Reaching My Star | A Chaennie AU

Chapter 50: Things Aren't That Simple (Jennie 30; Rosé 33)

It had been days since the conversation that had torn at the edges of Jennie and Rosé's relationship. The atmosphere between them had grown even more strained, filled with unspoken words, tension, and exhaustion. Neither had fully processed the fallout from their parents' visit. It seemed that every attempt to talk ended in frustration, the weight of uncertainty crushing any hope for resolution.

Rosé lay on the couch, phone in hand, staring at the latest text from her mother.

"Rosie, I'm worried. This whole situation... Jennie's family, their influence, their expectations. It's scary to be involved in all of that. They're powerful in their own way, and if they don't accept you, it could make things so much harder. I know you love her, but... think carefully. We only want what's best for you."

Rosé read the message again, the words sinking into her already troubled mind. She sighed, her fingers tapping out a reply.

"Mom, I know it's scary. But they're just shocked. They didn't expect any of this. I didn't expect it to go like this either. But it's not like they're bad people. They're just protective of Jennie and Hayoon."

She paused before adding, "I'm sorry I kept everything a secret. I should've told you and Dad sooner. I feel horrible. And I know you probably would've reacted the same way if Jennie and her parents weren't there. You were just trying to be supportive because of the situation."

Her chest tightened as she hit "send." She felt like she had forced her parents into being the "good cops," making them play a role they hadn't asked for. They weren't truly accepting of the situation yet; they were just trying to navigate the shock.

Rosé put her phone down, feeling the familiar guilt. She had dragged her parents into this mess, and now she was left wondering if she had made things worse by keeping it all hidden for so long. She felt torn—between her loyalty to Jennie and the overwhelming pressure from their families.

Across the apartment, Jennie sat quietly by the window, staring out at the evening sky. She had been thinking about Hayoon nonstop. The ache in her heart grew with each passing day. Her mother had refused to bring Hayoon back until Jennie had a "final answer."

"Final answer," Jennie thought bitterly. She knew what her mother meant—she wanted Jennie to end things with Rosé, to make a clean break for the sake of her daughter.

But Jennie wasn't just torn because of her family. She was scared. Scared of what her future with Rosé would look like. Every time she thought about it, the same doubts kept creeping in. Her mother's words echoed in her mind—how unpredictable things were, how uncertain the future could be.

Days had passed once again, they had been talking—or rather, circling the same conversation—for days. Jennie kept bringing up the same fears, the same doubts about their future.

"I don't know if we can do this, Rosie," Jennie whispered one night, her voice thick with uncertainty. "What if we just... end up hurting each other more?"

Rosé had tried to be patient, but she was exhausted, and her frustration was building. "Jennie, we've been through this. Why do you keep saying the same thing? We love each other. Isn't that enough?"

"It's not that simple!" Jennie snapped, her voice sharper than she intended. "I'm trying to be realistic. We don't know what the future holds, and I don't want to put Hayoon through something uncertain. I'm scared, Hon. I'm scared of what might happen."

Rosé's jaw clenched, her anger bubbling to the surface. She had been holding back for days, but Jennie's constant doubts were pushing her to her limit. "You keep saying you're scared of what might happen, but you're the one making it worse! You're the one who's giving up before we even try!"

"I'm not giving up!" Jennie shot back, standing from her seat, her voice rising. "I'm trying to be responsible, Hon. I can't just ignore the fact that things could go wrong. And you getting mad at me for being scared is only proving my point. This—this is exactly what I'm afraid of!"

Rosé's heart pounded in her chest, the anger now surging through her veins. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "So, what? You're saying I'm the problem now?" she spat, standing up to face Jennie. "I'm trying to understand you, Jennie, but all you do is push me away with your doubts. You're the one making everything worse for yourself!"

Jennie froze, her words catching in her throat. She didn't know how it had gotten to this point. She didn't know why everything felt like it was falling apart, but it was. And she didn't know how to stop it.

"That's not what I—" Jennie started, but her voice faltered. She didn't know what she wanted to say anymore. The fear had taken over, and now she didn't know how to fix it.

Rosé shook her head, her hands balling into fists at her sides. She had tried so hard to hold on, to understand, but she couldn't keep fighting Jennie's battles for her. "Fine," she said coldly, her voice trembling with emotion. "If that's what you really want, then fine."

Jennie's eyes widened, her heart sinking. "What?"

"You've been insisting on this for days," Rosé continued, her voice breaking. "I don't want to continue this relationship if you're just going to give up so easily. You keep saying 'what if,' 'what if,' as if you've already decided we're not worth the risk."

Jennie's throat tightened, and she felt her chest constrict with panic. "Rosie, no—"

"Better now than later, right?" Rosé cut her off, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Isn't that what you keep saying? Better to end it now than let it get worse?"

Jennie's heart shattered. "Rosie, no. Please... I didn't mean—"

But Rosé's resolve was crumbling, her own fears and frustrations spilling over. "I don't want to keep fighting for something you've already decided is doomed, Jennie. I can't do this if you're just going to keep doubting us."

The silence that followed was deafening. Jennie stood there, frozen, her mind reeling with the weight of what was happening. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know how to fix it. She didn't even know if it could be fixed anymore.

Rosé looked at her, her expression softening, but the hurt in her eyes was undeniable. "Fine," she whispered, her voice cracking. "If this is what you really want... then I'm done."

And just like that, Rosé turned and walked away, leaving Jennie standing in the living room, her heart in pieces on the floor.

Jennie didn't know what she had done. She didn't know how it had all spiraled out of control so quickly. But now, as she stood there alone, the weight of her own fears and doubts crushing her, she realized that she had lost the one person who had fought for her when she couldn't fight for herself.

Tears blurred Jennie's vision as she sank to the floor, her body shaking with silent sobs. She had pushed Rosé away, and now... she didn't know if she would ever get her back.