Arranged marriage

Chapter 12

The tension between Y/N and Jungkook was palpable as they moved through the forest, Taehyung leading the way with quiet determination. The air was thick with the lingering unease from the ambush, but it was more than just the fear of what might be lurking in the darkness. Y/N could feel Jungkook's coldness now more than ever—he hadn't said a word to her since agreeing to follow Taehyung, his grip on her hand had long since loosened, and he walked several paces ahead, putting distance between them. It stung, more than she wanted to admit.

Y/N sighed softly, wrapping her arms around herself as they trudged through the underbrush. The silence between them was suffocating, and with each step, the divide seemed to widen. She couldn't understand why he was being this way. Sure, things had always been complicated between them, but now it felt like he was actively trying to push her away.

"Y/N," Taehyung's soft voice interrupted her thoughts. He had fallen back to walk beside her, his eyes scanning the trees but occasionally glancing at her with concern. "Are you alright?"

She forced a tight smile. "I'm fine," she said, though her voice lacked conviction.

Taehyung didn't press, but the look in his eyes said he didn't believe her. He glanced at Jungkook, who was ahead, his back turned to them as if he didn't care. Taehyung's lips pressed into a thin line before he spoke again, his voice low enough for only her to hear.

"I know this is hard," he said. "But you don't have to do this alone."

Y/N's chest tightened at the sincerity in his words. She wanted to believe him, wanted to lean on someone, but the walls she'd built around herself felt too solid to tear down. And then there was Jungkook... His indifference was like a knife twisting in her gut.

As if sensing her thoughts, Taehyung continued, "If he doesn't appreciate you—"

"He does," Y/N interrupted quickly, not wanting to hear it. She didn't know why she was defending Jungkook, especially when he had been so cold to her. But deep down, she still hoped that there was something beneath the icy exterior he showed her. She had seen glimpses of it before—moments where the mask slipped, and there was a warmth in his eyes that made her heart skip a beat.

But now, those moments felt like a distant memory.

"Does he?" Taehyung asked softly, his gaze searching hers.

Y/N didn't have an answer. Instead, she looked ahead at Jungkook's rigid back, wondering if he even cared that she was here.

They reached a small clearing after what felt like hours, and Taehyung stopped, scanning the area before motioning for them to rest.

"We'll stay here for the night," he said, his voice carrying authority as he looked around. "It should be safe."

Y/N sat on a fallen log, her legs aching from the long walk. She glanced at Jungkook, who had taken a seat on the opposite side of the clearing, his face set in stone as he sharpened a knife. The distance between them felt more than just physical now. She wanted to talk to him, to bridge the gap, but every time she tried, he pulled further away.

Taehyung, on the other hand, remained close, sitting beside her. His presence was comforting, but Y/N couldn't shake the feeling that his proximity was bothering Jungkook. Even though Jungkook hadn't said anything, she could feel the tension radiating from him like a storm waiting to break.

"Are you sure we're safe here?" she asked Taehyung, trying to distract herself from the silence between her and Jungkook.

"As safe as we can be," Taehyung replied, his eyes scanning the trees once more. "I'll keep watch tonight."

Y/N nodded, grateful for his protection, but she couldn't help but glance at Jungkook again. He hadn't looked at her once since they stopped. The coldness in his demeanor was suffocating, and it gnawed at her insides.

Why did he care so little? Why did it seem like he was actively trying to ignore her?

Later that night, as the campfire burned low, Y/N couldn't sleep. The quiet of the forest was unnerving, every crack of a branch or rustle of leaves setting her on edge. But it wasn't just the surroundings that kept her awake—it was the weight of Jungkook's indifference.

She shifted slightly, trying not to make too much noise, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement. Jungkook, sitting by the fire, his eyes locked on her. For a moment, their gazes met, and something flickered in his eyes—something that made Y/N's breath catch in her throat.

But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone. Jungkook turned his back to her, his shoulders stiff, as if he couldn't bear to be near her.

Tears pricked at Y/N's eyes, frustration and hurt bubbling up inside her. She didn't understand. He had saved her life, more than once now, yet he treated her like she was nothing.

She clenched her fists, trying to push the feelings down, but it was no use. Before she could stop herself, she stood and walked over to him, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper but filled with emotion.

Jungkook didn't turn to look at her. "Doing what?"

"This," she gestured between them. "You keep pulling away. One minute you save me, the next you act like I don't exist. What do you want from me?"

His jaw tightened, but he remained silent, his eyes fixed on the dying flames in front of him.

"Jungkook, talk to me," Y/N pleaded, her voice breaking. "I can't... I can't keep doing this."

For a long moment, there was nothing but the crackle of the fire and the distant sounds of the forest. Y/N's heart sank, her chest aching as she waited for him to say something—anything.

Finally, he stood up, his face unreadable as he looked down at her. "Go back to sleep," he said coldly, his voice devoid of any warmth.

Y/N's breath caught in her throat. "That's it? That's all you have to say?"

Jungkook's eyes flickered, but he quickly turned away, walking back into the shadows, leaving Y/N standing there, her heart shattered.

As Y/N watched Jungkook disappear into the darkness, her heart ached with the weight of his rejection. She didn't understand him, didn't understand why he pushed her away when she needed him most.

But as she stood there, tears brimming in her eyes, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Taehyung, his gaze soft and filled with concern, stood beside her.

"You deserve better than this," he whispered, his voice gentle yet firm.

Y/N's throat tightened as she looked at him, the kindness in his eyes a stark contrast to the coldness she had just faced.

But before she could respond, a rustling in the trees broke the stillness of the night. Her heart leapt into her throat as she spun around, eyes wide with fear. The shadows moved again, and this time, they were not alone.

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