"Jennie, this arrangement was never about what we want for ourselves. It's about what's expected of us."
"I understand the duty, Taehyung, but it's hard to ignore the silence between us. It feels like we're bound by an agreement we both hesitate to...
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The front door of the Kim mansion closed behind them with a soft thud. The chatter from the car faded into a peaceful quiet as everyone stepped inside, the grand entryway illuminated by warm lighting. The long night had finally come to an end, but the weight of the engagement lingered in the air.
Jisoo let out a sigh of relief, kicking off her heels with a tired grin. “Finally! I thought this day would never end.”
Lia glanced around, taking in the familiar, comforting surroundings of the mansion. The high ceilings, the elegant chandelier, and the family portraits lining the hallway walls—all things that made this house their home. Their parents, tired from the evening’s festivities, headed toward their wing of the mansion.
“Goodnight, kids,” their mother said softly, smiling at them. “Rest well. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”
Their father nodded, already loosening his tie. “We’ve had a long day. Don’t stay up too late.”
“Goodnight,” Lia and Taehyung echoed as their parents disappeared down the hall.
The house fell into a comfortable silence. Taehyung loosened the collar of his dress shirt and flopped onto the living room couch with a loud groan. “That was exhausting,” he mumbled, rubbing his face.
Jisoo, still standing by the door, smiled tiredly. “Yeah, but it was worth it. Everything went smoothly.”
Lia walked over and sat beside Taehyung. “I think it was beautiful,” she said, glancing at Jisoo. “You were glowing, soo.”
Jisoo blushed slightly and joined them on the couch. “I just hope the pictures turn out nice. I don’t want to look like a mess.”
Taehyung chuckled, stretching his arms. “You looked fine. If anyone looked like a mess, it was me trying to keep up with all the people.”
Jisoo leaned back, her head resting on the cushions. “Now the real fun begins,” she said with a groan, already thinking about the wedding preparations ahead.
Lia raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on her lips. “Are you sure you’re ready for all that?”
“Do I have a choice?” Jisoo sighed, closing her eyes. “There’s no turning back now.”
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the day catching up to all of them. The only sound was the faint ticking of the large clock in the hallway.
“Let’s just enjoy tonight,” Lia said softly, breaking the quiet. “We’ve earned a break before the chaos starts.”
Taehyung nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I don’t want to think about anything right now.”
