Love or Destiny

Fractures and Forward Steps

The silence inside the Kim residence had grown heavier over the past two days, thick with unspoken pain, unanswered questions, and a loneliness that no one dared to disturb.

From the living room, Taehyung's mother sighed softly, her eyes filled with worry as she looked toward the staircase.

"Where is she, aunty?" Rosé asked, her voice laced with concern rather than her usual brightness.

"She's in her room, dear," Taehyung's mother replied gently. "She hasn't come out much, not even for work. It's been two days."

Rosé frowned. That wasn't like Jisoo at all. The Jisoo she knew would bury herself in work or distract herself with people, not hide away.

"I'll go talk to her," Rosé said, determination settling in her tone. Then she paused. "Where is Taehyung?"

Taehyung's mother's expression darkened slightly. "He hasn't been staying here since that day. I'm not sure where he is but I think he's staying with Jennie."

Rosé nodded slowly before heading upstairs.

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When Rosé pushed open the door to Jisoo's room, the sight made her pause.

Jisoo sat on the bed, her expression blank, her eyes distant while Jungkook sat beside her, quietly holding her in his arms.

Rosé cleared her throat deliberately.

"Hi Jungkook, hi Jisoo~"

Her teasing tone immediately broke the moment. Jungkook stiffened and quickly stood up, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

"You two talk...I'll get going," he mumbled.

Rosé smirked. "Are you sure you want to leave Jisoo unnie and go?"

Jungkook froze for half a second before rushing out. "B-bye!"

The door shut behind him, leaving Rosé laughing softly.

Jisoo shook her head. "Why are you teasing him? There's nothing between us."

"I know," Rosé said, sitting beside her. Then her voice softened. "But Jungkook has feelings for you. You know that, right?"

Jisoo didn't hesitate. "I know. But I can't return them."

Her tone was calm but firm.

Rosé exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling up. "Unnie, you loved Taehyung. I get that. But he hurt you. You can't just stay stuck there forever. There are people who care about you, who want to be with you."

Jisoo stayed quiet.

"He doesn't even care," Rosé continued, unable to stop herself. "Do you know he's not even home? He's staying with Jennie now—"

She stopped mid-sentence.

Too late.

Jisoo's fingers tightened slightly on her lap. "He's...living with Jennie?"

Rosé bit her lip. "I didn't mean—"

"It's okay," Jisoo interrupted softly.

But it wasn't okay.

Rosé could see it in the way her gaze dropped, in the way her voice lost its strength.

Taking a deep breath, Rosé held her shoulders gently. "You need to move on, unnie. Not for us but for yourself. For once, be selfish. Think about your happiness."

A long silence followed.

Then, slowly, Jisoo looked up with a small-fragile smile.

"Okay," she said. "I'll move on."