Veil of Vengeance | JUNGKOOK FF

Chapter 29

The days had stretched into weeks since Y/N and Jeongguk had moved into their luxurious new home. But instead of being filled with the joy and warmth a newlywed couple might expect, the house echoed with silence and cold distance. Y/N had hoped that perhaps, with time, Jeongguk might soften, might acknowledge the vows they had taken, or at least acknowledge her presence. Her hopes, however, were met with the harsh reality that he hadn't changed at all.

Despite his small gesture of kindness on that one rare occasion—a brief moment when he'd taken her to her own room when she had fallen asleep on the living room couch—he had quickly returned to his old ways. Jeongguk barely acknowledged her existence, and she could only watch as he continued to bring in meals from outside, leaving the carefully prepared dishes she made for him untouched. Every morning, Y/N woke up early to prepare his breakfast, lunch, and dinner, hoping against hope that he might eat at least one meal at home. But it was always the same. He would leave without a word, leaving her food sitting there, getting cold and forgotten.

Even when Jeongguk refused to take the lunch Y/N packed for him each morning, she didn't give up. She sent it to his office through Jackson every day, hoping that maybe today would be the day he'd accept it. But Jackson, ever the loyal bodyguard, would reluctantly dispose of the uneaten meal as instructed by Jeongguk. Y/N knew this, and though it broke her heart, she couldn't stop herself from trying again the next day.

At least five nights a week, Y/N cried herself to sleep, overwhelmed by the loneliness that had settled into her life. During the day, she put on a brave face, smiling and laughing at work, pretending everything was fine. But the moment she was alone in their grand, empty home, the facade crumbled. She felt like she was losing herself, trapped in a marriage where she was nothing more than a ghost. What had she done to deserve this? Why did Jeongguk hate her so much? She couldn't find an answer, and the uncertainty gnawed at her, making her feel like she was drowning.

Y/N often wondered if she should talk to someone, maybe her best friend Yoona, about how she was feeling. But every time she picked up the phone to call, she would stop herself. Yoona had been so excited about her wedding, and Y/N didn't want to burden her with the reality of her miserable marriage. So she limited her calls to once or twice a week, keeping the conversations light and avoiding any mention of Jeongguk. She feared that if Yoona asked how things were going, she would break down completely.

The lack of sleep from crying and the nightmares that plagued her made her days feel like a blur. Yet, every morning, she forced herself to get up, cook meals, and go to work, wearing her fake smile like armor. She couldn't let anyone see how deeply she was hurting.

One evening, after a particularly successful day at work where she had managed to push aside her sorrow long enough to finish an important project, Y/N returned home earlier than usual. The house, as always, was empty, and she set about making dinner. Tonight, it was kimchi fried rice with Korean Hanwoo beef—one of Jeongguk's favorites, or so she had thought before they were married. She cooked the meal slowly, taking her time to prepare it perfectly, even though she knew deep down that she would end up eating it alone.

As Y/N set the table for two, she heard the front door open. Jeongguk was home. He entered the house with a food packet in hand, as usual, ignoring the meal she had prepared. But as he walked past her, heading straight upstairs without a word, she noticed something different. He looked paler than usual, his steps slower and more deliberate. He seemed exhausted, sick even.

A pang of concern struck her heart. Jeongguk never showed weakness; he was always composed, always in control. Seeing him like this worried her deeply. She watched him ascend the stairs, her heart torn between wanting to help and the fear of his anger if she intruded on his life.