SOUL BONDS ( Under revision )

Chapter 5

Jungkook's phone felt like it had sucked all the air out of the room.

Nobody moved. Nobody even blinked. The cheerful warmth that had been filling my kitchen just minutes ago disappeared so fast it was like it had never been there at all.

Jungkook's hand hovered over the screen like he was scared to touch it again.

"They found out we've been leaving the hotel," he repeated, quieter this time.

My stomach dropped so hard I thought I might actually be sick.

Management.

That word alone carried weight. Rules. Control. Consequences.

I didn't even know the details, but I didn't have to. I could see it in their faces. The way Namjoon's shoulders stiffened, the way Jin's jaw clenched, the way Yoongi's eyes darkened like he was already irritated.

And Jimin...

Jimin's hand was still holding mine.

I could feel the warmth of his palm against my skin, but the spark from earlier wasn't comforting anymore. It felt like an alarm. Like the bond itself knew something was coming.

Jin stood up first. His voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp.

"What did they say exactly?"

Jungkook swallowed, scrolling. "They said we need to come back immediately. That they're sending someone."

My heart stopped.

"Sending someone?" I repeated, my voice cracking.

Namjoon's gaze snapped to me. "Naomi, breathe."

I didn't realize I wasn't.

I sucked in a shaky breath, my fingers tightening around the edge of the table.

Jin ran a hand through his hair, already stressed. "How did they find out?"

Hobi's expression was tight. "Maybe someone saw them leave."

Yoongi scoffed. "Or someone followed."

That made my skin crawl.

The idea that someone could've been watching my house... watching me... without me knowing?

My throat tightened.

Jimin squeezed my hand gently. "Kitten," he whispered, "look at me."

I tried. I really did. But my mind was already spiraling.

This was exactly why I didn't let people into my life. Exactly why I didn't trust happiness. Exactly why I stayed alone.

Because when you got comfortable, something always came and ruined it.

I swallowed hard and forced myself to speak.

"They're going to make you leave," I said quietly.

Nobody answered right away.

But their silence was an answer on its own.

Jin finally spoke, voice softer. "Naomi..."

My chest tightened.

"Don't," I whispered, my eyes burning. "Don't say it like that. Don't look at me like you feel bad. I knew this would happen."

Jungkook stood up quickly. "No, you didn't—"

"Yes, I did," I snapped, my voice louder than I meant it to be.

I flinched at myself, then shook my head, backing away from the table. The chair scraped the floor.