Ties of Fate

A Proposal of the Unthinkable

The air was thick with tension as Jungkook stepped into the grand dining room of the Jeon estate. The familiar scent of sandalwood and polished oak surrounded him, a reminder of his family's legacy—a legacy that now rested heavily on his shoulders. He had taken over the family business a few years ago, and though his father had retired, the old man still sat at the head of the table, watching over everything with eyes that missed nothing.

Jungkook didn’t miss a beat as he crossed the room, his polished shoes silent against the marble floor. His face was a perfect mask of composure, as it always was. No matter how chaotic things became at work, he never allowed his emotions to show. The world expected a man of his stature to be in control, and Jungkook was nothing if not disciplined.

"You're late," his father, Jinho, remarked without looking up from the document in his hands.

"Traffic," Jungkook replied, though it was a lie. He had purposely delayed his arrival, not wanting to face the conversation he knew was coming. The sudden call to this family dinner, he could feel the weight of something unpleasant looming.

He took his seat beside his mother, who smiled at him with a hint of sympathy. His younger sister, Mina, was already seated, eyes glued to her phone, barely acknowledging his presence. Across from him sat his father, his expression unreadable, and next to him, Mr. Kim—the head of their rival family.

Jungkook’s gut tightened at the sight of him. Kim Sung-ho, the man who had been a thorn in his family's side for decades. Their businesses had been rivals for as long as Jungkook could remember, constantly competing for dominance in the luxury sector. And yet, here he was, sitting in the Jeon family’s dining room as if they were old friends.

"Thank you for joining us, Jungkook," Sung-ho said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "We were just about to begin."

Jungkook inclined his head politely but said nothing. His mind was racing. What the hell was going on?

His father cleared his throat. "Jungkook, we’ve called this meeting because there is a decision to be made—one that will affect both our family and the Kim's."

Jungkook's eyes flicked between his father and Mr. Kim, suspicion creeping in. A decision involving both families? There was only one thing that could mean, and he didn’t like it.

"We’re in a difficult position," Mr. Kim began, his voice smooth and calculated. "Both of our companies have faced challenges in recent years. The market is changing, and while we’ve both done well to adapt, there are… forces at play that neither of us can control. Merging our resources would allow us to solidify our hold on the industry."

Jungkook stiffened. He knew where this was going, and the thought of it made his stomach churn.

"Merge?" he asked, his voice hard. "You mean combining our businesses?"

"In a manner of speaking," his father said, his tone oddly calm. "This isn’t just merging. It’s an alliance."

Jungkook’s heart began to pound. He could feel the weight of the trap closing in around him. "What kind of alliance?"

"A marriage," Sung-ho said simply, as if the word didn’t carry the weight of a thousand unsaid consequences. "Between you and my son, Taehyung."

For a moment, the room was silent. Jungkook blinked, wondering if he had heard correctly. Marriage? To Kim Taehyung? The man who had been his rival for years, the one person he could barely stand to be in the same room with?

"You're joking," Jungkook said finally, though there wasn't a bit sense of humor in his voice.

"No," his father replied, meeting his gaze. "This is a serious offer, Jungkook. It’s the best way to ensure the future of our companies. A union between you and Taehyung would be the ultimate merger. Together, our families will be the best among the best in the market."

Jungkook’s mind wandered. Taehyung. The name itself made his blood boil. Taehyung was everything Jungkook wasn’t—impulsive, reckless, and far too outspoken for his own good. They had clashed at every industry event, their rivalry well-known in business circles. Taehyung’s flamboyant, artistic nature grated on Jungkook’s carefully maintained professionalism.

And now, they expected him to marry the man?

"You can’t be serious," Jungkook said, his voice low and dangerous. "This is ridiculous!"

"It’s practical," his father shot back, his eyes narrowing. "Do you think I want this any more than you do? But the world is changing, and if we don’t adapt, both of our families will be left behind. This is the only way to overcome this overwhelming situation."

"You expect me to marry someone I can’t stand for the sake of business?" Jungkook’s voice was rising, his control slipping. "You’re out of your mind!"

Sung-ho interjected, his voice calm. "Taehyung feels the same way, I assure you. But this isn’t about personal feelings. This is about the future. Both of our businesses are on the line, and whether you like it or not, this marriage could save them."

Jungkook’s fists clenched under the table. His mind raced, searching for a way out, but he knew his father well enough to understand that this wasn’t a negotiation. This was a command.

"I won't do it," Jungkook said firmly, though the words felt hollow. Even as he spoke them, he knew the futility of his defiance.

His father’s expression didn’t change. "You will."

The silence that followed was suffocating. Jungkook stared at the table, his jaw tight, his mind a storm of emotions. Anger, disbelief, and something else—a cold sense of inevitability. He had spent his whole life serving his family, and now they were asking the impossible of him.

"Think about it, Jungkook," his father said softly. "This isn’t just about you. This is about your legacy. Your duty to the family."

Duty. That word echoed in Jungkook’s mind like a cruel reminder of the chains he had never been able to escape. He wanted to shout his lungs out, to refuse, but in the end, he knew his answer won't matter.

He was trapped.

"I need some air," Jungkook muttered, standing and heading for the door.

As he left the dining room, his father’s voice followed him, cold and unyielding.

"Make your decision, Jungkook. But understand this—you are bound by blood. And blood demands sacrifice."

Jungkook was more than devastated upon hearing those words.