Ties of Fate

The Mansion

The black limousine pulled up to the gates of the Jeon-Kim estate, an expansive mansion gifted to them by their parents as a symbolic gesture. The towering iron gates opened slowly, revealing a long, winding driveway lined with perfectly manicured trees. At the end of the path stood the mansion—an imposing structure of modern architecture, all sharp angles, floor-to-ceiling windows, and white stone. It was beautiful, cold, and entirely too large.

Just like the marriage.

Taehyung stared out the window, feeling the weight of everything sink in. This mansion is to be their home now. His and Jungkook's. The place where they would live together as husbands, as business partners. And yet, despite the beauty of it all, Taehyung felt a hollowness settle in his chest.

Jungkook, seated beside him in the car, was scrolling through his phone, his face a mask of calm disinterest. Taehyung stole a glance at him, wondering how Jungkook could be so unaffected. How could he be so composed after everything that had just happened at the wedding?

Then again, Jungkook had always been good at hiding his feelings, hadn’t he?

The car came to a stop in front of the mansion, and the chauffeur opened the door. Jungkook stepped out first, straightening his suit jacket before turning to offer a hand to Taehyung. There was a small, almost mocking smile on his lips as he said, “Shall we?”

Taehyung hesitated for a second before taking Jungkook’s hand. The touch was brief, formal, and devoid of the heat from earlier. Still, the memory of their kiss at the altar lingered, and Taehyung couldn’t help but wonder if Jungkook would continue his teasing game now that they are alone.

Together, they walked toward the mansion, their footsteps echoing off the stone pathway. The massive front doors swung open to reveal a grand foyer—marble floors, a sweeping staircase, and crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. It was breathtaking, like something out of a magazine, yet Taehyung felt like an outsider in his own home.

A line of staff stood at attention in the hallway, each bowing slightly as the newlyweds entered.

"Welcome, Mr. Jeon and Mr. Kim," the head butler greeted them with a deep bow. "The house has been fully prepared for your arrival. If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to ask."

Jungkook nodded curtly, his demeanor still distant. "Thank you. That will be all for now."

With a silent command, the staff dispersed, leaving Jungkook and Taehyung alone in the massive space. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence stretching between them like an invisible barrier.

Finally, Taehyung broke the tension with a sigh, his voice quiet. "This place is huge… Too big for just two people."

Jungkook turned to him, one brow arched. "I suppose that’s the point, isn’t it? It’s not really meant for two people—it’s meant for appearances. For entertaining guests, for hosting events. It’s all part of the image."

Taehyung frowned, folding his arms across his chest as he looked around the mansion. "I suppose it would be. Everything in this marriage is for appearances."

Jungkook’s gaze lingered on him for a moment, a glint of something unreadable in his dark eyes. "Not everything."

The way Jungkook said it made Taehyung’s heart skip a beat, but before he could process the meaning behind those words, Jungkook started walking down the hallway, gesturing for Taehyung to follow. "Come on. I’ll show you to your room."

Taehyung blinked, then followed, his feet carrying him down the long corridor. Their room. Or rather, rooms. Of course, there was no illusion that they would be sharing a bed. This was a marriage of convenience, not romance. They each had their own separate bedrooms, though Taehyung had no idea what kind of relationship they were supposed to have when living under the same roof.

When they reached the top of the staircase, Jungkook paused at a door at the far end of the hallway. He pushed it open, revealing a spacious bedroom that looked like it had been designed straight out of a luxury catalog—plush bedding, a modern fireplace, and a balcony that overlooked the sprawling gardens.

"This will be your room," Jungkook said simply. "Mine is across the hall."

Taehyung stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room. It was beautiful, but it felt empty. Just like the rest of the mansion. Just like his heart. "Thank you," he muttered, not really sure what else to say.

Jungkook leaned against the doorframe, watching him for a moment. Then, with a smirk that seemed to appear out of nowhere, he added, "If you get lonely, you know where to find me."

Taehyung whipped around, his face heating up at the implication in Jungkook’s tone. "I won’t," he snapped, though his voice came out more flustered than he intended.

Jungkook chuckled, pushing off the doorframe and turning to leave. "We’ll see."

As the door closed behind Jungkook, Taehyung stood frozen in place, his thoughts racing. The kiss at the wedding had been one thing, but this—this teasing, this playful edge—what was Jungkook doing? Was he just messing with Taehyung, enjoying watching him squirm? Or was there something more to it?

Taehyung sighed, walking over to the balcony and stepping outside. The evening air was cool against his skin, and he leaned on the railing, staring out at the expansive gardens. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the landscape.

This was his life now—married to a man who seemed intent on keeping him guessing at every turn. A man he had once hated but who now occupied more space in his mind. And worst of all, Taehyung couldn’t deny that a part of him was intrigued by Jungkook’s behavior, drawn to the way Jungkook seemed to slip past his defenses with every teasing word.

He didn’t know how long he stood there, lost in thought, before the sound of the door opening startled him.

Jungkook stood in the doorway, arms crossed as he leaned casually against the frame. His eyes gleamed with that same mischievous glint as before. "Aren’t you going to unpack?"

Taehyung straightened, feeling his pulse quicken. "I… was just thinking."

Jungkook took a step inside the room, his gaze never leaving Taehyung’s face. "About what?"

Taehyung’s throat tightened. He wanted to say something—anything—that would push Jungkook away, make it clear that he wasn’t interested in whatever game this was. But the words caught in his throat, and all he could do was stare back at Jungkook, his heart pounding in his chest.

Finally, Jungkook’s smirk softened, his teasing gaze replaced with something a little more sincere, a little more vulnerable. "You’re not alone in this, you know."

The words caught Taehyung off guard. He blinked, unsure of how to respond. Was Jungkook actually trying to be… comforting?

Before he could find the right words, Jungkook turned and headed back toward the door. "Get some rest. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us."

And with that, he was gone, leaving Taehyung standing alone in the massive room, more confused than ever.