chapter 10

"I hate you, Y/N... I hate you so much."That single sentence carved itself into her mind, looping endlessly like a broken record, each repetition sinking deeper into her bones. The words clung to her, poisoning her thoughts, wrapping around her heart like invisible chains. She had never thought a few syllables could weigh so much, yet here she was, suffocating under their weight.She had always known that Jungkook didn't love her. But knowing and feeling it were two different things. Tonight, she felt it in her marrow, in the way her chest ached with every breath, in the way the air around her seemed to close in, thick and suffocating.Her fingers curled into the fabric of her dress, knuckles turning white as she tried to ground herself. But there was no ground beneath her. Only a bottomless pit of pain, loneliness, and something else-something darker. A storm brewing inside her, fed by years of silent endurance, of being treated like she was nothing more than a burden."Why?" The question burned on the tip of her tongue, an ember she longed to throw at him.Why did he despise her so much?Why did his heart beat with warmth for others but turn to ice when it came to her?Why did she have to be the only one he looked at with such cold detachment, as if she was nothing but an inconvenience in his otherwise perfect life?Was she so undeserving of love? So undeserving of kindness?She was a woman just like anyone else-she felt, she hurt, she dreamed. Yet, to him, she was little more than a ghost, present but never acknowledged, existing in his world but never belonging.Her heart clenched as she curled into herself on the cold floor of their bedroom, her knees drawn to her chest. She stared into the air blankly, the tears that had been burning her eyes finally spilling over. They slid down her cheeks, silent and unnoticed, as if even her sorrow was invisible to the world."Should I give up on him?"The thought came softly at first, a whisper in the back of her mind. But then it grew, spreading like wildfire through her consciousness.There was nothing left to hold onto. No expectations, no dreams of a love that would never come.Jungkook would never see her-not in the way she longed to be seen.The string that connected them was so thin, stretched so taut, that it was bound to snap at any moment. And when it did... she knew she would shatter along with it. Would she even be able to pick up the pieces of herself again? Or would she simply cease to exist, becoming nothing more than a hollow shell of who she once was?Perhaps it was better this way.Better to prepare herself now, to accept the inevitable, to stop yearning for something that was never meant to bloom."It's better to let go than to nurture a flower that will never bloom. In return, there will only be thorns, stabbing deeper and deeper until there is nothing left but pain."Her fingers trembled as she wiped away her tears, the finality of her decision settling over her like a heavy cloak.She would fulfill her duties as his wife.She would play her part.But she would erase every last drop of hope from her heart.She would not run after someone who had never been hers to begin with.She would let go."I am ready to let go, Jungkook."---A New Morning, A New StartThe sound of the alarm shattered the morning silence.Jungkook groaned, covering his ears with his pillow as he rolled over. The shrill beeping was an unfamiliar disturbance in his morning routine-he never set alarms. That was Y/N's responsibility.Annoyed, he finally sat up, running a hand through his tousled hair. His brows furrowed as he turned to the other side of the bed, expecting to see her still curled up beneath the covers. But the sheets were cold and empty.He frowned."Where is she?"Shrugging off the thought, he grabbed his phone and switched off the alarm. But the time on the screen made him pause.6:00 AM.She had always woken him up herself, her soft voice calling his name, her hands shaking him gently. Today, she hadn't.The strange feeling in his chest grew, but he pushed it aside and got out of bed.---By the time he entered the dining area, the others were already seated, chatting over breakfast. His cousin Leena was the first to greet him, her voice overly enthusiastic as she said, "Good morning, Kookie!"Jungkook barely nodded as he took his seat, his gaze instinctively drifting toward the kitchen entrance."Looking for Y/N?" Zaid teased, smirking.Before he could respond, Leena cut in."Why do you need her? I'll serve you, Kookie," she offered, reaching for the serving spoon.Jungkook hesitated but nodded. "Aah, thanks, Leena.""Anything for my Kookie," she said sweetly, placing a bowl in front of him.He picked up his spoon but barely ate. His mind was elsewhere.Something felt off.Y/N had always been there, always moving around him, ensuring everything was perfect. But this morning, there was an unfamiliar distance, a silence that left him strangely unsettled.Leena's voice snapped him out of his thoughts."I'm disappointed in you, Kookie."Jungkook sighed. "What now?""I want us to go on a trip! Just like old times. It's been ages since we had fun together!"Jungkook shook his head. "Leena, you know I'm busy-""Just one week! That's all I ask!" She pouted, her voice taking on a whiny edge."I'll have to check my schedule.""Then do it! And I have a surprise for you all, especially you," she said with a wicked gleam in her eyes.Jungkook didn't think much of it, instead pushing his chair back. "I have to get ready."He turned to call for Y/N but hesitated."Why does it feel like calling her is wrong?"Shaking off the thought, he called out anyway. "Y/N, can you come here? I need help. And where's my suitcase?"Silence.Then, soft footsteps.She appeared, head lowered, moving toward him with practiced obedience.Jungkook watched her closely as she took his tie, her delicate fingers working the knot with quiet efficiency. He had never paid much attention before, but now, standing this close, he noticed the way her hands trembled slightly, the way her shoulders were tense, the way she refused to meet his gaze.His heart did something strange.For the first time, he wondered-"Is she tired?""Does she resent me?"His thoughts were a mess. He had always known his treatment of her wasn't fair, but he had never questioned it before.Now, as she stepped away, her face void of emotion, a sharp pang of guilt twisted inside him."Is it too late?"His throat felt tight as he stared at her.Jeon Y/N.His wife.For the first time, the title felt real.For the first time, it scared him."Should I give us a chance?"His heart whispered, but his mind hesitated."But I love someone else... don't I?"Or had he been lying to himself all along?Will Jungkook ever change? Here is the Chapter 💚How was it ❣️Please comment your opinions 🥺Your Coconut 🥥