𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄 🌹(18+)

17:- A brother's burden

Namjoon had left the room thinking he had done what needed to be done. He thought his words would have sown the necessary doubt in Nari's mind. After all, she wasn't naïve-she must have known by now how dangerous Jungkook was.

But deep down, he hoped his intervention would be enough to push her away, to get her to reconsider her involvement in Jungkook's world before things escalated further.

Namjoon paused in the hallway, his mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. He leaned against the cold wall, trying to regain his composure. His attempt to manipulate Nari had been a calculated risk, but it had backfired in a way he hadn't anticipated. Instead of doubt, she seemed unbothered.

It was as if she already knew that Jungkook was dangerous-but then again, of course she did. She wasn't some naive girl who had stumbled into their world by chance anymore.

But Namjoon's concern ran deeper.

He loved Jungkook like a brother, maybe even more than a brother.

They were cousins by blood, but their bond had been forged through shared pain and survival in the world their parents left behind.

Jungkook was wild and impulsive, but he was also vulnerable, and Namjoon knew that better than anyone.

Protecting him had become second nature.

As Namjoon pushed off the wall and walked back toward his office, the weight of their past came crashing down on him.

Nari's father had been Jungkook's father's greatest rival. Their parents had died in a bloody battle, one that had left both families shattered. Nari didn't know the full story back then, and now, as the truth slowly unraveled, the stakes were higher than ever.

Jungkook had known since he was a teenager, but he had kept that dark history hidden from Nari, guarding her from the knowledge of the war that had destroyed their families.

But Namjoon?

He hadn't fully realized the depth of Nari's father's involvement until recently. He knew bits and pieces, stories Jungkook had shared when they were younger-stories about the bloody rivalry, the power struggle, and the day everything had fallen apart. Namjoon had sensed there was more to Nari's background, but he hadn't put all the pieces together until now.

As Namjoon reached his office, he let out a frustrated sigh. He had always been the logical one, the strategist. But even with all his careful planning, he hadn't anticipated the emotional complexities of Jungkook's obsession with Nari.

Jungkook loved her.

Namjoon could see it in his eyes, in the way his usually cold and dangerous demeanor softened when Nari was near. That was the part that worried him the most.

Love, in their world, was dangerous.

It made you vulnerable.

Namjoon paced his office, his thoughts spiraling. He couldn't let this situation get out of control. Jungkook's love for Nari blinded him to the dangers lurking around them.

If their enemies found out about Nari's connection to her father-if they discovered the bloodline she came from-she could become a target, not just because of her ties to Jungkook but because of her father's legacy. There were still those who held grudges from the past, who sought revenge for the battle that had taken both of their parents.

Namjoon knew he had to act fast. He couldn't wait for Jungkook to come to his senses.

If Jungkook was too lost in his feelings for Nari, Namjoon had to be the one to take control.

But how?

Nari wasn't just some pawn to be moved around. She was a fierce, intelligent woman, and she had been dragged into their world without fully understanding the consequences.

He reached for his phone again, his fingers hovering over Kai's number. He needed more information. He needed to know who else might be watching, who else might know about Nari's past.

If their enemies had already connected the dots, they could be in more danger than Namjoon had initially thought. He dialed Kai's number, waiting for the familiar voice to pick up.

"Kai, it's me again," Namjoon said, his tone urgent.

"What's going on?" Kai asked, picking up on the tension in Namjoon's voice.

"I need more information," Namjoon replied. "About Nari's father. I thought I knew everything, but I didn't realize how deep this went. There's a lot more at stake than I thought."

Kai paused for a moment, processing Namjoon's words. "I can look into it, but what exactly are you worried about? Do you think someone's already put the pieces together?"

"I don't know," Namjoon admitted, running a hand through his hair. "But if they have, we're in serious trouble. Jungkook's obsession with Nari makes him vulnerable, and if our enemies find out who Nari really is, they'll use her to get to him. I need to know who's still out there-who's still holding a grudge from the past."

"Alright," Kai said, his voice serious. "I'll dig deeper. But be careful, Namjoon. If you're right about this, things could escalate quickly."

"I know," Namjoon replied, hanging up the phone.

He turned toward the window, staring out at the city below. His mind raced as he thought about the next steps. He needed to talk to Jungkook, but he knew his younger brother wouldn't be receptive to anything that involved putting distance between him and Nari. Jungkook had always been fiercely protective, and now that Nari had become his world, convincing him to step back, even for her safety, would be nearly impossible.

Namjoon clenched his jaw. He had always been able to control situations, to calculate the best move and anticipate the outcome.

But this time, he wasn't sure if he could keep everything from spiraling out of control. There was too much history, too much emotion at play.

He couldn't deny that part of him was worried for Nari as well. She was strong, yes, but the truth about her father's legacy would be devastating. She had been kept in the dark for so long, and now the very man she had fallen in love with was connected to the war that had destroyed her family. Jungkook had known all along, and that secret-once it came out-could destroy the fragile bond they had built.

Namjoon took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He had to find a way to protect them both. Even if it meant going against his own brother's wishes, even if it meant playing a dangerous game with the truth.

"Jungkook," Namjoon muttered under his breath, "I just hope you're prepared for what's coming."

He knew that in their world, love was a dangerous game. And right now, Jungkook was playing with fire, with both his heart and his life on the line.