Jennie's POV
I didn't even realize what I was doing until it was too late. One second I was standing across the courtyard, watching Lisa laugh with that girl, and the next I was storming toward them, my hand slipping around Lisa's arm like it had always belonged there.
The look on Lisa's face was priceless-wide eyes, parted lips, completely caught off guard. Good. Let her be surprised. Let her feel a fraction of the storm she had just put me through.
"Where did you go? I've been looking for you since I woke up," I asked, forcing my voice to sound casual. But inside, my chest was pounding like a war drum.
Lisa blinked rapidly, almost like she couldn't believe what she was seeing. "Oh... I'm sorry. I was just walking around."
Just walking around? Really? My eyes flicked to the girl beside her-tall, elegant, and annoyingly beautiful. Her poise screamed wealth and confidence. They had been laughing together a moment ago, close enough that my stomach twisted. Just walking around, huh? With her?
"Oh, okay," I muttered, though my tone carried more edge than I intended. My gaze lingered on the girl, silently daring her to explain herself.
Lisa seemed oblivious to the sparks flying in my eyes. She smiled gently and gestured toward the stranger. "Oh, by the way, this is Irene, the owner of the hotel. And Irene, this is Jennie, my fri-"
Before she could finish, I cut in sharply, my grip on Lisa's arm tightening. "Jennie. Lisa's wife."
The words spilled out of me before I could stop them. Clear. Firm. Possessive.
Irene's eyebrows lifted slightly, but she smiled politely, extending her hand. I forced a smile in return, though it felt more like baring my teeth. "Nice to meet you," I said, shaking her hand firmly.
"We'll be going now," I added quickly, leaving no room for debate. Without waiting for either of them to reply, I tugged Lisa away, clutching her like she might slip from my grasp if I let go.
The moment we rounded the corner, I finally released her arm. My pulse was still racing, my palms sweaty. What the hell had I just done?
Lisa stared at me for a moment, clearly stunned, but she didn't say anything. That silence infuriated me more than words ever could.
"Do you make a habit of chatting up random girls in hotels?" I demanded, crossing my arms.
Her brows furrowed. "Jennie, I wasn't chatting her up. She's the hotel owner. We just bumped into each other and started talking."
"Started talking?" I scoffed. "You were laughing like old friends."
She tilted her head slightly, studying me with those unreadable eyes. "So what? Am I not allowed to laugh?"
Her calm tone only fueled my irritation. Why wasn't she flustered? Why wasn't she scrambling to defend herself?
"Whatever," I muttered, turning away. "Just... don't embarrass me like that again."
There was a pause. Then Lisa said quietly, "You didn't seem embarrassed."
I froze, my cheeks heating instantly. She was right. I hadn't looked embarrassed at all. I had looked proud. Possessive. Like I was staking my claim.
"Don't read too much into it," I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. "I only said it so she wouldn't misunderstand. That's all."
Lisa didn't reply, but I caught the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips before she turned away.
And that smile haunted me for the rest of the day.
Back in the hotel room, I paced the floor like a caged animal. My mind replayed the scene over and over-the way Irene's eyes widened when I'd declared myself Lisa's wife, the way Lisa had gone completely speechless, the way I had dragged her away like she was mine.
Mine.
I collapsed onto the bed, burying my face in the pillow. What was wrong with me? Why did I care so much?
Taehyung's name flashed across my phone screen, but for once, I let it ring. I couldn't deal with him right now. Not when my heart was still tangled in the image of Lisa smiling at someone else.
I told myself it was anger. That I was mad because Lisa could make small talk with strangers but couldn't even look me in the eye without stammering. That it was about principle, about keeping up appearances.
But deep down, I knew the truth.
I had been jealous.
And that terrified me.
Later that night, Lisa emerged from the bathroom, her damp hair clinging to her neck. She padded across the room silently, heading straight for the couch like she always did.
Something inside me twisted. The couch again. Always the couch.
Without thinking, I blurted out, "Why don't you just sleep here?"
Lisa turned, her eyes widening slightly. "On the bed?"
I rolled my eyes, trying to mask the sudden flutter in my chest. "Obviously. It's big enough. Just... stay on your side."
She hesitated for a moment, then gave me that small, amused smile again. "If you say so."
She climbed into bed carefully, leaving a wide gap between us, as though an invisible wall separated our bodies. I lay on my side, my back to her, but I couldn't stop myself from listening to the sound of her steady breathing.
It was maddening. Comforting. Infuriating.
And when sleep finally came, I dreamed of her hand still warm on my arm, of my own voice declaring words I had no right to say: Jennie. Lisa's wife.
The next morning, as we shared a quiet breakfast in the hotel's private lounge, I caught myself glancing at Lisa again. She was pouring coffee, her movements unhurried and graceful. I hated how natural it felt to sit across from her, like we were a real couple.
But the memory of yesterday kept gnawing at me.
Why had I said it like that? Why had I wanted Irene to know-to believe-that Lisa was mine?
I stabbed my croissant a little too violently, earning a curious glance from Lisa. I looked away quickly, muttering under my breath, "Stupid Manoban."
If she heard me, she didn't comment.
That day, as I lay awake staring at the ceiling, I imagined what my friends would say if they knew about this ridiculous situation.
Joy would probably laugh until she cried. "Jennie, clinging to Lisa? Never thought I'd see the day."
Alison would smirk knowingly. "Careful, you're sounding like a jealous wife already."
And Rose... sweet Rose would probably giggle and say, "It's okay, unnie. Jealousy just means you care."
I groaned, burying my face in the pillow. No. No way. I didn't care. Not about Lisa. Not about her stupid smile.
And yet, the warmth of her arm under my hand still lingered, stubborn and undeniable.