A nightmarish nostalgia washed over Jungkook as she continued to stare at the building that used to be a survival shelter for her. Her father's house—that was never hers. A building that contains the residue of her painful thought, her screams, her cry for mercy that no one showed ever to her, even though she was dieing from fever. Jungkook snapped out from her thought when she felt soft stroke on her highlighted cheekbone, she looked in front and saw Taehyung looking at her with such softness that melt her and make her fall for him over again and again.

"Are you okay, baby love?" he asked, his voice gentle, as his other hand intertwined with her fingers, giving them a reassuring squeeze. Jungkook swallowed hard, pushing down the unease, and managed a small nod, though traces of old hurt lingered in her eyes.

Taehyung's soft smile chased away the shadows, his warmth pouring into her like sunlight breaking through clouds. In that moment, the weight of her past began to lift. With Taehyung by her side, she felt like someone new—someone alive, brimming with life and hope. He made her whole. He made her feel loved, and in his presence, the broken pieces of her heart seemed to heal, one gentle smile at a time.

"Let's... let's get it!" Jungkook finally said, her voice a bit shaky as she tried to brace herself.

Taehyung raised a brow, his lips twitching up into a teasing smile. "Baby love, we're not going to war. It's just dinner," he teased, his voice warm and reassuring.

But Jungkook didn't seem convinced. Her pout deepened, and she shot him a glare, narrowing her eyes in an attempt to look fierce. "Don't tease me! This is serious!" she huffed.

That look on her face—somewhere between nervous and adorable—was too much for Taehyung. He burst into laughter, throwing his head back, his rich laugh filling the car. The sound made Jungkook whine in protest, her cheeks puffing out in frustration. She stomped her high-heeled boot down on the car floor and gave him a soft punch to the chest. "Don't laugh at me, Taetae!" she exclaimed, half-complaining and half-laughing herself.

Taehyung clutched his chest where her fist had landed, pretending to stagger back as if she'd hit him with all her strength. "Ah! Struck down by the mighty Jungkook!" he gasped, acting as though her punch had knocked the wind out of him. "Is this... is this the end for me?"

Jungkook tried to keep a serious face, but his exaggerated reaction was too much. She covered her mouth to hold back a laugh, her pout melting into a soft giggle as she watched him stumble on the window, hand over his chest. "You're so dramatic!" she managed, rolling her eyes, but her own laughter soon joined his.

He reached out, gently ruffling her hair as he leaned closer. "I'm just trying to take some of the nerves away, hmm?" he said softly, his voice soothing. "No need to worry, baby love. I'll be right here with you."

Jungkook nodded, still smiling. Her shoulders relaxed as she took a deep breath, feeling comforted by his playful antics. "Thank you, Taetae," she whispered, a soft look in her eyes.

He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Welcome, my brave little bunny," he whispered, voice rich with affection. Jungkook felt a rush of warmth at his words, her nerves soothed by his steady presence.

With his hand firmly gripping hers, he led her out of the car, his confidence a steady anchor. Jungkook took a deep breath, her expression shifting as her natural poise and strength took over. She straightened her shoulders, grabbed her handbag, and, with an undeniable air of grace, walked alongside Taehyung. His hand rested on her waist in a gentle yet possessive grasp, while his other hand slipped casually into his pants pocket, exuding effortless charisma.

As they reached the door, Taehyung reached out and pressed the doorbell. He glanced over at Jungkook, a warm smile crossing his face, the silent reassurance in his gaze telling her he was there, no matter what awaited inside. She returned his smile with a soft, brave look of her own. A moment later, the door opened, and they stood side by side, ready to face whatever was on the other side—together.

There stood Shi-Jia who earlier stood with a bored expression but as soon as she saw Jungkook her eyes widened comically, then her eyes trailed toward Taehyung who stood as alluring as his wife in black, her pupil dartled as she trailed her hungry gaze on him—clearly checking him out, with nasty gaze.

Jungkook cleared her throat, her gaze sharpening as she caught Shi-Jia's eyes lingering a bit too long on Taehyung. "Ahem... ahem," she said with a sweetly sarcastic tone, crossing her arms. "Are you done checking out my husband? Because I've got zero interest in standing here while some random girl gets her free ogling session in."

Her doe eyes sparkled, but this time with a siren's fire, exuding an aura that was anything but innocent. Jungkook didn't mince her words; she met Shi-Jia's gaze head-on, those devilish eyes daring anyone to challenge her claim. Her mouth held a smirk that screamed confidence, her tone sweetly venomous. She didn't even glance at Taehyung for approval—this was her territory, and she was defending it with flair.

Shi-Jia's expression shifted, her face softening into a facade of innocence. She tilted her head, her eyes widening as if genuinely puzzled, and stammered, "Wh-what are you talking about, Jungkook?" Her voice was laced with feigned confusion, casting herself in a sweet, harmless light, trying to mask the obvious jealousy that simmered beneath.

Jungkook didn't flinch, her eyes narrowing as she saw right through the act. She gave a mock gasp and placed a hand on her chest, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, sweetie, don't play innocent," she cooed, her words sharp yet wrapped in sugary tones. "That wide-eyed 'who, me?' routine doesn't fool anyone. Not with the way you were practically drooling over my husband two seconds ago."

Shi-Jia's lips curled into a sugary smile, an attempt to diffuse the tension. She waved a hand dismissively and chimed, "Let's leave that, hm? Come inside, it's your home."

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking in a half-smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She let out a dry chuckle, folding her arms as she looked Shi-Jia up and down. "My home?" she repeated with a pointed tone, her voice carrying a hint of challenge. "Right, thanks for the reminder. Just wanted to make sure that no one's forgotten that, especially with how welcoming you're being," she added with a subtle bite in her tone.

Taehyung chuckled softly, his hand settling firmly on Jungkook's waist, and looked at Shi-Jia with a glint of amusement in his eyes. "You know, Jungkook's always had this incredible knack for saying exactly what's on her mind," he said with a casual smile, letting his words hang with just enough poundage to make his meaning clear. He glanced down at Jungkook, his eyes warm and full of admiration. "That honesty is one of the many things I love about her."

He tightened his arm around Jungkook, subtly letting her know he was right there with her. "Now then," he added, his gaze drifting back to Shi-Jia, "shall we head inside?"With that, he gave Jungkook an encouraging nod, and together they stepped past a now visibly flustered Shi-Jia, heading inside without a second thought, perfectly united in their stance.

As they moved a little further from her cousin, Jungkook let out a low squeal, quickly latching onto Taehyung's arm. "Oh my god, Taetae! That was amazing! Did you see her face? She looked completely traumatized by my words," she gushed, her doe eyes sparkling with excitement. She looked up at Taehyung, clearly wanting his praise, and he obliged, ruffling her fluffy hair with a fond smile.

"My girl rocked, and her cousin was shocked," he said, grinning as Jungkook giggled and leaned in to peck his cheek. Taehyung leaned down, pulling her close, his voice dropping to a playful murmur. "But, baby, you're not exactly helping with the situation I'm in here," he whispered, his tone laced with mischief.

Jungkook frowned a little in confusion, looking up at him. "What situation?" she asked innocently, tilting her head. Taehyung's smirk deepened, and he leaned close, his breath brushing against her ear as he bit the shell lightly before whispering, "The urge to drag you back to the car, drive us home, and..." He left the rest unsaid, but his meaning was clear, and Jungkook's cheeks immediately flushed a deep pink as she ducked her head, her heart racing.

Trying to regain her composure, she playfully slapped his chest and pouted, though her eyes twinkled with delight, her lips curving up into a shy smile. Taehyung chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he watched Jungkook's cheeks turn an even brighter shade of red. He gently pinched her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. "What's this, bunny? Blushing already?" he teased, his voice low and warm. "Where'd that fierce little vixen go?"

Jungkook pouted, trying to gather her composure. "I'm not blushing," she muttered, though the warmth in her cheeks gave her away. She cleared her throat, attempting to sound confident as she shot back, "You're the one who keeps getting distracted... Maybe you should focus a little less on me."

Taehyung smirked, leaning in close. "Oh, I'm focused, alright," he murmured, his eyes flicking to her lips before locking onto her eyes. "In fact, I don't think I've ever been more focused in my life."

Jungkook felt her heart pound as his words sank in, and she wracked her mind for something—anything—that could turn the tables back in her favor. She crossed her arms and gave him a playful, yet slightly shaky, glare. "Fine, Mr. Focused. Let's see if you can stay that way through dinner," she said, raising an eyebrow as if daring him.

But Taehyung didn't back down. Instead, he slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her even closer. His voice was a soft whisper as he said, "Challenge accepted, Mrs. Kim. But don't be surprised if I make it through dinner just fine—while you're the one who can't stop thinking about getting home."

Jungkook's eyes widened at his words, and her cheeks flamed again, leaving her speechless for a moment. She huffed, trying to look unbothered. "Well, I don't... I mean, that's—" She stumbled, her mind racing for a comeback that would stick.

Taehyung grinned, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Speechless already? Come on, I thought you were going to make me work for it," he teased, his thumb gently stroking her cheek.

Jungkook finally let out a breathless laugh, unable to keep up the pretense any longer. She gave him a gentle push, rolling her eyes even as she smiled. "You're too smooth for your own good, Taetae," she muttered, looking away to hide her lingering blush.

Taehyung laughed softly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as they walked inside. "I'll take that as a compliment, Mrs. Kim. But don't worry—I'll be smooth enough to charm my way out of trouble if I need to."

Jungkook shook her head, but her shy smile lingered, her heart feeling lighter as they continued together. They reached the living where stood, Mr Jeon his face stoic as he stared at the couple looking so powerful, yet unmoved, the way Taehyung held Jungkook's tiny waist, everything was drastically spellbinding, Jungkook stared at the male in front of them with dry gaze and said, "Greetings," Her tone dry and devoid of any emotion, a raw deep voice straight from her throat.

Jungkook's gaze stayed steady as Mr. Jeon looked her over with clear disdain. His cold attitude stung, but it didn't affect her the way it used to. She'd built up walls to protect herself, and now, his scorn barely touched her.

Before she could let his judgment get to her, Taehyung stepped in. His calm voice cut through the tension. "Good evening, Mr. Jeon," he said, and Mr. Jeon finally broke his stare, turning to acknowledge Taehyung.

Mr. Jeon's eyes briefly flicked back to Taehyung, then he nodded stiffly. "Let's head to the dinner table," he said, trying to regain control of the situation.

Taehyung immediately took Jungkook's hand, intertwining their fingers. His grip was strong and reassuring, grounding her. With a small smile, Taehyung glanced at her, silently reminding her that she wasn't alone in this. They walked side by side, following Mr. Jeon to the dining room. Jungkook felt uneasy, but it was different this time. She no longer feared her father's judgment. She had come so far, and she wasn't going to let him or anyone take that away from her.

As they reached the dining table, they saw all the family members already seated, while maids scurried around, serving the meal. Jungkook raised an eyebrow in quiet amusement as she watched the maids work, an impressive nod of acknowledgment passing through her. It was a little ironic, really—she'd spent her whole life working in a house that had more than enough wealth to hire help, but instead, she'd been the one to clean, cook, and tend to everything herself. Now that she was gone, her father's house was finally staffed with maids to do the work she used to do alone. She could have used some of that help back then, but of course, it had come too late.

She pushed the thought aside and walked confidently toward the two seats at the start of the table, the ones that were usually reserved for the head of the family. Taehyung moved swiftly to catch up with her, pulling the chair out for her like it was the most natural thing in the world. Jungkook flashed him a playful bunny smile as she gracefully seated herself, the familiar warmth of his gesture settling in her chest. He pushed her seat in gently, then took his place beside her, his presence steady and reassuring.

As they sat, they could feel the eyes of the family on them. It wasn't just the usual scrutiny—they were practically the center of the room, like two creatures from another planet, not quite fitting into the world around them. Taehyung, unfazed as ever, looked around the table with an air of indifference, as if he had no intention of bowing to anyone's expectations.

Jungkook didn't care either. This was their habit, their usual way of being, and no one could change that. Taehyung pulling out her chair, the intimate familiarity of it—it was a routine they'd established long ago. It wasn't for anyone else to understand or judge. They didn't need to alter a thing just because they were under the gaze of others. For them, their little world together, where they didn't have to answer to anyone, was the only thing that mattered.

"Finally, you arrived, Jungkook!!" Her aunt said with an exaggerated tone, a slight sneer curling her lips. "It's past our dinner time, we've been waiting for you both. As a wife, at least care about these things," she finished with an eye roll.

Jungkook batted her lashes sweetly and replied, "About that, I'm not sorry at all, because you know, I had some project work. So I thought the things that were more important should come first." Her voice was laced with a calm confidence, but the sarcasm dripped from her words like honey.

Her aunt's expression soured, but Jungkook didn't budge. She had long stopped caring about their expectations or criticisms. They were welcome to judge, but that wasn't going to change her priorities.

As the maids served, Jungkook gave them a small, sweet smile as a gesture of gratitude. The kind maid returned the smile and quietly went away. Everyone at the table began eating, but just as Jungkook was about to take her first bite, her youngest aunt's voice cut through the air.

"Jungkookie! Did you forget what I told you on the wedding day?" Her aunt's tone was sharp, the words laced with judgment.

Jungkook frowned momentarily, but a mischievous smirk soon curled on her lips as she tilted her head slightly. "I didn't understand, Aunt. Actually, you know, after marriage, so many things happen. Recently I've been busy with my semester exams, and soon my unit tests are coming up. So I don't really have time to remember such old talks."

The silence that followed was thick, and Jungkook could practically feel the daggers her aunt was throwing her way, but she didn't care. She had learned long ago that these kinds of remarks didn't hold any power over her. She had far more pressing matters to focus on—like her future, her education, and the life she was building with Taehyung.

Taehyung, sitting beside her, caught her gaze for a moment, his lips curling into a small, supportive smile. His hand subtly found hers under the table, giving it a soft squeeze as if to silently say, You're doing great. Jungkook couldn't help but smile back at him, grateful for the quiet assurance he always gave her.

Her aunt, on the other hand, was left speechless for a moment, but the edge of her disapproval was still present. She could only glare at Jungkook, but she didn't press further.

Aren't you a disgrace to all of us?" her father muttered, his voice low and cold, slicing through the quiet air like a blade.

Jungkook's head snapped toward him, her expression unreadable yet piercing. The room fell into a chilling silence as everyone froze, their breaths caught in their throats. A flicker of vulnerability crossed Jungkook's eyes—just for a second—but she didn't waver. Instead, she squared her shoulders and kept her gaze firmly locked on her father.

"Why?" she asked, her tone mirroring his—calm, measured, and unrelenting.

Her father, who had been idly circling his spoon on the plate, abruptly halted. His eyes darkened, burning with a murderous edge, as he lifted his gaze to meet hers.

"First, you caused a nuisance in my house," he spat, his words dripping with venom. "And to rid myself of that burden, we thought marrying you off would shove some obedience into that thick brain of yours. But no—" He let out a bitter scoff, his lips curling cruelly. "You manipulated him too. And here you are, bitching and flaunting yourself like you've won some war."

A murmur of discomfort rippled through the room. No one dared intervene. Taehyung's jaw clenched, his hand tightening on the armrest of his chair. Jungkook, however, remained still, her lips twitching into a faint, knowing smirk.

"Manipulated?" she scoffed softly, the corners of her mouth lifting in mock amusement. "How intriguing, Mr. Jeon, that you think I hold such power over someone like my husband. If that's the case, maybe you should question why someone like me—a so-called disgrace—managed to thrive under circumstances you deliberately made unbearable."

Her words were steady, but the sharpness in her tone cut deep. Jungkook's eyes glimmered with defiance, meeting her father's with a calmness that made his rage falter.

"Just by wearing 'short' clothes doesn't mean you've got any standard. You're still the same disgrace you were before," Mr. Jeon spat, his words laced with venom that seemed designed to wound.

Jungkook's knuckles turned white as her fists clenched under the table, her nails digging into her palms. She inhaled deeply, forcing herself to stay calm despite the raging storm of emotions inside her. She could feel Taehyung's gaze flicker to her, his hand subtly brushing against hers in silent support.

"Mr. Jeon," Taehyung began in a deceptively calm tone, tilting his head slightly. "I'm not sure what's more shocking—your outdated beliefs or your audacity to project them onto my wife." His words were a sharp counter to the toxicity spewed moments before, his posture relaxed yet intimidating.

Jungkook's lips twitched into a small smirk, the fire in her eyes returning. Straightening in her seat, she raised her chin and fixed her father with a cold, unwavering stare.

"Standard?" she repeated, her voice low but steady, cutting through the tension in the room. "If wearing expensive suits and sitting at this oversized table defines 'standard,' then sure, let's call it that. But if you're talking about values—" She leaned forward slightly, her gaze boring into his. "—then you might want to reevaluate who lacks it. Because no amount of 'standard' can mask cruelty."

Her words landed heavily, and the silence that followed was deafening. Mr. Jeon's face darkened, but before he could retort, Taehyung leaned closer to Jungkook, his arm resting casually along the back of her chair.

"Baby," he said with a fond chuckle, loud enough for the room to hear, "you're wasting energy on someone who doesn't even understand the concept of class."

Jungkook giggled lightly, her tension melting into amusement as she turned to Taehyung. "You're right, Taetae," she replied sweetly. "Let's just focus on the dinner. After all, I'm not here to fix anyone's flawed mentality."

With that, she picked up her fork and began eating. Mr. Jeon slammed his hand on the table, rattling the plates and glasses. His eyes narrowed into venomous slits as he leaned forward, his voice dripping with cruel disdain.

"You can wear all the designer dresses you want, but it won't change the fact that you're nothing more than an unwanted burden—a daughter who brought shame to this family the moment she was born. You're just like your mother—worthless, disposable, and destined to ruin everything you touch."

The air turned ice-cold. Jungkook froze, her fork slipping from her fingers as the words cut through her like shards of glass. Her lips trembled, and for a brief moment, her vulnerability surfaced.

But before she could react, Taehyung's chair screeched loudly against the floor as he shot to his feet. His face twisted into fury, his usually calm demeanor replaced by a fiery storm.

"Enough!" Taehyung roared, his deep voice echoing through the room like thunder. The table fell silent, everyone too stunned to move.

In one swift motion, he reached for Jungkook's chair and dragged it behind him, shielding her entirely with his tall frame. His dark eyes burned with rage as he glared at Mr. Jeon, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

"How dare you speak to my wife like that?" Taehyung bellowed, his voice cracking with sheer anger. "You sit there, spewing poison as if it makes you stronger. But all I see is a pathetic man who failed to protect his own family and now blames the daughter you were too weak to cherish."

Mr. Jeon's face turned red, his mouth opening to retort, but Taehyung didn't let him.

"You don't get to reduce her to your insecurities!" Taehyung continued, his voice trembling with barely-contained rage. "You've done nothing but destroy her spirit her whole life. And yet she still has the courage to sit here, in front of you, holding her head high. That's more strength than you could ever dream of possessing."

He took a step forward, his presence suffocating, his tone dropping to an almost growl.

"She's not the burden, Mr. Jeon. You are. And if you ever dare to disrespect her again, I promise you, it'll be the last time you see either of us."

Taehyung's voice thundered through the room, his tone sharp and unwavering, silencing everyone at the table.

"You talk about manipulating me, huh?" he began, his gaze cutting through Mr. Jeon like a blade. "I was the one who manipulated her—manipulated her to rise above your filth. I encouraged her to study, to step out of the shadows you forced her into, to hold her head high and step on the parasites like you without even realizing it."

His glare shifted from Mr. Jeon to the others at the table, his eyes daring anyone to interrupt him. "She was on the verge of breaking, of losing herself completely, thanks to all of you. The bride I saw on our wedding day wasn't a person; she was a puppet—your puppet. You crushed her spirit, forced her into submission, and yet, she found the strength to overcome all of it. She fought every chain you shackled her with and moved forward."

Taehyung's chest puffed with pride as he glanced at Jungkook, her teary eyes fixed on him with a mix of love and astonishment. His voice softened slightly but remained firm as he continued, "Now, she's becoming everything you tried to destroy. In a few years, she's going to be a lawyer—a force to be reckoned with. And all of you, all you'll be able to do is watch in bewilderment as she achieves the greatness you couldn't even dream of reaching."

The room remained deadly silent, the weight of his words pressing down on everyone like a suffocating blanket. Jungkook blinked away her tears, her heart swelling with an overwhelming sense of pride and love.

Taehyung's voice dropped lower, the threat in his tone unmistakable as he delivered his final words. "Mark my words—she is no longer yours to insult, to control, or to look down on. She is my wife. And if any of you dare to cross her again, I'll make sure you regret it for the rest of your lives."

With that, he wrapped a protective arm around Jungkook's shoulders, his fingers brushing her trembling hand. She leaned into him, finding solace in his unwavering support, as he led her away from the table, leaving behind a room full of stunned, speechless faces.