"Jennie, this arrangement was never about what we want for ourselves. It's about what's expected of us."
"I understand the duty, Taehyung, but it's hard to ignore the silence between us. It feels like we're bound by an agreement we both hesitate to...
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As Jennie's car slowly approached the grand entrance of the Kim residence, the grandeur of the place still managed to send a wave of unease through her. She had been here countless times before, but today, something felt different. The sprawling mansion, with its high gates and immaculate garden, looked as intimidating as ever. The weight of the engagement between Jisoo and Jin, and the looming expectation that she and Taehyung needed to be together throughout it all, made her stomach twist with anxiety.
The front door was already open, as if the Kim family had been expecting her. One of the maids noticed her immediately, offering a respectful nod as Jennie stepped out of the car and walked toward the house. She smoothed down the fabric of her dress, hoping to appear composed, though her mind was swirling with nerves.
"Good afternoon, Miss Jennie," the maid greeted politely. "The family is in the living room."
Jennie gave a faint smile, murmuring her thanks. As she stepped inside, the cool air of the Kim residence hit her, but it did little to calm the rising tension she felt. The hallways were bustling with activity, workers arranging floral decorations, adjusting lighting, and carrying pieces of art to add a more personal touch for the engagement. Even though the venue itself was elsewhere, the Kim residence seemed to be the epicenter of all the planning. It was like stepping into a different world, a world she was still trying to adjust to-one filled with high expectations and an unspoken pressure to be perfect.
Jennie walked further into the house, her heels clicking against the marble floors, her chest tightening with every step.
The living room was abuzz with activity. Jisoo, Mrs. Kim, and Lia were immersed in preparations, completely absorbed in the final touches for the engagement. Swatches of fabric, shimmering jewelry, and sketches of customized dresses were spread across the room. Jisoo was laughing softly as she and her mother debated which dress would look best for the upcoming event, while Lia paced back and forth, her phone pressed to her ear as she handled the finer details with the decorators.
Jennie paused at the entrance, watching them for a moment. The warmth and camaraderie between them was evident, but Jennie couldn't help feeling a sense of disconnect. This wasn't her family. She was always the outsider in this world, and though they treated her kindly, there was an unspoken expectation that weighed heavily on her.
Mrs. Kim spotted her first. "Jennie, dear! Come join us," she called out warmly, waving her over.
Jennie forced a smile and walked over to them. "Hi, Mrs. Kim, Jisoo."
Jisoo beamed at her. "You're just in time! We're finalizing some of the details for the dresses. Have you decided what you're going to wear?"
