𝓑𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭 𝓫𝔂 𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓮 (𝓙𝓲𝓴𝓸𝓸𝓴)✔

chapter 30

Author's POV

Five days had passed, and the tension between Jimin and Jungkook was palpable. The once warm and lively atmosphere in their home had turned cold and distant. Jimin avoided Jungkook at every turn, leaving early for college and returning late, deliberately slipping into the bedroom only after he was certain Jungkook had fallen asleep. His cold shoulder cut through Jungkook, who tried countless times to bridge the gap, only to be met with silence or indifference.

The strain was taking its toll. Jungkook, once confident and composed, now looked weary and lost. His bright, determined demeanor had faded, replaced by shadows of guilt and regret. Each rejection from Jimin deepened his despair, yet he refused to give up. Jungkook sought every opportunity to reach out, only to have Jimin shut him out completely.

Suga, ever the observer, noticed everything. He was well aware of the turmoil but chose not to intervene. His warnings to Jungkook had gone unheeded, and now, he believed, Jungkook had to face the consequences of his actions. Watching his friend struggle wasn’t easy, but Suga stood firm, convinced that this was a lesson Jungkook needed to learn.

While the distance between the couple grew, Ava basked in her perceived victory. The sight of Jungkook defending her had fueled her confidence, and the tension she had caused between him and Jimin felt like a triumph. Ava relished every moment, convincing herself that Jungkook’s actions stemmed from something more than guilt—maybe even affection.

She wasted no time trying to further cement her place in Jungkook’s life. With every passing day, Ava employed subtle tactics to win his attention—seeking his help with small tasks, lingering in conversations, and attempting to create moments of shared intimacy. But her plans fell flat. Jungkook, distracted and consumed by thoughts of Jimin, hardly noticed her efforts. Even when she managed to engage him in conversation, his responses were distant, his mind clearly elsewhere.

Despite her manipulations, Ava couldn’t deny the truth that lingered in Jungkook’s every action—his heart belonged to Jimin. Even in the midst of their conflict, Jungkook’s focus remained on repairing what had been broken. Ava’s frustration grew as her attempts to sway him proved fruitless, but she clung to the rift she had caused, seeing it as her only leverage.

Meanwhile, away from Jungkook and Ava, quiet plans were taking shape. Over the past few days, Jimin, Taehyung, and Jin had taken matters into their own hands, determined to find evidence to expose Ava’s lies. They visited Ava’s neighborhood, speaking to anyone who might provide a lead. Some neighbors claimed ignorance, while others mentioned seeing a hooded figure running from the area on the night of the fire. However, the information was vague, offering no concrete proof against Ava.

The trio’s frustration mounted with each dead end, but they refused to give up. Every detail, no matter how insignificant, was cataloged and discussed. They knew the stakes were high and that exposing Ava’s lies required patience and precision. The plan they had formed was risky and might not succeed, but they were willing to try anything.

Unaware of their efforts, Ava continued to play her game, emboldened by her perceived success. She reveled in the chaos she had sown, her smirks and subtle provocations adding fuel to the fire. But beneath her confidence lay a simmering fear—the fear that her lies might catch up to her. For now, she ignored it, basking in the tension and feeding off the cracks in Jimin and Jungkook’s relationship.

Yet, the cracks she celebrated weren’t fractures—they were wounds. And wounds, though painful, have a way of healing.

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Jimin's POV

The past few days had been unbearable, but I knew I couldn’t lose focus. Let her think she’s won—let her bask in her false victory. Ava might be smiling now, but her time is ticking down. I could throw her out of our house in a heartbeat if I wanted to. But I know her type—she’d use that very action to slither her way back into our lives with more venom. No, I need something irrefutable, something that forces her to expose her own ugliness. Only then will Jungkook hyung see her true face. Only then will I be satisfied.