The morning began in total silence as they sat across from each other at breakfast. Hyuna watched Jungkook out of the corner of her eye while he ate, his movements slow and quiet. She couldn't stop thinking about how he had acted the night before. Does this mean he's softening up? she wondered.
Jungkook could feel the weight of her gaze. To catch her off guard, he suddenly looked up.
Their eyes met, and Hyuna panicked, immediately turning her attention back to stirring her soup.
Finally, Jungkook's father broke the silence. "It's good to see you taking a break. I honestly can't remember the last time we were all together like this."
His mother added with a smile, "I agree. How about we all go on a trip together?"
The two of them immediately started planning a getaway, but Jungkook didn't seem to care.
He was tired of sitting at that table and exhausted by the girl's constant staring. He set his spoon down. "I'm sorry... I can't join you. I have a case to work on, but I want to do it from here. So, you two enjoy yourselves."
He stood up. "Excuse me... thank you for the meal."
He hurried off to his room. Yungmi, frustrated by her son's behavior, leaned back in her chair and looked at her husband. "This is exactly why I say he needs to get married. His entire mind is consumed by work and that police station."
Jung-hwa locked his fingers together. "What can I do? I can't force him."
Hyuna picked up her and Jungkook's plates and headed to the sink. She gave a short bow and thanked them before leaving the kitchen. She knew she was an outsider, but she had no choice. She could hear them talking from the small kitchen table; she lowered the TV volume so she could listen better.
Yungmi lowered her voice, glancing toward the hallway to make sure Hyuna wasn't listening. "Let's go to Busan. Just for a week to rest."
Jung-hwa looked at his wife in surprise. "Didn't you hear him? He said he isn't coming."
Yungmi leaned in closer, whispering, "I know. I want them to be alone."
"What?" Jung-hwa blurted out. "What do you mean?"
"Shhh, quiet! I just feel like if they're left alone together, they might actually get along."
Jung-hwa lowered his voice. "Them? You mean Kook and the girl?"
Yungmi nodded. Jung-hwa stood up from the table, annoyed. "I still don't trust her, and you want to—"
"She's been with us for over a week," Yungmi interrupted. "The poor girl has no one. I've grown quite fond of her."
Frustrated, Jung-hwa headed toward their bedroom.
Hyuna hadn't caught every word, but as she walked back into the kitchen, she saw Yungmi rubbing her temples. She stepped in to help with the dishes.
After finishing the chores, they got ready to head to the restaurant. Jungkook was still in his room.
Hours passed as they cooked at the restaurant, which was only a block away from their house. Yungmi packed some food into a container and turned to Hyuna. "Honey, could you take this home? I'm sure he hasn't eaten anything."
Hyuna was secretly happy for an excuse to see him. "Of course."
She put on her coat and walked back. The air was biting, and winter snow was beginning to settle on the ground. She sneezed a few times as she unlocked the door. The house was dead silent. She set the food on the table and hurried to the heater in the corner of the living room, rubbing her cold hands together.
The sound of the door and Hyuna's sneezing caught Jungkook's attention. He glanced at the wall clock; he had been buried in case files for hours and had lost track of time. He stretched and picked up his phone. He had five missed calls from Jin. Knowing he'd probably pissed his friend off, he called back.
After two rings, Jin answered. "You idiot."
Jungkook laughed. "Hello, Officer Kim. I'm fine, thanks for asking."
"Shut up, Kook. I was worried sick. Why aren't you answering? I was about to drive over there."
Jungkook stood up and paced the room. "Sorry. My phone was on silent. I didn't realize how late it was."
"Be glad I'm in a good mood today, or I'd give you a real beating."
The sound of Jungkook's voice drew Hyuna toward his room. She paused near the door. His voice was muffled, but she realized he was talking to a colleague.
Suddenly, the door swung open. Jungkook froze when he saw Hyuna standing just inches away. His expression shifted instantly to anger.
"Jungkook? Did you hear me?" Jin asked over the phone.
Jungkook kept his eyes locked on Hyuna. "I'll call you back."
He hung up and stepped toward his desk as Hyuna quickly held out the food container. "I brought lunch... your mom said—"
Jungkook approached her slowly, his gaze intense and silent. With every step he took, Hyuna's heart hammered harder. This guy was unpredictable. Taming him or even just talking to him felt like an impossible task.
He stopped right in front of her and took the food. "So, you're an eavesdropper too?"
Hyuna looked at his indifferent face in shock. "Oh, no... believe me, I... I was just going to call you so—"
Jungkook gave her a meaningful look. "I hate liars."
Hyuna went speechless. Her entire life was built on lies and deception. How could she be honest, especially in front of her own enemy?
Jungkook walked over to a chair, sat down, and began unwrapping the cover around the food. "How long are you going to stand there? Go get two pairs of chopsticks and a spoon."
Hyuna blinked. Does he mean for me to eat with him?
Seeing her hesitation, Jungkook folded his hands. "I was talking to you."
Hyuna was still confused. 'You'? Does he not know my name, or does he just refuse to use it?
She went to the kitchen. The portion Yungmi had sent was enough for two, but she didn't feel comfortable sitting with him. She placed one pair of chopsticks on the table. "Enjoy your meal."
She turned to grab her coat, but Jungkook's voice stopped her. "I can't eat all of this."
She stood there, conflicted. Was it better to stay close to him for her mission, or to keep her distance? "I have to get back to work... your mother..."
Jungkook looked at her anxious face. He hated begging anyone for anything. He turned back to his food. "Fine. Go."
Hyuna sneezed as she put on her coat. Their eyes met again, but this time, Jungkook was the one to look away.
Hyuna felt terrible. She had a pounding headache and felt a fever coming on. She left the house and returned to the restaurant.
She hadn't heard from Kwang-soo in a few days. He hadn't even called her for the usual night shifts, which relieved her but also made her uneasy. She slipped into a quiet corner of the restaurant and called her brother.
"Hi, Chim. You okay?"
"Hey, Hyuna. I'm fine. How are you? What was wrong with you last night?"
"Never mind that, I was just feeling down. What's the news? What's Kwang-soo up to?"
"Um... nothing much. I have to go to Songdae tomorrow night."
Panic flared in her chest. "What? Jimin... who is it this time?"
"Don't worry, I'm not doing anything. Just going to handle some business."
She ran a hand through her hair, frustrated. "Jimin... do you want me to come?"
"No, I've got it. I'll handle it myself."
"Okay. Be careful. I have to go."
She felt weak, her body too exhausted to keep standing. She slumped into a chair. Why was Kwang-soo sending Jimin alone? They always went together.
Yungmi placed her hands on Hyuna's shoulders. "You look exhausted. Go home. There isn't much left to do."
Hyuna tried to stand. "No, no... I'm fine."
Yungmi squeezed her shoulders. "Go home. Take some medicine; I think you've caught a cold. I'll make you some herbal tea when I get back."
Hyuna was too tired to argue. She went back to the house. It was dark; Jungkook wasn't home. She went to her room to change, but her eyes drifted to his work desk. It was covered in papers and folders.
Cautiously, she checked the hallway. Empty. The name "TMY Corporation" on one of the papers caught her eye. Her suspicions were right, he was investigating them. She saw photos tucked under a file and pulled one out. Her heart stopped. It was a photo of Kwang-soo entering the company. She had no idea Jungkook had gotten this close.
She dug further. She found a photo of Jimin. Terror gripped her; her hands began to shake.
"Recognize them?"
The deep, masculine voice made her drop the photos instantly. She turned to find Jungkook leaning against the doorframe, looking perfectly calm. She was speechless. His composure was more terrifying than an outburst would have been.
Jungkook bent down, gathered the photos, and looked at them. "Who are you?"
He asked the question so nonchalantly that Hyuna shivered. Finally, a thought struck her.
"I know them."
Jungkook stopped shuffling the photos and looked at her with piercing curiosity. His gaze was cold. She wondered if he had already figured out who she was.
"Have you worked with them?"
"No! No... I..." She panicked again under his gaze. "I used to work at a bar. I saw them there... a few times."
Jungkook remained skeptical. He wanted to know more about this mystery girl. He tossed the photos back on the desk and shoved his hands into his pockets. Hyuna looked down at the floor, feeling exposed under his scrutiny.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you," he said.
Hyuna's heart raced. She knew her eyes held no honesty. She was afraid to look at him, but she did. Jungkook stared into her deep brown eyes, searching for a reason to trust her, while his past experiences screamed at him to be cautious.
Hyuna couldn't get enough of Jungkook's intense gaze. His eyes were beautiful, and never before had they lingered on her for so long.
Underneath Hyuna's captivating stare, Jungkook's heart began to race against his will.
At the sound of the front door opening, they both snapped their heads toward the hallway. Young-mi had returned home with her husband, only to find the two of them alone together in her son's bedroom.
"Kids, come here! I need to talk to you," Yungmi called out.
Hyuna bolted from the room, desperate to escape the heavy atmosphere.
Jungkook remained standing in the middle of the room, his emotions driving him crazy. He hated this feeling، this constant struggle of being torn between trust and caution.
He cast a sideways glance at the photos scattered on the desk. He felt a deep-seated hatred for every single person in those pictures; he had to put an end to this corruption and injustice as soon as possible. At the sound of his mother's voice calling him again, insisting he join them, he finally stepped out of the room.
The three of them were already seated on the sofa, waiting for him to join them.
"Is something wrong, Mom?" Jungkook asked.
Yungmi gestured with a smile for him to come and sit beside them: "It's about tomorrow"
Mr. Jeon still appeared frustrated and irritable.
Yungmi beaming with a bright smile, turned to the three of them and said: "Your father and I are going to Busan for a week. My mother has been begging us to visit. I need a break from all this noise anyway."
Jungkook smiled warmly. "That's a good idea."
Hyuna was the only one there who felt like she neither belonged in that house nor had anywhere else to go. Fiddling with the edge of her shirt, she kept her head down and whispered, 'I... I should too...'
Every pair of eyes in the room turned toward her.
Flustered by the sudden attention, she felt a wave of shame wash over her. " I'll stop being a burden and—"
Yungmi cut her off before she could finish. '
"No, don't talk like that! This is your home too. In fact, while I'm away, I want you to look after Jungkook for me."
Jungkook's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "What? Am I a child? I don't need a roommate."
Hyuna felt a surge of indignation. She wanted to snap back that she wasn't thrilled about being stuck with him either. "I'll leave. Don't worry."
Sensing the heavy tension between the two of them, Yungmi quickly intervened.
"Jungkook, your father and I are leaving tomorrow morning. So please, just try to get along like two roommates for one week."
Jungkook stood up abruptly, his frustration boiling over.
This time, Junghwa stepped in to back up his wife.
"Jungkook, don't be so stubborn."
Jungkook realized this 'sudden' trip was a setup. He let out a cynical laugh. "Right... stubbornness. That's what this is."
He stormed off to his room.
Feeling embarrassed, Yungmi stood up and sat down beside Hyuna. "My beautiful girl, don't take it to heart. Don't let his words upset you. One day, he'll realize how wrong he was."
Hyuna looked at the kind woman's face with a look of shame. "He's right... I've already caused enough trouble by staying here. I can stay at a friend's place... until..."
Yungmi frowned and interrupted, "I'll be genuinely upset if you leave this house. I don't want to hear another word about staying or going. You'll sleep in our room while we're gone. And if you don't feel comfortable, you can lock the door."
Hyuna bit her lip and pulled Yungmi into a tight embrace. "Thank you, Mrs. Jeon... I don't deserve this much kindness from you."
Junghwa stood up from the sofa. "I'm going to bed so I can wake up early tomorrow. Goodnight, everyone."
After saying goodnight and once they had both gone, Hyuna lay down on the living room sofa. This was a perfect opportunity; she could easily get closer to him during this week. Yet, a part of her was terrified of being near Jungkook. She was afraid he might uncover her plan and her true identity. She still needed those photos and a lot more information.
He lay there, staring up at the ceiling. (Look after me? Heh, I don't get it. Someone should be looking after her, not the other way around.) A whole week with that mysterious girl... Part of him wanted to spend his nights at the station or a motel, but he couldn't bring himself to leave her alone in the house. He squeezed his eyes shut and tossed over. Still, the image of Hyuna's eyes remained vivid in his mind, they looked so innocent, so sincere.
__________
The next morning, he was jolted awake by the sound of Yungmi moving around. It wasn't even fully light out yet. She sat up halfway on the sofa and glanced toward the kitchen; Mrs. Jeon was already busy packing their things for the trip. She checked his phone—5:30 AM. Were they really in that much of a hurry to leave?
She headed to the bathroom, splashed some water on her face, and then made his way to the kitchen to help.
"Good morning... you're up early," she said.
Yungmi gave her a sheepish smile. "Oh, honey, did I wake you? I'm so sorry. You'll have the place to yourself for a week soon. My thoughtless son doesn't know the first thing about hospitality, I'm sorry about him."
Her words only made Hyuna feel more guilty and indebted to this family. "Please, don't say that. If anyone is a bother here, it's me."
Yungmi continued packing their picnic basket. "I'm just glad I got to know you, dear. You remind me so much of Nayun."
Hyuna leaned against the kitchen counter, her curiosity piqued. "Nayun? Who... who is she?"
Yungmi froze for a moment. Her gaze drifted to the far side of the kitchen, her throat tightening with emotion. "She was my daughter..."
Hyuna's heart sank. She could see the raw grief and sadness etched on the kind woman's face. She reached out, placing a hand on Yungmi's shoulder, silently sharing in the pain of her loss.
When Mr. Jeon walked into the kitchen, Yungmi quickly forced a smile to mask the heavy atmosphere. "Honey, could you put this basket in the car?"
She seemed restless. She hurried toward Jungkook's room, muttering, "I'd better go wake up that sleepyhead so we can all have breakfast together."
Hyuna caught the worried look on Junghwa's face; it was clear he noticed his wife's change in mood.
Inside the room, Jungkook groaned at his mother's nagging, rolling over and pulling the pillow over his head. Yungmi snatched it away.
"Get up, you lazy boy! We're leaving!"
Jungkook sat up, bewildered, his hair a mess and his bottom lip pouting. "Now? At this hour of the morning?"
Yungmi shot an annoyed look at his perpetually messy room. "My mother has invited us for lunch... get up! Look at this place, Kook. I'm going to be gone for a week, don't you dare make that poor girl wait on you hand and foot. Do your own chores!"
Fed up with his mother's nagging, Jungkook scrambled toward the bathroom. "Alright, alright!"
Yungmi was satisfied with her handiwork. She truly hoped that Hyuna would find a way into her son's heart and pull him out of this dark mood...
Finally, after a quick group breakfast and packing the last of their things, the parents set off. Both Jungkook and Hyuna stood by the door to see them off.
As the car disappeared into the distance, Hyuna stepped back inside, feeling awkward. Jungkook looked at her as she walked ahead of him. "Wait."
Surprised, she turned back and waited. Jungkook shut the door and crossed his arms. "Listen, this house is nothing more than a guesthouse now; shared kitchen, bathroom, and living room. That's it. So, I don't know you, and you don't know me..."
He held up his index finger. "Rule number one: We stay out of each other's business."
"Rule number two..."
Before he could finish, Hyuna beat him to it. "Rule number two: Everyone handles their own meals. After all, like you said, this is just a 'guesthouse'."
Jungkook was caught off guard; he hadn't expected her to strike back so quickly. He realized he didn't even know how to cook ( Doesn't matter, he thought. I have Jin. Or takeout. Why would I want to eat her food anyway?).
"Fine. Deal."
Hyuna saw the look of shock on his face and knew she had won. Suppressing a smile, she turned her back on him and headed toward Jungkook's room to get her things.
Jungkook felt like he had just lost a battle. "Wait!" he snapped, his frustration rising. "I'm not finished yet!"
She turned back toward him. She knew he hadn't accepted his defeat yet, but she suppressed her smile to avoid upsetting him further.
"I'm listening..."
He took a step closer and pointed toward his room. "As of right now, you are forbidden from stepping foot inside my room."
Hyuna shrugged nonchalantly. "Fine by me. I have no interest in going in there anyway. So, please... give me my suitcase."
Jungkook let out a scoff. "What, am I your bellboy now?"
Hyuna locked her fingers together and said calmly, "Well, you're the one who just said I can't go inside anymore..."
Jungkook was fuming. This girl was a snake, a master manipulator seemingly born just to torment him. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he went into his room, shoved her suitcase out the door, and slammed it shut behind him.
Hyuna smiled to herself. She had decided that the best way to get close to him during this time was by playing hard to get and acting indifferent. Maybe that way, she could find a path into that mysterious, high-stakes room of his. She dragged her suitcase across the ceramic floor toward the kind couple's bedroom. Mrs. Jeon had prepared it for her, leaving it neat and spotless.
Since the restaurant was closed, she knew the boredom would eventually get to her. She sat on the edge of the bed and glanced at the photos on the vanity. There was a picture of a girl with her arm draped around Jungkook's neck. Though the photo was taken from a distance, she could clearly see both of them smiling. She stood up to get a better look at Nayun. Picking up the frame, she saw a beautiful girl with light brown hair falling over her shoulders, beaming at the camera. Jungkook looked so happy in the shot. (Does this guy even know how to laugh?). She sighed and put the photo back. She knew this family had endured immense pain losing their youngest daughter. The photo didn't look that old; she guessed the girl couldn't have been more than eighteen. She glanced at another group photo where Yungmi looked much younger. (She's aged so much from grief... poor woman, she's suffered so much.)
The ringing of her phone snapped her out of her thoughts. She headed toward the living room but froze when she saw Jungkook standing at his doorway, just across the small hall.
Jungkook frowned and pointed at her phone. "That sound is ringing right in my head. Just answer it already."
She realized she had been staring at him like an idiot. She scrambled to grab her phone, but her hands began to shake when she saw Jimin's name on the screen. She stole a glance at Jungkook, he was still standing there. She couldn't talk to her brother freely with him watching.
Jungkook was burning with curiosity. Who is it? he wondered. Who could possibly make her hesitate that much just to answer a call? He didn't want to look suspicious, so he headed to the kitchen under the pretext of getting a glass of water to give her some space. He had spent the whole night thinking about Hyuna, about her words, and the information she might be hiding. He was at a crossroads; he felt drawn to this mysterious girl, hoping she might help his case, but his pride and the scars of past betrayals held him back.
Her voice sounded distant now. He stepped out of the kitchen, and his hunch was right! She had gone out to the small balcony. He crept silently behind the door. She was out there again in thin clothes. (What is wrong with her? Does she think it's summer out there?)
Hyuna looked frustrated, running her hand through her hair and grumbling angrily at the person on the other end.
She was stressed; another late-night meeting was being forced on her, and with Jungkook home, she had no idea how to justify her absence. The cold was biting, but Jimin wouldn't let up, detailing all the ways Kwang-soo and his thugs would make her suffer if she didn't show.
A sudden thud against the door made her freeze. She looked toward the balcony entrance and caught a glimpse of Jungkook's shadow as he bolted away. Panic surged through her. (Did he hear me?)
Cursing himself, he hurried back to his room. (Idiot! Why now? And why do I have to sneeze at the worst possible time? Just my luck!) He rubbed his eyes nervously. (She saw me. I'm sure she saw me... dammit.)
Fortunately, a call from Jin saved him from his own spiral of self-loathing.
When she finally hung up and came back inside, she was shivering. She rushed to the heater in the corner of the hall, her body trembling. She had known she was coming down with something since last night, but she had ignored it. Suddenly, the sound of Jungkook's laughter caught her ear, he was laughing heartily. Despite herself, she couldn't help but smile at the sound. She checked the clock; it was time to start lunch. Her mind was racing with Jimin's warnings, and she was desperate for an excuse to leave the house later. She pulled some ingredients from the fridge, grateful for the cooking skills she had picked up from Yungmi over the last ten days.
Jin finally ended the call. Jungkook, having talked so much he felt famished, opened his door. The delicious aroma of food had filled the entire house. His stomach growled audibly. He swallowed hard and walked into the kitchen.
Hyuna sneezed again, wiping the tears from her eyes.
Jungkook acted indifferent, heading straight for the fridge. He grabbed the last two eggs and stood beside her. Hyuna stared at the eggs in his hand, bewildered. (Don't tell me he's actually going to cook.)
Jungkook set the eggs on the counter and began opening cabinets in search of a frying pan. He was getting frustrated; he had no idea where anything was kept. He slammed a cabinet shut in annoyance, causing both eggs to roll off the counter. Before he could catch them, they splattered all over the floor.
Hyuna bit her lip, desperately trying to stifle a laugh as she stirred her soup.
Jungkook was livid. He had completely embarrassed himself in front of her. He didn't know how to cook anything else, so he grabbed a cloth and began cleaning up the mess on the floor in silence.
Hyuna felt a pang of pity for him, she knew he was hungry. But she forced herself not to care. He needed to be taught a lesson for setting all those strict rules and conditions.
Without a word, Jungkook stormed out of the kitchen, his pride wounded. He decided to call the local pizza place. He wasn't a fan of fast food, but it was better than starving. He craved the food Hyuna had made, but his ego was more important; he couldn't break the rules he himself had set on the very first day.
Hyuna served her food and sat at the kitchen table. She glanced toward the hall, but he was nowhere to be seen. When the doorbell rang, she moved to answer it, but Jungkook blocked her path. "It's for me," he said curtly.
She stepped back into the kitchen. The soup she had made was soothing and perfect for her worsening cold. Jungkook took the pizza box to his room and shut the door behind him.
_________
It was late afternoon, and Hyuna was staring listlessly at the TV. She had kept the volume low to avoid being a nuisance, but eventually, boredom got the best of her, and she felt like being a little mischievous. She stopped on a music channel, cranked up the volume, and started singing along at the top of her lungs.
Inside his room, Jungkook had fallen into a deep sleep with his head resting on his desk, exhausted from work.The sudden blast of music jolted him awake. With a deep scowl, he marched toward the living room.
His bedroom door swung open with a bang. Hyuna looked back in terror; Jungkook's eyes were bloodshot and filled with rage. (My God, was he asleep?) She had no idea he was napping.
Jungkook grabbed the remote, killed the volume, and stood there breathing heavily from anger.
"Are you out of your mind? What's wrong with you? Are you deaf?"
Hyuna stood up from the sofa, feeling ashamed. She hadn't meant to disturb his peace; she was just lonely and bored, trying to lure him out of that tiny room.
"I'm sorry... I wasn't thinking. I didn't know you were sleeping."
Jungkook tossed the remote onto the sofa and stormed back to his room without another word.
Hyuna pouted and threw herself back onto the cushions. (I shouldn't have turned it up... I must have ruined his sleep. How was I supposed to know?)
__________
An hour remained before she had to be at her destination. Jungkook hadn't stepped out of his room since their afternoon confrontation. It was 8:00 PM when she quickly got dressed to head to Kwang-soo's house. She still didn't have a solid excuse for being out late, but she had no choice but to leave.
Meanwhile, Jungkook was fed up with a case file that seemed to lead nowhere but dead ends. The house was eerily quiet.
He opened his door to find the place in total darkness. He assumed she was in her room. Hunger finally gnawed at him, so he opened the fridge. The food Hyuna had cooked was right there. He was tempted, but he was afraid she might catch him. He stole a glance toward the hall. (She must be asleep.) He quickly served himself some of the food and retreated to his room. He took just a little bit of everything so she wouldn't notice. The food was cold but delicious, better than he had expected from her.
After eating, he tossed the dishes into the sink. It was 9:30 PM. (Does she go to bed this early? Is she a chicken?)
He found himself staring at her closed door. Something pulled him toward that dark room. He reached the door and knocked a few times, not even knowing why he was doing it. No sound came from inside.
Convinced she was asleep, he turned to leave but changed his mind. He pushed the door open gently. It was dark, with only a sliver of light from the hall falling across the bed. The bed was empty. Panic hit him. He flipped the light switch. His hunch was right, she wasn't there. He felt a wave of frustration, blaming himself for her disappearance.
He paced the room. Her personal belongings and small suitcase were still in the corner. That relieved him slightly, but the anxiety remained. Why was she out in this freezing cold at this hour? He searched the entire house. Nothing. Worried, he sat on the sofa, tapping his foot nervously. If anything happened to her, he knew he'd never forgive himself.
Outside, the biting cold made Hyuna's body shake uncontrollably. She ran through the alleys until she finally reached the house. It was past 11:00 PM. It was the fastest she could possibly get back. Her head was spinning, and she felt terrible. She desperately hoped Jungkook was asleep so he wouldn't see the bruises and bloodstains on her face and body. Her hands were numb and stiff from the cold. She struggled to hold the key, and it slipped, clattering onto the ground. (Ugh... dammit.) She bent down to pick it up, but a dizzy spell nearly knocked her over. Finally, she managed to unlock the door. She closed it as quietly as possible, trying not to wake him. She kicked off her shoes and opened the inner door.
At the sound of the door, he shot up from the sofa. There she was, standing in the doorway, looking disheveled and wounded. He had been waiting for her, and while her arrival brought him a wave of relief, seeing her in this state sparked a new kind of dread.
Hyuna was struck with terror when she saw the mixture of shock and worry on Jungkook's face. She was in no condition to talk, let alone come up with an excuse for her late arrival. Her body began to tremble even more, fueled by the fear rising inside her.
Jungkook approached her, his voice lashing out with anger. "Where were you? Do you have any idea what time it is? Have you even looked at yourself? Look at the state you're in!"
Hyuna kept her head down, leaning shakingly against the corner of the wall to keep from collapsing. She had no words left to give.
Jungkook grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her firmly. "I'm talking to you! Do you have any idea how many scenarios ran through my head? No phone number, no address... how could you do this? You're a responsibility, do you understand? You were left in my care!"
A lump formed in her throat, her body aching under the pressure of his grip. With a sudden movement, she shoved his hands off her shoulders. "Just leave me alone..."
She didn't have the energy for anyone, especially not for answering Jungkook's relentless questions. All she wanted was to retreat into her own world and be left in peace.
Trembling and in a wretched state, she turned to walk toward her room, but halfway there, her legs gave out and she collapsed to the floor.