𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐋 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒│𝐉𝐉𝐊

t h r e e

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

In the hushed atmosphere of the kitchen, my mother's words hung heavy in the air. "Your dad had called. He said he wanted to talk," she uttered, her focus unwavering on the carrot she chopped.

Leaning against the worn kitchen counter, a frown etching across my face. "When?" I asked.

Her gaze met mine, her eyes reflecting her struggles "When you were away at college," she replied, and my face turned into a silent 'O'.

The revelation landed with a heavy thud as she delivered the painful truth, "He is asking for a divorce," her lips forming a straight line.

A sinking feeling gripped my stomach, though I knew this day was not far. His constant absence, the excuse of work, my mom's suspicions-it all pointed to one solution.

Divorce.

A heavy sigh escaped me, and I asked, "What did you say then?"

"I told him that I needed some time," she admitted, her voice carrying the weight of decisions.

"Do you need him?", she asked.

"You tell me, Do you need him?" I asked as she set aside a plate of vegetables.

Her tired gaze met mine. "Honestly, no. He's never there for us when we need him. The excuse of work has worn thin. I always suspected he was cheating. And it turns out, he was," she confessed, stirring the bubbling vegetables in the pan.

Turning away, I faced the kitchen's faded wallpaper. "You don't have to worry about my opinion. You deserve better," I declared, my back turned as I grappled with the weight of my words.

In an unexpected gesture, my mother turned me around, pulling me into a desperate hug. Tears welled in her eyes, and her voice cracked as she cried, "What did I do to deserve this?"

I patted her back, a futile attempt to console, "Mom, everything will be fine in the end. Trust me," I offered, trying to swallow the lump in my throat.

Breaking free from the embrace, my mother wiped away her tears with a bitter smile. "Now go study. I'll call you when dinner is ready," she instructed, hiding her pain.

With a faint 'okay,' I rushed to my room, closing the door behind me. Unable to contain the flood of emotions, I crumbled against the wooden surface, my cries muffled by a hand pressed tightly against my mouth. My family that was bound with delicate strings was now finally falling apart.

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

In the dimly lit room, Jungkook sat in his room on the edge of the bed, his fingers dancing effortlessly across the strings of the guitar in his lap. The room echoed with the soulful melody that was like an escape to him from the outside pressures.

As his fingers moved gracefully, he couldn't help but think of his dream. In his mind, he envisioned a riverbank where a couple found solace in each other's arms.

The door creaked open, revealing Jungkook's father whose stern gaze fell upon the scene before him. The air seemed to thicken as their eyes met, the guitar's melody momentarily disrupted.

"You should be doing something productive. Stop wasting your time in the things that are no use of yours. You are the heir of Jeon Corp. Do you even understand me?" his father began, a heavy undertone of disappointment in his voice.

Without looking up, Jungkook continued to play, his fingers still moving "Dad, there's more to life than Jeon Corp. I have my own dreams," he replied.

His father's expression tightened, frustration evident in the lines on his forehead. "Jeon Corp is not just a company; it's our legacy and your duty is to carry that forward."

Seeing Jungkook's stern gaze on the guitar, his father sighed.

"I want what's best for you, Jungkook. Jeon Corp isn't just about me; it's about our family's future," his father softened, attempting to bridge the gap between generations.

Jungkook finally looked up, his eyes holding a mix of determination and yearning. "I understand, Dad, but I need some time for myself.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ"