𝓑𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭 𝓫𝔂 𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓮 (𝓙𝓲𝓴𝓸𝓸𝓴)

chapter 23

Ava's POV

Jungkook has been avoiding me ever since my last encounter with Jimin. I can only imagine that little brat must have run straight to him and said something to make him distance himself from me. The thought sends a sharp pang through my chest—something akin to both frustration and hurt. I underestimated Jimin. I thought his innocence and naivety would make it easy to break them apart, but instead, it seems I’ve only succeeded in drawing them closer.

I’ve tried everything to get in touch with Jungkook. My calls go unanswered, my messages unread. Even at the company I cant see him—without proper clearance, I can’t access his floor. It’s humiliating, really, how far I’ve stooped. But none of that matters because I want him back. Jungkook was the only one who ever truly loved me for who I am. No one else ever cared enough to see me, to make me feel wanted.

I tell myself this is just a phase. He’s confused, overwhelmed. He needs me, even if he doesn’t realize it yet.

And then I see him.

He’s standing near the elevator, looking impossibly handsome as always. My heart lurches. This is my chance. I smooth my hair and adjust my expression to look vulnerable. Pathetic, even, if that’s what it takes. With quick steps, I close the distance between us.

“Are you avoiding me, Jungkook?” My voice wavers slightly, carrying just the right amount of hurt.

He turns toward me, his eyes meeting mine. There’s guilt there, and for a fleeting moment, I feel a rush of triumph. He feels bad. He knows he’s wrong. But just as quickly, my victory is snatched away when my gaze lands on something unexpected—a faint mark on his neck.

A hickey.

My stomach churns. There’s no way Jungkook would cheat on Jimin. He’s too honorable for that. But does that mean… they’ve been intimate?

No.

No, no, no!

My blood boils, jealousy surging through me like wildfire. That mark should belong to me, not him. Jungkook’s body, his affection, his everything belongs to me.

“Ava, I’m sorry, but my elevator’s here. I’ll see you around, okay?” Jungkook’s voice snaps me back to reality. He’s already stepping into the elevator, eager to escape.

Panic sets in. I can’t let him slip away like this. I reach out, gently grabbing his wrist. “Jungkook, can we talk this afternoon? I have something important to say,” I plead, my voice laced with desperation.

He hesitates, his expression softening ever so slightly. I cling to that moment of weakness, watching as he nods.

“Alright,” he says before disappearing behind the closing elevator doors.

As the elevator ascends, I’m left standing there, seething with jealousy and frustration. The image of that mark on his neck is burned into my mind. Jimin may think he’s won, but this isn’t over.

Jungkook was mine first. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make him mine again.

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Jungkook’s POV

As I stepped into the elevator, I couldn’t shake the guilt gnawing at me. I knew Ava wanted to talk, but I had been avoiding her for a reason.

I didn’t love her anymore, and I hadn’t for a long time. But seeing her so broken still made me feel responsible. After all, I was the one who once promised her a future, a family.

I sighed as I pressed the button for my floor. “If one day Jimin asked me to cut ties with Ava completely,” I thought, “I would do it without hesitation.”