Ms. Kim wants me!

CHAPTER 41

JENNIE'S POV

Today was my wedding day... and I wasn't ready.

I sat in the dressing room with my gown already on, the lace heavy against my skin.

My reflection in the mirror didn't look like me, it looked like a stranger trapped in a fairytale I didn't want. I kept telling myself to breathe, but my chest was tight, suffocating.

I didn't want this.

I didn't want to marry Taehyung.

Taehyung's mom was in the room with me, fussing over my veil and making sure every detail was perfect. Her smile was wide, almost forced, and it made me feel even smaller.

Then, the door in front of me creaked open.

The music started. Everyone inside the church stood up at once, all eyes locked on me. My legs felt like lead, but I forced myself to move. Step by step, I walked down the long aisle.

At the end, Taehyung was waiting. He stood tall, dressed in his tuxedo, smiling so confidently, as if this day was the happiest of his life. My stomach twisted.

I finally reached him and stood by his side. He reached for my hand, his palm warm against mine, and the priest looked at us with a gentle smile.

We went through the vows, the lines I had rehearsed, and I spoke them like a robot, lying through my teeth about how much I loved him. Each word burned in my throat.

Then the priest asked, "Do you, Taehyung, take Jennie to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do!" Taehyung said without hesitation, his voice bright with certainty.

The priest turned to me. "Do you, Jennie, take Taehyung to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Silence.

I froze, my mind spinning. The church grew unbearably quiet, the weight of every guest's gaze pressing down on me.

Memories flooded my head.

"Be my girlfriend? Lili, please..."

"B-But... I... Yes."

"I love you, Nini."

"I love you too, Lili."

The voices echoed in my heart, making my throat tighten.

"Jennie, say something," Taehyung whispered urgently, his grip tightening on my hand.

But all I could hear was Lisa's voice.

And all I could feel was her.

"I-I can't," I whispered, my voice breaking.

The church gasped in unison, shocked by my words.

"Jennie!" Taehyung called, panic flashing in his eyes.

"I'm sorry..." I said, tears threatening to fall.

"But I need to find the one I truly love."

I slipped my hand out of his and turned away, running down the aisle as gasps and murmurs erupted behind me. My heels clicked against the floor, but I didn't stop.

I burst into the dressing room, tearing off the veil and fumbling with the heavy dress until I could breathe again.

My heart raced as I grabbed my car keys. I couldn't waste another second.

I bolted out the door, rushing into my car, and sped off.

As I drove, my phone rang. It was Taehyung's mom. Against my better judgment, I answered.

"Jennie, you better come back!!" she screamed through the phone, her voice shrill with rage.

"Sorry, Amanda," I said firmly, eyes burning with tears. "But I'm not happy with your son. I don't love him, and I'm not coming back to the wedding." My foot pressed harder on the gas pedal, my hands gripping the wheel tightly.

"JENNIE KIM, YOU BETTER—"

"BITCH, TAKE YOUR SON TO A THERAPIST IF YOU WANT HIM TO GET BETTER!!" I shouted, my voice breaking with fury, and hung up without hesitation.

My chest was heaving, my hands shaking, but I kept driving.

Finally, I pulled up in front of Lisa's house. I rushed out of the car, still in my half-undone gown, and ran straight to the door.

It was unlocked.

"LISA?!" I screamed, my voice desperate as I pushed it open.

But the moment I stepped inside, my world shattered.

Her house was empty.

Everything was gone. The furniture. The framed pictures. The TV. The little decorations she always had lying around.

It looked like no one had lived there for years.

My knees went weak, and I clutched my chest as tears streamed down my face.

I was too late.

My cries echoed through the hollow room, heavy with regret. My heart ached so painfully I could barely breathe.

And then.

"...You're late."

A familiar voice cut through the silence.