Arranged marriage

✨Chapter 21✨

As they slipped through the back door and into the cool air, Y/N's mind raced with thoughts of what had just transpired. The sound of sirens grew louder, a reminder of the chaos they had just escaped. Jungkook led her into the narrow alley behind their house, his grip on her hand firm and reassuring.

"Where are we going?" Y/N asked, glancing back at their home, which had become a battlefield only moments before.

"Somewhere safe," he replied, urgency lacing his voice. "Just trust me."

Y/N nodded, though uncertainty gnawed at her. Trust had become a fragile thread between them, and she wasn't sure how much longer it could hold. But in that moment, all she could do was focus on the immediate danger. She squeezed Jungkook's hand, silently vowing to stay by his side no matter the cost.

They turned a corner, slipping into the back streets of the neighborhood. The adrenaline began to fade, leaving Y/N feeling raw and exposed. Every shadow seemed to loom larger, every sound amplified in her ears. She felt Jungkook's presence beside her like a protective shield, but she could sense his inner turmoil, his tension radiating through their joined hands.

"Are you hurt?" she asked, concern flooding her voice as she examined him for injuries. He looked disheveled, but aside from a few scrapes, he appeared to be fine.

"No," he said, shaking his head, his eyes focused ahead. "Just shaken. You shouldn't have put yourself in danger like that, Y/N."

"I'm not going to sit back and watch you fight your battles alone," she countered, a hint of defiance creeping into her tone. "You need to let me in, Jungkook. I can handle this."

He shot her a sideways glance, a mix of frustration and admiration in his eyes. "You have no idea what you're dealing with. This isn't just some petty conflict. This is serious."

"Then tell me! I deserve to know what I'm getting into," Y/N insisted, her heart pounding. "If we're going to get through this together, I need the truth."

Jungkook hesitated, his jaw tightening as he wrestled with his thoughts. "I can't... I don't want to drag you into this world. It's dangerous. You have no idea the lengths people will go to protect their interests."

"Maybe not," she admitted, "but I'm not going to be some pawn in your game. I'm your wife, Jungkook. If you want to protect me, you need to trust me."

He stopped abruptly, pulling her to a halt. The urgency in his gaze deepened as he searched her face for understanding. "I do trust you, but love—love can blind people. It makes them reckless. I don't want to see you hurt."

Y/N felt her heart ache at the vulnerability in his eyes, the conflict that raged within him. "And I don't want to be a liability. I'm stronger than you think. I won't let fear dictate my life any longer."

"Maybe you're right," he finally said, his voice softer now. "But we need to get away from here first. They might still be looking for us."

With that, he resumed their hurried pace, and Y/N fell into step beside him. They navigated through the winding streets, their surroundings becoming increasingly unfamiliar. Each turn felt like stepping deeper into a labyrinth, and Y/N could feel the weight of uncertainty settling on her shoulders.

Finally, they arrived at an old, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. Jungkook paused at the entrance, casting a cautious glance around before ushering her inside. The air was stale and thick with dust, remnants of a place long forgotten. Y/N shivered slightly, a sense of foreboding creeping in.

"Is this really safe?" she asked, her voice echoing in the empty space.

"It's better than being out in the open," Jungkook replied, his tone more resolute now. "No one will think to look for us here."