Three days in the hospital felt like a lifetime for Jungkook. The sterile smell of antiseptic, the constant beeping of monitors, and the cold, impersonal environment only heightened his anxiety. His injuries, though not life-threatening, were severe enough to keep him under observation. Taehyung and Aera visited him daily, and their concern was evident in how they hovered around him, asking questions and offering support.
On the day of his discharge, Aera arrived early, her face a mix of relief and exhaustion. She had barely slept, worrying about him and the implications of the accident.
"You look like you haven't slept in days," Jungkook remarked, his voice softer than usual as he watched her fuss over the papers the nurse had handed her.
Aera smiled weakly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I could say the same about you. How are you feeling?"
"Better now that I'm getting out of here," he replied, trying to lighten the mood, though a shadow of worry lingered in his eyes.
As they exited the hospital, Taehyung was waiting by the car, leaning against it with his arms crossed. He straightened when he saw them, his expression unreadable.
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"Ready to go?" Taehyung asked, his tone more of a statement than a question.
Jungkook nodded, sliding into the passenger seat while Aera took the back. The drive back to the farmhouse was mostly silent, each lost in their thoughts, the weight of recent events pressing down on them.
Once back at the farmhouse, they settled into a routine, trying to regain a sense of normalcy. The farmhouse, nestled amidst rolling hills and surrounded by thick woods, offered a sense of isolation that was both comforting and unnerving.
For the next few days, they kept a low profile, as if by mutual, unspoken agreement. Aera spent her time organizing the library, a distraction she hoped would keep her mind off the unsettling thoughts swirling in her head. Jungkook, still recovering, spent most of his time resting or taking short walks around the property, while Taehyung busied himself with work, though his mind was clearly elsewhere.
In the evenings, they gathered for dinner, the silence between them filled with unsaid words and shared fears. They talked about everything and nothing, avoiding the topic of the accident as if speaking about it would bring more trouble.
One evening, after a quiet dinner, Aera decided to check on Jungkook. She knocked softly on his door and, receiving no answer, pushed it open to find him sitting by the window, staring out into the darkening sky.
"Jungkook?" she called softly.
He didn't respond immediately, his thoughts seemingly far away. When he finally turned to look at her, a heaviness in his eyes made her heart ache.
"Are you okay?" she asked, stepping closer.
He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "I've been thinking about the accident."
Aera felt a pang of worry. "What about it?"
Jungkook hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I don't think it was an accident. I think... my father might have been behind it."
The words hung in the air like a dark cloud. Aera's breath caught in her throat, and the shock was evident on her face. "Your father? But why...?"
Jungkook shook his head, frustration evident in his voice. "I don't know for sure. But there are things... things he's done, things I've overlooked. He's always been ruthless in business, but this... this feels personal."
Aera sank into the chair opposite him, her mind reeling. "But why would he target you? What could he possibly gain?"
"I don't know," Jungkook admitted, his voice heavy with despair. "But I can't ignore the possibility. I need to find out the truth."
Aera reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "We'll figure it out, Jungkook. We'll find the evidence we need."
He looked up at her, gratitude flickering in his eyes. "I don't want you to get involved, Aera. This could be dangerous."
Aera shook her head firmly. "We're in this together. Whatever it takes, we'll get to the bottom of this."
Jungkook nodded, though the worry in his eyes didn't fade. They spent the rest of the night discussing their next steps, mapping out a plan to gather information without raising suspicion.
---
The next morning, the farmhouse was quiet as usual. Taehyung was already up, making breakfast when Aera and Jungkook joined him in the kitchen. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the scent of toast and eggs.
As they sat down to eat, the tension from the previous night seemed to have eased slightly, though an undercurrent of unease remained.
They were halfway through their meal when the doorbell rang, echoing through the quiet house. The sudden sound startled them, and they exchanged uneasy glances.
"I'll get it," Taehyung said, standing up and heading to the door.
He opened it, and for a moment, he just stood there, staring in disbelief. His expression shifted from surprise to confusion, and then to something unreadable.
The others couldn't see who was at the door, but the tension in Taehyung's stance was palpable.
"Who is it?" Aera called, her voice tinged with concern.
Taehyung turned slightly, his eyes meeting theirs, but he said nothing. Instead, he stepped aside, allowing the unexpected visitor to enter the farmhouse.
The sight of the person at the door left Aera and Jungkook frozen in their seats, their minds racing with questions as the reality of the situation began to sink in.
