Love or Destiny

A Proposal, A Claim, A Storm

Jennie greeted everyone with a warm, radiant smile, one that instantly made the room feel lighter.

Jisoo smiled back, though something about the atmosphere felt slightly different. Soft, yet heavy in a way she couldn't explain.

"Oh my gosh! Oppa, she has a gummy smile just like you," Rose said playfully, glancing at the man beside her.

She followed her gaze.

The man, Yoongi, as she later learned, remained expressionless, his sharp eyes unreadable. He seemed cold. Not just quiet, but distant in a way that discouraged questions.

"Jennie, Lisa...please, have a seat," Jisoo said gently.

They sat down, and the introductions began.

"Jennie," Jungkook said, "this is Rosé, Jimin, Hoseok hyung...and Yoongi hyung."

"Oh," she smiled politely, "I assume you're all V's friends?"

"No," Yoongi answered curtly, his tone edged with something sharp. "I'm Jisoo's cousin. And Rosé is her best friend."

His voice felt very protective, maybe even a little hostile.

Jennie glanced around again.

Something wasn't right here.

"Why are you guys here?" Jungkook asked.

Lisa answered brightly, "You forgot? We came for Jihyo and Namjoon oppa's wedding."

"Namjoon oppa?" Jisoo's eyes widened. "You mean Jin oppa's friend? But he's in the U.S. right?"

Before anyone could reply...

"I'm sorry Jisoo, but I'm here now."

They turned toward the voice.

A tall man entered with a warm smile, Namjoon, along with a beautiful woman beside him.

"Oppa!" Jisoo rushed forward, hugging him instantly. "It's been so long! How are you?"

"I'm good," Namjoon said, smiling softly at her. "And yes...I'm getting married."

He gestured shyly toward the woman beside him. "This is Jihyo, my fiancée."

Jisoo's eyes sparkled. "Hello, I am Jisoo. You're very beautiful, Jihyo!"

Jihyo laughed. "Not more than you, Jisoo."

The room filled with light laughter again, but even in that moment,  Jennie couldn't ignore the strange tension lingering beneath it all.

And one question kept echoing in her mind.

Where is Taehyung?

As conversations flowed, her eyes wandered again.

Yoongi.

For a moment, she caught him looking at her. But just as quickly, he looked away.

Strange. Very strange.

────୨ৎ────

"By the way," Jihyo suddenly asked, "where is V?"

The room fell silent. Just like that. And then warmth disappeared.

Jennie looked around but no one answered. No one even moved.

Finally, Jungkook spoke, his voice low.

"He's in Paris...but he'll be back soon."

Something about the way he said it, didn't feel right.

────୨ৎ────

They left last night.

Taehyung stayed behind.

Coward.

He thought.

That's what he was.

But this morning, he came back.

And the moment he stepped inside, he froze.

Everyone was there.

Jungkook. Jimin. Hoseok. Yoongi. Rosé.

Jennie, Lisa, Namjoon. and his fiancée Jihyo were also present.

And also...Jin.

But something was wrong.

Why was everyone so quiet?

Why was no one moving?

But then, he saw Jin on his knees.

In front of Jisoo.

Holding flowers.

His chest tightened.

No.

No—

"Jisoo..." Jin said softly, holding her hand. "I know everything about you. Your past...your pain...everything."

Taehyung's fists clenched.

"When I first saw you...I fell for you," Jin continued, his voice steady, sincere. "I know this is sudden...but I truly love you."

Tarhyung's heart stopped.

"I stepped back when I realized you loved someone else," Jin went on. "Because I didn't want to ruin what you had."

Each word burned.

"But now..." Jin's voice softened, "I know you're going through a difficult time again. And I want to be there for you."

Jisoo stood still.

Silent.

Shocked.

Yet he kept going.

"I know it won't be easy," Jin said, his eyes filled with honesty. "But I promise, I will always stay by your side. I will always love you, no matter what."

The room was dead silent.

Everyone watched in utter shock, yet they still kept waiting for Jisoo to answer.

While Taehyung, couldn't breathe.

────୨ৎ────

Jennie thought it was beautiful.

A sincere confession.

The kind of love every girl dreams of.

A smile broke out on her lips as she felt genuinely happy for Jisoo.

Because she thought, every girl deserves this.

But then, a loud noise echoed from the entrance. The door.

Everyone turned.

And there he was. Taehyung.

Jennie's heart leaped and her eyes brightened.

"V—"

But she stopped. Because his expression wasn't relief or happiness.

It was something dark and dangerous.

His eyes were locked onto one person.

Jisoo.

And then, he spoke.

Low.

Cold.

Possessive.

"Hyung..." he said, his voice cutting through the silence, "watch your words."

A pause.

"You're talking to my wife."

And in that moment, everything shattered again.