Jungkook stepped into his house, the familiar scent of home greeting him. His day had been long, and he couldn't shake the usual frustration from his phone call attempts to Taehyung, which were never answered. It had been over a year since they last had a proper conversation. All they did now was leave brief messages or communicate through Taehyung's secretary. They lived under the same roof, but something had changed, and the distance between them felt almost impossible to bridge.
He made his way to his room to freshen up, glancing at the clock on the wall. After a quick change into his daily wear, he walked downstairs.
"Daddy!"
Jiwon ran toward him, his face lighting up with a big smile. Jungkook grinned and caught him in his arms, planting a kiss on his little cheek.
"How was your day, baby?" Jungkook asked, holding him close.
Jiwon pouted slightly, but the mischievous spark in his eyes never faded.
"I won the competition but didn't break the record," he said dramatically. "So I'm thinking of changing my schedule until next month to make sure I do better next time." He quickly set his bag down and then climbed onto the sofa like an old man deep in thought about improving his business strategy. Jungkook couldn't help but laugh.
"Where's your dad?" Jungkook asked, looking around the room for any sign of Taehyung.
"I think he's busy with work," Jiwon replied, his little hands pouring himself a glass of water. "Secretary uncle picked me up today."
He handed the glass to Jungkook with a proud, innocent smile. Jungkook's heart softened as he took the glass, watching the boy's adorable eyes sparkle.
"Don't worry, daddy," Jiwon said, his voice full of confidence. "Appa didn't forget Grandma's birthday. We even picked a gift together last time on a date."
Jungkook's lips curled into a smile. Jiwon was only six, but he acted like he knew the world. He was mature beyond his years, but still retained the innocence and charm of a child. Jungkook felt at peace whenever he was with him, even though the world around them seemed complicated and broken.
Jiwon's words took him back to the painful memories of the past. When Jiwon was only a year old, his parents had tragically died in an accident. Taehyung had operated on Jiwon's mom a few years earlier, and that's how they knew each other. When Jiwon's mom passed, Taehyung had rushed to help, but the situation was grim. Jiwon's aunt had taken him in but didn't care for him properly. Eventually, Jiwon was placed in an orphanage. At that moment, Taehyung had been determined to do whatever it took to ensure Jiwon was cared for.
It was only when Jungkook found Jiwon, just a baby in his arms, that things began to shift. After legally adopting him, Jungkook had cut ties with everyone related to Jiwon's past, including Taehyung, even though the latter had tried to help from the start. It was a painful decision, but one that ultimately created a new family—just the three of them.
"Should we get ready then?" Jiwon asked, his eyes twinkling as he winked at Jungkook.
Jungkook chuckled at the sight of his son, so full of life and energy. He scooped Jiwon up into his arms and headed toward their bedroom, feeling an overwhelming sense of love for the little boy who had changed everything.
...
The evening wore on as Jiwon sat at the living room table, focused on his homework. Jungkook sat nearby, glancing occasionally at his phone, still hoping for a message or call from Taehyung. It was becoming a routine—waiting for him, hoping to hear something that might break the silence between them.
"Should I cook something for you while you wait for Dad?" Jungkook asked, but before Jiwon could respond, his phone rang.
"Jungkook, come fast. Mom's here," Jimin's voice came through, urgency in his tone.
"Okay," Jungkook replied, hanging up quickly. He turned to Jiwon, who had been sitting in thought, looking up now with a mischievous grin.
"Do you want to go with me first? I'll be your date until Dad comes," Jiwon offered, standing up and straightening his shirt with exaggerated care, trying to look like a little adult.
Jungkook smiled, amused at how hard Jiwon was trying to be grown-up.
"Let's get the gift then," Jungkook said, his voice warm.
Jiwon ran to his room, eager to get the gift ready for his grandmother. Jungkook, meanwhile, pulled out his phone and dialed Taehyung once more, hoping that maybe, just maybe, this time Taehyung would pick up. But once again, there was no answer. Jungkook sent a text: Tae, are you coming?
As he waited, Jiwon appeared, proudly holding a gift in his hands.
Together, they walked toward the main house, where the birthday celebration for Mrs. Jeon was taking place. When they entered, Jungkook took in the sight of the room: Namjoon was there with his fiancé, Jin, whom he was about to marry. J-Hope was with his long-term girlfriend, and Jimin and Yoongi were sitting together with their dates. Every parent was there with their partner, while Jungkook stood alone.
Jiwon, noticing his father's loneliness, gently took his hand.
"Let's go, Daddy," Jiwon said, his voice soft as he led him toward the dining table.
"Happy birthday, Grandma," Jiwon said, beaming as he hugged Mrs. Jeon, who immediately scooped him into her arms, showering him with kisses on his cheeks and forehead.
"I think I'll forgive you this time, since it's your birthday," Jiwon said, his face now dotted with lipstick prints, which caused everyone to laugh.
Jiwon handed over the gift he'd picked out with Jungkook, proudly announcing, "I picked this with Dad on my last date. Hope you like it!" Mrs. Jeon's eyes lit up as she saw the item—it had just been released, and she hadn't been able to get her hands on it.
"Oh, how sweet. I couldn't get it because it was out of stock and I forgot to pre-order. Thank you, baby!" Mrs. Jeon exclaimed, her voice filled with gratitude.
Jiwon, noticing that his dad was still a little off, gestured for Jungkook to come closer. Jungkook walked over, and Jiwon then handed her another gift, this time from Jungkook.
"And this is Dad's gift. I think he'll be missing today," Jiwon added with a small, thoughtful smile.
Mrs. Jeon unwrapped the gift, revealing a stunning diamond necklace. Her face brightened even more. "This is the second gift your dad's bought me. He already called me an hour ago. It's okay," she said, nodding at Jungkook with understanding. As she admired the necklace, she called over her husband to put it on her.
"You look so beautiful, Grandma," Jiwon said with a grin. "Should I compete with Grandpa?"
"You little punk, come here," Mr. Jeon laughed, pulling Jiwon into a tight hug.
"You've already won against him," Mrs. Jeon teased, making everyone at the table burst into laughter.
"Let's eat, then," Jungkook's grandpa said, walking in with the last dish of the night, signaling that dinner was ready.
As everyone settled into their seats, Jungkook's mind couldn't help but linger on everything that had happened earlier—his lack of connection with Taehyung, the overwhelming weight of the evening, and the absence of his partner's presence.
The night continued, filled with chatter and laughter as the food was devoured, but Jungkook's thoughts remained distant. After some time, Jiwon fell asleep on the sofa, and Jungkook carefully scooped him up, carrying him toward their home. He noticed that Taehyung's room was still lit up as they passed, but there was no sign of him yet.
Once inside, Jungkook placed Jiwon gently in bed and began washing up. As he finished, he walked out, only to see Taehyung sitting on the bed with a book, his usual calm demeanor still present, even in the awkward silence between them.
Jungkook stepped into the wardrobe room to change into his pajamas, but Taehyung followed him inside.
"What do you want this time?" Jungkook asked, his voice laced with frustration.
"I—I…" Taehyung stammered, but Jungkook cut him off.
"I'm going to take the position Grandpa mentioned," Jungkook said, his tone resolute. "Get ready to take over my position."
"Oh…" Taehyung muttered, unsure of how to respond.
"Don't worry, we'll still have an agreement with Choi Company. I'll ask my secretary to send you the drafted contract," Jungkook continued, not looking at Taehyung.
Taehyung stood silently, and Jungkook glanced back at him. "Do you have something to say?"
"I was just going to…" Taehyung started again, but his phone rang, cutting him off. Jungkook, already irritated, walked out of the room.
"Hello?" Taehyung answered, his voice edged with frustration. "Chairman's calling you to his meeting room," the secretary said on the other end.
"Okay, I'll be there in a minute." Taehyung hung up and looked back at Jungkook. "Ah, wait, can you go to Jungkook's room and call him? He's not answering his phone."
"Okay," Taehyung replied, walking toward Jungkook's room.
"Grandpa wants to see us," Taehyung said as he entered, making Jungkook nod. Taehyung, noticing Jungkook's attire, walked into his closet, removed his pajamas, and slipped into Jungkook's clothes.
Jungkook watched him, a bit puzzled by the sudden change.
"Let's go," Jungkook said, picking up his mobile and heading toward the chairman's office, his mind still heavy with the tension of the evening.
…
"Get in," the Chairman's voice echoed, sharp and commanding as Jungkook and Taehyung stepped into the room. The air was tense, filled with unspoken questions. The Chairman sat at the head of the room, his face serious, with Jungkook's dad standing beside him, his secretary holding a tablet in hand.
"Is there a problem?" Jungkook asked immediately, his voice tight, his chest heavy with the brewing storm.
Without answering, the Chairman tossed a stack of photos onto the table, the sound of paper rustling in the silence.
Jungkook took a seat, followed by Taehyung, his gaze moving to the photos spread out in front of him. His frown deepened as he looked at one particular image—there she was again, the woman. He grabbed the photo, his fingers trembling slightly as he stared at it, trying to make sense of it all.
The Chairman's secretary, standing off to the side, switched on the television, and the screen lit up with news coverage, the headline flashing across the screen: Jungkook and Taehyung in Trouble: Divorce Rumors and Taehyung Seeking Divorce Lawyer.
The news outlet showed photos of Taehyung, leaving their home late at night, looking distant and cold.
"Forget it, stop that now. I don't even want to hear it," the Chairman snapped, his anger rising as he pointed at the screen. Mr. Jeon quickly turned off the TV, the room falling into an even heavier silence.
"Taehyung, what really happened between you and Jungkook?" the Chairman's voice softened, though the disappointment was still clear. "It's okay for married couples to argue, but three years is too long. Why are you even going out like this?"
Jungkook's heart pounded in his chest, the weight of the conversation suffocating him. His gaze shifted to Taehyung, who looked just as lost as he felt.
"Taehyung, do you want to divorce Jungkook?" Mr. Jeon asked, his voice quiet yet firm. "If that's the case, please inform us in advance. We need to prepare. We won't make a problem for you. It's okay to divorce, though it might hurt Jungkook and all of us. We'll always support your decision, as hard as it might be."
Taehyung opened his mouth, but before he could respond, Jungkook cut him off, his voice colder than he intended.
"We will get divorced, Dad," Jungkook said as he stood up, his heart shattering with each word. The weight of it all settled over him like a dark cloud. "But let us first talk, and I'll tell the PR team to remove the news."
Taehyung's eyes widened in disbelief. "Jungkook!" he called out, but his voice sounded lost, like it was coming from a distance.
"We already contacted the PR team. They're on it," the Chairman added, as though to reassure him.
Jungkook nodded, barely registering the words. "Okay. Then I'll take a leave for today. I'm not feeling well." His voice was strained, almost mechanical. He bowed deeply, his back stiff as he looked up one last time. "I'll handle it."
"Okay, go and rest. We'll take care of it," Jungkook's dad said, his tone softening as he turned his attention back to the Chairman.
Without another word, Jungkook left the room, leaving Taehyung behind, still standing there, his expression unreadable.
Jungkook's mind was numb as he walked back to their house, the photo still clutched tightly in his hand. His legs felt like lead, the weight of everything crashing down on him. As soon as he entered their home, the tears started to fall. His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the floor, the picture still pressed against his chest.
The betrayal felt like a wound, deep and raw. Everything—the memories with Taehyung, the love, the bond they once shared—felt like it had been shattered in an instant. How could everything they had built crumble so easily? How could Taehyung, the man he had trusted most, betray him like this? The thought of the woman, the lies, the secrets, it all tangled together in his mind like a cruel joke.
He heard Taehyung approaching their home, the sound of footsteps growing closer. Jungkook quickly wiped his tears, forcing himself to stand. The weight of it all was unbearable, but he had to keep it together. He couldn't let Taehyung see him like this.
Jungkook walked toward their bedroom, his hands shaking as he opened the door. He quickly locked himself in the bathroom, turning on the shower to drown out the sound of his thoughts. The hot water poured down over him, but it did nothing to wash away the pain. He stood there, staring blankly at the wall, letting the water run, as his mind spiraled out of control.
The world felt like it was crashing around him, and no matter how much he tried to hold it together, it was slipping through his fingers..