𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒 [ Chapter - 7 ]

 

"Bound by Fate, Not by Choice"

The sun had barely risen when the soft chirping of birds filled the air, casting golden hues over the city of Seoul. The roads were still half asleep, wrapped in silence and morning fog. Inside a luxurious mansion, maids moved swiftly, setting up the dining room for a special dinner. The Jung and Kim families had decided to meet at "The Royal Bloom," a grand restaurant that sparkled with elegance and class.

By 7:30 p.m., everyone had gathered. Both families took their seats at the long, polished wooden table lit by majestic chandeliers. Laughter floated through the air, soft music played in the background, and the clinking of glasses added charm to the evening.

But two people were still missing.

Just then, the door opened.

Taehyung walked in from the left side, hands in his pockets, wearing a black suit that screamed elegance and rebellion at once. From the right, Yn stepped in, her heels clicking against the marble floor, her wine-red dress hugging her curves gracefully. Her eyes locked with his.

Taehyung: (eyes widening, voice low) "You...?"

Yn: (freezing in her tracks, blinking in shock) "What the hell...?"

The sudden tension caught everyone's attention.

Mrs. Kim: (raising an eyebrow) "Do you both... know each other?"

Mr. Jung: (curious, sipping his wine) "Yeah, you look like you’ve seen a ghost."

Yn: (quickly looking away) "No. Just... seen him around."

Taehyung: (smirking) "Yeah. Just around."

The tension simmered under the surface as everyone resumed dinner. Dishes were passed, and polite conversation filled the awkward gaps.

Halfway through the meal, Mr. Kim placed his glass down and cleared his throat.

Mr. Kim: (serious tone) "Taehyung. Yn. We have something important to share."

Mr. Jung: (softly smiling) "This dinner... it’s not just about family bonding. It’s to celebrate something special."

Taehyung and Yn glanced at each other, brows furrowed.

Mr. Kim: (slowly, choosing words carefully) "You both... are getting married."

The words echoed in the hall like a slap.

Yn: (eyes wide) "WHAT?!"

Taehyung: (slamming his hand on the table) "Are you kidding me?!"

The sound of his palm hitting the wooden table shocked everyone into silence. Dishes clinked. Glasses trembled.

Yn: (standing up, voice cracking) "How could you fix my marriage without asking me?!"

Taehyung: (furious, eyes blazing) "You didn’t even think to tell me?!"

Without another word, they both stormed off in opposite directions.

Yn rushed outside, her heels clicking faster with every step. Her family followed her, concerned. J-Hope was the first to reach her.

Yn: (tears brimming in her eyes) "How could you?! How could you all decide this without even asking me?!"

Mr. Jung: (guilt written on his face) "Princess... I know I’ve hurt you. But Mr. Kim's family is good. You’ll be happy there."

J-Hope: (angrily) "You’ll be happy?! Appa, with all due respect, are you even listening to yourself?! This isn’t some business deal. It’s her life."

Mrs. Jung: (calmly, yet concerned) "Hoseok. Don’t talk like that. Your appa wants what’s best for her."

Yn: (voice trembling) "Maybe. But what about what I want?"

Mrs. jung: “Sweetheart… we would never force you. But… this is something our hearts have been set on, since the day you were born. You're the only who can say yes or no.”

Mr. jung signed, his voice filled with honestly.

Mr. jung: “We just want you to think about it - not as an oblication, but as fate maybe?”

Yn’s fingers tightened slightly. She looked up, eyes flicking between her mom, dad and then her brother. Her voice was low.

Yn: “ It just feel so sudden… so unreal. Getting married to him? After everything?”

J-Hope: (a little too quickly) Exectly! I maen, did anyone even think to ask if she's okay with marrying that arrogant–”

Mrs. jung: “Hobi.” (gently) “Let her speak.”

Yn looked down at her lap for a log moment. Then finally, in a small but clear voice, she whispered…

Yn: “If really makes you all happy then okay. I'll do it.”

Silence again. Then mrs. jung’s eyes filled with tears as she pulled her daughter into a hug.

Mrs jung: Thank you, baby. You don't konw how much this means to use…”

Jhope run a hand through his hair in frustration but didn't say more. His heart ached for his little sister. but he could see she wasn’t being forced – just… carried by love. 

Meanwhile, on the other side of the restaurant, Taehyung paced angrily in the hallway.

Taehyung: (yelling) "Oppa, is this what my life is? Just a deal to be decided behind my back?!"

Jin: (trying to calm him) "Taehyung, listen—"

Taehyung: (cutting him off) "No! I won’t! They don’t have the right to do this!"

Just then, Mrs. Kim, Soojin, and Jin tried to hold him back. Grandmother was about to follow, but Mr. Kim grabbed her wrist.

Grandmother: (fierce glare) "Let go. I told you not to do this. I told you years ago!"

Mr. Kim: (pleading) "Eomma... you’re the only one who can talk to him. Please."

Grandmother: (voice filled with pain) "Don’t ask me. I was always against this. Ever since you fixed his marriage to that spoiled girl in childhood."

Mr. Kim: (defensive) "How can you say that?! She’s not spoiled. And Mr. Jung is my oldest friend—"

Grandmother: (voice cracking) "And I don’t care. I won’t help you."

Mr. Kim: (with pleading eyes) Please, eomma... if not for me, then at least for her. She doesn’t deserve this.

Grandmother: (softening, after a pause) Fine... But only because of her.

She pulled her hand away and slowly walked toward Taehyung, her eyes soft now, filled with tears.

Grandmother: "Taehyung, I know you're hurt... but believe me, your father would never make a wrong decision for you. Please, just say yes to this marriage..."

Taehyung: (with a heavy heart, eyes filled with disbelief) "You too, Grandma?"

He turns away, starting to walk off. But just then, his grandmother calls out to him from behind, her voice trembling with emotion.

Grandmother: (yelling) "Taehyung-ah... I know you’re hurt. But this decision... it wasn’t just your father's."

Taehyung froze.

Taehyung: (confused, voice weak) "What... do you mean?"

Grandmother: (a tear escaping) "It was her decision too."

His eyes widened. He turned around slowly, eyes glossy.

Grandmother: (whispering) "If you don’t care about your father’s wishes... at least care about hers. Do this for her."

He stood frozen for a long moment. Then slowly, he nodded.

Taehyung: (voice cracking) "Okay."

Back inside, both families returned to the table.

Mr. Kim and Mr. Jung looked at each other and smiled.

Mrs. Kim: (softly) "Let’s give the kids a moment to talk."

They all nodded. Taehyung and Yn stood up and walked out together in silence. The air was thick with tension.

Taehyung: (quietly) "Why are you agreeing to this marriage?"

Yn: (voice heavy) "Because I love my appa. I can’t bear to see him ashamed."

She looked away, blinking tears.

Yn: (turning to him) "Why did you agree?"

Taehyung: (after a pause) "Because of one person."

Yn: “who?”

Teahyung: “It dosen’t matter.”

They stood in silence again. Then Taehyung took a breath.

Taehyung: (calmly) "We can’t change the past now. But... we can still make a decision."

Yn: (looking at him) "What decision?"

Taehyung: (firmly) "A contract."

Yn: (confused) "Contract?"

Taehyung: "Yes. We'll get married. But we won't interfere in each other’s lives. No expectation. No romance. We'll be strangers under the same roof. I'll devide the room. And most importantaly–don’t expect anything from me.”

Yn: (coldly) "Good. Because I won’t either. I’m fine with the contract. We’ll stay enemies. Forever."

They both nodded. Cold. Broken. But decided.

Returning to the table, both said in unison:

Taehyung & Yn: "We accept."

Mr. Kim and Mr. Jung stood and hugged each other. Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Jung followed. Grandmother sat still, her expression unreadable. J-Hope looked away in anger. Jin sighed deeply.

Mrs. Kim: (smiling) "The wedding will be next week."

Taehyung & Yn: "WHAT?!"

J-Hope: "But why so soon? Why this sudden rush for the wedding?"

His brows furrowed with concern as he looked towards the elders, confusion evident in his voice.

Jin: "Exactly. At least give them some time to know each other... to adjust."

He spoke calmly but firmly, supporting J-Hope’s concern.

Mr. Jung looked Teahyung and yn with a gentle yet serious gaze.

Mr. Jung: "I understand how you both must be feeling right now... but the date set for your wedding was decided long ago—back when you two were just kids. That same date is coming up next week… and we want you both to get married on that very day, just like we had dreamed."

His eyes softened with old memories as he looked at Taehyung and Yn.

J-Hope: "But—"

Mrs. Jung: (gently placing her hand on his arm) "J-Hope, please."

J-Hope went silent, frustration clear in his eyes. He folded his arms and leaned back into the chair, still processing everything.

Mr. Kim stepped forward, his gaze shifting between Taehyung and Yn.

Mr. Kim: (firm yet considerate) "Do either of you have any objection... to getting married next week?"

There was silence for a brief moment.

Taehyung looked at Yn. Yn looked back. Their eyes locked, unreadable expressions crossing their faces. Neither said a word, but the shared silence said enough.

After a few seconds, both nodded slowly.

A soft smile formed on Mr. Kim and Mr. Jung’s faces as relief washed over them.

Time skip - (yn's house)

The sky outside had turned a pale grey, like it was mourning with her.

Yn stood quietly by the large window, her arms wrapped around herself as if trying to hold the shattered pieces of her heart together. The soft breeze played with the loose strands of her hair, gently lifting them before letting them fall over her tear-streaked cheeks. Her eyes—swollen, red, and glassy—looked down at the world as if it was slipping away from her grasp.

Her lips quivered, and she took a deep, shaky breath.

What am I supposed to do?

How am I supposed to walk this path when everything feels so wrong… yet so right for them?

She clenched the fabric of her dress near her chest, trying to control the ache in her heart.

Just then, the door creaked open. The sound was soft, hesitant.

J-hope stepped inside slowly, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on his little sister. His footsteps came to a halt when he saw her like that—broken, still, lost.

He took a deep breath and walked closer, circling around to face her, but she didn’t even lift her head.

His voice was quiet, yet filled with concern.

J-hope: “You made the list?”

(He showed her the screen of his phone—filled with checklist points, names, plans… everything about the wedding.)

Yn didn’t respond. Her lips parted, but no words came out. Only silence.

He stared at her puffy eyes, the way her hands trembled slightly. His heart ached seeing her like this.

J-hope gently placed his palm on her arm, voice dropping to a soft, brotherly whisper.

J-hope: “I knew it… I told them… we shouldn’t be doing this. I told them you didn’t want this marriage.”

(He exhaled heavily, turning his head away slightly in guilt.)

J-hope: “Even now… you’re not happy. This marriage… it’s not right for you. And if it’s not right for you, I don’t want it either. You mean more to me than any stupid promise, Yn.”

(He turned to walk away, his hand slipping from her arm.)

But just before he could take another step, Yn reached out and grabbed his wrist, her voice cracking mid-sentence—

Yn: “No… Oppa… please… don’t walk away.”

She finally looked up at him, eyes glistening like glass, voice trembling but firm.

Yn: “Just tell me one thing. Have Appa… ever asked us for anything?”

(She stepped closer, holding his gaze.)

Yn: “Ever once… has he demanded something for himself? He gave up everything for us… his dreams, his comforts, his peace… he never made us feel like we were less, even when he had nothing.”

Yn choked up, tears slipping down again.

Yn: “He made us capable… strong… he gave us a life where we could fly. And now… the only thing he asked us for… one thing… and we’re going to say no?”

(She shook her head, lips trembling.)

Yn: “He made a promise, oppa. Years ago. He trusted Mr. Kim… and if he breaks it now, do you know what that would mean for him? His respect… his pride… it would shatter him. And I can’t let that happen. I won’t.”

(She stepped back, looking down for a moment before whispering—)

Yn: “If he hadn’t made that promise, I would’ve said no too. But he did… and now, I can’t turn away.”

J-hope looked at her, stunned, his throat tightening. His hands slowly curled into fists, then relaxed. He stepped forward, placing both hands on her shoulders gently.

J-hope: “You’re right… damn it, you’re right.”

(He gave a half-smile, eyes misty.)

J-hope: “We can’t be selfish. Not after everything they’ve done. Alright. I’ll support this… I’ll support you.”

(He exhaled slowly, finally looking at her with a soft nod.)

Yn’s lips quivered into a small, grateful smile. She blinked away her tears, her shoulders still shaking slightly.

J-hope gently touched her hair and gave her a tight nod.

J-hope: “All I want is for you to be happy, Yn. You and Taehyung… I pray you both find that happiness. Even if it takes time, even if it starts with pain.”

(He gave her one last look, eyes filled with both love and worry… and then walked out of the room.)

The silence returned, but this time, it was filled with something heavier—acceptance.

(Scene: Taehyung's room)

Taehyung walked into his room, feeling the weight of the day's events pressing on him. His mind was in turmoil, but there was something he always turned to in times like these. The small box tucked away in the corner of his closet, a place where he kept things he could never fully let go of. He opened the box carefully and pulled out a photograph 

He sat down on the bed, the photo in his hands. His gaze softened as he studied the image, his fingers lightly brushing the edges of the photo. The familiar ache in his chest surged as he thought back to everything that had led him here.

Taehyung: (softly, almost to himself) "Why did you make this decision? Why did you choose this for me? If you had to decide, then... I’ll respect it. I understand... you thought this was best for me."

He sighed, placing the photo gently back in the box. His mind was flooded with memories of conversations long ago — conversations he never fully understood. The decisions made for him, the future that had been planned before he even had a say in it.

He paused, his jaw clenched as he stared at the photo once more, his heart conflicted. The silence in the room felt heavy, as if the very air was pressing him to accept it.

Taehyung: (whispering, with a hint of resignation) "Maybe... maybe this is how it was meant to be. If this is what you wanted, then I’ll honor it. Maybe this is my destiny after all... Even if I never wanted it, I have to respect what you decided for me."

He closed the box slowly, the finality of his acceptance settling in his chest. There was no turning back now.

Taehyung: (looking at his reflection in the mirror, his expression softening) "I didn’t choose this... but I’ll make it work. For you. For the ones I love. I’ll respect your wishes, even if it means giving up my own."

With a heavy heart, Taehyung stood up, feeling the weight of the decision settle on his shoulders, but a new determination was beginning to form within him. He had made his peace with it. Maybe fate had its own plan.

******

"I hope you like it"

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