Recalling Affection

Chapter 22

“I wasn’t expecting them to. Just make it ready.”

And with that, he cut the call, throwing the phone onto the passenger seat.

Saga blinked slowly with her trembling body by his ragious roar to Mr. Lee, her vision became hazy—not from illness, but from emotion. Her chest tightened, and for a moment, she forgot the pain, the fear, the weight of her condition. She could feel it—his love—wrapping around her like armor. He was risking everything for her.

And even in her fragmented mind, one truth stood clear: She had chosen right. Despite everything falling apart inside her, in that second, she felt whole—loved, safe, and proud to be his.

Saga sat up slowly, reaching forward, her hand lightly brushing Jungkook’s shoulder. “Kookie… you shouldn’t fight with your company because of me.”

Jungkook met her eyes in the rearview mirror, and something in his chest cracked open at the fear and guilt clouding her gaze.

“I’d fight the entire damn universe for you,” he said, voice low and rough. “Nothing… no one comes before you, Sparkle. Not my career. Not the media. Not even myself.”

She blinked rapidly, her heart thundering in her chest for him. She can bear everything but his downfall or failure because of her. No, she cat accept it.“But what if—”

“No what-ifs,” he interrupted gently, knowing what she was trying to say or make him do. “You’re my priority. You always have been. You always will be.”

Saga blinked, her eyes wide with concern and thinking further consequences, tried once again,“But your—your fans, your—”

He interrupted, his voice gentle now. “None of them matter if you’re not okay. I’m not Jungkook, the idol, when I’m with you. I’m just… Kookie. Your Kookie.”

From beside her, Jimin turned his face away to window, blinking back the sting behind his eyes. His lips were pressed tightly, his fists curled in his lap. It hurt—God, it hurt—to see the girl he loved like his own world being someone else’s world. He had always loved Saga quietly—silently with his whole heart and soul. She was the real Princess of his heart. And watching her smile because of another man… it shattered him. He wanted to be the only reason for her smile, but destiny choose something else. Yet, there was no bitterness in his eyes—only the ache of acceptance.
At least she was happy.
At least she had someone who’d burn the world down for her.
But even more than that... it healed something too.
Because she deserved to be someone’s world.

And Jungkook...He was capable and giving her that.

So Jimin swallowed his pain and offered a soft, genuine smile. “He’s right, you know,” he murmured. “For once, the idiot’s doing something right.”

Saga giggled softly, the tension easing from her frame. This made his heart a lil relieved from all the pain. She was his only cure, and he was willingly giving his only cure staying himself wounded. As for him, for his love ,for his Princess, her cure was Jungkook.

By the time they pulled up to Jungkook’s private apartment, night had already fallen. The building loomed quietly under the glow of golden lights, the city bustling far below them. As Jungkook indicated Jimin to open the door as was Saga clunging to his arm for support, her energy low.

“Careful, Sparkle.” he murmured, steadying her.

Jimin opened the door fully, stepping aside to let them in—and Saga stopped dead in her tracks. Her breath hitched seeing the view.

The apartment had transformed into a cozy haven—soft cream and pastel colors filled the space, warm lights glowing from dimmable chandeliers and corner lamps. The living room was adorned with fluffy throws, a reading nook in the corner surrounded by her favorite books, and a wall filled with polaroids—photos of her, the boys, sunsets, ice creams, messy hair, sleepy mornings.