Unbinding Tradition

127. Silence in the storm 🫨

My loveliest readers 🌸
I know you all were desperately waiting for this chapter since yesterday-so here it is! A full-fledged emotional rollercoaster 🎢 with all the drama, tradition, and a dash of Hyunnie's chaos to lighten the mood 😆

This chapter is over 1000 words-double the usual length-because I wanted to give you everything you were waiting for 💌

You guys completed the 200 comments target on the previous chapter 🥺💖 and now I trust you'll smash the 400 comments target for this one-because this chapter is literally two chapters in one! 🙈💥

So don't forget to: 💬 Drop your thoughts.

Jiminee stood silently in the center of the Jeon Residence's grand living room, her feet cold against the stone floor, her hands clenched tightly in front of her chest. The ornate glass fan above turned slowly, making no sound. The heavy velvet drapes filtered the late evening light, casting a dusky amber hue across the room where silence gripped every corner.

All eyes were on her.

Jungkook stood at the head of the room, his posture rigid, arms folded across his chest, eyes sharp and unrelenting. His face bore no softness, no flicker of sympathy. It was the face of a man betrayed-by his niece, by his wife, and by the ideals he so tightly held.

Tae was not present.
She was upstairs in her room, resting. The children-Hyunnie, Mani, and Meera-were gathered around her. She hadn't been feeling well since the evening, and after everything that happened, her body had finally given in to exhaustion. The storm that still raged below had not reached her ears yet.

In the hall, the air was stifling.

Mr. Kim, seated on the floor cushion beside Mrs. Kim, was the first to break the silence.

His voice was low, steady, but tired.

Mr Kim- Speak now, Gudiya. Don't stay quiet. Already too much has happened. Let us hear your truth.

Jiminee slowly lifted her eyes, though they trembled with fear. Her gaze hesitated-but eventually settled on Jungkook. Her Mama-sa. Her protector. Her guide.

The man whose trust she broke.

A tear slipped down her cheek as she folded her hands before him, her lips quivering.

Jm- I am sorry, Mama-sa. Please forgive me.

Her voice was barely above a whisper, but in the quiet of that grand hall, it was loud enough.

Jm- I never wanted to break your trust. I was never running away with Ishaan. I just... I just wanted to say goodbye. One last time. That was all. Nothing more. I would never leave you all. Never.

Jungkook's eyes remained fixed on her, sharp and unreadable. His jaw was clenched, and his silence was louder than any reprimand.

But when he spoke, his voice cut like iron.

Jk- Then why didn't you tell me earlier? (his tone held no mercy, no softness) WHAT WAS THE REASON TO HIDE FROM US-FROM ME?

He stepped forward slightly.

Jk- You told Tae... that woman knew everything. And yet she kept it hidden too. She didn't think it important to share what was happening right under my roof.

He scoffed bitterly.

Jk- What do you all take me for? Some fool to be kept in the dark while you all go making decisions behind my back?

Jiminee's throat tightened, but she held her ground. She wiped her tears with the edge of her dupatta and looked up again.

Jm- It's not Mami-sa's fault. (her voice cracked, but she forced it steady) Mami-sa didn't hide anything out of choice. I... I stopped her. I begged her not to tell you. Because...