SHATTERED VOWS | JEON JUNGKOOK X OC |

Chapter 16

As dinner wrapped up, Arin and Jungkook stood to excuse themselves. Arin was ready to head back home, feeling overwhelmed by the evening's revelations and hoping for some quiet time to process everything. But just as she was about to thank Mrs. Jeon for the dinner, her mother-in-law gently took her hand, her eyes filled with warmth.

"Why don't you two stay the night here?" Mrs. Jeon asked, her tone leaving little room for refusal. Jungkook immediately tried to protest, making up excuses about work and needing to get back to their own space, but Mrs. Jeon was persistent.

"Jungkook, you still have some clothes in your old room," she said, smiling knowingly. "You don't have to worry about anything. Arin can use some of Miso's clothes, and in the morning, you can leave for work from here. It's been too long since we had you both under the same roof."

Before Jungkook could argue further, Miso chimed in, "Come on, Arin, stay! I can share some tips with you about the early days of pregnancy." She looked at Arin, eyes wide with excitement.

Arin gave a hesitant smile, glancing at Jungkook. He seemed to struggle to find the right words, but just as he was about to respond, Taehyung placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Just for tonight, Jungkook," Taehyung said in a calm, convincing tone. "Not for anyone but for your mother. You know how much this means to her."

Jungkook let out a sigh, knowing he was outnumbered. He glanced at Arin, who gave him a small nod, and finally gave in, nodding reluctantly.

An hour later, Miso took Arin to her room, animatedly talking about her own experience with early pregnancy. As Miso led Arin to her room, she kept glancing back, eyes full of excitement and warmth. She practically bounced on her feet, ready to share every piece of wisdom she had about pregnancy, a time she remembered vividly. Arin, though grateful for Miso's energy, found herself hesitant, her own feelings tangled and weighed down by the uncertainties swirling in her mind.

"Come, sit!" Miso patted the bed beside her, smiling. "I know it's a lot to take in, isn't it? But don't worry, I'll tell you everything I can."

Arin managed a small smile, lowering herself onto the bed, though her hands remained fidgeting in her lap. "Thank you, Miso. I... I didn't expect things to feel this... overwhelming."

Miso chuckled, a sound so warm it seemed to fill the entire room. "Oh, I know exactly what you mean. I still remember when I found out I was pregnant. It's like... like the world suddenly shifted, right? Like there's something inside you that's just... bigger than everything else."

Arin nodded slowly, biting her lip as her gaze dropped to her hands. "It feels like that. But... I guess I don't know how to feel yet. Everything happened so fast."

Miso's eyes softened, and she reached out, gently taking one of Arin's hands. "That's completely normal, Arin. I remember feeling so unsure at first. I kept asking myself if I was ready for this, if I could be the mother my child deserved. It was terrifying."

Arin let out a shaky breath, surprised at the wave of emotion that suddenly welled up inside her. She hadn't expected anyone to truly understand. She looked at Miso, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't even know what Jungkook is feeling. I mean, I don't know what I expected, but... he didn't react the way I thought he would. He just sat there, like he was... somewhere else."

Miso nodded knowingly, her hand squeezing Arin's. "You're afraid he doesn't want this?"

Arin's eyes met Miso's, and she felt a tear prick the corner of her eye, though she quickly blinked it away. "I think so. I know our relationship has always been... different. It's not like other couples. I didn't expect him to be over the moon or anything, but... I also didn't expect him to be so quiet, so distant."