The Ambassador's Daughter

Aftershock

Jimin POV

I was too exhausted the first night in our new home. Jang-mi was so understanding, and we chose to just fall asleep in each other's arms. When I woke early the next morning, Jang-mi was sleeping soundly. I did not want to disturb her. My stomach grumbled, and knowing I had a big day ahead of me, I headed to Taehyung's house for some of Soo-yun's delicious cooking. The last thing I needed was to have an upset stomach today from Jang-mi's attempt to make breakfast. I would make sure to fill up well for breakfast and lunch at Taehyung's house and then let her cook me dinner if she wished to.

I was in the middle of thoroughly enjoying breakfast at Taehyung's house when Jang-mi walked in, finishing the last bites of her apple. She stared at me and her jaw dropped.

"Jimin! How could you?!" she yelled at me.

I explained to her the importance of me eating food for breakfast that would agree with me. Surely, she had to understand. Instead, she screamed at me and threw her apple core, hitting me in the head with it.

"OW! Jang-mi! Try to see reason!"

She screamed again and ran out the door.

"Damn it! Why is she being this way?"

"I realize this is not my place, sir, but do you not think it insensitive that you did not let your wife fix your first meal in your new home for you?" Da-eun asked meekly.

"I know this is not my place, too, but I do not care. I cannot stay silent any longer," Soo-yun raised her voice in anger. "For the past month, Jang-mi has cooked all of the delicious food we have eaten. Every single dish." Tears started to stream down her face. "She asked us not to tell you because she wanted to surprise you. That dear girl was so excited to show you all she had learned this morning--your very first breakfast together in your new home--and you dismissed her. She has spent practically every waking moment learning how to cook for you for weeks, and you dismissed her. You have teased her about being a bad cook for weeks, the whole time praising her cooking thinking it was mine, and she stayed silent because she wanted to surprise you. She loves you so much. Shame on you."

A pit grew in my stomach. I turned and looked at Da-eun. "Is this true?"

"What, you do not believe me!" Soo-yun yelled.

"It is true," Da-eun confirmed. "Soo-yun has not cooked anything in weeks. We have all been eating Jang-mi's cooking. And she enjoys doing it, too. You should have seen how happy she was knowing you enjoyed her cooking. Every day she talked about how she could not wait to cook her first meal for you in your new home."

I grew sick thinking of how much I had hurt her. "Taehyung, I need to go after her."

"You better go after Jang-mi, or I will kick your ass!" Taehyung growled.

"And I will help!" Dong-sun chimed in angrily.

I hurried out the door and headed to our house. After about a half-mile of walking, I saw something on the ground in the distance. It was Jang-mi. I ran to her and found she was not conscious. Her cheeks were pink from the cold morning air, her lips were blue, and her fingers were like ice. Tears had frozen to her skin. Her chima was soaked with blood.

"Jang-mi! Jang-mi!" I gently shook her in my arms, crying. "Jang-mi! Wake up, Jang-mi!"

I noticed her stirring and grew hopeful. "Jimin," she whispered, then grew limp in my arms, passing out again. I lifted her carefully and carried her back to Taehyung's house.

"Help! Help!" I kicked the front door and yelled. Taehyung opened the door and quickly stepped aside as I carried her inside.

"What happened?!" Da-eun cried in shock.