𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺 ||𝐉𝐉𝐊||

46

AUTHOR POV~

After coming out from courthouse, the warm light of the setting sun scattered across. The worst was over. Justice had been served. But the air still felt heavy.

Mr. Jeon stepped beside her, his hand resting gently on her head. "Your father" he began voice low and trembling "he must be watching from above… and I know he's proud of you. Just like we are." His eyes glistened with tears as he smiled. "You didn't just speak the truth you fought for it."

She bowed her head, a soft smile touching her lips but the ache behind it didn't go unnoticed. The others Minji, Taehyun, Soobin, and Eunae nodded silently, their expressions a blend of pride and quiet concern.

Mr. Jeon turned to look at the horizon. "Now everything's fine" he sighed. "You can finally live in peace."

But she shook her head gently. "No, uncle… not yet."

Mr. Jeon blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"

Jungkook standing a step behind her narrowed his eyes just slightly confused, his gaze fixed on her face curious but silent.

She took a breath and spoke softly. "I have to finish what I started. I've booked my flight back to Switzerland. After that... I'll be moving to U.S."

The words hit like cold water. Jungkook flinched but barely. He didn't speak. He didn't even blink. Totally Shocked.

"What?" Mr. Jeon frowned. "But I thought… you were going to continue your practice here. You said you wanted to stay in Seoul."

She looked down briefly, then raised her eyes again with a strained smile. "I promised to myself. That once I uncovered the truth I'd go. That's what I'm doing, uncle. As she said it, her eyes flicked sideways to Mrs. Jeon who stood a little farther back. She didn't say anything but she understood. That glance didn't go unnoticed by Mr. Jeon.

"Let's talk about it later" he said gently sensing the tension."You've done more than enough for today. You deserve rest."
She only nodded.

The group began to scatter. Minji placed a comforting hand on Jungkook's arm her brows furrowed in sympathy. "She's just saying that, It's not real… "

Taehyun let out a nervous chuckle nudging Jungkook's side. "Come on bro. She can't leave like that. She's probably just overwhelmed. She'll stay."

But Jungkook didn't answer. He only gave a tired, empty smile the kind that doesn't reach the eyes and walked toward the car where she was already waiting. Inside the car, the silence was loud.

She glanced at him a few times, hopeful for a word, a question or anything. But he kept his eyes on the road jaw clenched fingers gripping the steering wheel like he was holding himself together.

She turned back to the window, her throat tightening. She had expected him to argue. To ask why. But instead, he gave her silence. And somehow that hurt more than anything else.

The night had settled over the Jeon estate the sky above scattered with stars. In the garden where the world felt distant and silent Jungkook sat on the bench, his elbows resting on his knees fingers laced together as he stared blankly at the ground beneath his feet.

He heard her before he saw her soft footsteps brushing against the path. She appeared in his periphery, her hair loose her expression unreadable. She didn't say a word as she sat down beside him, leaving just enough distance for it to feel like a wall.

He noticed it. That space between them. It said more than either of them had dared to. But he didn't mention it.

Silence stretched, quiet and heavy but strangely comforting in a way only two people with history could share. Crickets hummed in the background, and the soft rustle of tree danced with the wind .Then finally he exhaled long and deep like he'd been holding his breath for hours.