𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐄'𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐅𝐄 || 𝐉𝐉𝐊

chapter twenty-two

—#[Y/n's pov]:

His eyes crinkled at the corners, and I found myself fixated on his hand, hesitant to take it. His chiseled features and piercing gaze was unmistakably familiar to my eyes. My heart raced with a strange sense of familiarity, as if I'd seen him before, but couldn't quite place where. 

I reached out to take his hand. “Hi…” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, as I studied his face. 

Just then, a voice behind him called out, “Mr. Seo!” He turned, his eyes flicking to the side, before returning to mine with a warm smile. “Excuse me, pretty ladies,” he said, his voice deep as he excused himself and walked away. 

My eyes never left him. I still had this very strong and strange feeling within about this man. 

Aria's voice cut in, interrupting my thoughts, her tone laced with pride and a hint of malice. “Are you envious?” She smirked, making me shift my gaze towards her. 

Her eyes glinted with a superior light. “The Seo family is one of the most prestigious in Korea, and Ethan Seo here is the sole heir. And guess what?” She paused for a dramatic effect. “I'll be Mrs. Seo soon!” 

I raised an eyebrow, my gaze locked on hers as the soft hum of the background music and gentle chatter of the crowd faded into the background. “Congratulations,” I said, my tone measured, a hint of pity creeping into my words. 

I didn't understand what she was getting at but it was undeniable that this attitude of hers never led her anywhere. 

Her eyes narrowed, her smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. She stepped closer, her heels clicked on the polished floor. “You didn't change a bit, y/n,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. 

I tilted my head, my eyes never leaving hers. “What's that supposed to mean?” I asked, my tone neutral.

Her smirk returned at my question, her eyes glinted with a hint of triumph. “You still carry that air of superiority, like you're above all this. Do you truly believe arrogance suits you?” 

She gestured to the room, her voice dripping with disdain. “But the truth is, you're the one who's truly pitied.” I felt a flicker of annoyance, but my expression remained calmed, my eyes not allowing me to look away from her. 

“That's quite a bold statement,” I said, my voice even. And Aria's smile grew wider, her eyes sparkled with a knowing glint. “I'm just calling it like I see it, y/n. You're the one who's been left behind. Abandoned by everyone, even by your own husband.” 

My fists clenched as Aria's words pierced the air, each one a precision-crafted dart aimed at my vulnerabilities. My gaze sharpened, fixing intently on her as she continued with her taunting.

“Did I strike a nerve?” she asked, her brows arching in feigned innocence, pretending to be unsure where she went wrong. “Did I say something wrong? Isn't this how it is?” 

“You're nothing without the Jeon surname, nothing without the fame and wealth that came with it. And as for respect…” She paused, her smile dripped with malice. “You lost that the day your father lost everything. Only powerful people are worth the respect, y/n and look at you…you don't have it.” 

My nails dug deeper into my palms as Aria's words struck a nerve. "The Park’s knows the truth about your farce of a relationship with Jungkook," she sneered, her eyes glinting with malice. "His absence tonight says it all. You're a burden he's tolerating, nothing more."

I met her gaze, my eyes locking onto hers as her words dripped with venom. "You pitied me earlier, but I'm not the one trapped in a loveless marriage. I have a man whom I can claim as mine, but can you say the same? You're Jungkook's wife in name only. He hasn't even introduced you to the world yet."