Shrouded | JJK

(4) Under his watch.

"Boss!"

A voice interrupted, and Jihyun loosened his grip on Y/n just enough to glare in the direction of the disturbance. Yoongi approached, holding a stack of papers, his expression composed but cautious.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Min Yoongi?" Jihyun's tone was icy. "You want a bullet between your eyes for interrupting my time with my wife?"

"No, Boss. These papers require your immediate attention-it's about Nexus." Yoongi's voice was steady, but his eyes betrayed a hint of urgency.

Jihyun scoffed, but his irritation softened as he turned back to Y/n, pressing a possessive kiss to the corner of her lips. He swept her hair back, fingers lingering at her cheek. "Darling, your husband's a busy man," he murmured. "Let me handle this."

She looked toward Yoongi, who quickly dropped his gaze, setting the papers on the table and taking his place by Jihyun's right side. Her attention shifted back to Jihyun, who suddenly looked at her with a sly grin.

"Ah, and Jimin," Jihyun's tone lightened as he nodded toward her best friend standing nearby, "your friend here-my favorite, actually. He's so sharp, my consigliere. He'll show you around the mansion."

Consigliere. The title sounded almost sinister now, knowing Jimin was part of Jihyun's inner circle, involved in every decision. How convenient, she thought, fighting the bitter taste of betrayal.

"And I see you're familiar with Jeon Jungkook, your new bodyguard," Jihyun added, pride lacing his voice. "Loyal to a fault."

Y/n only gave a quiet hum, keeping her gaze downcast, but before she could process her thoughts, Jihyun's fingers gripped her chin. He pulled her face close, forcing her to meet his eyes. His grip was firm, his gaze dark, as he gave her a smile that was more like a threat.

"That loyalty, my darling, works to my advantage. Don't waste time thinking you're some Rapunzel waiting to escape. You'll never leave this house."

Y/n's voice caught in her throat. *Never?* Did he truly mean this was her life now, locked away forever?

"This is my castle, darling," he continued, his tone softening yet somehow even colder. "I rule here, and everyone else obeys. These walls are the only air you'll ever breathe."

Desperation flared within her. "What about the gard-"

"The garden is mine too, darling," he cut her off. "I don't want your feet touching it. I want every part of you right here, always."

Her heart sank. She had always found peace in nature, sinking her hands into the earth, feeling the gentle chill of snow, or brushing her feet over dewy grass. Those small escapes into the world of growing things had always been her way to feel grounded, alive. Now, even that was being ripped from her.

In that moment, as Jihyun's hand tightened around her waist and his smug expression told her he had won, she just stared on the floor.

Y/n held Jimin's gaze, feeling a flicker of hope, only to watch it die in his expressionless stare. There was no flicker of rebellion, no promise of rescue. He simply stood there, silent, every bit the loyal consigliere, bound to Jihyun's rule. Her heart twisted painfully. This was the same friend who'd once been her confidant, her unwavering support, and now he was standing on the wrong side of a line that had been drawn in blood and secrets.

"Now, your best friend will show you around the house, alright, pretty? He'll explain everything about your life in my place. Jungkook will be joining you," Jihyun said.

Y/n stood, brushing her dress as her mind swirled with things she wanted to say, words that caught in her throat, as an uneasy feeling settled over her. She wished she could wake herself up from this nightmare.