Chapter Text
Welcome to this book
Warning: Try not to curse me...🤗🤗
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The judge's gavel fell, and the words "Divorce granted" echoed through the courtroom, breaking the tense silence and shattering the fragile hopes that was still lingering in the air. Jin’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he blinked rapidly... desperately trying to hold back the flood threatening to escape him. His chest felt tight and his hands gripped the edges of his chair as though they were his last anchor
Just a few meters away from him...on the other side of the room, another man struggled to keep his composure. He closed his eyes tightly.. his shoulders were rising and falling with shaky breaths. Every inhale he took felt like it might tear him apart and the pain in his chest was unbearable. He tried to focus...tried to swallow the rising emotions..to keep a straight face... but his trembling hands betrayed his attempts .
His older brother, Hoseok, noticed the cracks in his facade and reached out, placing a comforting hand on his back , slowly rubbing circles... Trying to offer some sort of comfort to him.He knew it was useless ...a futile attempt because there was nothing that he could do to ease the storm raging inside his little brother.
“I’m sorry Kookie! " Hoseok whispered, his voice was barely audible...heavy with guilt. Jungkook knew deep down that Hoseok shouldn’t feel responsible...this wasn’t something he could control but he .knew his brother still felt helpless...just like he did. Because he had no way of fixing this, no way to shield his brother from the pain.
Before Jungkook could respond, a cold, firm voice cut through the tension
“Don’t!!"
It was their father...Jeon Minsung, the CEO of the Jeon Industries ...He didn’t raise his voice or look directly at his children. His gaze remained forward, his lips barely moving as he continued “There are reporters here. Save the drama for later!!”
The words hit Jungkook like a slap. His head snapped toward his father and for a moment, the raw heartbreak in his eyes was replaced by a flicker of anger
“Appa, please...” Hoseok interrupted, desperation lacing his voice. He knew Jungkook wasn't in a good mental state to deal with their appa's shenanigans right now. He turned to his husband, Yoongi who was seated beside him “Babe, help me. Let’s just get him out of here before those vultures tear him apart!!"
Yoongi nodded sharply, shooting a glare at his father-in-law that spoke volumes. Without another word, he rose to his feet and reached for Jungkook’s trembling hand “Come on, sweetie" Yoongi murmured and tugged gently, urging Jungkook to stand up.
Jungkook hesitated first but allowed himself to be led..his legs felt heavy...as if every movement drained the last of his strength that was left. As they neared the exit, he couldn’t resist glancing back one more time...one last look at the man he had loved so deeply it hurt
Seokjin was sitting in the same place he had been throughout the proceedings, sandwiched between his parents. His head hanging low...his gaze fixed on his lap. He saw tears slipping down his cheeks. His mother, Kim Jiae, sat beside him, her own face streaked with tears as she dabbed at them with a handkerchief
Jungkook’s heart twisted painfully at the sight. Jin looked so tired...so utterly drained. His beautiful face, the one that soothed Jungkook’s darkest days, now seemed hollow and lifeless. His eyes were red and swollen...his cheeks pale, his shoulders slumped. Jungkook could tell he hadn’t slept in days..or maybe he had been crying for hours.
It was something Jungkook had once sworn would never happen. Yet, here he was, standing on the other side of the bridge...watching the love of his life crumble before his eyes. And he had let it happen!! The realization shattered something deep within him, leaving a hollow ache that made it hard to breathe
Jin’s father, Sangjun, stood beside his wife, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. He was trying, as always, to stay strong for his family, though his eyes said everything that he was feeling right now.
Jungkook’s hand tightened instinctively around Yoongi’s, his nails digging slightly into his palm. He felt the urge to run back overpowering him... to close the distance between them... to pull Jin into his arms and promise to make things right. He wanted to wipe away those tears, to take away the pain, to undo the mistakes that had led them here.
But he couldn’t. Not now. Maybe not ever!!
Five years of love and memories seemed to collapse all around Jungkook. Every shared moment,..every laugh, every night spent in each other’s arms..it all felt meaningless now. Was this truly how it was meant to end? Did either of them really want this?
“Come here. What are you staring at?” Minsung’s voice broke through Jungkook’s thoughts once again. He forcefully grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the exit" No public statements" Minsung ordered " The team has prepared a press release. That will suffice. Don’t look like a sore loser in front of everyone. It’s not the end of the world, for God’s sake.” he instructed coldly, ignoring how defeated his son looked.
Yoongi opened his mouth to retort, but Hoseok lightly tapped his shoulder, silently urging him to let it go..this wasn't the time or place to fight him.
The family moved as one, shielding themselves from the ravenous eyes of the press. Cameras flashed around them relentlessly , questions were shouted...Everyone wanted to know how the youngest Jeon and the heir to Kim Global Holdings had reached such an impasse ... but their bodyguards held the mob at bay as the Jeon family pushed through the chaos
Jin’s family exited quickly as the Jeons made their way to their cars, their security team clearing a path through the chaotic crowd having to face the same things Jeon's are going through.As Jin climbed into the waiting car, Jiae paused just long enough to shoot a venomous glare at Jungkook. Her eyes burned with anger before she disappeared behind the tinted glass...
Jungkook froze in place once again, his heart shattering as he caught one last glimpse of Jin before the door closed. He realised that Jin was wearing the baby pink shirt Jungkook had gifted him long ago. The sight twisted a knife deep in Jungkook’s chest..
Yoongi practically had to push Jungkook into the car.
The car door shut with a finality and with it, a chapter of their lives came to an end.
Jin wasn’t his anymore.
He wasn’t Jin’s anymore.
It was over. Forever!!
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Hours later, Jungkook stood at the edge on the balcony of his penthouse, a bottle of liquor clenched tightly in his trembling hand. He gazed out at the glittering cityscape, feeling as though the bright lights were mocking his misery. The night air was strong and chilly, biting at his skin as if reflecting the emptiness inside him. His eyes drifted to the chairs and scattered tea arrangements, where Jin used to sit and sip his morning tea. Sometimes, Jin would bring dinner there and they would spend hours there, lost in their own world... chatting and laughing away.
Then, his gaze shifted to the small bed tucked in the corner, surrounded by cute pink cushions and lots of plushies—Jin's reading nook, a space he had insisted on having for the fresh air and sunlight he loved so much. Jungkook’s chest tightened as he stared at it, the memories flooding back. It had been their favorite place, despite having a big apartment for themselves. They had spent so much time there... He could still see Jin lounging there with a book in hand, or nestled in his arms as they made love.
Jungkook sniffled, his vision blurring with tears. He had never moved it, even after Jin moved out. He never thought he would have to. He thought everything was just temporary, like a nightmare. He never imagined things would spiral so quickly...
His hand curled around the press release his family had issued earlier “Irreconcilable differences ” The words blurred as fresh tears filled his eyes
"Irreconcilable, my ass!! " he muttered bitterly, tossing the paper aside. He raised the bottle to his lips, the fiery liquid burning its way down. But he didn't care...At least it made him feel something other than pain
"Alright, that’s enough alcohol for the night!!" The bottle was ripped from Jungkook's hand forcefully and Jungkook saw Yoongi standing beside him, looking both worried and furious "If you’re going to be this dramatic, at least stay alive for it!" Yoongi said, keeping the bottle away from him
"Give it back, hyung," Jungkook insisted, but Yoongi didn’t budge
"Let him , Yoongi!!'" Hoseok’s voice came from across the room...sounding flat and detached. He sat next to their father, Junghoon, who was staring into his glass with lifeless eyes
"Let him?" Yoongi’s voice was filled with shock as he turned toward his husband "Honey, do you hear yourself? This isn’t water and this isn’t how we deal with things!!"
Jungkook let out a bitter, hollow laugh "Then what the hell am I supposed to do? Stay alive after I hurt my Jin? What am I supposed to do, hyung? Tell me!!"
"Grow a spine!" Yoongi snapped, his frustration finally breaking through "I mean it. All of you...Jungkook, Hobi... even you, Dad. Why are you all so terrified of Appa?"
"You know why!!"" Junghoon murmured, his gaze still fixed on his drink
"No, I don’t!" Yoongi’s voice rose sharply as he placed the bottle on the table beside them."There’s a limit to how much control you let him have! All of you just sit there and sulk instead of standing up for yourselves. Just because everything’s in his name doesn’t mean he owns you. You both have worked just as hard to build this empire...and you are not his slaves! You are his husband and son...He doesn’t get to exploit you like this!!"
His voice grew fiercer " What’s the worst that could happen? Him kicking us all out? You know that won’t happen. Or are you afraid Appa’s going to destroy us, like he does with his enemies? Well, newsflash: we are his family, not his rivals! Despite all his madness, we all have loved and cared for him... and he knows that. Now look at what being silent has done to Kookie!!'
They remained silent, guilt and shame weighing heavily on both of them. The quiet was shattered by the sound of a choked sob. Yoongi saw Jungkook crumpling to the floor, knocking over a plant...his body shaking as tears streamed down his face
Yoongi immediately knelt beside Jungkook, his anger fading as he pulled him into a tight, comforting hug "Hey... shh, it's okay!!" he whispered softly, he kept his voice gentle as Jungkook clung to him, still shaking as his sobs began getting more and more intense...soon he was crying like a baby in his arms.Yoongi held him steady, one hand resting on his back, the other softly running through his hair, offering what little comfort he could
“I didn’t want this...” Jungkook sobbed, his words slurring through his tears. “I didn’t even want a husband...I didn’t want to get married. You all made me do it! You made me fall in love...and now you took him away!” He hiccupped, his breath coming in ragged gasps “I miss him. I miss my Jinnie. I want him back… I just want him back…”
Yoongi’s arms tightened around him, his hand rubbing comforting circles on Jungkook’s back. "I know.." he whispered softly "I know sweetie.."
Hoseok and Junghoon sat frozen . Their father let out a shaky breath, his lips pressed together, eyes glistening with unshed tears as he watched his son fall apart. Hoseok’s hand gently brushed against Junghoon’s arm, but neither of them spoke.
Yoongi’s gaze softened as he took in the sight of his family...shattered and fragile.... The cracks, the wounds that they had all tried to keep hidden, were now laid bare.They were getting crushed under the weight of choices they could never take back.
___
Jin lay curled up in his bed, his body trembling as tears silently streamed down his face.He clutched a pillow tightly to his stomach. He felt like he was falling apart, even while trying to hold the shattered pieces of his heart together. Jiae sat beside him, her own eyes red from crying.She ran her hand gently through Jin's hair as she tried to offer him comfort
“Baby...” she said softly, her voice shaking “Please, eat something. You haven’t touched any food since yesterday. You can’t keep doing this... You’ll get sick.”
Jin shook his head, barely able to speak through the lump in his throat “I miss him, Eomma... I miss him so much...” His voice cracked as he broke down again, his eyes were so swollen that they barely opened. Jiae’s heart ached at the sight of him. She feared he might need to go to the hospital if this continued
Sangjun stood nearby, watching his son break down with a heavy heart. He walked over and sat down next to Jin, taking his cold trembling hand in his own
“I miss him, Daddy..” Jin whispered, his voice so fragile it broke his father’s heart. He looked up at Sangjun, his red-rimmed eyes still full of tears.. “And now... I’ll never...I drove him away...I’m so useless, Appa..Why couldn't I....” He trailed off to another sob unable to continue the sentance. Jiae sighed and pulled him closer, wrapping him tightly in her arms and lying down next to him in bed
Her own tears spilled freely now as she held him “God, what have I done? Why did I let you go through this?” she whispered, the weight of her guilt was crushing her
“Jinnie...” Sangjun’s voice was thick with regret, but firm. “I promise you, I’ll never ask anything from you again. You live your life however you want honey, but please... please stop crying. It’s breaking appa's heart to see you like this!!” he begged
Jiae wiped her tears and sat up, trying to steady herself. Her voice softened, but there was some fierceness in it still “Baby, I know how much you loved him. I know he meant everything to you. But listen to me—he is a coward. He couldn’t fight for you. And that's on him, not you. He lost something priceless, Jin. Eomma knows my baby is precious and you are perfect just as you are...he should be ashamed for making you sad. And If he chose his father and his money over you, that’s his fault, not yours. Understand?”
Sangjun nodded through his own tears “Yes, honey.... You didn’t fail him..he failed you. And I’m sorry we ever forced you into this relationship. We didn’t know how bad that family was..... We’ll never push you like that again. Never!!"
Jin sniffled, shaking his head slightly “It’s not your fault, appa. You didn’t force me... I liked him too... You just wanted what was best for me...and just did what any parent would do!" He said holding his father's hand
Sangjun’s voice was sharp now “ Yes...and It’s his fault, Jin. That weak idiot’s failure is not your burden to carry. Don’t you dare let his mistakes haunt you!!" He said firmly
Jiae leaned closer, wiping Jin's tears “Yes, baby... look, Duri Noona made all your favorite dishes. They are on the table, waiting for you...Please, eat something. You have cried enough for him. He doesn’t deserve your tears anymore. He doesn’t deserve you baby!!"
Jin sniffled again...his body was exhausted from the endless crying. He knew he was feeling weak ..so he slowly lifted himself up, wiping his eyes, though the pain in his heart still clung to him
Jiae smiled gently, cupping Jin’s face in her hands “Look at you... don’t you dare cry for that idiot anymore. He is not worth it!” she said firmly
Jin wiped his eyes once more and nodded as his father wrapped his arms around him, holding him close
Sangjun nodded, trying to lift the mood
“How about we go for some ice cream after this? We can take Princess with us...she loves car rides !!" He said referring to their family cat
Jiae smiled happily" Yes! And after that, we’ll plan a little family getaway. It’s been way too long since we have had time together... right, Yeobo? You deserve a break. Let’s get away for a while..you know like a fresh start!" She suggested
Jin sniffled again, but this time, his tears had slowed down and his breathing was more steady. He nodded against his father's shoulder “Okay..!!" he whispered softly
Sangjun kissed the top of Jin’s head “That’s my boy. We’ll get through this, together. And when we come back, there won’t be any more tears. He’s in the past now, Jin. My honey don’t need no man or anyone else. You are my precious baby and I’m sorry it took me so long to get you out of that hell. From now on, I’ll protect you with everything I have!!" He assured
Jin nodded, hugging his dad closed. The dried rose he had been holding in his hand fell from his grip, crumbling to the bed, but he didn’t care anymore. He was safe. He was loved. And for the first time in a while, he felt something other than just hurt and pain
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Me, skipping away after giving you angst in the first chapter... breaking up people, divorcing couples... My first chapters are always so much fun to read, aren't they?
And to all the readers still complaining about angst in my stories ... Me and angst are married, and we have 10 kids together, we won't breakup 🥲