IS IT TIME FOR ME TO GIVE UP?

1

Lisa's POV:

"JUST DON'T FUCKING AGREE TO THEIR SELFISH IDEA LISA!!" Jennie's voice reverberated through the room, anger etched deeply into her features.

"I-I'm sorry, but..." I started to explain, but she cut me off abruptly.

"WHAT?! Don't tell me—" She paused, her eyes darkening with a mixture of anger and hurt. She couldn't even bring herself to finish the sentence, her disappointment palpable.

"LISA!!" Jennie slammed her hand on the table behind me before spinning back to face me, her breathing heavy. The tension in my room was suffocating as she struggled to regain her composure. When she finally turned to me again, her expression was unreadable—blank and cold.

"How could you... why?" Her voice wavered with exhaustion as she leaned against the wall, the weight of our argument visibly draining her. "Why did you agree?"

"Nini, I can't... my dad—" I stammered, feeling helpless under her intense gaze.

"Again, Lisa? Are you really going to use that excuse?" Jennie's frustration boiled over as she stood up abruptly, her eyes fixed on mine.

"I can't refuse him..." I murmured, closing my eyes tightly, knowing how feeble my defense sounded.

"You really want this, don't you?" Jennie's voice softened slightly, but her disappointment was still raw. "You want us to get married, that's why you agreed, without considering how I feel."

I looked at her, guilt weighing heavily on my chest, but before I could respond, she interrupted again.

"I should've listened to him." Her words cut through me, confusion clouding my mind. Who was she talking about? How did she find out?

"Jennie, who told you—" I started, but she cut me off sharply.

"Lisa, you're my best friend, and that's all I can give you," she said with a pleading tone. "I'm straight. Please, don't do this."

I couldn't meet her eyes as she begged me silently to stand up for what we both knew was right.

"Jennie, I'm sorry, but—" I began, my voice faltering under her intense gaze.

"I can't believe you!" Her anger flared again, her frustration evident. "Do you really want this?"

"No, it's just—" I tried to explain, but she shook her head in disbelief.

"THEN FINE! If you want us to get married so badly, there's one thing you'll lose—" Her voice cracked with emotion. "Me, Lisa. Your best friend."

With those words, she turned and left, leaving not just my room, but a void in my life.

---

Two Years Later....

Two years have passed since our fathers' decisions forced Jennie and me into marriage. Despite my feelings for her, Jennie's resentment has only grown. We now live together in a house that feels more like a shell than a home, sleeping in separate bedrooms. I've become a stranger to her, and she to me.

"Want some coffee?" I offered weakly as Jennie entered the kitchen, already dressed for work. Her response was as cold as ever.

"Don't bother," she muttered, brushing past me without a second glance, the sound of the closing door marking her departure.

"As always," I whispered to myself, feeling the weight of our fractured relationship bearing down on me. Despite everything, I was thankful at least to be near her, even if it meant we were estranged.

I sank into a chair, absentmindedly petting Leo, Luca, Louis, and Lily—my constant companions now that Jennie and I rarely spoke. Suddenly, Kuma, our first dog, bounded into the room, demanding attention. I scooped him up, showering him with kisses, a small smile tugging at my lips. Kai, ever the jealous one, joined in for her share of affection. "Our kids," I chuckled softly, finding solace in their unwavering companionship.