† 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝟲𝟮 †

╭─━─━─━─━─━─╮𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝟲𝟮†❝𝗨𝗡𝗥𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘❞╰─━─━─━─━─━─╯

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

There was nothing special about it.

Nothing that made her feel the way she was supposed to feel.

Evie stood quietly in front of the mirror, her fingers absentmindedly brushing over the fabric of her dress as her reflection stared back at her. It wasn't anything extravagant, just a simple, elegant outfit in a soft color, modest in design, something that didn't demand attention. She had chosen it without much thought, the way she did everything these days.

Her makeup was light, barely there, just enough to make her look presentable. She hadn't tried to look perfect. There was no effort to impress, no excitement behind the routine. It was all mechanical–something she did because she had to, not because she wanted to.

And truthfully, she wasn't even in the mood for any of this, but she had to...

Tonight, for reasons unknown to her, Jungkook was taking her to an official gathering–an event hosted by someone from his father's side. It was probably a business event, or maybe something related to family. She didn't know the details and she hadn't bothered to ask.

It felt strange, because Jungkook never took her anywhere.

In fact, most days, he barely acknowledged her existence. She spent her time alone inside the house, moving through empty rooms that never felt like hers, while he came and went as he pleased–never telling her where he was going, never asking where she had been, never involving her in any part of his life outside those walls.

So when he had told her earlier that she needed to get ready and accompany him to the event, it had felt... out of place.

He hadn't asked whether she wanted to go or if she was comfortable. He never did and he didn't really care.

He had simply told her the time, or more like ordered her– leaving no room for refusal or even a question. There had been no explanation, no reason given, just another instruction she was expected to follow without hesitation.

She didn't even know why he was taking her to such an event.

Still... a small part of her didn't mind going.

Maybe because she was tired of the constant loneliness around her.

She had been trapped inside that house for far too long, suffocating in a life that didn't feel like hers. Maybe stepping outside, even if only for a few hours might help her breathe a little easier. Maybe, for a brief moment, she could feel like a normal person again.

Even if it didn't last.

Her gaze lingered on her reflection for a second longer before drifting away, her thoughts pulling her elsewhere.

There was a possibility that she might see his parents at the event, which made it even stranger.

She hadn't seen much of Jungkook's family since the wedding.

He had married her without asking for their permission, without even discussing it with them. He had simply informed them, and that had been the end of it. There hadn't been many questions, and no objections.

They hadn't welcomed her, hadn't made her feel like she belonged. At the same time, they hadn't openly rejected her either. They had simply... ignored her existence.

Just like he did.

Jungkook had always kept her separate from his world, as if she didn't quite fit into it. And tonight didn't feel any different. She wasn't going with him because he wanted her there because he wanted her company.

She was going because he had told her to. Nothing more.

Evie let out a quiet breath, lifting her hand to adjust a few loose strands of her hair, trying to make herself look a little more put together. It was the final touch.

She reached for her heels, about to slip them on, when suddenly she heard his voice.

"Evie!"

His voice echoed from downstairs, loud and impatient, cutting through the silence of the room and the frustration in his tone was impossible to miss.

She looked at the clock and realized she had taken more time than he had told her just to get ready. Lost in her own thoughts, she hadn't even been paying attention to the time and now she was late.

Panicked, she left everything that wasn't necessary and rushed out of the room. He would get angry again, and she didn't want to give him another reason to shout, to humiliate her before they had even left the house.

She moved quickly down the stairs, clutching her small purse tightly in her hand. Jungkook was already outside, standing near the car, his arms crossed and his face hard with frustration.

His eyes met hers as she stepped out, and before she could say a word, he cut her off immediately.

"What the hell took you so long?" he snapped, his voice laced with frustration. "I gave you the time. Can't you follow a simple thing without making it difficult?"

Evie opened her mouth, but no words came out. He didn't wait for a response anyway.

It had become his usual behavior now- finding every possible way to take out his frustration on her. And she knew exactly where it would lead if she replied.

So, she chose to ignore him.

He looked her up and down, then muttered under his breath with a scoff, "Why even bother taking that long? No one's going to notice you anyway."

Of course, she heard him—even if he had muttered it.

She quietly opened the car door and slid inside, her hands trembling slightly as she folded them in her lap. She didn't argue, and she didn't defend herself. It wasn't worth it. Arguing with Jungkook only meant more pain. More shouting. More humiliation

And tonight, she didn't want to lose what little strength she had left.

So she sat there in silence, eyes lowered, heart heavy, trying to steady her breathing while he walked around and got in beside her.

The ride to the event was quiet. Jungkook kept his eyes on the road, focused on driving, while Evie sat by the window, resting her hand on her lap. She didn't speak, and neither did he. She knew by now that silence was better than saying something he'd ignore anyway.

When they arrived at the venue, Evie looked out the window and felt her breath hitch a little. The building was grand-bright lights, expensive cars lined up, people dressed in the finest clothes walking in confidently. It was clearly a high-profile event, full of powerful and rich people.

The kind of crowd Jungkook belonged to. The kind she didn't.

Jungkook got out without saying anything and walked ahead, expecting her to follow. She stepped out carefully, fixing her dress and smoothing her hair with her hands, suddenly feeling unsure about how she looked.

She was his wife, yes, but standing there, watching people confidently walk in with their designer dresses and perfect smiles, she felt small. Out of place. She didn't have that kind of charm or confidence. Still, she followed behind him quietly, keeping a little distance as they entered.

Inside, the place was even more overwhelming. Huge chandeliers decorating the ceiling, the lights bright but warm. Waiters moved around with trays, and people in expensive suits and dresses stood in circles, talking, laughing, exchanging polite greetings.

Everyone seemed to know Jungkook. He moved through the crowd like he belonged there–shaking hands, nodding, giving short smiles. Evie stayed a few steps behind, not saying anything, trying not to get in the way.

She hated these kinds of introductions. And it was obvious that Jungkook didn't plan to include her in them. He never introduced her, never looked back to see if she was okay or even still there. She just stood there awkwardly, hands clasped in front of her, trying to appear calm while feeling completely invisible.

When they reached where his parents were standing, Jungkook greeted them, and they responded with smiles and polite nods. They barely glanced at her—no words, no warm gesture, not even eye contact. Just like before. Their entire focus remained on their son.

To be honest, she didn't even care. In fact, she was thankful for it, because if they had acknowledged her, she would have had to talk to them and that would have been awkward and strange, especially when they barely interacted with her. So even now, it didn't make any difference.

Evie stepped back, pretending to look around the room while her chest quietly sank with discomfort. She looked at the women around her-elegant, stylish, confident. Their laughter came easily, their conversations flowed smoothly. She tried not to compare herself, but it was hard. She tugged gently at her dress, checked her appearance once more, and reminded herself to breathe.

She had thought coming here might distract her from everything, but instead, she found more discomfort. Surrounded by people, she only felt smaller.

A few round tables were placed for guests to sit, each with neat decorations and drinks. Not knowing where else to go, Evie quietly walked to one of them and sat down, placing her purse on her lap. Jungkook had walked away again, deep in conversation with another group of people. He didn't even glance in her direction.

Sitting there alone, Evie felt more nervous than before. Everyone seemed to have someone to talk to, and she just... didn't. She looked around, her eyes wandering to the entrance, then to the people laughing nearby, wishing she could disappear for a moment. She felt like she didn't belong.

After what felt like a long time, Jungkook finally came over and pulled the chair beside her, sitting down without saying a word. Even now, he seemed distracted, eyes scanning the room, fingers tapping slightly on the table. She looked at him for a second, wondering if he even remembered she was with him.

But she didn't say anything and sat silently.

After sitting for a while, a few people came over to greet Jungkook. This time, unlike earlier, he finally acknowledged Evie. When someone looked at her and raised an eyebrow, Jungkook gave a short introduction—"My wife, Evie."

That was it–no warmth in his tone, just a plain statement.

And after that, he continued his conversation with them as if she wasn't even there. She sat beside him silently, trying her best to appear normal, nodding occasionally but mostly feeling awkward. Her presence felt like a mere formality.

He didn't once turn to include her or ask if she was okay; he was too busy with the conversation. And to be honest, she hadn't even expected anything from him either. She simply looked around to avoid it, as it felt too uncomfortable from her side.

Eventually, the event began to move forward. A host took the stage, made some formal announcements, and welcomed the guests. People clapped politely. Speeches were given. Everything followed a typical schedule, but she found it hard to focus. Her eyes wandered around the room, watching everyone talk, laugh, and enjoy themselves. The music started playing softly in the background, and people slowly began to relax, walking around more freely, grabbing drinks, and heading toward the buffet for dinner.

It was going somehow okay, sitting beside him, who had gone quiet for a moment, sipping from a glass and looking around.

Then suddenly, a voice chirped through the noise... a loud, cheerful, and very familiar, "Hey... Jungkook!" A woman's voice.

He turned his head instantly, and his entire expression changed. His usual cold, blank face shifted into confusion, and then into a bright, genuine smile of surprise.

Evie frowned slightly at the voice calling out to him, noticing the sudden change in his expression, which confused her too. She turned her head to look behind her.

She saw a beautiful woman, around their age, walking toward them—or more like toward him, her eyes completely fixed on him. She was dressed confidently, her posture strong, her makeup flawless, and there was something bold about the way she carried herself. The way she said his name, the way he responded with a smile-it was obvious they knew each other well.

And strangely, Evie was seeing this woman for the first time.

Without any hesitation, Jungkook stood up, placing his drink on the table. "Amelia?" he said, clearly surprised and excited.

So Amelia... that was her name and Evie was hearing it for the first time.

He walked toward her and they greeted each other cheerfully, pulling each other into a hug. It felt like two people who hadn't seen each other in a long time but had once been very close.

Evie just watched silently, unsure how to react. She didn't know who the woman was. Maybe she was an old friend, or someone from his family–whatever it was, what felt strange was the sudden shift in his behavior. From blank and unbothered to cheerful and welcoming–it was too unexpected. She didn't know how to react to this, especially when she had grown so used to his coldness.

The woman named Amelia pulled back and laughed as she looked at Jungkook, her eyes lighting up. "I surprised you, didn't I?" she said. "Dad told me you'd be here, but I didn't want to text you. Thought I'd just show up and see your face in person."

"You really did," Jungkook said, grinning. "It's been years. You didn't even call."

"Well, you didn't either," she teased. "Guess someone's been too busy for old friends."

"Yeah, life's been... full," Jungkook replied with a smirk, brushing his hand through his hair. His eyes scanned her quickly from head to toe, and he whistled softly. "You've changed. Look at you... you've gotten hot."

Amelia laughed, clearly enjoying the compliment. "You think so?" she said, placing her hand casually on his stomach, running it over the shape of his abs through his shirt. "You too. Damn, look at these muscles. You used to be all skin and bones, remember?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, things change."

Their interaction was casual, but too obvious. Evie couldn't properly hear what they were saying because of the loud music and they were standing a little away from where she was sitting. But the way they smiled, greeted each other, hugged so easily, touched so casually, and shared what seemed like inside jokes-it was enough to understand.

It all made it clear that they knew each other well—maybe more like close friends, judging by their interaction. And seeing this, a strange feeling crept inside her-one she definitely didn't like. She didn't want to be the cliché, jealous wife. She wasn't the type to feel insecure just because her husband spoke to another woman in a friendly way. Maybe she really was just his friend.

So, out of basic manners and courtesy, Evie stood up slowly. She didn't want to remain seated while they stood and talked, it would look rude. So she took a few steps forward toward them.

Jungkook didn't even glance at her. He remained completely absorbed in the conversation.She watched him laugh—really laugh. The kind of laugh she had never seen from him in all their time together. She hadn't even known he could smile like that.

Wasn't it strange?

The same man who barely spoke to her now, who never smiled at home anymore, who treated her like an inconvenience... was now smiling so easily, looking so happy, standing so close to someone else.

Evie told herself not to overthink it. Maybe they were just old friends. Maybe this was how people acted when they met after a long time.

But deep down, her stomach was sinking.

In the middle of their conversation, Amelia's gaze shifted slightly and she noticed Evie standing just behind Jungkook. Her expression changed into mild surprise as she tilted her head a little. "Oh! Is she your wife?" she asked, her tone light but clearly curious.

Jungkook turned around at that, glancing back at Evie as if he had momentarily forgotten she was there. He gave a small nod before gesturing for her to come forward. "Yeah," he said simply. "That's Evie."

For a second, Evie hesitated. The fact that this woman already seemed familiar with Jungkook made the situation feel even more awkward. Still, when Jungkook signaled her to step forward and stand beside him, she did. She had no choice, even if it felt uncomfortable. And somewhere beneath that discomfort, there was a quiet curiosity too- to know what exactly their connection was.

Amelia smiled warmly at her. "Hi, I'm Amelia. It's nice to meet you," she said, extending her hand in a friendly gesture.

Evie shook her hand politely, returning a small smile, though something about her didn't sit right with her. "Oh... hi, Amelia. Nice to meet you too," she replied. "It's my first time seeing you... and hearing about you but it seems like you already know my name... and Jungkook quite well."

Amelia let out a soft laugh at that, glancing briefly at Jungkook before looking back at Evie. "He must not have mentioned me," she said casually. "We're actually meeting after a long time ourselves. But yes, Jungkook and I go way back-we used to be classmates in school."

"Oh... that's nice. Knowing each other for so long," Evie said, nodding lightly.

So, just an old classmate... an old friend. Evie told herself that internally, almost like reassurance. Maybe she really was overthinking things. Maybe it was nothing. And yet, something about the way Jungkook's entire attention was fixed on Amelia, the ease in his expressions, the way he looked at her—it made it hard to ignore the strange feeling settling inside her.

"And when I heard that he got married," Amelia continued, smiling as she pointed lightly toward Jungkook, "it was honestly so surprising for me. So, congratulations to both of you. I never thought I'd see the day-Jungkook... married? That's a shocker."

Jungkook chuckled at that, clearly amused. "Well, I'm full of surprises, aren't I?"

Amelia smirked playfully. "Oh, you always were. Just not the kind anyone could figure out easily."

Jungkook chuckled at this.

Then her attention shifted back to Evie, her smile still soft but carrying something slightly beneath it. "You're lucky, I think. Because as far as I remember, Jungkook used to be extremely picky. He never let anyone get close. Popular, hard to approach, impossible to please... and definitely someone with very high standards," she added with a light chuckle, as if it were just casual conversation. "So I guess you must have done something really special to get him in your radar. Or maybe..." she paused for a second, her eyes flickering with something unreadable, "...he just got tired of being single and decided to settle down anyway?"

This time, Evie felt it clearly.

The words were light, almost playful but the undertone wasn't. There was something subtly judgmental in the way Amelia looked at her, the slight tilt of her head, the overly sweet smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. It felt too polished and suddenly, Evie understood why her instincts hadn't felt right from the beginning.

She let out a small laugh, soft but forced. "Well," she said, meeting Amelia's gaze directly, "standards change, I guess. Or maybe people just learn that perfection isn't always what they actually need." She paused just enough for her words to settle. "Either way... I'd say things worked out just fine."

There was a brief pause after that.

Amelia's smile faltered just a little, barely noticeable, but enough. A flicker of tension passed through the air, subtle yet present.

Jungkook seemed to catch onto it almost instantly. Letting out a low chuckle, he stepped in smoothly, as if to diffuse the moment. "Don't mind her," he said lightly, glancing at Evie. "She's always been like this-joking around since childhood."

As he spoke, he casually wrapped his arm around Evie's shoulder, pulling her slightly closer to his side. There was a faint smirk on his lips, as if he found the situation somewhat amusing.

Amelia quickly composed herself too, laughing it off as if nothing had happened, her attention shifting back to Jungkook as she continued talking to him.

But Evie didn't like it.

She forced a polite smile, trying to appear normal, but the discomfort was growing stronger. His arm around her shoulder felt unfamiliar and fully unwanted. It made her tense, though she tried not to show it.

It was strange, wasn't it?

There was a time when she used to crave his touch, when even the smallest closeness from him meant everything. And now... it only made her uncomfortable.

From constant coldness and distance... to this sudden, casual display-it didn't feel real.

It felt like an act.

She wanted to step away. To leave them there and walk out of this suffocating moment. But just as she shifted slightly, thinking of moving away, Jungkook seemed to sense it. His grip tightened just a little, pulling her closer to him, not enough to be obvious but enough to stop her.

And just like that, she stayed trapped between politeness and discomfort, while he went back to his conversation with Amelia as if everything was perfectly normal... and Evie stood there, wishing she could disappear from it all.

A waiter passed by just then, and Jungkook stopped him with a small gesture. He picked up a glass of wine from the tray without a second thought, then turned toward Amelia and handed one to her casually, as if it was the most natural thing to do.

"Here," he said, his tone easy.

Amelia accepted it with a smile, thanking him, while Jungkook lifted his own glass and took a slow sip. Then, without hesitation, he turned toward Evie and held the glass out to her.

Evie's eyes flickered up to his face, confusion and discomfort clear in her expression. She leaned in slightly, her voice low enough for only him to hear. "You know I don't drink."

Jungkook let out a quiet chuckle, as if her words amused him. His arm tightened around her again, fingers pressing just a little firmer than necessary as he leaned closer.

"Be a good wife," he muttered under his breath, his tone light but laced with something controlling. "We're outside. Try to behave properly in front of people."

Her chest tightened instantly.

She hated this.

She hated how he knew exactly what made her uncomfortable-and still chose to push her into it. Almost like he enjoyed it.

Evie's fingers curled slightly at her sides as she pulled her gaze away from him, refusing the glass without another word. Carefully, she slipped out of his hold and took a step back.

Behind her, she heard him chuckle softly again.

Without looking back, she turned and walked toward their table, her steps steady but her mind anything but calm. A few seconds later, she heard his voice again, this time lighter, more welcoming—as he called Amelia to join them.

Evie had just settled into her seat when she saw Amelia walking over with him.

And just like that, whatever little steadiness she had managed to gather... slipped away again.

He was doing it knowing and she could feel it.

Every little thing, every small action, as if he was purposely pushing her into discomfort just to see how she would react. And she hated it. She hated how easily he could read her uneasiness... and still choose to make it worse. Even inviting Amelia to sit with them- when it was already painfully obvious how awkward Evie felt-only added to it.

Soon, the three of them were seated together, glasses in hand, and the conversation slowly began to flow. Or rather, it was mostly Amelia who kept it going. She led the conversation with ease, asking Jungkook about his life, his work, where he had been all these years. And Jungkook... responded.

Actually responded.

From the way they spoke, it was clear they had known each other for a long time. There was a familiarity between them that didn't need effort, like people who had once been close and were now catching up after years apart. They talked about everything, their past, their present lives. It felt natural.

And that's what made it harder for Evie to sit there and watch.

Because with her... nothing had ever been easy like that.

To be honest, she had no interest in listening to their endless conversation-especially his.

It almost felt ironic.

The same man who barely spoke to her, whose words at home were limited to cold remarks or irritation, suddenly had so much to say. He was polite, engaged... even warm. Like he had found his voice again, just not for her.

Most of the time, the two of them remained lost in their own conversation, but occasionally, Amelia would turn toward Evie and try to include her as well. The questions, however, felt strange, too personal, too curious. She asked about Evie and Jungkook's marriage, about how it happened so suddenly, about Evie herself.

Evie kept her answers short. Polite but distant.

She didn't want to get involved. Didn't want to open herself up in a conversation where she already felt like an outsider. Every time the attention shifted to her, the awkwardness only deepened, making it harder to breathe normally.

Time passed slowly like that.

The music grew louder, people moved around them, laughter echoed across the hall, and the event continued in full swing but for her everything felt distant. Blurred. Like she was physically present, but completely disconnected from it all.

She just sat there quiet and uncomfortable.

And it only got worse as she watched how easily Amelia held Jungkook's attention-how engaged he was, how often he laughed, how naturally he leaned into their conversation.

Evie wasn't an insecure woman.

She wasn't the kind to feel threatened or jealous over something so simple.

But this... this feeling-it wasn't something she could ignore.

It was discomfort.

A quiet, sinking discomfort that refused to go away.

Lost in her own thoughts, she reached for the glass in front of her, barely paying attention as she lifted it. But her fingers slipped, just slightly, just enough and before she could react, the glass tilted, cold liquid spilled over her, soaking her and her dress.

For a second, she froze.

This couldn't get any worse, could it?

Out of everything, this was the last thing she needed to sit there soaked, drawing attention to herself, making the situation even more embarrassing than it already was.

The sudden movement caught their attention. Both of them turned toward her, and Jungkook's expression shifted slightly as he noticed.

"What happened?" he asked.

Evie quickly shook her head, avoiding their eyes. "Nothing... it just slipped," she said quietly, brushing at her dress as if it would somehow fix it. "I'll just go clean it."

Without waiting for anything else, she stood up.

And before either of them could say another word, she turned and walked away leaving them behind as she made her way toward the restroom, her steps quicker than before, as if she just needed a moment to breathe.

Jungkook's gaze stayed on Evie's retreating figure as she walked away, her steps slightly hurried, almost like she was trying to escape something rather than just heading to the restroom. He set his glass down on the table, already pushing his chair back as if he had made up his mind.

"I'll be back," he muttered.

But before he could take a step, Amelia's voice stopped him.

"Oh, come on," she said lightly, leaning back in her chair with a small, amused smile. "Where are you going? She just went to the restroom. She'll be back." She tilted her head, watching him carefully. "Let your wife be on her own for a while."

Jungkook paused, glancing at her.

Then he let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head as he straightened up slightly. "Does it bother you," he said, raising an eyebrow with a faint smirk, "if I go check on my wife?"

Amelia rolled her eyes at that, though a small laugh escaped her lips right after. "Oh... please," she scoffed softly. "I just never thought I'd see the day."

He looked at her, mildly amused. "See what?"

"You," she said, gesturing toward his hand where the ring sat, her gaze lingering there for a second longer than necessary. "Settled. Married. Acting like... this." She gave a small shake of her head, still smiling. "Out of everything I ever expected from you, this was definitely not on the list."

He slipped his hands into his pockets, shrugging lightly as settled back on the chair. "I told you," he said with an amusing grin, "I'm full of surprises. You should know that by now."

She let out a soft scoff, leaning forward just a little. "Oh, I know you," she said, her tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Enough to remember what an absolute bastard you used to be."

That made him laugh.

"Used to be?" he repeated, glancing at her with a smirk. "You sound disappointed."

Amelia's lips curved slightly, her eyes holding his a second longer than necessary. "Maybe I am," she murmured, almost teasing. "Or maybe I'm just... surprised you decided to play the role of a settled man. Doesn't suit you as much as you think."

She knew him too well.

Not just as an old classmate, but as someone who had once been much closer. What started as friendship in school had turned into something casual, something physical-they had been friends with benefits for quite some time. No labels, just convenience and attraction. And when school ended, they drifted apart, moving into different colleges and different lives, their connection reduced to nothing more than occasional interactions.

And for a long time, that's exactly what they had been.

Even now, after years of distance and barely any contact, that familiarity hadn't disappeared. It stayed in the way they looked at each other, in the ease of their conversation, in the quiet tension beneath their words.

Amelia leaned slightly closer, resting her elbow against the table as her fingers idly played with the rim of her glass. "So tell me," she said, almost curious, "do you actually like this life? Or are you just pretending well enough for everyone to believe it?"

Jungkook tilted his head, watching her carefully. "And what do you think?" he asked.

She smiled faintly, her gaze steady. "I think," she said slowly, "you've never been the type to stay in one place for too long. You get bored too easily. You're chasing some kind of thrill I guess."

His smirk returned, sharper this time. "You're talking like you know me too well."

"I do," she replied without hesitation.

For a brief moment, silence settled between them but it wasn't awkward, it was charged with tension.

Amelia's fingers brushed lightly against his sleeve, just for a second, as if testing something. "You know," she added casually, though her eyes said otherwise, "if you ever start missing the old days... you could've just called me, if you really wanted to chase some kind of thrill."

Jungkook's gaze dropped briefly to her hand before lifting back to her face, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Oh?" he said, his tone low, almost playful. "And you're that confident you wouldn't disappoint?"

She leaned back slightly, a small, knowing smile forming on her lips. "I don't think I ever did."

He chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. "You always did have that confidence."

"And you never complained," she shot back smoothly.

For a second, their eyes held again-something familiar quietly passing between them.

But before Jungkook could move, a man approached him mid-thought, calling his name with easy familiarity and breaking the moment entirely.

He glanced up, his attention shifting instantly as recognition crossed his face. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, standing from his seat to greet him with a firm handshake.

"Hey, it's been a while," the man said with a friendly smile.

"Yeah," Jungkook replied just as casually, slipping into the interaction like it required no effort at all. "Didn't expect to see you here."

They exchanged a few quick words- nothing serious, just the usual polite catching up but it was enough to pull him away from everything else for a moment.

Amelia, meanwhile, quietly set her glass down on the table and rose from her seat, stepping aside without interrupting. She didn't go far, just a few steps away, her arms loosely crossing as she watched him.

Observed him. The way she used to back then.

Jungkook wrapped up the conversation soon enough, giving a final nod before the man excused himself and walked away, leaving him standing there alone again.

When he turned back, Amelia was already looking at him.

And there it was again.

That same look.

Familiar and knowing.

Her lips curved slowly into a smile. "Hey," she said, her voice light but confident, "we're literally meeting after years... don't tell me you're going to just stand there and talk all night." She tilted her head slightly, her gaze steady on him. "Come on, let's have a dance with me."

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the sudden invitation. A low chuckle left him as he shook his head almost immediately.

"Not happening," he said without hesitation. "I'm not into this type of shit. Especially this... formal couple dance stuff."

Amelia clicked her tongue, unimpressed, as she stepped a little closer. "Oh, come on," she insisted, her tone playful but persistent. "Since when do you care about things like that?" Her voice lowered just slightly, teasing now. "It's just a dance. People are literally doing it everywhere."

He didn't budge. "No way."

Her eyes narrowed just a little at his refusal, something more settling into her expression now. "Or what?" she added, tilting her head again, studying him. "You're worried about your wife seeing?"

That made him scoff.

"Trying to be a good, loyal husband now?" she continued, the amusement in her voice turning sharper, more provocative. "What-she won't like it if you dance with me?"

Jungkook let out a quiet, almost disbelieving laugh, his jaw tightening slightly as a smirk pulled at his lips.

"You really think I need anyone's permission to do anything?" he said, his tone edged now, a hint of offense slipping through. "I don't answer to anyone. And I definitely don't need approval for something as simple as a dance."

Amelia's grin widened instantly, like she had been waiting for exactly that response.

"Good," she said, reaching out and grabbing his wrist without hesitation. "Then prove it."

And before he could pull back, or before he even tried- she tugged him toward the dance floor.

The atmosphere shifted as they stepped into the open space. The music was smooth, meant for slow, paired movements. Couples moved gracefully around them.

Amelia stepped closer to him without pause, her movements confident, natural, like she had done this with him before.

Jungkook didn't stop her.

Why would he?

If anything, it amused him.

The way she pushed. The way she tested. The way she still knew exactly where to provoke him. It fed his ego-to see how easily women still leaned toward him, drawn in, unbothered by the fact that he was married.

She rested her hand lightly against him, guiding the distance between them as if it was nothing new.

And it wasn't. Not really.

His gaze dropped... slowly... tracing over her, taking in every detail as if it came naturally to him.

It was too familiar.

"You free tomorrow night?" he asked suddenly, his tone casual-too casual for what he was implying.

Amelia let out a soft laugh, clearly entertained by the audacity of it. "Wow," she said, shaking her head slightly. "That ring on your finger really doesn't mean much to you, does it?" Her eyes flickered down to his hand before lifting back to meet his. "Almost forgot you have a wife."

Jungkook chuckled under his breath, completely unfazed.

"Should it?" he replied smoothly. Then, with the slightest tilt of his head, he added, "Relax. I said hang out. You're the one turning it into something else." A pause. A smirk. "Though... I wouldn't mind if it was."

Amelia laughed again, this time more knowing.

He was a man, after all.

Generous in his own way. A gentleman, if you asked him.

One who didn't believe in denying attention where it was clearly wanted. It wasn't his fault if women leaned in. And he certainly wasn't heartless enough to push them away just because society expected him to act "properly" now.

And self-control had never really been his thing. He liked the chase, the way women still looked at him like nothing had changed-even with a ring on his finger. And honestly? He wasn't in a hurry to prove them wrong.

"God," she muttered, shaking her head. "You're still the same shameless asshole."

Jungkook's grin only deepened.

"And you're still the same tease."

Around them, the music carried on, couples moving in rhythm, the night unfolding like nothing unusual was happening.

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

This couldn't possibly get any worse.

Or at least, that's what Evie had thought—until it actually did.

She had come here hoping for a little peace, a distraction, maybe even a moment to breathe away from everything that had been suffocating her lately. Instead, she found herself trapped in nothing but awkwardness, discomfort, and that constant, nagging feeling of being out of place. And now, to make it even better, she had managed to spill water all over herself, leaving an wet patch spread across her dress.

Just her luck.

Honestly, at this point, it didn't even feel like bad luck anymore. It felt like a pattern. Like ever since she married Jungkook, nothing had gone right for her.

Standing alone in the washroom, Evie stared down at her reflection, her eyes dropping to the damp fabric clinging uncomfortably to her skin. She didn't even know how to fix this. There was no fixing this. The stain was too visible, the fabric too soaked, and changing into something else is impossible. The only option left was to walk back out there like this and the thought alone made her stomach tighten.

Letting out a quiet breath, she grabbed a few tissues and began dabbing at the wet patch, pressing gently as if that would somehow undo it. It barely helped, but she kept going anyway, trying to absorb at least some of the moisture. The night air outside was already cold and wearing damp clothes would only make it worse.

Still, there was only so much she could do.

After a moment, she stopped, staring at the dress one last time before letting out a soft, defeated sigh. This was as good as it was going to get.

With no other choice, she turned and walked out of the washroom, her steps slower now, more reluctant, as she made her way back toward the event hall.

But honestly, she didn't even want to go back.

All she wanted was to leave. Just… leave this place, this noise, this entire suffocating atmosphere. If Jungkook wasn't ready yet, then fine—she would go on her own. She'd book a taxi and get out of here. Thank God she had brought her own money with her. At least she wasn't completely dependent on him.

The music grew louder as she stepped closer, blending with the sound of chatter and laughter, voices overlapping in a way that only made her head ache more. It was too much. Everything felt too loud, too crowded, too overwhelming.

And deep down, she found herself hoping—that Amelia had already left.

She didn't think she could handle another moment of that forced, uncomfortable interaction.

Reaching the main area, Evie's eyes instinctively moved toward the table where they had been sitting earlier.

It was empty.

Her steps slowed.

Frowning slightly, she glanced around, her gaze moving across the crowd, people sitting, standing, laughing, talking but there was no sign of him. No familiar face, no trace of Jungkook anywhere.

A strange feeling settled in her chest.

For a brief second, a thought flashed through her mind. She was getting flashback of that day

Did he leave her here too?

Her heart skipped.

No… no, that wasn't possible.

He wouldn't do that.

Right?

The uncertainty crept in anyway, wrapping around her thoughts, making her chest feel tight as a quiet anxiety began to build. She scanned the crowd again, more carefully this time, her eyes moving faster now–searching, hoping to catch even a glimpse of him.

And then…

Her gaze shifted toward the dance floor.

Couples moved together under the dim lights, bodies swaying in rhythm to the soft music, completely lost in their own little worlds.

That's when she saw it.

A figure.

A Familiar one.

Her breath caught.

Even from a distance, even among so many people, she knew that silhouette. She would recognize him anywhere. And as if to confirm it, he turned slightly and she caught a clear glimpse of his face.

It was him.

Relief flickered for a split second–only to vanish just as quickly.

Because he wasn't alone, he was with someone.

Dancing with some female and she recognised her too, it was Amelia.

Evie stood there, frozen, her eyes fixed on them as the reality settled in slowly, painfully.

He was dancing with Amelia.

They were standing far away from her, half-hidden beneath the shifting lights that moved with the rhythm of the music. People passed in between them constantly, blocking her view again and again, but even then–she could see enough. More than enough.

Enough to understand what was happening.

Her own husband was out there, dancing with another woman, as if she didn't even exist. As if he hadn't left her there without a word, without even the smallest acknowledgment.

Evie swallowed hard, her throat suddenly feeling dry.

She didn't even know what she was supposed to feel at that moment. But the way she stood there, watching him or more like watching the way he leaned closer to Amelia, the way he laughed so easily, the way all his attention seemed to revolve around her—it did something to her. Something ugly.

The discomfort she had felt earlier, sitting beside them, watching them talk, had been bearable– unpleasant, yes, but something she could ignore if she tried hard enough. But this… this was different. This wasn't something she could look away from or pretend didn't exist.

And she couldn't unsee it.

She squeezed her eyes shut for a brief second before opening them again, as if hoping the image in front of her would change but it didn't. He was still there. Still smiling. Still completely at ease.

Still with her.

She swears she's not insecure…She had never been.

She swears she wasn't the type to feel jealous over things like this, wasn't the kind of woman who would stand and compare herself to someone else, wasn't someone who would lose her composure over a man's attention—especially not his.

And yet…

Watching him like this made her feel like a complete fool.

A living, breathing fool.

Because what else was she supposed to feel when the same man who had spent months treating her like absolute shit—making her question her own worth, her own place, her own existence in his life—was now standing there, laughing, dancing, talking so effortlessly… like none of that ever existed?

Like she never existed?

Her chest tightened painfully.

The man who couldn't even look at her properly without irritation, who spoke to her like every word was a burden, who acted as if he was the victim in this marriage—as if he was the one trapped—was now glowing in someone else's presence.

His mood had shifted so easily, not naturally.

As if all that bitterness, all that coldness… had only ever been reserved for her.

And that realization burned.

How the fuck dare he…?

This wasn't jealousy.

It felt like anger. Like hurt. Like something raw and bruised inside her finally reacting to everything she had been forcing herself to ignore.

Her eyes blinked rapidly, and she could feel the sting building, the slight blur creeping into her vision as the weight of it all became too much to hold in.

And she didn't know what to do.

For a moment, the thought hit her so strongly it almost scared her. To walk straight onto that damn dance floor, to grab him by his collar, to pull him away from her and demand an answer right there, in front of everyone. In front of that girl.

The urge was that strong.

It burned inside her, reckless and impulsive, telling her to make him feel even a fraction of what she was feeling right now. To stop pretending. To stop swallowing everything. To just… react.

But she didn't move.

Because somewhere, beneath all that anger, she still had enough sense to know what that would look like. It would make a scene. It would turn heads. And in the end, it would only make a fool out of her— standing there, losing control, while he would probably just look at her like she was the problem all over again.

Still… how the hell was she supposed to let this slide?

Maybe it was just dancing. Maybe it was just an old friend.

But that didn't change anything.

Not when he had spent months making her feel small. Not when he had never once given her that kind of attention, that kind of ease, that damn smile. Not when he never left a single moment untouched without reminding her how miserable she made him feel.

So how was she supposed to just stand here and accept this?

Her thoughts were spiraling when suddenly—

He looked up.

From across the crowd, as if sensing something, his gaze shifted… and then it landed directly on her.

Evie froze at the moment. Even from a distance, she could tell he had recognized her. There was a brief stiffness in his posture. Like he hadn't expected to see her standing there, watching him like this.

But it lasted only a second.

Because just as quickly, he composed himself.

He said something to Amelia, his lips curving into that same easy smile, as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn't just been caught. After a small laugh, a few more words, he let her go, stepping away from the dance floor.

Amelia followed, still laughing, still talking, like they were just two old friends catching up without a single care in the world.

And then…they started walking back towards her direction and she didn't move.

Her eyes stayed locked on him and it didn't go unnoticed because he was looking right back at her too. Like he was fully aware, was fully present.

And there was something in that look.

Almost like he wanted her to see this, to see him like this. Wanted her to react. Wanted to pull something out of her.

And fuck it… it was working.

Her chest tightened even more, her emotions climbing to a point where she didn't know what she would do if he stood in front of her right now. She felt like she might cry. Or worse— walk up to him and grab his collar, shake some sense into him, force him to look at her for once and understand what he was doing.

She wanted to do something. Anything.

Something reckless. Something stupid. Something that didn't make sense but felt right in this moment.

Even if it was childish but she couldn't help it anymore.

The feeling had gone too far.

Before she could think it through, she turned slightly and walked toward the side where a waiter stood with a tray of drinks. Her steps weren't rushed, but they weren't calm either—there was a quiet tension in them.

A waiter passed by, and she stopped him without hesitation.

Without asking, she reached for one of the glasses then another. Both were only half-filled, the red liquid barely touching the middle. For a second, she just stared at them…

And then, without thinking twice, she poured one into the other.

The glass filled up, right to the rim.

She held it firmly in her hand, her fingers tightening slightly around the stem as she turned her gaze back toward them.

They were closer now. Still talking. Still moving in her direction. Still looking completely unaffected.

She stood there, the glass steady in her hand, her thoughts anything but. She knew this was childish. She knew this wasn't something she should do.

She wasn't this kind of person. She wasn't pathetic. She wasn't someone who acted out of impulse like this.

But right now… none of that mattered.

Because logic had already left her the moment she saw him with her.

And whatever she was about to do, she didn't even care anymore.

She tightened the glass in her hand, lifting it slightly as if she had every intention of drinking it. Her fingers were firm around the stem, though her heartbeat was anything but calm.

And then she saw him walking toward her.

Her eyes locked onto his instantly, as if pulled by something she couldn't control. She didn't look away. Not this time. Not when he had looked at her like that, not when he had made her stand there and watch.

Behind him, Amelia walked just as close, still talking or more like babbling, her voice light and carefree, completely absorbed in him. She didn't even seem aware of anything else around her, her attention entirely fixed on Jungkook as she laughed softly at something she had just said.

Evie's grip on the glass tightened ever so slightly.

As Jungkook got closer, his eyes dropped to her hand and for the first time, there was a visible reaction on his face. His brows pulled together, lifting in clear surprise as he noticed the alcohol in her glass.

Because she didn't drink and e knew that.

Evie caught that reaction, and for a split second, it made her chest tighten. But she quickly looked away, breaking eye contact, pretending she hadn't noticed. She tried to appear normal, even as a quiet nervousness crept under her skin.

She couldn't let it show. Not now, not when she had already decided what she was going to do.

Before Jungkook could say anything, Amelia's voice cut in–bright, cheerful, and completely unaware.

"Oh, hey! You're back," she said, her tone sweet, almost overly so. "Are you okay? You took quite some time."

Evie forced a small smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes, as she finally looked at her.

"I'm fine," she replied calmly, her voice steady despite everything swirling inside her. "Just fixing the dress… the water spill took a bit longer."

As she spoke, she stepped forward, closing the distance between them. She didn't look at Jungkook–not even once.

But she could feel it… his gaze, heavy and fully focused on her. Watching her every move in a way that made her even more aware of what she was about to do

Don't think. Just do it.

She didn't even know if he would understand. If he would see through it but it didn't matter anymore.

She was going to do it anyway.

By the time she reached them, she slowed slightly, as if about to stop and continue the conversation… her lips parting like she was going to say something—

And then.

Her foot slipped forward. It happened fast. Too fast.

Her balance tipped, her body jerking slightly as she stumbled ahead and the glass filled with red liquid tilted and the entire drink spilled forward in one motion.

A full splash.

It hit Amelia first.

The liquid poured straight over the front of her dress, soaking the fabric instantly, the cold shock making her flinch back with a sharp gasp. A few drops splattered onto Jungkook as well, darkening a part of his shirt but the worst of it had landed entirely on her.

For a second, everything froze.

Amelia gasped sharply, her body jerking back in shock as the cold liquid hit her. "Oh my God—!" she exclaimed, her voice breaking in surprise as she looked down at herself, her expression shifting from confusion to disbelief. "What is thi—?!"

Her hands instinctively moved to her dress, trying to brush off the red liquid even though it had already soaked in.

"I'm so sorry…" she said quickly, forcing her voice to stay normal, anything but suspicious as her eyes flickered toward Amelia before deliberately avoiding Jungkook. "I didn't mean to. I just—my foot slipped. I didn't see it… I'm really sorry for this."

Her fingers tightened around the now-empty glass, her grip just a little too firm, her breathing uneven in a way that could easily pass as shock. She turned slightly, placing the glass back onto the table behind her, giving herself a second—just a second—to collect whatever control she still had left. Then she faced Amelia again, stepping closer as if genuinely concerned.

"I didn't mean to ruin your dress… or your night like this," she added softly. "You should really go clean it up."

Even without looking, she could feel it.

Jungkook's gaze, constant and heavy. It pressed against her, made her skin feel tight, but she didn't turn toward him, not once–she refused to.

He hadn't reacted much anyway despite the few drops that had landed on him.

And then, finally.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice directed at Amelia.

Amelia blinked, still slightly startled, her eyes dropping once more to her soaked dress before she let out a small breath and shook her head lightly. "It's okay, … it's fine," she said, managing a small, composed smile, handling it far more gracefully than most would.

Then she looked at Evie, her expression softening. "No worries. These things happen. I'll just clean up."

Evie nodded quickly, almost too quickly. "I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to," she repeated again, quieter this time.

Amelia gave a small reassuring nod before excusing herself, turning and walking toward the restroom without making it into something bigger than it was.

The moment she disappeared into the crowd, the space around Evie seemed to shift.

It should have felt like relief, should have eased something inside her but it didn't.

If anything, the tension only grew heavier because now… she was alone with him.

Evie stood there, her posture stiff, her gaze fixed somewhere ahead but not quite focused. The silence stretched between them, uncomfortable, pressing in from all sides.

And still he didn't say anything, neither did she.

She swallowed, forcing herself to speak before the silence swallowed her whole.

"You got some on your clothes too…" she said, her voice quieter now. "You should probably clean it up."

A brief pause.

"And… I don't really feel like staying here anymore," she added, almost as an afterthought, though it had been sitting in her chest for a while now. "I think I'll just go back. If you want, you can stay. I brought money. I'll take a taxi."

She kept her tone even, careful, trying not to let the nerves slip through, trying not to sound affected.

Before he could respond or before she could lose her composure, she turned around, ready to leave, ready to walk away from all of it.

But she didn't get far as her steps halted as his voice stopped her.

"You should try acting, you know that."

It was calm. Almost casual.

Jungkook knew it.

It wasn't even a question in his mind anymore—it got in him the moment the drink had spilled, the way her eyes had avoided his a second too quickly after. It didn't sit like an accident. It never did.

And now, standing in front of her, watching her stop walking ahead and turn around pretending to be confused… it only made that certainty sharper.

Evie could feel it.

The way he was looking at her, almost too focused, made something in her make her nervous in a way she didn't want to admit. She kept her face composed, her posture straight, as if she hadn't just done something reckless minutes ago.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The noise of the event carried on around them—music, laughter but right there, in that small space between them, everything felt muted.

And then, finally, he broke the silence.

His voice came out low, almost casual, but there's an edge in it.

"Didn't know you had that in you," he said, his lips curving slightly not quite a smile. "Or should I say… I didn't expect you to be that obvious."

Evie blinked, just once, her brows pulling together as she forced a look of confusion onto her face. "I..I don't know what you're talking about," she replied, her tone controlled, almost careful.

Jungkook let out a soft scoff.

He's not surprised, not even a little.

This time, when he spoke, there was no attempt to soften it. "You did that on purpose."

It was too direct.

Evie's throat tightened, and she swallowed before shaking her head quickly, almost instinctively. "W–What…Are you serious?" she shot back, a faint edge slipping into her voice now. "What are you saying? Why would I do something like that? It was an accident."

But he didn't  even look convinced for a second, instead, he stepped closer.

And when she instinctively tried to move past him, to leave, to escape the way he was looking at her and his hand shot out, gripping her arm before she could take another step.

The sudden contact made her freeze.

He pulled her back toward him firm enough that she couldn't ignore it and his other hand settled around her arm as well, holding her in place.

Close. Too close.

"I never thought you'd be this insecure," he said quietly, his voice dropping, losing whatever trace of amusement it had earlier. "To pull something like that… just because you couldn't stand seeing me with someone else."

Her breath caught in her throat. "What…"

"It was a dance," he continued, his grip tightening just slightly, his gaze locked onto hers. "Someone I've known since I was a kid, she was my childhood friend. That's all it was. And you—" his jaw clenched briefly, "—you couldn't even handle that."

Something in her snapped at that.

"Don't," she said immediately, her voice defending as she tried to pull her arm free, but his grip didn't loosen. "Don't call me that." Her eyes flashed, anger rising fast enough to override the nervousness. "It was an accident and don't you dare try to label me like that. I'm not like you. That kind of insecurity? That's yours, not mine. Don't project it onto me just because you don't know how to act properly."

she went on, her words coming faster now, fueled by everything she had been holding in and that made him still just for a second but it was enough.

His jaw tightened visibly.

"Think twice before you talk," he said, his voice dropping again, his grip refusing to let her go when she tried again to pull away. "That habit of yours. Running your mouth without thinking. A few minutes ago, you were acting like a jealous mess, pulling a stunt like that in the middle of an event," he added, his tone turning colder. "And now you're standing here pretending like you don't even know what I'm talking about."

"Stop talking nonse—" She tried to defend herself but he cut her off.

"—You don't even drink," he pointed out. "So what exactly were you doing holding a glass of alcohol?"

Evie went still completely.

Her breath caught in her throat and for a moment, she had nothing to say. Nothing to defend herself with. The truth sat there, exposed in a way she hadn't prepared for.

And suddenly, she felt it—that awful, creeping feeling, like she had just made a fool out of herself.

Her throat burned. Her eyes stung. They were still in the middle of the event. People were around. Voices, music, movement but it all felt distant now, drowned out by the heat rising behind her eyes and the tightness in her chest.

She hated this.

Hated feeling like this.

Hated that he could see it.

"Call me whatever you want," she said suddenly, her voice low as she forced the words out before her emotions could take over completely. "I don't care." She finally managed to pull one arm slightly, though his grip still lingered. "But don't stand here and waste my time with your assumptions, I didn't do anything. If you're so concerned, go check on your childhood friend, you looked pretty busy with her anyway. She seems to fix your mood just fine."

she added, the words laced with something bitter she didn't bother to hide anymore and didn't care about how all this was going to push him.

"Funny how that works. You save all your worst sides for your wife… and suddenly become charming for everyone else."

That did it. Jungkook's jaw clenched hard, his expression darkening.

"You know what, fuck that damn mouth of yours…" he muttered under his breath, more to himself than to her. Then his gaze snapped back to her. "Just admit it," he said, his tone losing patience now. "You're jealous. You used to called me insecure? Look at you right now. I was just talking to someone I haven't seen in years and you couldn't handle it. You literally poured a drink on her and now you're standing here on the verge of tears, acting like you didn't do anything? Grow up Evie."

That broke something and she felt it instantly.

The sting of his words hit deeper than she expected. Her eyes burned harder now and before she could stop it, a few tears slipped free, trailing down her cheeks.

She clenched her jaw, furious at herself for it.

Furious at him for pushing her there.

This wasn't supposed to happen, not here, not like this.

It was turning into that another argument, another moment where everything spiraled out of control and she couldn't stand it. Not in the middle of a place like this. Not with people around.

But it was already too late.

"Fine," she said suddenly, her voice shaking, breaking through everything else. "You want the truth? Yes, I did it and you know what? I shouldn't have stopped there," she added, her voice rising slightly despite herself. "I should've thrown it right at your face instead."

The silence followed.

Before he could react, before he could say anything else- she shoved him back, just enough to break free from his grip.

Her hands trembled as she quickly wiped at her cheeks, trying to get rid of the tears, trying to pull herself together, but it was useless.

She turned away, not caring anymore who saw, who noticed, who whispered, she just needed to get out.

Out of that space. Out of his presence. Out of everything.

Her steps turned quickly, almost rushing as she made her way through the crowd, past people she didn't look at, past voices she didn't register.

The cold air outside hit her harder this time, her breaths came uneven, one after another. The tears wouldn't stop, slipping down no matter how quickly she wiped them away.

She didn't even hear him at first and didn't realize he had followed her.

Not until his hand wrapped around her arm again and this time, it was rough.

The sudden pull forced her back, her body stumbling slightly as she was turned around to face him. Her breath hitched, startled.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" his voice came out low, harsh, laced with irritation that hadn't settled even a bit. "Who exactly are you trying to show this attitude to, huh? Me?"

Evie didn't answer.

She couldn't, not immediately. Instead, she tried to pull her arm free, twisting slightly in his grip but he didn't let go.

"Let go of me," she managed, her voice strained, uneven.

But Jungkook only tightened his hold.

"You know I hate this kind of behavior," he continued, his tone cutting, almost mocking now. "That attitude of yours? Save it for something useful. Right now, it's just making you look like a damn fool."

That pushed her.

Something in her snapped again, her frustration boiling over as she finally shoved against him with more force this time, managing to break his grip just enough to take a step back.

"If I'm such a problem," she shot back, her voice shaking but loud enough to carry, "then just leave me here! Don't bother following me around like this."

Her chest rose and fell sharply as she wiped at her tears again, her movements frustrated, messy.

"Go back inside. Do whatever you want. I'll go on my own," she added, her voice breaking slightly despite her effort to keep it steady. "I'll take a taxi. I don't need to stand here and ruin my mind arguing with you."

She turned again, this time, more determined but she didn't even make it two steps.

His hand caught her again and before she could react, her back hit against the cold surface of a nearby car.

The impact wasn't hard enough to hurt, but it was enough to trap her there.

Jungkook stood close, one hand braced beside her, the other still holding her arm, caging her in so she couldn't just walk away again.

"Running away again?" he muttered, his voice dropping, quieter but far more dangerous now. "That's all you ever do when things don't go your way."

Evie's breath hitched, her back pressing against the car as she looked at him, her eyes still wet, her emotions too raw to hide anymore.

"I don't want to be here," she said, her voice softer now, but no less firm. "I don't want to be with you right now. I'm going home."

For a second he didn't respond, he just looked at her.

His gaze moved over her face slowly, taking in the tear-streaked cheeks, the trembling lips, the way she was trying so hard to hold herself together and failing anyway.

And there was something about it, something he didn't look away from. Her vulnerability. The helplessness in her expression.

It didn't soften him, if anything… it held his attention longer than it should have.

"You already ruined the night," he said finally, his tone flat now, stripped of heat. "For yourself… and for me. Embarrassed yourself like that," he added, almost under his breath. "And dragged me into it too."

Evie's jaw tightened, her hands curling slightly at her sides, but before she could respond he stepped back, just enough to break the cage.

For a second, it almost felt like he was letting her go but then his hand found hers again firmly.

"Come on," he said shortly, already turning, already pulling her along with him.

Evie resisted immediately, trying to pull her hand back, her steps stumbling slightly as she fought against him. "I said I'm not going with you," she protested, her voice rising again. "I'll go by myself. Let go."

He didn't even slow down.

"Jungkook, stop—"

Nothing.

People passed by them, a few glances thrown their way, enough to make the tension more noticeable. And that… more than anything… forced her to lower her voice, her resistance turning quieter, more contained, but no less real.

"Let go," she repeated under her breath, more desperate now. "You're hurting me—"

Only then did his grip loosen slightly but not enough to let her go.

By the time they reached the car, he opened the front door without a word, his hold shifting from her wrist to her arm again as he guided her toward it.

"Get in."

"I'm not—"

"Evie."

"Jungkook—" she tried again, but her voice faltered.

"Don't make this harder than it already is," he cut in, his tone low, warning laced beneath it.

She knew that tone.

And she hated that she did.

He held the door open, his grip still there, his patience clearly running thin.

For a moment, she hesitated, then, instead of moving to the front seat, she pulled away just enough to step past it and opened the back door herself.

If she was getting in, it wouldn't be beside him.

She slid into the back seat quickly, turning her face away toward the window, her arms wrapping around herself as if that could somehow hold her together.

Jungkook stood there for a second, watching her.

Then he let out a quiet breath, shutting the front door with more force than necessary before moving around to the driver's side.

The car door opened.

Closed.

And just like that, they were both inside.

Evie went quiet.

She turned her face to the window, tears still slipping down, but she didn't make another sound.

Another night passed.

Another night where she hoped maybe things would be different and instead, they got worse.

Another night where her self worth chipped away just a little more.

Another night where she realized–she was losing herself, slowly, piece by piece.

★ ★ ★