~~chapter 13~~

*The Day of Departure*

The sun had barely risen as Jungkook prepared to leave the hospital. The warmth of the morning light felt strangely at odds with the heaviness in his heart. He felt torn between the loss of his parents and the uncertain promise of a new beginning .

With a deep breath, he stepped out of the doctor's office, where he had just said his goodbyes to his mother, holding onto the promise he made. Taehyung and Jimin stood waiting for him, their expressions riddled with concern.

**"You good, Kook?"** Taehyung asked, his gaze steady, trying to gauge his friend’s mental state.

**"Yeah, I... I think so,"** Jungkook replied, but there was a tremor in his voice, a reflection of the conflict within him.

**"You know we’re here for you, right? Whatever you need,"** Jimin added, offering his support as they moved toward the exit.

......................

*two days later, night time*

Jungkook stood outside the mansion with his luggage, his heart racing as he took in the sprawling estate before him. The grandeur of it was overwhelming, but the address from his mother’s friend whispered promises of safety and a fresh start. Steeling himself, he stepped forward and rang the doorbell, the sound echoing into the night.

*meanwhile inside the mansion*

Jisso was busy in the kitchen, stirring a pot of bubbling kimchi with the aroma wafting through the open space. Y/N, Jennie, and Rose were scattered around the first and second floors of the mansion, each busy with their own tasks. Lisa was sprawled on the couch in the living room, engrossed in a drama that had captivated her attention—until the doorbell rang, piercing through the ambient sound of the TV.

“Jisso, go open the door! We’re not expecting anyone, right?” Lisa shouted, her curiosity piqued.

“I’m making dinner, Lisa! You go! You’re just watching TV anyway!” Jisso called back, frustration tinging her tone as she expertly seasoned the pot.

Lisa huffed, reluctant yet driven by her curiosity. With a lazy stretch, she rose from the couch and ambled toward the door. When she swung it open, time seemed to freeze. Her heart raced at the sight before her—Jungkook stood there, handsome and slightly bewildered against the backdrop of the grand mansion.

“Ho… Jungkook? You came! Mrs. Jeon told me you’d be moving in here,” Y/N’s voice floated down from the staircase as she and her friends descended.

Jungkook’s gaze widened in shock. “You’re… my mother’s friend’s daughter?”

Y/N nodded, forcing a smile while her stomach twisted in knots. Her friends exchanged puzzled glances, their curiosity evident. Y/N wished she could reveal her true identity—the older sister who had been separated from him—but she knew the dangers lurking in the shadows. Her enemies were out there, waiting for any chance to strike, and Jungkook’s safety was her top priority.

“Ahjumma!” Y/N called to the senior maid moving in the background, “Please show Jungkook to his room.”

Her voice was calm, but internally, her mind raced with preparation. “You’ll be on the fourth floor. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask,” she added, turning back to Jungkook.

“Thank you,” he replied, his voice a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. He followed the maid upstairs, glancing back at Y/N as the door closed softly behind him.

*Meanwhile, Downstairs*

In the living room, Y/N gathered with Jennie, Rose, and Lisa. They shared glances, the confusion still lingering about Jungkook's sudden arrival.

**"I didn't know you were related to him,"** Lisa said curiously, still in disbelief. **"You never mentioned having a brother."**

Y/N took a deep breath, her voice steady but heavy with the implications of her words. **" For his safety, it was best to keep it vague. There are dangers out there he doesn't know about."**

**"So you won't tell him?"** Rose asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

**"Not yet,"** Y/N replied, her heart aching for Jungkook. **"He has enough on his plate. The last thing I want is him to fear or feel overwhelmed by our complex past."**

Just then, Jisoo entered the room, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. **"Dinner's almost ready! We should all sit together as a family. He’ll need that support."**

......................

As Ahjumma led him up to the fourth floor, he remained silent, absorbing his surroundings. The place was breathtaking, overflowing with elegance and a sense of belonging that he desperately craved amid the chaos of his recent loss.

**"This will be your room,"** Ahjumma said, opening the door to reveal a cozy, bright space adorned with soft linens and personal touches. A large window overlooked the city.

**"Thank you,"** Jungkook mumbled, taking a tentative step inside. It felt like an unfamiliar refuge, a sanctuary that he was afraid to call home. He placed his luggage down and slowly began to unpack, the weight of change settling over him.

*Meanwhile, as Jungkook settled into his new room, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The mansion was beautiful, but shadows lurked in every corner. And as he unpacked his things, a resolve settled in him; he would uncover the truth of his sister’s life and the secrets this house held.*

After a while Jungkook came down With that, the group prepared for dinner, the kitchen filling with the sounds of pots clinking and laughter, which drowned out the underlying tension that still lingered in Y/N's heart.

to be continued

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