Isabella paused outside the door of Jungkook’s study, her hand hovering over the doorknob. For the first time in a long time, she felt something she rarely allowed herself to feel—vulnerability. Her mind was spinning with everything that had happened, her emotions raw and exposed in ways she hadn’t anticipated. Jungkook had done what she couldn’t. He had brought Ariana back.

Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob and pushed the door open. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a desk lamp casting long shadows across the space. Jungkook sat at his desk, papers strewn around him, his attention focused on the files he was reading. He didn’t look up when she entered, his concentration deep, but she could sense he was aware of her presence.

Without saying a word, Isabella crossed the room and stood beside his chair. Her heart was pounding, her chest tight with the emotions she had kept bottled up for too long. She didn’t know how to say what she was feeling, how to express the gratitude, the relief, the fear that had consumed her ever since Ariana had been taken.

Jungkook finally looked up, his eyes meeting hers. There was a flicker of surprise in his gaze, but it quickly softened as he noticed the look on her face—the look of someone who had been through hell and back and was still standing, but only just.

"Isabella," he said softly, his voice carrying a note of concern. "Is everything okay?"

For a moment, she couldn’t speak. The weight of everything—the missions, the danger, the fear of losing the only family she had left—was too much. Without thinking, she moved toward him, her movements uncharacteristically hesitant. And then, before she could second-guess herself, she wrapped her arms around him.

Jungkook froze for a moment, taken aback by the sudden gesture. Isabella was never this open, never this vulnerable. She had always been a force of nature, unbreakable, untouchable. But now, in this quiet moment, she was letting her walls down.

He didn’t hesitate after that. Jungkook wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, his chin resting on top of her head. He could feel the tension in her body, the way she clung to him as if she needed the contact to ground herself. It was strange, this shift between them, but it wasn’t unwelcome. He had always known there was more to Isabella than the deadly, ruthless mafia queen she presented to the world. And now, she was showing him that side of her—the part she kept hidden from everyone else.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Thank you for bringing Ariana back."

Jungkook’s grip tightened around her. He didn’t need to say anything; she could feel his understanding in the way he held her, in the way he allowed her to lean on him without judgment or expectation. For someone like Isabella, someone who had always relied on her own strength, this moment of vulnerability was monumental. And Jungkook understood that.

"You don’t have to thank me," he said quietly, his voice soothing. "I promised you I’d bring her back, and I did. She’s safe now."

Isabella pulled back slightly, just enough to look up at him. Her eyes were softer than he’d ever seen them, a vulnerability shining through that made his chest tighten. She had always been beautiful, but in this moment, she was something more. She was human. She was real.

"I don’t know what I would have done if…" She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. The thought of losing her sister was too much, even now that Ariana was safe. The fear still clung to her, lingering in the corners of her mind.

Jungkook reached up, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "But you didn’t lose her. She’s here, and she’s going to be okay. You both are."

Isabella let out a shaky breath, her eyes closing for a brief moment as she tried to compose herself. She had never allowed herself to feel this exposed in front of anyone, not even Ariana. But with Jungkook, it felt…safe. As if, for once, she didn’t have to be the strong one. As if she could let herself be vulnerable and know that he wouldn’t see it as a weakness.

"I’ve always been alone," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Even when I had Ariana, I was the one who had to protect her. I never let anyone in. But you…"

Jungkook’s thumb brushed gently across her cheek, wiping away a tear she hadn’t realized had fallen. "You don’t have to do this alone anymore, Isabella. I’m here. I’ve got your back, always."

The sincerity in his voice made her chest tighten even more. She wasn’t used to this kind of support, wasn’t used to having someone else take some of the weight off her shoulders. But as she stood there, wrapped in Jungkook’s arms, she realized that maybe, just maybe, she didn’t have to carry it all by herself anymore.

"I don’t know how to let people in," she confessed, her voice trembling slightly. "I don’t know how to…"

Jungkook cupped her face in his hands, his gaze steady and unwavering. "You don’t have to know how right now. Just take it one step at a time. Let me be there for you, the way you’ve been there for everyone else."

Isabella swallowed hard, her throat tight with emotion. She wanted to believe him, wanted to let herself trust someone the way she trusted Jungkook. But the walls she had built around herself were high, and tearing them down wouldn’t be easy. Still, standing here in his arms, she felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time—hope.

For the first time, she allowed herself to lean into that feeling. She pressed her forehead against his chest, closing her eyes as she let the steady rhythm of his heartbeat calm her. Jungkook’s arms remained around her, solid and reassuring, and for the first time, she felt like she didn’t have to be invincible.

They stood there in silence for what felt like an eternity, the weight of their unspoken connection settling between them. Isabella didn’t need to say anything more, and neither did Jungkook. The moment spoke for itself.

Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, Isabella pulled back, her eyes meeting his once again. There was a new resolve in her gaze, a determination that hadn’t been there before. She wasn’t used to relying on others, but for Jungkook, she was willing to try.

"I don’t know what this is between us," she said softly, her voice steady now. "But I’m willing to find out."

Jungkook’s lips curved into a small smile, his eyes never leaving hers. "So am I."

Isabella gave a slight nod, her heart still racing, but for the first time in a long time, it wasn’t from fear or anxiety. It was something else—something she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in years.

Hope.

She wasn’t sure what the future held for her or for them, but for the first time, she was willing to take that step. With Jungkook by her side, maybe she didn’t have to face it all alone anymore. Maybe, just maybe, she could let herself be vulnerable.

And as she stood there, her hands still resting on his chest, she knew that this was the beginning of something new. Something that scared her as much as it excited her. But with Jungkook, she was ready to face whatever came next.

Together.