SHADOWS OF TRUTH (JENNIE KIM FANFICTION)

31. Rebuilding Us

The hospital's automatic doors slid open with a soft whoosh, and Jennie stepped out into the brisk morning air, leaning on Rosie for support. The sun was bright but felt far away, its warmth unable to pierce the chill in her bones. A small crowd of reporters and fans had gathered outside, their murmurs and camera clicks forming a low, intrusive hum.

"Jennie, over here! How are you feeling?"
"Jennie, is it true you collapsed from exhaustion?"
"Jennie! Just one photo!"

Rosie tightened her hold on Jennie's arm, her gaze sharp as she shielded Jennie from the barrage of questions and flashing cameras.

"Don't engage," Rosie murmured under her breath, guiding Jennie toward the waiting car. "Just keep walking. We're almost there."

Jennie nodded weakly, her oversized sunglasses hiding her expression as she moved stiffly toward the vehicle. Her body ached with every step, a grim reminder of how far she'd pushed herself.

Once inside the car, Rosie exhaled loudly, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a protective seriousness. "You okay?"

Jennie leaned her head back against the seat, closing her eyes. "I'm fine," she said softly, though her voice lacked conviction.

Rosie glanced at her sideways. "You've been through a lot. You don't have to be 'fine' all the time."

Jennie didn't respond, her thoughts too tangled to form words.

The drive to Jennie's apartment was uneventful, the city rushing by in a blur of muted colors. When they arrived, Rosie was out of the car first, opening Jennie's door and helping her inside.

The apartment was exactly as Jennie had left it—tidy and quiet, the faint scent of lavender from a diffuser lingering in the air. But now, it felt emptier than ever.

"You sit down," Rosie instructed, guiding Jennie to the couch. "I'll unpack your things and sort out the groceries."

Jennie watched as Rosie moved around the apartment, her energy filling the silence. The small tote bag from the hospital was emptied, its contents carefully put away. Then came the groceries—fresh produce, bottled water, and Jennie's favorite snacks arranged neatly on the counter.

"You didn't have to do all this," Jennie said, her voice quiet but sincere.

Rosie shot her a look, one hand on her hip. "And let you live on instant ramen and iced coffee? Please. You're lucky I didn't bring a full meal plan with charts and color-coded labels."

Despite herself, Jennie let out a soft laugh. "You're ridiculous."

"And you're stubborn," Rosie quipped, bringing over a bowl of fresh fruit and setting it on the coffee table. "Eat something. And don't even think about arguing."

As Rosie fussed over her, Jennie's gaze wandered to the large window overlooking the city. The bustling streets below seemed so far removed from her current state, a stark contrast to the stillness she felt inside.

"You're quiet," Rosie noted, sitting down beside her. "What's on your mind?"

Jennie hesitated, her fingers playing with the hem of her blanket. "I just... I feel like I've let everyone down. The fans, you, the girls... Y/N."

Rosie's expression softened. "Jennie, you're human. You're allowed to fall apart sometimes. It doesn't mean you've let anyone down."

Jennie swallowed hard, her voice trembling. "But I hurt her, Rosie. And now I don't know how to fix it."

Rosie placed a comforting hand on Jennie's knee. "The fact that you want to fix it says a lot. Just take it one step at a time, okay? Start by taking care of yourself first."