"Jennie, this arrangement was never about what we want for ourselves. It's about what's expected of us."
"I understand the duty, Taehyung, but it's hard to ignore the silence between us. It feels like we're bound by an agreement we both hesitate to...
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The black Rolls-Royce glided smoothly up the winding driveway, approaching the grand entry gate of a luxurious mansion. As soon as the security guard spotted the car, he opened the gate with a respectful nod. The vehicle came to a gentle stop in front of the mansion’s imposing main door, where a bodyguard promptly stepped forward to open the door.
Jennie stepped out of the car, her heels clicking against the marble steps as she entered the house. She acknowledged the bowing security guards with a subtle nod, her demeanor poised yet weary.
As she walked in, the first scene to greet her was that of her parents seated comfortably in the living room, enjoying their afternoon tea. Her father read a newspaper, while her mother flipped through a magazine, seemingly lost in thought. The sound of her heels caught their attention, and they both turned to look at her.
"Good morning, Mom and Dad," she greeted them with a polite smile, her voice tinged with an effort to remain cheerful.
Both parents nodded in acknowledgment, her mother breaking the silence with a question. "When did you arrive, Jennie?"
"Just now," she replied, suppressing a sigh.
"I have something to discuss with you, but first, go freshen up and relax," her father instructed, his tone authoritative yet familiar.
"Okay, Dad," Jennie said, turning toward the staircase that led to her room.
✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧
In another part of the mansion, a man in his fifties leisurely flipped through the pages of a magazine. Beside him, his wife was having her nails filed by a maid.
"Honey, how are you going to tell our son?" the woman asked, glancing up from her manicure.
"I don’t know, but let’s hope he agrees," her husband replied, concern etching his features.
Just then, a formally dressed woman entered the room, her cheerful smile brightening the atmosphere.
"Good morning, Mom and Dad," Jisoo greeted, her voice warm and lively.
"Good morning, Jisoo!" her mother responded enthusiastically.
"Are you heading to your company?" her father inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, Dad," Jisoo replied, taking a sip of coffee from the accent table nearby.
"When is my sister going to arrive? I planned to go with her for the arrangements," she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"She said she would be here in two days," her mother answered, prompting a nod from Jisoo.
At that moment, Taehyung entered the room, greeting his parents with a polite "Good morning" before taking a seat next to Jisoo.
"Tae, come to my study tonight. I have something to discuss with you," their father announced.
Taehyung nodded and stood to leave for his office, bidding farewell to his family as he exited.
✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧
As dusk settled over the mansion, Taehyung returned home, the weight of his father’s earlier words lingering in his mind. He made his way to his father’s study, curiosity and unease swirling within him.
His father looked up from a pile of documents as Taehyung entered. "Come here, son," he beckoned, motioning toward the couch.
"What did you want to tell me, Dad?" Taehyung asked, settling into the plush seat.
"It’s nothing too important, but we will be having dinner with the Parks tomorrow at our house, and your sister will be arriving by tomorrow afternoon," his father informed him, his tone casual.
"Okay, Dad. Is there anything else you need to tell me?" Taehyung inquired politely, sensing a hidden significance in his father’s words.
"Nothing, son. Just remember that everything I do is for your betterment," his father replied, his eyes serious.
Taehyung raised an eyebrow, feeling a flicker of suspicion. "You can go rest now; it looks like you’re tired," his father concluded.
Though Taehyung felt unsettled by the conversation, he nodded and left for his bedroom, eager to unwind after a long day at work.
(✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧
Meanwhile, Jennie took the time to rest in her room until evening. The servants brought her everything she needed, catering to her every whim, but the emptiness in her heart remained.
As the evening wore on, her father’s secretary knocked on her door, interrupting her thoughts. "Miss Jennie, your father would like to see you in his study."
Nervousness gripped her as she rose from her bed, dread pooling in her stomach. Jennie’s relationship with her parents had always been strained; the pressure to be perfect had weighed heavily on her since childhood. She longed for supportive parents, but instead, she was met with criticism and disappointment.
Despite her accomplishments—beauty, friendships, and wealth—her parents never acknowledged her successes. If it meant earning their pride, she often thought she would go to any lengths, even sacrificing her own happiness.
She approached her father’s study, her heart pounding in her chest. Knocking softly, she waited for his voice to call out, "Come in."
As she entered, her father barely glanced up from his paperwork. "We will be going to Kim's for dinner tomorrow, and you need to come with us. No excuses," he stated flatly.
Jennie gulped, her heart sinking at his lack of warmth. "Okay, Dad" she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Nothing else. You can leave now," he said dismissively, not bothering to ask how she was.
Feeling a wave of sadness wash over her, Jennie exited the room, her spirit dampened. She returned to her bedroom, went through her night routine, and climbed into bed, preparing herself for the challenges that awaited her the following day.
