Unspoken Ties

Chapter-14 An unspoken distance

Edited version 🖤

Sometimes, no matter how much you want to stay away from someone, fate keeps pushing you back into their orbit. It’s frustrating. Suffocating. Maddening. You don’t even know what to feel anymore—whether to hate the situation or secretly wish for more.

Y/N was experiencing this firsthand.

She kept her distance from Jungkook, not out of anger, but out of respect. He had made it clear that he didn’t want her in his life. That her presence was nothing but an inconvenience to him. And the last thing she wanted was for him to think she was trying to invade his space.

Their journey to Busan had been long, nearly four hours, with only one stop at a roadside restaurant to refresh themselves. The trio—Zaid, Bora, and Leena—chattered excitedly, enjoying the trip, while Jungkook and Y/N remained eerily silent.

Jungkook barely looked at her.

And Y/N? She stole glances at him, only to be met with a cold void.

Zaid tried to engage both of them in conversation, making jokes and teasing, but when your heart is weighed down by unresolved emotions, laughter feels foreign. Y/N’s mind was clouded with Jungkook’s words from that night—the sharp edges of his voice still echoing inside her, cutting her open in places she thought had already scarred over.

She had promised herself she wouldn't cry.

But God, it hurt.

They finally arrived at the hotel Jungkook had booked. The lobby was luxurious, with golden chandeliers casting a warm glow, polished floors reflecting the light. The air smelled of expensive cologne and fresh lilies.

At the reception, their names were registered, and room keys were handed out. With a brief nod, everyone parted ways.

Y/N silently followed Jungkook to their shared room.

This was her first time seeing the world outside the walls she had been confined to. She had never stayed in a hotel before, never traveled far. Everything was new to her—the vastness of the outside world, the independence of strangers walking freely, the casual laughter of people who had no idea what it was like to be trapped in a marriage like hers.

Jungkook opened the door, stepping inside without looking at her. Y/N hesitated before entering, dragging her luggage behind her.

The room was elegant. Spacious. The bed was large, draped in crisp white sheets, with matching pillows neatly arranged. Black and brown silky curtains covered the windows, swaying slightly from the cool air conditioning. A plush leather sofa rested against the wall, and a small study table stood nearby.

It felt cozy, yet unbearably empty.

Jungkook placed his luggage on the sofa and turned toward her. His voice broke the silence.

"You must be tired. Freshen up. I’ll order food."

Y/N nodded but didn’t respond verbally. She wanted to tell him to go first. To take care of himself. But she had long since learned that her opinions didn’t matter to him.

She quietly picked out a dress and went into the bathroom.

Jungkook watched her retreating figure, his heart clenching at her lack of response. She used to try—try to talk to him, to close the distance he had built between them. But now? Now she barely looked at him.

And the worst part?

It was his fault.

When had it started? When had he become this cruel to her? She never deserved his coldness, but he had given it to her anyway. He thought pushing her away would protect his already broken heart, but instead, he had shattered hers in the process.