Arranged marriage

✨Chapter 32✨

The night air was crisp, biting against Y/N's skin as they hurried through the alleyways, trying to put as much distance between themselves and the mansion. Every rustle of leaves, every distant footstep seemed to echo with a sinister edge, amplifying her fear. But the adrenaline pumping through her veins kept her moving. Jungkook led the way, his hand gripping Y/N's wrist as if he'd never let go, while Taehyung followed closely behind, casting quick glances over his shoulder.

"Where are we going?" Y/N whispered, her breath visible in the cold air.

"There's a safe house nearby," Jungkook responded tersely, his voice hard with determination. "No one will find us there."

Y/N wanted to trust him, but after everything, doubts continued to swirl in her mind. Jungkook's mood swings were like a storm—one moment he seemed protective, and the next, he treated her as if she were nothing more than a nuisance. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, catching the tight line of his jaw and the hardness in his expression.

But something was different. His grip on her wrist wasn't harsh like before—it was firm, almost protective, as though he feared letting her slip away. Despite his cold exterior, there was a part of him that cared, that was starting to soften... But would that be enough?

Taehyung's footsteps fell into rhythm with Y/N's, his gaze concerned. "You okay?" he asked in a hushed tone.

She nodded, even though the anxiety was a knot in her chest. "I'm fine. Just... on edge."

"That makes two of us," he replied, casting a wary glance at Jungkook's back. "This situation is spiraling faster than we anticipated. We need to figure out who's really behind those messages."

Y/N's mind raced with all the possible suspects. They had gotten too close to the truth, and someone powerful didn't want their secrets to come out. But as much as they tried to run, it felt like they were constantly one step behind.

As they approached a more secluded area on the outskirts of the city, Jungkook slowed down and finally released her wrist. His eyes met hers briefly, but there was a glimmer of something Y/N couldn't place—regret? Guilt? Before she could decipher it, his walls went up again, his expression closing off.

"This way," he said, leading them to an abandoned-looking building. The exterior was worn, its windows covered with grime and its walls crumbling slightly. But the structure seemed solid enough, and it was hidden well enough that no one would suspect its purpose.

They slipped inside, closing the door quietly behind them. The interior was dark, save for the faint moonlight streaming through a cracked window. Jungkook immediately went to a panel in the wall, pressing a hidden switch that revealed a stairway leading underground.

"What is this place?" Y/N asked, her voice laced with unease.

"A safe house I used before," Jungkook explained, his voice low as he motioned for them to follow. "Only a few people know about it. We'll be safe here while we figure out our next move."

Y/N felt a shiver run down her spine as they descended the stairs. The cold, damp air of the underground space enveloped them, the walls seeming to close in with each step they took. Once they reached the bottom, Jungkook flipped on a small light that illuminated the room—a makeshift hideout with basic supplies scattered about. It wasn't much, but it would keep them hidden for now.

"We can rest here for a while," Jungkook said, though his tone remained strained. "But we need to be careful. They'll be looking for us, and it's only a matter of time before they trace our steps."

Taehyung nodded, already pacing the room with tension radiating off him. "We can't just sit here and wait. We need to find out who's targeting Y/N and why. Every minute we waste puts us in more danger."