chapter- 48

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Jungkook lay awake, staring up at the ceiling of his dimly lit bedroom, the faint sounds of the city humming outside. His body was still, but his mind churned with restless thoughts, each one circling back to the same point—Jimin.

The conversation with Namjoon had left him on edge. The weight of Yoongi’s release, the reality of the threat that lingered over Jimin, gnawed at him. He should have told him, should have been the one to prepare him for what was coming. But Namjoon had convinced him to wait—to keep Jimin in the dark until after the show. The decision hadn’t sat right with Jungkook, and now, as the hours stretched on, that doubt had only grown.

Turning on his side, Jungkook’s gaze fell on his phone resting on the bedside table. The urge to call Jimin, to check on him, was overwhelming. He imagined Jimin at the villa, perhaps already asleep, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing around him. But Jungkook couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong—he had felt it from the moment Namjoon had revealed Yoongi’s release.

Jimin had fought so hard to rebuild his life, to heal from the damage Yoongi had inflicted. Jungkook knew that pain better than anyone; he had seen it in Jimin’s eyes, in the way his hands trembled when he thought no one was watching. He had been there to witness the nightmares, the panic attacks, the way Jimin’s voice would shake when talking about the past. And now, that past was coming back to haunt him.

Jungkook clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. How could they keep this from him? How could they let Jimin walk into that fashion show tomorrow, unaware that Yoongi was out there, possibly waiting for the right moment to strike? He couldn’t stand it—the idea of Jimin being blindsided, vulnerable.

The knot in his stomach tightened. He needed to do something, anything, to protect him.

Sitting up, Jungkook swung his legs over the side of the bed and ran a hand through his hair, the familiar wave of anxiety crashing over him. He glanced at his phone again, the temptation to call Jimin nearly overwhelming, but he hesitated. Namjoon had made a point, one that Jungkook hated to admit made sense. Jimin was under enough pressure with the show; knowing about Yoongi’s release might derail everything he had worked for. Jimin needed to be strong tomorrow, to focus on his designs and the success he had poured his heart into.

But still, the fear lingered. What if Yoongi showed up? What if something happened before Jungkook could stop it?

Jungkook’s jaw clenched as he stood and paced the room. He had promised Jimin he would always protect him, that he would never let anyone hurt him again. And now, with Yoongi out there, that promise felt more fragile than ever.

He stopped in front of the window, staring out into the night. The city stretched out before him, lights twinkling in the darkness, but all Jungkook could see was the image of Jimin’s face—the fear that would fill his eyes if he knew the truth. Jimin trusted him, and yet here he was, keeping something so important from him.

No, Jungkook couldn’t do it. He couldn’t wait until after the show, not when every fiber of his being screamed that Jimin needed to know now. If there was one thing he had learned from everything they had been through together, it was that hiding the truth only made things worse. Jimin had a right to know, even if it hurt, even if it added to his stress.

Jungkook grabbed his phone, his fingers hovering over Jimin’s name in his contacts. His heart pounded as he debated what to do. He could call him now, warn him, make sure he was ready. But before he could press the call button, a message flashed across his screen.

Namjoon: Everything’s set for tomorrow. Security’s in place.

Jungkook stared at the message, his anger flaring again. Security wouldn’t be enough. Yoongi wasn’t someone you could just keep away with guards and locked doors. He was insidious, finding ways to slip through the cracks, to break down whatever walls Jimin had built to protect himself.

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