𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒 [ Chapter - 9 ]

 

"Bound by Vows, Not by Love"

The bustling streets outside the mall were brimming with weekend energy. People walked with shopping bags, couples held hands, kids ran around laughing — and then there were them. Two people who looked like they’d rather walk into a battlefield than a bridal store together.

Jung Yn stepped out of the car, adjusting her sunglasses with a sharp tug, her face already irritated. Taehyung followed behind with his usual air of indifference, hands in pockets, jaw tight, like the mere idea of this shopping trip was an insult to his time.

Both entered the mall together, but not even once did they make eye contact.

Their eyes — filled with silent irritation — spoke volumes. No words. Just tension. Pure, raw, sarcastic tension.

As they entered the high-end bridal store, the soft scent of roses and expensive perfume hit them. The inside was dreamy — sparkling white gowns on display, dim golden lights glowing above, and a calm instrumental playing in the background.

A well-dressed staff member rushed toward them and bowed politely.

Staff: “Good morning, sir, ma’am. How can I help you today?”

Yn: sighs deeply “I need a wedding gown.”

Staff: smiles “Of course, ma’am. Please follow me. I’ll show you our latest designs — I’m sure they’ll suit you perfectly.”

Without waiting, Taehyung walked to the side and dropped himself onto the nearest plush chair. He pulled out his phone, eyes glued to the screen like he was watching the stock market crash. Not even a single glance at her.

Yn followed the staff toward a row of gowns. Her eyes scanned through the endless fabrics, textures, sparkles, and laces — but her mind? Oh, it was raging.

She mumbled under her breath, just loud enough.

Yn: “F*ck… crocodile. Sitting there like some wild bear who doesn’t even ask if I need help. Chamkadar jaisa muh lekar aaya hai aur attitude toh dekho.”*

The staff heard her — oh, she definitely did — but smiled professionally and pretended like nothing happened. She continued showing gowns.

Staff: “These are our latest arrivals, ma’am. Take your time and let me know if any of these feel like ‘the one.’”

Yn tried on gown after gown, each more expensive and extravagant than the last. But nothing felt right. Time ticked. Her frustration grew.

Taehyung finally looked up from his phone.

Taehyung: flatly “Done.”

Yn: frowns “What? I haven’t even picked one yet.”

Taehyung: “Hurry up.”

She rolled her eyes and turned away from him. Dresses. So many dresses. And then — her eyes landed on one she hadn’t seen before.

A breathtaking white gown, simple yet ethereal, with soft floral embroidery and a gentle shimmer under the lights.

Yn: soft gasp “This... why didn’t I see this one earlier?”

The staff’s eyes lit up.

Staff: “Ah, excellent choice, ma’am. This one is one of our premium designs — I’m sure it’ll suit you beautifully.”

Yn took it to the trial room.

Minutes later, she stepped out.

The moment she saw herself in the mirror, her eyes softened. She twirled slowly, the gown flowing like a dream. Her irritation melted just a little.

Yn: whispers to herself “Finally found the one that matches me...”

She glanced at Taehyung, who hadn’t even looked up.

Yn: “Useless panda.” “Kam se kam ek compliment to de deta. Kher chodo mein khudke liye hi kafi hu.”

Turning to the staff, she smiled confidently.

Yn: “This one’s final.”

She returned to the trial room, changed back, and came out with the dress neatly folded in the staff’s hands. She walked toward Taehyung, who still hadn’t said a word, and gave him a classic eye-roll.

Yn: dryly “Done.”

Taehyung: finally stands up “Okay.”

The staff walked over with the packed dress.

Staff: “Here you go, ma’am.”

Taehyung immediately reached into his pocket and handed over his card.

Yn: steps forward “Wait — I’ll pay. I have my own card.”

But before she could hand hers, Taehyung snatched it away and gave her a bored look while passing his card to the staff.

He handed her card back like it was some piece of trash she was bothering him with.

Yn: grits her teeth “Jerk. Crocodile. Bat-faced jerk. Hairy bear.”

He didn’t respond. Just turned and started walking toward the men’s section.

The atmosphere in the men's wedding suit store was more serious, colder — darker tones, sleek tuxedos, classic music. Taehyung moved straight to a corner where a suit hung on display, clearly pre-selected.

A staff member approached with a respectful nod.

Staff: “Here you go, sir. Your wedding suit.”

Yn’s eyes widened.

Yn: in disbelief “You already bought it?!”

Taehyung: expressionless “While you were taking hours choosing yours, I picked mine in five minutes.”

She threw him a death glare sharp enough to cut glass.

Wedding day

The ceremony hall was filled with the hum of whispers, the fluttering of fabric, and the occasional click of a camera. The guests stared with eager eyes, waiting for the moment to unfold. But Jung Yn? She felt like she was walking through a fog, her footsteps echoing with each step toward the altar.

She didn’t feel like a bride. She didn’t feel like the girl every woman dreamt of becoming on her wedding day. No. Jung Yn was only here because fate (or rather, her family) had decided for her. This wasn’t her choice.

She glanced at the mirror one last time before exiting her bridal room, her makeup perfectly done, her hair pinned just right. The delicate lace of her gown shimmered, but her expression? Cold. Impassive. As always.

A soft knock came on the door.

She didn’t turn.

“Come in,” she said, voice calm but emotionless.

Her father entered, eyes already misty. “You look beautiful,” he whispered, trying to smile through the bittersweet emotions.

Yn stood up slowly. “Thanks, Dad,” she said, forcing a half-smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She slipped her hand into his arm, and together, they walked toward the ceremony hall — two shadows moving through a celebration neither of them truly believed in.

She walked toward the hall, her eyes scanning the room, but not with the love of a woman about to marry. No, she was just checking off a list. One more thing to get through.

She reached the stage. There he stood. Taehyung. His posture was perfect, but his expression? Completely uninterested. He barely even looked at her when she arrived. 

His gaze flickered briefly to her, and the air between them was thick with tension — but neither of them cared.

He didn’t smile.

He didn’t flinch.

He didn’t even look at her properly.

When she reached the altar, her father gently placed her hand into Taehyung’s. For a split second, their fingers touched. Warm. Firm. Distant.

Taehyung didn’t say a word. Neither did she.

They turned, side by side, facing the priest. A perfect couple for the cameras. A perfect disaster for the truth.

Priest: "Do you, Taehyung, take Jung Yn as your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?"

Taehyung: (without emotion) "I do."

He said it flatly, almost bored. He wasn’t even looking at her. No spark, no connection, just the monotony of duty.

Priest: "And do you, Jung Yn, take Kim Taehyung as your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?"

Yn: (snorts) "I do."

Her voice was dripping with sarcasm, but she said it with such confidence, like she was signing a contract she had no intention of honoring.

The priest motioned toward the rings, and as expected, Taehyung took the ring with the same detached manner. He slid it onto her finger without even looking at her face.

Yn: “Same old. No change.”

She didn’t even blink. Just slipped her own ring onto his finger in the same robotic manner. This was all just a game. One they had to play.

Priest: "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

The guests leaned forward, waiting for the kiss. But there was no romantic buildup. No soft music. Just two people, standing there, like they were forced into this situation.

Yn & Taehyung: “No need.”

They said it in unison, their voices a perfect reflection of their shared indifference. The priest, caught off guard but trying to maintain the formality, stuttered, but the moment was already lost.

The guests exchanged confused glances, unsure of how to respond.

But Yn and Taehyung didn’t care. This wedding? Just another formality.

The priest cleared his throat awkwardly and motioned for them to move on, but neither of them seemed to be in any rush.

Taehyung and Yn locked eyes for a moment, a shared understanding of their situation passing between them. Neither of them wanted this, neither of them cared. But the show had to go on.

As the ceremony continued, they stood there — side by side, but miles apart.

The ceremony had just ended. Yn and Taehyung were still standing near the stage when suddenly…

Jungkook: (with a teasing smirk) “Ahem ahem… Looks like Mrs. Kim is already doubling the attitude level!”

Jimin: (chuckling) “And Taehyung! Dude, you’re standing like you just finished a board meeting, not a wedding!”

Hana: (hugging Yn) “Congrats, babe… but seriously, at least pretend to smile at each other—it won’t kill you.”

Sumi: (with mock drama) “What a match… one’s cold coffee, the other’s iced water!”

Everyone laughs. Jimin and Jungkook give Taehyung a quick bro hug while Hana and Sumi hug Yn tightly.

Sumi: (whispers to Yn) “Your eyes say everything… but stay strong, okay?”

Yn gives a faint smile… but deep inside, her chest aches. She wants to break down, to scream, to run away from all this—but she doesn’t. Not here. Not now. She keeps it all in, her throat tight, her eyes burning.

The laughter around her fades into a blur. This dress may be beautiful, but it feels like a cage.

Just then, Mr. Jung walks in, misty-eyed, yet wearing a bittersweet smile.

Mr. Jung: (stepping close to Taehyung) “Taehyung… my daughter is a little stubborn, a little moody… but her heart is pure. Please… take care of her.”

Taehyung gives a small, respectful nod—expression unreadable.

Yn’s eyes lower to the floor. Her father's voice nearly breaks her. Her throat tightens. She wants to cry so badly, but somehow… she holds it in.

Then Mrs. Jung walks over, gently hugging Yn, whispering softly.

Mrs. Jung: “You’ll be okay, my baby… You’re stronger than you think.”

Then, Nari walks over with J-Hope beside her.

Nari: (gently hugging Yn) “You’ve got us, always. Okay?”

Yn nods, trying to smile. Then J-Hope steps in, hugging her tightly like only a brother can. He doesn’t say much — just rests his chin lightly on her head.

Then, he walks over to Taehyung, a small smile playing on his lips.

J hope: “Take care.”

Taehyung (nodding): “I will.” 

J-Hope narrows his eyes… then smirks.

J-Hope: “Actually… take care of yourself. You never know what prank she’ll pull next.”

Everyone bursts into laughter while Taehyung just shakes his head, a small sigh escaping his lips.

Taehyung: “Can’t argue with that.”

Just then, Jin and his wife Soojin step forward, looking regal and relaxed.]

Jin: (grinning) “You both looked… tolerable together. That’s a good start.”

Soojin: (smiling kindly) “You’ll both be fine. You just don’t know it yet.”

She gives Yn a brief, affectionate hug, while Jin throws an arm around Taehyung’s shoulder, whispering something that makes him roll his eyes with a hint of amusement.

In the end, both families said goodbye to each other and went to their homes.

******

"I hope you like it"

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