Crushed And Bond

Chapter 32: Veil of Vengeance

A week after their decision to reconcile, Lalisa paced restlessly in her sleek office, the phone pressed tightly to her ear. The hum of computers and the clatter of keys from her colleagues only heightened her frustration. "Jungkook, have you made sure everything is in order at the house? The furniture, the utilities—everything?" she asked, her voice sharp and tinged with irritation, the weight of years of resentment coloring her words.

Jungkook's response was a mix of firmness and thinly veiled exasperation. "Lalisa, I've told you before, I'm not going to let Ji-Yeon stay in an empty, uncomfortable house. I've taken care of it." Despite his attempt to sound reassuring, Lalisa rolled her eyes, her frustration boiling over. "Well, that's reassuring, but could you at least give me the location of the house? I need to know where I'm going," she demanded, her voice edged with impatience and old wounds.

Jungkook's reply was almost dismissive, his irritation apparent. "You already know where it is." Lalisa's eyes flashed with anger. "How could I possibly know where it is if you haven't told me? Are you kidding me right now?" Her frustration was a volatile mix of anger and disbelief, reflecting years of pent-up resentment.

There was a defensive edge in Jungkook's voice as he responded, "It's the house we used to share after we got married." The mention of their old home brought a bitter laugh from Lalisa. "Oh, of course, our old house. How could I forget? The one we moved out of seven years ago. Just great." Her sarcastic tone was laced with the sting of past grievances and unspoken pain.

Jungkook sighed heavily, his voice softening but still carrying the weight of their unresolved issues. "Lalisa, it's not about where it is. It's about making sure Ji-Yeon feels at home. The house is familiar to her, and it's the least I can do." His words were genuine, but they did little to alleviate Lalisa's deep-seated frustration.

Lalisa's frustration gave way to a resigned acceptance. "Fine. I'll be there in an hour. I hope everything is as comfortable as you say," she said, her voice softened but still laced with a hint of lingering resentment. Jungkook's tone grew gentler, an attempt at conciliatory peace. "I'll see you then. And Lalisa... let's try to make this work for Ji-Yeon's sake."

Taking a deep breath, Lalisa steadied her emotions, her expression a mixture of frustration and resignation. "I'll do my best. Goodbye, Jungkook." As she ended the call, she shook her head slightly, looking out the window with a mix of lingering anger and reluctant hope. The old house loomed ahead in her thoughts, a symbol of both past pain and the uncertain future she now faced.

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As the call ended, Lalisa tightly closed her eyes, a surge of frustration and disbelief washing over her. The very thought of returning to the house she once shared with Jungkook filled her with a deep sense of unease. How could he possibly choose to make them stay in a place so saturated with their past—so steeped in resentment, pain, and separation? The house was not just a physical structure; it was a repository of their most painful memories, a constant reminder of their fractured relationship.

Her mind raced with questions and frustration. Why hadn't he just bought a new apartment? Why insist on living in a place that was tainted with the ghosts of their past? The idea of sharing that roof, a roof now weighed down by years of emotional baggage, felt almost unbearable. The memories that lingered there were like a heavy shroud, making it nearly impossible to envision any semblance of normalcy or comfort.

Yet, despite her discomfort, Lalisa recognized that there might be a silver lining to this unwanted situation. She forced herself to consider the practical aspects—if the file Jungkook's cousin had given him was hidden in that old house, this might be her chance to retrieve it. The thought was a small comfort, though she knew it was unlikely. The file might not be there, but the possibility offered a glimmer of hope amidst her frustration.