Eternal Devotion of Manifest/Chaennie

Chapter 19

"It's fucked up, it's fucking fucked up! We cancel the delivery" I uttered moving back and forth in Mom's room.

She sipped her wine shaking her head, "We are 'Kim's' and we don't back off"

"Mom, it's my wedding! And it's Rosie's too. I can't be this selfish, and I'm not. I'm not going. I won't leave her alone after vowing to spend my life with her. No, Mom." I sank into the couch, reaching for a scotch bottle, but Taehyung raised his brows at me.

I sighed and threw the bottle behind me, hearing it shatter. "Sister, calm down. You're so stressed. A sip won't kill Chaeyoung if she tastes that on your lips," he chuckled.

In a fit of frustration, I smashed the glass on the table, shards scattering everywhere. "It's not funny!" I yelled.

"Sister!" The twins stepped closer, their concern evident.

I raised my hand to stop them. "I'm fine, but what's not fine is that deal. It could turn everything into a nightmare for Rosie, and she doesn't deserve this. I... I can't do this anymore."

"Jennie, you're overreacting," Mom said soothingly. "The wedding will be over by noon. You can handle the deal by 6 or 7 PM. Don't worry, honey, you won't miss the wedding night." She winked, trying to lighten the mood.

Normally, I'd let such comments slide, but the combination of anger and love for Rosie was overwhelming. "I can't lose her! I WON'T LOSE HER over some stupid deal!"

The room fell silent, the gravity of my words sinking in. I was determined to protect what mattered most to me, even if it meant defying expectations and facing the consequences head-on.

Ken stepped in, "Jennie, you're thinking it too emotionally, be practical. Rosie won't even notice that you have been gone for some hours, Mom is here, and your mom can occupy her for a while even her friends. We cannot lose this deal because that diamond holds the trillions worth in black market"

"It took us three years to convince them to give us the diamonds after getting them addicted to the Midnight Elixir, and you know those diamonds belong to the 'Kim' family if only your dad's brother hadn't sold them. But now we are getting them back," Namjoon injected.

"Diamonds, diamonds, and DIAMONDS! I'm not doing the wedding for that, I want Rosie, I—"

"Sis—" Taehyung tried to interrupt, but Mom raised her hand to halt him.

"But Mom, Sissy is bein—" Irene initiated, but Mom shook her head, signalling her to step back.

Mom uncrossed her legs and placed her white wine glass down, glaring at me. "It's not Jennie, it's the love in her talking," she said, clasping her hands. "Love seems so beautiful when you hear about it, not knowing how much destruction it costs to achieve your soulmate. But because of me, or the name you carry—'Kim'—it matters. 

Because if not for the 'Kims,' Chaeyoung wouldn't even look back at you, Jennie. Love, love, and love—you have her because you have 'Kim' before your name, so respect that. Everything you have is because you're 'Kim' Jennie. If not for the name, the Park's wouldn't care about Jennie. So, I do not want this discussion to go any further. You're going for the deal."

"Bu—" I stopped myself, stunned by the anguish in Mom's eyes.

She left the room, leaving everyone to stare at me. "Sister—" Taehyung began.

I could feel the tears welling up, threatening to spill. "Get away from me," I muttered, storming out and slamming the door behind me. Mom's words echoed in my head, 'Kim.'

I collapsed against one of the trees in the castle's garden, the tears finally spilling over. How could Mom, who always seemed to understand me, reduce my love for Rosie to simply a matter of family prestige? The betrayal cut deep, each word she spoke felt like a dagger to my heart. I had permanently thought she understood the depth of my feelings for Rosie, but now it seemed like she saw our relationship as nothing more than a strategic alliance.