Arranged marriage

Chapter 17

The tension that settled in Y/N's chest after spotting the shadowy figure didn't fade. Even after she followed Jungkook into the house, her mind was elsewhere—on the narrow alley across the street, the way that figure had been watching them. A sense of foreboding lingered, and with everything that had happened, she wasn't sure if she was being paranoid or if there really was someone out there, someone still after them.

Inside, the grand halls of their home felt cold, empty despite their lavish decor. It was a stark contrast to the village's rustic charm, and Y/N found herself longing for the quiet simplicity they had just left behind, where the troubles of the world hadn't felt quite so close.

Jungkook strode ahead without a word, his usual distant expression etched across his face. Every step he took seemed calculated, like he was always one step ahead of the situation. But this time, Y/N wasn't content to be left in the dark. She had questions—too many—and the silence between them only made her suspicions grow stronger.

She quickened her pace to catch up with him, grabbing his arm just before he could disappear down another hallway.

"Wait," she said, her voice sharper than she intended. "We need to talk."

Jungkook turned slowly, his eyes narrowing. For a moment, they stood in tense silence, the weight of everything between them hanging heavy in the air. His gaze flicked to her hand still gripping his arm, and she quickly let go, feeling a sudden surge of awkwardness under his intense stare.

"We're not safe here, are we?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. "I saw someone—someone watching us."

Jungkook's expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes, a brief flash of concern that was gone as quickly as it appeared. He didn't deny it, and that was all the confirmation she needed. Her heart sank.

"You knew," she said quietly, her hands clenching into fists. "You knew we weren't safe, and you didn't tell me?"

"I handle the threats," Jungkook replied coolly, his voice emotionless. "It's not your concern."

Y/N's frustration boiled over, her patience snapping. "Not my concern? I've been attacked, kidnapped, and dragged into a world I don't even understand! How can you stand there and say it's not my concern?"

Jungkook's jaw tightened, and for the first time, she saw a crack in his icy demeanor. He stepped closer, his towering presence overwhelming, but Y/N stood her ground, refusing to be intimidated.

"You don't understand how dangerous this world is," he said, his voice low but fierce. "The less you know, the safer you'll be."

Y/N's chest tightened with anger. She was tired of being kept in the dark, tired of Jungkook treating her like a pawn in some larger game she didn't know the rules to.

"I deserve to know," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I'm your wife, Jungkook. Whether you like it or not, we're in this together."

For a moment, he said nothing, just stared at her with an intensity that made her heart race. Then, slowly, he let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair as if battling with something inside himself.

"You're right," he finally admitted, his voice softening, though his eyes remained guarded. "But knowing the truth won't change the danger we're in. It might only make things worse."

Y/N's breath hitched at his words. Worse? How could things possibly get worse than they already were?

"Then tell me," she urged, stepping closer. "I can't keep living like this, not knowing what's going on, not knowing who to trust."

Jungkook hesitated, the conflict in his eyes deepening. For a brief second, Y/N thought he might actually open up, might finally let her in.

But then, just as quickly, his walls slammed back into place.

"Not now," he said curtly, turning away. "You need rest. I'll deal with everything else."

Y/N stared after him, her heart sinking. The moment had passed. Once again, Jungkook had shut her out, retreating into that cold, distant version of himself that she had come to expect.

The following days were filled with an unsettling quiet. Jungkook was constantly on edge, disappearing for hours without a word, returning late into the night with a grim expression and even darker eyes. Y/N couldn't shake the feeling that something was brewing, something bigger than she could comprehend.

And every night, she replayed the memory of that shadowy figure in the alley, wondering if they were still out there, waiting. Watching.

It didn't help that Jungkook continued to keep her at arm's length. Though they lived under the same roof, it felt as though they were miles apart. He was colder than ever, barely speaking to her, brushing off her attempts to understand what was going on.

Y/N tried to distract herself by wandering through the grand halls of their home, but everywhere she turned, she felt the weight of her isolation. The staff avoided her, their eyes downcast, their movements quiet. It was as if the entire house was shrouded in secrets, and she was the only one left out.

One evening, as she sat in the dimly lit dining room, picking at a dinner she had no appetite for, she heard the sound of voices echoing down the hallway. At first, she thought it was just the staff, but as the voices grew louder, she realized one of them belonged to Jungkook.

Curiosity piqued, she stood and moved closer to the doorway, straining to hear the conversation. Jungkook's voice was low, tense, but the person he was speaking to sounded even more agitated.

"...can't afford any more mistakes," the other man hissed. "You know what's at stake."

"I'm handling it," Jungkook replied, his tone clipped.

"You said that before," the man shot back, frustration evident in his voice. "But the situation's spiraling out of control. If they find out—"

"They won't," Jungkook interrupted sharply. "I've taken care of it."

Y/N's heart raced as she pressed herself against the wall, trying to stay out of sight. Who were they talking about? And what were they hiding?

The conversation continued, but the voices grew fainter as the two men moved farther down the hallway. Y/N wanted to follow, to eavesdrop further, but fear rooted her to the spot. Whatever was happening, it was clear that Jungkook was involved in something dangerous, something he wasn't telling her.

Her stomach twisted with unease. The longer she stayed in this marriage, the more entangled she became in a web of secrets and lies. And with each passing day, the distance between her and Jungkook only grew wider.

Later that night, as Y/N lay in bed, her mind whirling with everything she had overheard, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching her door. Her heart leapt into her throat as the door creaked open, and for a brief moment, she thought it might be Jungkook.

But it wasn't.

A shadowy figure slipped into the room, moving with stealth and purpose. Before Y/N could react, they were standing over her, a glint of steel catching the moonlight.

She gasped, but before she could scream, a hand clamped over her mouth.

"Don't make a sound," the figure whispered, their voice low and menacing. "Or I'll make sure you never see tomorrow."

Y/N's pulse raced, fear paralyzing her. Who was this person? And what did they want with her?

As the figure leaned closer, their breath hot against her ear, Y/N realized that this was no random intruder.

They had come for her.