Chapter 5

Later that night at Jungkook's Penthouse

(The door bursts open. Aera storms in, eyes blazing, phone still in her hand from trying to track Jungkook and Y/N all day. She marches past the living room straight toward Y/N's room.)

[Min Aera] (yelling)

"Y/N! Get out here. Now!"

(Y/N steps hesitantly out of her room. Her eyes are red from crying earlier, but she keeps her chin up.)

[Min Aera] (furious)

"How dare you go behind my back and visit your father?! I told you—he's not good for you! You always go against me. Always!"

[Y/N] (softly)

"I just wanted to see him. That's all I ever wanted."

[Min Aera] (raising her hand)

"You don't get to decide anymore! I made the mistake of keeping you with me, thinking you'd understand one day. But all you ever do is destroy. First between me and your father—and now look, you're doing it again with Jungkook!"

(She moves to slap Y/N—again—but this time a firm hand grabs her wrist mid-air.)

[Jungkook] (low and calm, but voice full of quiet force)

"That's enough, Aera."

(Aera's breath catches as she looks at him. Jungkook slowly lowers her hand, not letting go until she backs off.)

[Min Aera] (desperate)

"You're taking her side? You're supposed to love me, Jungkook. How could you do this? You crossed the line!"

[Jungkook] (his jaw tight, eyes cold but voice controlled)

"I do love you. But loving you doesn't mean watching you hurt a child who's already drowning. She's not the one tearing things apart—you are."

[Min Aera] (shaken)

"You're defending her after she humiliated us?!"

[Jungkook]

"She didn't humiliate us. She cried for help—and we ignored her. I should have seen it earlier, but I see it now. You've made her your enemy, Aera. And that's not love."

(Y/N stands frozen in the corner, tears falling silently. She can't believe someone finally said it out loud—for her. Jungkook glances at her, his face softening instantly. He takes a slow breath, swallowing his rising anger.)

[Jungkook] (to Aera)

"You're angry. Fine. But you will not lay a hand on her again. If you love me at all, you'll try to understand why I did what I did."

[Min Aera] (crumbling)

"You were supposed to be mine, Jungkook..."

[Jungkook] (quietly)

"I never stopped being yours. But I won't stay if this becomes a house where pain is passed around like punishment."

(Aera backs away, stunned and speechless. Y/N still stands silently, hugging herself.)

[Jungkook] (gently turning to Y/N)

"Come on. You need rest."

(He places a steady hand on her back and leads her toward her room. As they disappear down the hallway, Aera stands in the living room alone—broken, furious, and afraid she's losing everything.)

Next Morning  at Jungkook's Study room

(Jungkook is reviewing work emails when Min Aera walks in without knocking. Her face is cold, composed—but her eyes are sharp with urgency.)

[Min Aera]

"I've made up my mind."

[Jungkook] (looking up, calm)

"About what?"

[Min Aera]

"We're getting married. In two days."

(A beat. Jungkook sets his phone down slowly, watching her.)

[Jungkook]

"That's sudden."

[Min Aera] (voice tight)

"Is it? You and I have been engaged for months. It's time to put things in place before more distractions pull you away."

[Jungkook] (leaning back, studying her)

"This isn't about the wedding. It's about Y/N."

[Min Aera] (snaps)

"She's manipulating you. Just like she did with her father. And you—" (voice cracks slightly) "—you're letting her."

[Jungkook] (measured tone)

"I'm not letting her manipulate me. I'm protecting her because she's a child—one you've been hurting without realizing it."

[Min Aera] (bitter)

"She made you question me. Made you hesitate."

[Jungkook]

"No. You did that when you hit her in front of everyone."

[Min Aera] (desperate now)

"You want proof that I still matter to you? Then marry me. Two days. No delays."

(Jungkook looks at her long and hard. He says nothing for a moment.)

[Jungkook] (quietly)

"If I marry you out of guilt, we both lose. And Y/N loses even more."

[Min Aera]

"Are you saying no?"

[Jungkook]

"I'm saying think about why you're rushing this. If you want to marry me just to win, that's not love—it's fear."

(Aera's jaw clenches. She turns on her heel and storms out, her heels echoing sharply against the marble floor. Her face is blank now—but inside, she's spiraling.)

Later at Aera's Room

(Aera sits at her vanity, staring into the mirror. Her phone lies beside her, open on a wedding planner app. She slowly picks it up and dials someone.)

[Min Aera] (coldly)

"Yes, I need a venue and a full setup. Two days from now. No matter the cost."

(She hangs up, staring at her reflection, whispering to herself.)

[Min Aera]

"He was mine... and she's not taking him too."

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