Eternal Devotion of Manifest/Chaennie

Chapter 23

Jennie stood still, her eyes not leaving Rosé's for a moment until her siblings turned up, their faces contorted with wrath. They pointed their guns at Rosé, fury simmering in their eyes. Jennie felt weak, torn between her family's outrage and the undeniable pull she nonetheless felt towards Rosé. The treachery yet inscribed in-depth, her heart shattered by Rosé's deception.

"Get away from her!" Taehyung's voice trembled with fury, his grip on the gun steady.

Irene's gaze was cold and lethal. "One wrong move, and you're dead."

Rosé's sentries instantly moved to cover her, assembling a defensive barrier around her. The suspense in the atmosphere was discernible, a standoff that could erupt into violence at any moment.

Rosé, however, remained unfazed. She glanced around at the armed siblings, then back at Jennie, her smirk never wavering. "Truly, Jennie? This is how you teach your siblings to greet their sister-in-law?"

Jennie's heart pounded in her chest, her eyes flicking between her siblings and Rosé. Despite everything, the way Rosé looked at her made her feel exposed like she was seen in a way no one else could manage. Rosé eyes speak more than her lips and her gaze only has rage, vexation, and loath which she never wanted for Rosé to see her like that.

"You're playing a dangerous game," Jennie ultimately said, her voice barely above a whisper, but the oscillation gave her away.

Rosé's eyes softened just a fraction, though her tone remained sassy. "Maybe, but isn't that what makes it exhilarating?"

Irene stepped forward, her gun aimed directly at Rosé's head. "I won't hesitate."

Rosé's eyes darted to Irene, a challenge in her gaze. "Go ahead then. But ask yourself, what will Jennie think of you if you do?"

Jennie's breath hitched. She knew Rosé was manipulating the situation, but a part of her also knew that Irene pulling the trigger would be a point of no return for them all and she also didn't know if she was capable enough to bear a heartbreak. It's been a month so why has she become so close to Rosé? Why the thought of even a scratch on Rosé stings her heart?

"Irene, lower the gun," Jennie eventually voiced, her voice stronger this time. "We're not solving anything like this."

Taehyung scrutinised Jennie incredulously. "Are you serious, Sister? After everything she's done?"

Jennie nodded, her eyes still locked with Rosé's. "Yes, I am."

Rosé's smirk returned, victorious. "Smart choice."

Irene and Taehyung reluctantly lowered their weapons, and Rosé took another step closer to Jennie. "Now, where were we?"

Jennie's resolve wavered, the proximity of Rosé causing her heart to race uncontrollably. "You shouldn't be here"

Rosé's expression softened, just for a moment, as she whispered, "Of course, I should be here, baby, with you" She grinned as if mocking Jennie, tracing her slender finger from Jennie's forehead to her cheek, leaving a trail of electricity in her wake. "To make your life a hell of a ride," she grinned.

The touch sent a shiver down Jennie's backbone, her heart pounding in her chest. She hated how her body betrayed her, reacting to Rosé's presence even after everything that had happened.

Despite her inner restlessness, she felt a flicker of relief that Rosé was here, even if it was a stupid, irrational thought. She was relieved that Rosé was there and would stay in front of her. No matter how much she wanted to hate Rosé her creed, heart, soul, mind even her body knew she was happy because Rosé was there if not for her than for something but she was there in front of Jennie's eyes which was sufficient reason for her to keep going in life.