledged her–a quick glance, no smile, no greeting. Just back to work.

It felt a little off, but Evie ignored it.

She reached for a clean glass, filled it with cold water and took a few slow sips, leaning lightly against the counter. Her body was still sore, and her mind still a little foggy from the night.

After finishing her glass of water, she quietly left the kitchen and slowly made her way back to the bedroom. Her steps were slower now because she was sleepy and exhausted.

She pushed the door open gently and stepped inside. The room was still dim, and the bed looked just the way she had left it. She let out a soft breath and sat down on the edge, brushing her hair back from her face. Her eyes drifted around the room before settling on the bathroom door.

Moments later, it opened.

Jungkook walked out, his tall figure wrapped in nothing but a towel around his waist. His skin glistened with droplets of water, his dark hair dripping slightly onto his forehead. He looked completely unfazed, casually drying his neck with another towel in his hand, like this was just another regular morning.

She looked at him with surprise. "You're getting ready?" she asked softly, a hint of confusion in her voice.

Jungkook glanced at her, then nodded as he walked over to the closet. "Yeah," he said, his tone calm and straightforward. "I have to go to the office."

Office?

Her brows furrowed gently. "Already? But… we just got married yesterday. I thought maybe you'd stay home, at least for today. We could spend a little time together as people usually do when they get married, I hope you get what I am trying to say."

He paused for a second, then turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "I get it," he said, not unkindly. "But I can't take a break right now, Evie. There's a lot going on at work. No one knows about our marriage yet–I still need to inform my parents, deal with their reactions… sort out everything."

She listened quietly, nodding slowly.

He continued, buttoning his shirt as he spoke. "This stage is crucial. I'm still learning and it's important I don't miss anything. You know how hectic it is—it always has been. It's not that I don't want to stay… I just can't afford it, this work is really important for me."

She lowered her gaze for a brief moment but said nothing. She understood him. She knew how much this mattered for his future. There was a time when she had seen Jungkook as reckless, careless, someone who didn't take anything seriously. But now things are different. Now, he had been working hard–truly working for the company, for the position he was preparing to take, for the life he kept talking about building. She saw that effort.

And she wasn't the type to demand attention when she knew the person beside her was carrying responsibilities.

Still, a small part of her had hoped the morning would feel different. Maybe a softer tone. Maybe a simple question—"Are you okay? Did you sleep well?" Something small, something thoughtful. But she quickly brushed that desire aside. It felt immature to expect too much when he had so much on his mind. It wasn't as if he was ignoring her deliberately.

Maybe he was just distracted. Maybe he hadn't even noticed that she was still sore, still quietly adjusting after the intensity of the night before. He had been overwhelming–passionate, consuming and yet afterward, he had simply turned away and fallen asleep without a word.

That part had felt unusual, a little unlike him and she couldn't deny that it stayed in her thoughts more than she expected.

She gently pushed the thought away.

It is so stupid to think like that. He was tired. He had bigger things to handle. And she told herself that was enough reason.

Jungkook moved around the room with ease, dressing as if she wasn't even there–pulling on a crisp white shirt, then trousers. He didn't bother covering up. He wasn't shy or self-conscious; after all, she was his wife now. To him, this was normal.

Evie sat quietly, watching him without saying anything. The way he moved around the room felt effortless, buttoning his cuffs, adjusting his sleeves, fastening his watch like he had done it a thousand times before. There was no rush in him, no much reaction. He looked composed, already thinking ahead to whatever waited for him outside that door.

He reached for his tie and as he turned toward the mirror, she stood up quietly and stepped closer. Her fingers brushed his shoulder lightly. He glanced at her through the reflection, pausing.

"Let me help," she said softly.

He didn't object. Instead, he stood still as she reached up, fixing the knot of his tie with gentle hands. She adjusted it carefully, smoothing it down against his shirt. Then her fingers moved to his hair–still damp and she softly pushed a few strands back from his forehead, wiping away the moisture with her palm.

Their eyes met.

She gave him a soft smile, one filled with quiet warmth. "Don't stress yourself too much," she whispered. "Just take care, okay?"

He looked at her for a moment, his eyes calm, but expression unreadable. Then his hand came up to gently touch her cheek. His thumb brushed along her skin slowly and without saying anything else, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips–light but firm.

When he pulled back, his voice was smooth. "Don't worry," he said. "I'll handle everything."

He glanced toward the door, grabbing his blazer from the nearby chair. As he shrugged it on, he looked back at her. "I might be late tonight, so don't wait for me. And if you need anything, just tell the staff. They'll manage it."

She nodded quietly.

With that, Jungkook gave her a final look–a small, practiced smile–then turned and left the room, the sound of his footsteps fading into the silence that settled behind him.

Evie stood there for a moment, still in the soft light, unsure what exactly she was feeling.

She was his wife now.

But somehow, this morning didn't feel the way she had imagined.

†

The rest of the day passed by slowly, a quiet emptiness staying in every corner of the house.

Evie sat curled up on the living room sofa, one hand holding a half-empty cup of tea while the other rested limply on her lap. The television was on, playing something lighthearted but she wasn't really paying that much attention to it. Her eyes kept drifting to the large clock on the wall and then toward the phone lying beside her.

The day dragged on far longer than it should have. She hadn't gone to work, partly because she was exhausted but mostly because her mind felt unfocused. Everything felt slow. She spent most of the afternoon lying around the house, which she hated. She was never the type to just sit and do nothing, yet today she couldn't find the energy to do anything meaningful.

The silence in the house only made it worse, making her miss him more than she wanted to admit. No matter what she tried–scrolling through her phone, walking from one room to another–nothing really filled the boredom or lifted the strange low feeling in her chest.

She told herself not to overthink it. There was no reason to. Still, her heart felt unusually heavy. Around lunchtime, she had called Jungkook, just to hear his voice, hoping it would make her feel a little better. But he hadn't answered. She quickly convinced herself it was fine–he must be busy. He always had something important to deal with.

And the last thing she wanted was to come across as clingy or demanding. So she didn't call again. She didn't text either. She kept telling herself to act normal, to give him space, to not make a big deal out of one missed call.

Still, something felt off inside her. It wasn't only that she missed him. It was more than that—an unsettled feeling she couldn't clearly explain. Not exactly sadness, not exactly anger. Just a quiet discomfort sitting somewhere in her chest, refusing to ease no matter how many excuses she made for him.

She had called her father earlier just to distract herself and feel better again. His voice had comforted her a little, but even that hadn't lasted long. So now, she sat there in her simple white t-shirt and soft cotton pajamas, legs folded beneath her, idly flipping through channels while waiting for time to pass.

A sudden knock at the front door pulled her attention back to the present. She turned her head, curious. The maid, who had been moving quietly through the house, quickly stepped forward and opened the door.

Evie sat up a bit straighter as she heard a familiar voice and then a tall man stepped into the house. Her brows furrowed in surprise. It took her only a second to recognize him—Ethan Cole.

Oh, it's him.

She had met Ethan a handful of times before, mostly during her visits to Jungkook's office. He was usually somewhere in the background–standing a little to the side, observing more than speaking. Mid-thirties, composed, always neatly dressed. He carried himself in a quiet, composed way that made people naturally take him seriously. He didn't talk much, but when he did, it was thoughtful and respectful. She had exchanged a few polite conversations with him in the past and he had always come across as decent and well-mannered.

But she had only ever seen him at the office, usually beside Jungkook during meetings or busy workdays. Seeing him here, at the house, while Jungkook was already at work, caught her off guard. For a second, she just stood there, confused about why he would be here without Jungkook.

She stood up immediately, brushing her hair back gently and offering a polite smile, welcoming him. "Hey, Ethan … I didn't expect to see you here," she said softly, her tone curious but respectful.

Ethan gave a small nod and a half-smile. "I hope I'm not intruding," he said, stepping further inside. "Jungkook asked me to drop by… just to check on things."

Evie tilted her head slightly, a bit puzzled. "Check on the house?" she asked.

He looked at her for a moment, his gaze attentive. "Yeah. He said you were alone, so I thought it would be better if someone checked in, just in case. I was nearby anyway."

"Oh," she said, brushing her fingers through her hair again as she nodded, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Thank you. That's very thoughtful of you… please, have a seat."

She gestured toward the sofa, and he returned her smile before sitting down properly, smoothing his shirt cuffs out of habit. She called for the maid to bring some refreshments. Ethan tried to refuse politely, but she insisted anyway.

A moment later, the maid returned with a glass of juice and set it on the table in front of him before leaving the room again.

He picked it up and took a small sip. The silence that followed felt a little awkward. Evie wasn't sure how to start a conversation, she had only ever spoken to him in office settings, with Jungkook around to fill in the gaps.

Now it feels slightly different and from the way he glanced at her now and then, it seemed like he was hesitating too—like there was something on his mind.

Then he finally spoke.

"So, it's true," he said quietly, studying her face with calm curiosity. "He really married you."

The question caught her off guard. For a second, she simply blinked at him. How did he know? As far as she was aware, Jungkook hadn't made any public announcement. But then again, Ethan had been close to Jungkook for years. If there was anyone he would tell, it would probably be him.

Evie cleared her throat, suddenly feeling a little shy under his steady gaze.

"Yes," she said softly. "It's true."

Ethan nodded slowly, but his gaze lingered on her for a second longer than necessary, more like he was trying to make sense of something. There was something in his eyes, a flicker of uncertainty, maybe even suspicion.

She shifted a little under his gaze and gave him a soft smile, trying to ease the sudden tension in the air.

Something about the way he studied her made her uneasy, like he was questioning things in his mind but hadn't decided yet whether to say them out loud.

Ethan had known Jungkook since he was a teenager. He had worked for the Jeon family for over a decade and he'd practically watched the boy grow up.

To Ethan, Jungkook was never just another spoiled heir—he was the perfect example of what too much power and too little guidance could do to a young man.

From the start, Jungkook had always been… a lot. The kind of guy who saw something, wanted it instantly and somehow ended up getting it every single time. Ethan had been around long enough to witness all of it—the parties that went too far, nights with random girls, the unnecessary fights, the impulsive decisions. Hearts were broken without much thought. Situations were twisted and manipulated for fun. Chaos followed him around and yet he always walked away untouched, like consequences just didn't stick to him.

The typical walking red flag. Exactly the kind of guy mothers warned their daughters about. Honestly, it made perfect sense.

And then there was Evie.

She didn't fit into that picture at all. She didn't carry herself like the girls usually seen around Jungkook. No wild energy or boldness which Jungkook prefers. She seemed… soft. Almost too soft. The kind of girl who would think twice before raising her voice. And that contrast alone was enough to make anyone pause and wonder.

And especially now, to hear that Jungkook got married to her, without any prior announcement, no grand celebration, no word to the family—it didn't sit right with Ethan.

Obviously Jungkook wasn't the marrying type. Not at twenty-two. And not like this. A contract marriage, kept under wraps, with a girl so completely off his radar? It made no sense.

But Ethan didn't voice any of those thoughts. He simply sat there, sipping the juice the maid had brought him, eyes occasionally drifting toward Evie, who now sat across from him, folding her hands nervously in her lap.

She seemed innocent. Too innocent.

And he couldn't help but wonder what exactly Jungkook was doing–what kind of pathetic game he had started this time.

"I hope you don't mind me asking this," he began gently, trying to stay polite, almost cautious because the last thing he wanted was to make her uncomfortable. "It's just… the marriage came as quite a surprise to all of us. I mean, there wasn't any formal event or announcement. Not even a small celebration."

Evie shifted slightly on the couch, adjusting the cushion beside her. She gave him a faint smile, sensing the weight behind his words, letting him continue whatever was on his mind.

He continued, carefully choosing his words. "It's not that I'm questioning it, don't get me wrong. I mean, you both are young–just 22 and there's a whole lifetime ahead of you. It's just… Jungkook… getting married like this, so suddenly… it felt unexpected. I only found out today, honestly."

Evie nodded slowly, almost as if she had expected this question to come up someday. "Oh, well… I understand," she replied calmly. "It was sudden. Honestly, I felt the same way too. But life is unpredictable, right? Sometimes things happen before we even get a chance to think them through properly."

Ethan studied her face quietly, trying to understand what she was implying, waiting for her to continue. But the way she phrased it made him frown slightly, especially when she hinted at "something happening."

"I know there wasn't a proper celebration," she added. "We didn't really have time. Something happened back then, and we had to decide quickly. So we just… went with it."

Decide quickly? What actually happened? A lot of questions started forming in his head, but obviously he couldn't ask directly. No, that would make him look too obvious.

Maintaining a casual tone, he asked, "If you don't mind me asking… what exactly happened? I mean, what led to such a rushed decision? Marriage is a big step, especially for Jungkook."

She paused for a second, confusion flickering across her face as she frowned slightly. He was close to Jungkook's family, worked for them, and already knew about the marriage. He probably even knew about the deal too–so why was he asking her? It felt a little strange.

But maybe Jungkook hadn't told him the full details. Or maybe he was just confused. Whatever it was, she continued anyway.

"Well… you might already know a part of it," she began. "There was a business deal Jungkook's family was working on with one of their old friends. They were going to become partners, and to strengthen that relationship, his parents planned to get him engaged to their friend's daughter."

Ethan's eyebrows rose slightly. That was completely new to him. He had been managing the Jeon family's business for years and didn't know about any such deal even existing.

"And at that time, Jungkook and I had already started seeing each other," she continued, unaware of his reaction. "So when he found out about the arranged marriage, he… panicked, I guess. He didn't want to go through with something he didn't want, just for business. So he came up with this idea."

Here was the catch. How could he not know about something like this when everything in the company passed through him? There was no such business deal. No partner's daughter. Ethan had been with the family long enough to know what happened behind closed doors.

Ethan remained quiet, letting her speak.

"He said if we signed a legal marriage contract, his parents wouldn't be able to force him into marrying someone else. It was… his way of standing up for us. And when things get more stable, when he takes over the company–maybe when we're 27 or 28–we plan to do a proper wedding then."

Wait a minute.

This wasn't some simple lie. This was a whole different, next-level mastermind story. It showed how innocent and unaware she was of the real Jungkook, because there was no way she genuinely believed something like this without questioning it. Ethan would never believe it. Jungkook's parents forcing him? And Jungkook letting them? The thought alone was almost laughable.

It was almost funny to Ethan, especially since he had seen Jungkook grow up.

She must not know the real him to believe such a movie-script story.

The way she smiled softly to herself, playing with her fingers and looking down, made it worse. She truly believed it. "I know it sounds strange," she said quietly, "but he said he's serious about me. And people do change, don't they? Especially when they start putting in effort."

Oh, poor girl. If only she knew.

He didn't want to shatter her belief–not now. But the dots were connecting in his head, forming a picture he didn't like, even though he still didn't know the real reason behind whatever game Jungkook was playing.

He forced a slight smile and nodded. "Yeah… people do change."

Ethan didn't bring the topic up again. After a few more minutes of light, careful conversation, he simply stood up, offered her a polite nod and excused himself. Evie walked him to the door with the same gentle smile, unaware of the storm quietly forming behind his calm expression.

But the moment he stepped outside the house and the door closed behind him, that calmness faded.

The air felt heavier than before.

It felt too structured. Too neatly explained. Like a story rehearsed in advance and handed to someone innocent enough to believe it without digging deeper.

The business deal. The arranged marriage. The sudden legal contract. None of it aligned with what he knew.

Still, he said nothing.

For now, he chose to keep his doubts to himself.

⋆༺𓆩♱𓆪༻⋆𝔙 𝔦 𝔰 𝔦 𝔬 𝔫  𝔦 𝔫  𝔇 𝔞 𝔯 𝔨⋆༺𓆩♱𓆪༻⋆

At the office, Jungkook sat slouched behind his large desk, a stack of unopened files spread out in front of him. His eyes moved across the words on the paper but none of it really registered. He was tired–more than tired, actually. His head ached and his body felt like it was dragging him down into the chair.

He let out a long breath, dropping the pen on the desk with a soft clatter. Honestly, all he wanted right now was to throw these files in the trash, go home, eat something good, have sex, and pass out. That was it. No workload, no more files and definitely no emotional acting.

He glanced at his phone on the corner of the desk. It had buzzed earlier—Evie's name flashing on the screen.

She had called once… then twice… then again. She had even sent a few messages. But he hadn't picked up, hadn't texted back.

He just didn't have it in him.

He didn't feel like playing the role of the loving, perfect husband tonight. Sweet words? Cute texts? Not a fucking chance. That wasn't part of the plan anymore and he had no intention of continuing that cringe shit. He wasn't in the mood for it either. He already had enough on his plate, and emotions were never meant to be included in this arrangement.

It was time she slowly started seeing what the marriage was really about.

Instead of going himself, he had sent Ethan. He trusted him–his most reliable manager to check on her. That was more than enough. She would be fine.

And honestly, he didn't care much beyond that.

Then there was a knock on the cabin door to get his attention.

Without looking up, Jungkook called out, "Come in."

The door opened, and Ethan stepped inside. He closed the door behind him and walked toward the desk.

Jungkook glanced up, exhaling as if the conversation was just another thing to get through. "Did you go?" he asked, not really curious, just ticking off his mental list. "How was she?"

Ethan nodded, standing with his hands loosely behind his back. "She was fine. Just waiting for you."

Jungkook nodded at that. It was enough to know she was fine for now. And about her waiting for him? Let her wait. He was too tired to think about her at this moment.

Noticing Jungkook's distress, Ethan stepped forward after a moment of silence, his gaze settling on Jungkook's face. "You look exhausted," he said honestly, pulling out the chair in front of the desk and sitting down. "Really, like you haven't slept in days."

Obviously, Jungkook didn't respond to that. He just glanced at the stack of files again with dull eyes. He wasn't even in the mood to make conversation. "Yeah. Do I have a choice? Should I just leave all this?" he muttered.

His answer only made Ethan lean back in the chair, arms loosely crossed as he studied him.

After a beat, Ethan spoke again. "Still can't believe it, you know?" he said, his voice low but edged. "You're a hell of a player. Married a girl, made her believe in you–like really believe you. You didn't just tie her legally, Jungkook. You emotionally roped her in. What's the point of all this?"

Jungkook finally looked at him, his expression blank but cold enough to show he didn't like the topic. Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"What are you trying to say?" Jungkook asked, clearly not in the mood for this conversation—especially not with him.

Ethan let out a slight mocking laugh. "Don't bother pretending. And what I'm hearing… about your parents fixing some business marriage deal with their friend's daughter? Wow. I've been working with your family for years and I didn't even know something like that existed. When did that happen?" He scoffed. "You think that sounded convincing? Maybe to her. But definitely not to me."

Jungkook didn't like it—not even a bit.

The fact that Ethan had gone and played detective was already annoying enough. He should have known Ethan's curious, morally upright nature would push him to talk to Evie. And now hearing that Evie had casually told him everything made his irritation worse. The mocking tone in Ethan's voice didn't help either.

"It's none of your business," Jungkook said sharply. "You're here to work. If you want to be useful, focus on your job—not my personal life." His jaw hardened.

Ethan raised an eyebrow, not flinching at his tone. He was too used to Jungkook's reactions. He knew Jungkook hated anyone meddling in his business but Ethan had always been like this, especially when something didn't sit right with him.

"I didn't ask. She told me," he said plainly. "And I don't know what the hell you told her to make her sign a contract marriage with you, but whatever this is… it's not normal. And don't expect me to believe that you suddenly fell for her and changed overnight. Come on, Jungkook. I've known you since you were a kid. I've seen how you think, how you move. You don't just… change like that."

Ethan knew he should stop—especially judging by the look on Jungkook's face—but he pushed anyway.

"So tell me," he continued, "what exactly did she do to make you pull something like this?"

There was a pause.

Ethan could sense the shift in the room–the way Jungkook's expression darkened, the way his eyes seemed to drill straight through him.

"I have my own reasons," Jungkook said coldly. "And I'll handle it myself. I don't need to explain anything to you. It would be better if you stayed out of it."

Jungkook knew Ethan's curious nature too well. And the last thing he wanted was anyone interfering and ruining the perfect plan he had carefully built. He wouldn't let it fall apart because of someone else's unnecessary righteousness.

Ethan sat there for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Fine. Your personal life isn't mine to question. I get it. I won't interfere." He paused. "But she… she seems like the innocent type, that's all." His tone softened slightly. "Not everyone plays the same game you do."

Innocent?

Evie was anything but innocent. Just because she had a quiet face and soft expressions didn't mean she was naive. People were too quick to judge by appearances. But Jungkook knew better. He knew how to look beyond that.

Jungkook's jaw tightened again. "Don't judge a book by its cover," he said, voice low and firm. "In the end, I'll decide who's innocent and who's not."

That was the end of the conversation–at least from Ethan's side. He knew when to stop. He had pushed enough. He couldn't say more–not to Jungkook. Not like this. Not when he knew exactly how far Jungkook could go if he truly got angry.

Jungkook picked up another file, flipping it open without really seeing the words. The numbers blurred together. After a moment, he stopped reading altogether.

"Ethan."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried enough intensity to make Ethan look up.

"Whatever she told you… whatever you think you saw," Jungkook continued, his eyes still lowered to the papers, "keep it to yourself." A pause. "Don't bring it up to her again. Don't mention it to anyone."

Only then did he lift his gaze. There was a clear warning in his eyes, showing he wasn't speaking casually. It was a threat without raising his voice and it was enough for Ethan to straighten in his seat.

"You've always been loyal to my family," he added quietly, his eyes fixed on him, almost drilling into Ethan's soul. "Don't let curiosity ruin that."

The air shifted.

It was enough for anyone to feel the weight behind his words.

Jungkook leaned back in his chair, rolling his shoulders once as if trying to ease the tension sitting there. "I don't like people stepping into my personal life," he said, his tone firm. "It doesn't end well." His eyes flickered toward Ethan. "Focus on your own. Your wife. Your kids. That's where your concern should stay."

The message was clear.

And it was enough to make Ethan gulp.

Ethan studied him for a second before giving a short nod. "I won't say anything," he said simply. "You have my word."

Silence settled between them.

Too intense. Too heavy.

After a moment, Ethan asked, more carefully this time, "Do your parents know?"

A faint smirk tugged at Jungkook's lips, though it lacked warmth. "Yeah. I told them." He tapped the edge of the file against the desk. "They were shocked. I didn't care." A shrug followed. "I made it clear they are not to interfere."

Ethan didn't comment, but the look in his eyes said enough. Jungkook had drawn his line. No one was crossing it.

A few minutes passed before Jungkook exhaled sharply and dragged a hand down his face. The exhaustion he had been holding back finally slipped through.

"I can't look at another paper," he muttered. "Not anymore."

Ethan stood, collecting a few folders from the desk. "I'll take care of it," he said. Then, after a brief pause, "She's still waiting for you."

Jungkook didn't answer right away. He leaned back, staring at the ceiling as if calculating something only he could see.

Finally, he pushed himself up and grabbed his phone and keys.

"Let her," he murmured under his breath.

But he still walked out.

He drove through the way and then he reached his house.

The front door clicked open quietly as Jungkook stepped into the house. The soft lighting from the hallway and the faint aroma of home-cooked food still lingered in the air. He set his keys on the side table without a word, running a hand through his hair as he kicked off his shoes. His face was uninterested and mind clouded with the exhaustion of the day.

Inside, Evie had been sitting on the couch, her legs pulled up beneath her as she stared toward the door every few minutes, waiting. The moment she heard him enter, she stood up quickly and walked over, her expression a mix of concern and hope.

"You're finally home," she said softly as headed towards him. "I was starting to worry."

Jungkook didn't respond immediately–just gave her a tired glance and kept walking toward the dining area. Evie followed behind him, still trying to mask her concern with warmth. "Hey, you didn't answer my calls today," she said carefully. "Was everything alright? Was it a busy day at work?"

He simply nodded. "It was fine. Just hectic."

It wasn't enough to convince her.

Her eyebrows pulled together slightly. "You could've just texted me back… I was waiting," she added in a quiet tone.

He didn't look at her. "Didn't have time."

That was all he said.

Then he went to the room to freshen up and change his clothes, after doing his routine he returned back.

He pulled out the chair and sat down at the dining table, where dinner had already been set. Without a word, he picked up the spoon and started eating. Evie stood beside the table for a moment, looking at him-he hadn't told her to join, hadn't even acknowledged the fact that she had waited all this time just to eat with him.

But she didn't say anything. Instead, she quietly pulled out the chair beside him and sat down. She hadn't eaten either as she didn't want to eat alone. Now, even though he was halfway through his meal already, she joined him silently and began to eat.

There was no conversation. Just the clinking of cutlery in the background.

Later, after having dinner and other routines too, they entered the bedroom.

Jungkook immediately grabbed his phone and collapsed onto the bed, eyes glued to the screen, thumb scrolling aimlessly. Evie sat down near him, adjusting the hem of her dress as she turned to face him, her eyes gently studying his expression as he stayed buried in his phone. The silence stretched, but she tried again, her voice soft and careful.

"Did you tell your parents about… us?" she asked, looking at him hopefully.

Jungkook didn't glance up. "Yeah, I did."

Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Really? What did they say?"

"They were shocked," he said flatly, still scrolling. "But I handled it."

Evie tilted her head, curious. "Shocked? Why? I mean, did they ask anything? Were they upset or—"

"I said I handled it," he cut in, his tone firmer this time. "No need to dig into every detail."

The faint smile she had been trying to hold faded from her face. She looked down at her hands, nodding slowly. "Okay," she murmured, backing off.

He didn't say anything after that, didn't even bother to look at her. The room fell silent again except for the quiet tapping of his thumb against the screen.

Evie sighed softly but didn't push. She knew how moody he could get after a long day, and she didn't want to irritate him. Instead, she stood up and walked into the bathroom to take a bath, closing the door behind her.

The sound of running water filled the silence in the room, and Jungkook remained where he was, one leg stretched out lazily across the bed, phone still in hand, though his mind had already begun to drift elsewhere.

Some time passed.

When the bathroom door finally opened, a light mist escaped into the room. Evie walked out, dressed in soft grey shorts and an oversized white t-shirt. Her hair was wet, clinging slightly to the sides of her face and neck, and her skin held the freshness of a warm bath. She moved with a natural grace, comfortable and relaxed. But Jungkook's eyes instinctively flicked up from his phone the moment he sensed her presence.

He didn't say a word, but he didn't have to. His gaze stayed longer than it had all evening. His expression, which had remained blank until now, darkened slightly with something else entirely.

He leaned back, resting against the headboard, jaw tightening slightly.

After the kind of day he'd had-long hours, endless meetings, silence at home-this was exactly what he needed.

Good food.

Good fuck.

And sleep.

And now that he had at least two out of three, he wasn't planning to waste the night.

His gaze followed her without a word, tracking every move. She didn't say anything either, just moved to her side of the bed and sat down, still toweling off her hair.

He didn't even try to hide the way he was staring.

The moment she laid back beside him, still patting her hair dry, Jungkook tossed his phone to the side like it never mattered. His eyes were intense now, fixed on her. That familiar tension settled thick in the air.

He leaned in, hand sliding over her thigh like it was second nature.

There's no soft talk, no affection, just pure instinct.

She turned to look at him, confused for half a second before his lips found hers.

He didn't ask. He didn't need to.

She barely had time to process before it was already happening–like it always did when he got in this kind of mood.

She didn't resist him. She let him take control like always–her body giving in to the heat between them, her heart still holding on to the belief that this meant something. For her, every time they were like this, it felt precious. Intimate. Especially now they're husband and wife.

But for Jungkook, it was totally different. He needed a physical release and she was there. That's all it was. He used her body the way he always did when he was too tired to pretend or talk, to satisfy his desire.

When it was over, he collapsed onto the bed, chest rising and falling with deep, tired breaths. His skin damp, eyes closed, muscles relaxed like he finally got what he wanted.

Damn. He felt so good. The kind of relief that only came after a long, suffocating day–meetings, pressure, endless decisions. His head had been pounding for hours, his patience running thin. And now? His body finally relaxed into the mattress.

Who wouldn't want that after a day like that? A good fuck. He knew she must've been satisfied too. He wasn't careless in that way. Even when he was rough, even when he didn't slow down, he made sure of that. He liked control, but he wasn't incompetent.

Especially, when it's all about him. About shutting his brain off, about taking what was already his instead of pretending to be soft and attentive.

He didn't feel guilty. Why would he? She was his wife now. Sharing a bed with him. Reaching for him every time like he was something precious. If she chose to see meaning in it, that was on her. He had enough on his plate already. He wasn't about to start carrying emotions too.

Right now, all he wanted was sleep. Deep, uninterrupted sleep.

And for once, his mind was finally quiet enough to let him have it.

She was breathless too, still trying to catch her breath. But even in her dazed state, she shifted closer to him, slowly resting her head on his chest like it was her safe place. One hand lightly wrapped around his torso, her fingers brushing against his skin as if hoping for a response–a sign of affection.

But he didn't move. He was too drained to bother pushing her away, so he let her stay.

She started softly talking, just random words–things about his day, how she missed him, little nothings. His only response was a quiet hum here and there, barely present.

Her fingers tracing lazy circles on his skin, her wet hair slightly dampening the sheets beneath them. She looked peaceful, like this was the kind of moment she longed for.

"Your day must've been hectic again, hmm?" she murmured softly, not expecting a deep answer but just wanting to keep talking to him, to stretch this moment longer. "Once I rejoin my office, we'll barely get time like this for a while. Both of us will be busy…"

Jungkook didn't say anything immediately, just kept staring at the ceiling.

Evie smiled, eyes still closed, lost in her own small plans. "Let's work hard for a few days, and when things settle down, we'll take a few days off. Just us. Somewhere nice–maybe a beach resort? No phones, no work. Just you and me. Wouldn't that be nice?"

That's when Jungkook finally spoke, voice calm but firm. "You're not going back to work."

Her fingers paused on his chest. "What?" she blinked, confused, thinking she misheard.

"You're not joining back," he said again, clearer this time. "There's no need."

Evie lifted her head slowly, eyes narrowing as she tried to read his face. "What do you mean there's no need? I'm not understand what you're trying to say."

Jungkook turned his head slightly to meet her eyes, his tone calm but there was a cold finality underneath it. "You're my wife now, Evie. You don't need to work anymore. I have enough for both of us to live a very comfortable life. From now on, focus on being home."

Evie sat up completely now covering herself with a blanket, staring at him. "Wait… Are you serious right now?"

He didn't even flinch. "Yes. You're not Evie Parker anymore. You're Jeon Evie. And Jeon Jungkook's wife doesn't work under a company like some regular employee. It doesn't suit my image, and it's not happening."

She frowned, trying to keep her tone level. "Jungkook, don't be rude. You could've said that more softly, but more than that… are you hearing yourself? Working isn't about money for me. I've always loved what I do. It's my passion. It makes me feel like… myself."

He scoffed under his breath. "That's not your job anymore. Your place is here, with me."

Evie's heart dropped at his words–t how coldly he said it.

There's no way she'll let this happen.

"I'm not asking for your permission, Jungkook," she said, trying to stand her ground.

But Jungkook sat up then, his voice sharp, cutting her off before she could say more. "No. You're not going to that office again, and that's final. I won't argue. I don't want my wife working under my company, answering to people below my level. You will not go back there and act like a nobody."

Evie looked stunned. "A nobody? That's how you see it?"

"I see it how it is. I don't like this conversation  and I don't want to repeat myself." His tone had hardened now–commanding and cold. "You can work again when I run the company. When I'm at the top and you work beside me, not beneath anyone. Until then, forget it."

She swallowed hard, speechless for a moment.

But for Jungkook, this was the beginning–the first step in a long, slow game. He was going to strip her of every layer of independence until there was nothing left but him. Emotionally, financially, mentally–she'd have nowhere else to go but him. And that was exactly what he wanted.

He wanted her to make her fully dependent on him emotionally, financially, mentally, so that it will be fun when he will ruin her.

And Evie... she didn't even realize it had already started.

★ ★ ★

—𝖽𝗈𝗇’𝗍 𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗀𝖾𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗏𝗈𝗍𝖾    𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖽𝗋𝗈𝗉 𝖺 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍···୨ৎ