Reaching My Star | A Chaennie AU

Chapter 46: Some Fantasy Part 1 (Jennie 30; Rosé 33)

Jennie swallowed and continued, "I know this might seem... wrong to you. I know how you raised me, how our family and the community thinks about relationships. But this isn't about shame or mistakes. Rosé makes me happy, and she loves Hayoon, too. We're building a life together."

Her mom's lips parted, but no words came out. Jennie could see the struggle in her eyes, the disbelief and confusion clouding her mind.

Jennie took a step closer, her voice softening even more. "I'm telling you this because I love you, and I want you to understand that this is real. I've never been this sure of anything in my life, Mom. Rosé is the person I love."

The weight of Jennie's words hung in the air, and for a moment, her mom just sat there, stunned, as if the ground beneath her had shifted.

Rosé remained silent but supportive, her hand resting lightly on Jennie's back. They exchanged a glance, waiting for what Jennie's mom would say next, knowing this was only the beginning of the conversation they had feared for so long.

The silence stretched uncomfortably between them as Jennie's mom processed what her daughter had just said. Jennie could almost hear the wheels turning in her mind, trying to make sense of it all. Her mother's face, usually so composed, was now clouded with shock and a rising anger that Jennie could sense coming.

Before things escalated, Rosé gently stepped forward. "I'll take Hayoon to her room," she said quietly, placing a reassuring hand on Jennie's arm. Jennie nodded, grateful for the brief moment of reprieve.

"Come on, Hayoon," Rosé said, her voice soft and soothing as she knelt down to the little girl. "Let's go play in your room for a while, okay?"

Hayoon, oblivious to the tension, nodded eagerly. "Okay, Auntie Rosie," she said, clutching her hand as they disappeared down the hallway.

The door to Hayoon's room closed with a soft click, and Rosé reappeared moments later, standing just behind Jennie, ready to face whatever was coming next.

Jennie's mom, still seated, finally spoke, her voice low but harsh, full of disbelief. "You've lost your mind, Jennie," she said, shaking her head slowly. "This isn't love. You've just... gotten obsessed. Obsessed with that woman."

Jennie's heart dropped, but she held her ground. "Mom, it's not like that—"

"It is like that!" her mother cut her off, voice rising. "You've always been such a fan, going to her concerts, spending money on her... now you've convinced yourself that this—" she gestured at Rosé with disdain, "—is love. You don't love her, Jennie. You idolize her like some celebrity crush. You're insane!"

Jennie felt her throat tighten, tears burning behind her eyes, but she fought to stay calm. She had prepared herself for this reaction, but hearing it still cut deeply.

Rosé stepped forward, her presence strong and steady beside Jennie. "Mrs. Kim," she began, her voice firm but respectful, "I understand this is hard to accept, but what Jennie and I have is real. It's not just—"

"You stay out of this!" Jennie's mom snapped, glaring at Rosé. "You have no idea what you're doing to her. You're a celebrity, a famous person! When this gets out—because it will—do you have any idea what kind of mess this is going to cause? For both of you?"

Rosé blinked, taken aback by the venom in her words, but she stayed composed, glancing at Jennie for reassurance.

Her mother's voice rose, trembling with fury. "People will talk, Jennie. They'll say awful things. Rosé's career could be over, and you? You'll be humiliated. It's embarrassing enough that you're involved with another woman, but to drag someone famous into this? You're going to ruin each other's lives. What are you thinking?"

Jennie felt her defenses crumbling as her mother continued to tear into her. "And what about Hayoon? That little girl has already been through so much. A divorce, being raised by a single mother—and now this? How is she supposed to grow up in this mess? And if this 'relationship' falls apart, then what? You'll destroy her, Jennie. You're going to ruin her."

Those words hit Jennie like a punch to the gut. She couldn't help but think of Hayoon, of the love and care she poured into raising her. Her mind flashed to the night Hayoon asked why they were fighting, and how lost she had looked. Was she really putting her daughter at risk?

Jennie's chest tightened, guilt and fear swirling in her mind. But before she could respond, Rosé stepped in again, her voice calm yet filled with emotion.

"Hayoon means the world to both of us," Rosé said, her voice shaking slightly. "We love her, and we'd never do anything to hurt her. We're careful, we're protecting her, and we're protecting this relationship because we believe in it. I know this is hard to accept, but Hayoon has adjusted well, and we're making sure she feels safe and loved."

Jennie's mom scoffed, standing up now, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're delusional, both of you. You're playing house like children, pretending this can actually work. But the world is not kind to people like you, Jennie. And the last thing that little girl needs is to be dragged into your... your selfishness."

Jennie, feeling the weight of every accusation, finally spoke up, her voice trembling. "I'm not ruining Hayoon, Mom. Rosé and I love her, and we're doing everything to make sure she's okay. You might not understand, but this is real. We're a family, and we're making it work."

Her mother looked at her, a mixture of anger and sadness crossing her face. "A family?" she echoed, incredulous. "This isn't a family. This is... a fantasy. And when it crumbles, Jennie, it won't just be your heart that breaks. It'll be Hayoon's."

Jennie's heart ached at the words, but she stood her ground, feeling Rosé's steady presence beside her. They were in this together, no matter how hard it was going to be.