From Reluctance to Desire: A Mafia Story [JJK]

✨FRAYING TRUST✨

The drive back to Jungkook's home felt like a blur.

The streetlights flickered past, streaks of white and gold cutting through the dark. My fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles turning pale. The pressure in my chest only grew heavier with each mile I crossed.

I couldn't betray Jungkook.

I wouldn't.

But what choice did I have?

Zalgo's words echoed in my mind, wrapping around my throat like a noose.

"Then your mother."

A shiver ran down my spine.

I had always told myself that I hated Jungkook. That he was cruel, selfish, and undeserving of my love.

But if that were true...

Then why did the thought of betraying him feel like it would destroy me?

My vision blurred for a second, but I blinked back the sting in my eyes.

I couldn't afford to break down.

Not now.

Not when I had already stepped too deep into this nightmare.

When I reached the house, the grand mansion stood eerily silent, shrouded in the cold embrace of the night. I parked the car and stepped out, my pulse thrumming wildly against my ribs.

The moment I pushed open the door, I froze.

Jungkook was still awake.

He was sitting in the dimly lit living room, dressed in his black button-down, sleeves rolled up to his forearms. One hand rested on his knee, the other holding a glass of whiskey, though it looked untouched.

His dark eyes lifted to meet mine.

For a second, I couldn't breathe.

There was something in his gaze—something I couldn't decipher. Not anger, not suspicion... just waiting.

I hesitated at the threshold, unable to step further inside.

Jungkook's voice broke the silence.

"You're late."

I swallowed hard. "I... got held up."

He nodded slightly, setting his glass down on the table. "How's your mother?"

My heart clenched painfully.

I forced my lips to part. "She's fine."

A lie.

Everything was a lie.

Jungkook studied me for a long moment. His gaze wasn't sharp, wasn't cold.

It was unreadable.

Like he was waiting for me to say something more.

But I couldn't.

If I said anything else, my voice would break.

The weight of what I was about to do crushed me.

Jungkook had given me a home, his name, his protection—even if our marriage had started with resentment, even if we had fought and pushed each other away.

Somewhere along the way, I had fallen for him.

And now, I was about to shatter him.

My chest ached, my hands trembling at my sides.