Veil of Vengeance | JUNGKOOK FF

Chapter 31

Jeongguk's fever had persisted for over a week, showing no signs of subsiding. During all this time, Y/N stayed by his side, tending to his every need with unwavering dedication. She applied for leave from work, determined to focus solely on Jeongguk's recovery. Each day, she cooked nutritious meals for him, ensuring that he was well-fed despite his lack of appetite. In the evenings, she went grocery shopping, carefully selecting his favorite snacks and drinks, knowing how the flu could rob someone of their desire to eat.

As the days passed, Jeongguk found himself increasingly surprised by Y/N's care. He had never expected her to be so attentive, so meticulous in looking after him. It was as if she had become his caretaker, treating him with the same care and devotion that a mother would show her own child.

On the third day of his illness, as Y/N brought in a steaming bowl of porridge, Jeongguk glanced at her with a mix of curiosity and confusion. "Why are you doing all this?" he asked, his voice hoarse from the fever.

Y/N paused for a moment, meeting his gaze with soft eyes. "Because you need someone to take care of you," she replied simply, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "And... I'm your wife. It's my responsibility. Also don't keep on asking me why i am doing this for you. It hurts for some reason"

Jeongguk had no response to that. He wasn't used to relying on others, especially not on Y/N, whom he had treated with cold indifference ever since their marriage. Yet, despite everything, she was here, and he was oddly thankful for it.

Every morning and evening, Y/N would wipe Jeongguk's face, neck, and hands with a damp towel, cooling his feverish skin. She would help him sit up in bed and feed him, ensuring that he ate enough to regain his strength. "You need to eat," she would say softly, gently coaxing him with each spoonful. "It'll help you get better."

At first, Jeongguk resisted, refusing to acknowledge the comfort her presence brought him. He remained silent, letting her care for him without a word of thanks. But as the days went by, he couldn't help but notice how good her food tasted. It was better than he had expected—better, even, than some of the meals he'd had at Michelin-starred restaurants.

On the fifth day, after Y/N had fed him dinner and was clearing away the dishes, Jeongguk spoke up. "This... it's really good," he muttered, his voice low but sincere.

Y/N turned to him, her eyes lighting up with a mix of surprise and joy. "Really? I'm glad you like it," she replied, a smile tugging at her lips. It was the first time he had complimented her cooking, and she felt a small flicker of hope ignite in her heart.

Jeongguk could see how much his words meant to her, and a pang of guilt hit him. For days, he had ignored her, treating her with nothing but disdain. Yet here she was, looking after him as if he were the most important person in her life. It didn't make sense—why would she care so much for someone who had only shown her coldness?

As Y/N continued to care for him, Jeongguk found himself thinking more and more about the way he had treated her since they got married. Despite her kindness and the effort she put into their marriage, he had pushed her away, blinded by anger and resentment. But now, he was beginning to see things differently.

For seven years, he had clung to the belief that Y/N was responsible for Ji Eun's death, that she was the reason he had lost someone so dear to him. But now, with no concrete evidence to support those claims, he began to wonder if he had been blindly following a rumor, letting it dictate his feelings and actions.

On the sixth day of his illness, after a quiet afternoon of resting, Jeongguk spoke again, his voice filled with uncertainty. "Y/N... why do you care so much? After everything... Why are you still here, taking care of me?"