Seraphina’s POV
My back slammed against the cold metal of a locker, the impact jarring even as Jungkook’s presence loomed over me.
“What took you so long?” His voice was a low, sharp demand.
I winced, the familiar sting of his grip tightening on my shoulder. “My teacher kept me back to finish a lesson.”
He didn’t seem to hear me. “I don’t care. When I call, you come immediately. Understand?”
I nodded, keeping my gaze averted. “It’s just… impossible during school.” I whispered, hoping he wouldn’t hear me.
“Hey.” Jungkook grabbed my face, forcing my eyes to meet his. The dark intensity of his gaze felt like a physical pressure. “When I’m talking to you, you *look* at me. And do you dare talk back?”
“N-no, I’m sorry,” I stammered, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes.
This was routine now. A year of walking this tightrope, bracing for the shift from tenderness to control. Today, the familiar surge of anger was already building. He’d notice. He always did, and then the rare, sweet boyfriend would resurface, briefly, before disappearing again.
It hadn’t always been this way. Two years ago, we were inseparable. A whirlwind of affection, a desperate need to be near each other. Then came the infidelity. I’d foolishly forgiven him, believing we could rebuild.
But forgiveness had only opened the door to a slow erosion of power. The controlling behavior started subtly, then escalated until I was trapped, afraid to leave, yet haunted by the memory of the boy I’d loved. I still loved him, a fractured, desperate kind of love that clung to the hope of a return to the past.
Jungkook saw the tears threatening to spill over. He looped an arm around my shoulders, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Come on, let’s ditch this place.”
He was smiling. A genuine, rare smile that momentarily eclipsed the darkness in his eyes. It lifted a small spark of hope within me. Maybe today wouldn’t be so bad after all.
We drove out of the school parking lot, leaving the rigid structure behind.
“Where are we going?” I asked, watching the trees blur into a green rush.
“You’ll see.” His smile was brighter now, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
An hour later, we arrived at a park, a small oasis of green.
“Sera, I’m sorry for snapping earlier. I was just frustrated.” He said as we walked toward a food stand, his tone softening.
I managed a small smile. “It’s okay.”
We fed pigeons, swung on a playground swing set, and walked in comfortable silence. The air felt lighter, the weight of his anger momentarily lifted.
Suddenly, Jungkook broke the silence. “Do you remember that break we had?”
I hesitated. “Yeah… I do.” The words were barely a whisper.
“I remember how much I regretted hurting you, how many tears I shed for you.” His voice was laced with a sadness that mirrored my own.
The pain was sharp, a familiar ache. I reached out and brushed his cheek. “Yes, but I’m yours now. We left that in the past. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”
He combed a hand through his hair, his gaze intense. “I know, but I was just wondering… how did the situation make you feel?”
I stopped walking, bracing myself. “Do you really want to know?”
Jungkook stopped too, his eyes locking onto mine with an earnest intensity.
“I… I honestly started believing it was my fault you cheated.” The words tumbled out, raw and vulnerable. “I thought I wasn’t good enough, that I—”
Jungkook cut me off, pulling me into a tight embrace. “I’m so sorry, baby,” he whispered into my ear. “You will always be good enough for me, no matter what.”
A small smile touched my lips. Hearing him say it, truly mean it, sparked a flicker of hope. Maybe he could change. Maybe we could break the cycle.
We walked back to his car, and he drove me home.
“Goodnight, Sera. See you at school.” He kissed my forehead, his voice sweet and tender. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Kookie.” The words felt fragile, a whispered prayer against the darkness.
Jungkook blushed, a rare flush of color warming his cheeks. “Bye,” he said, and I watched him drive away.
As I unlocked my front door, a fragile hope bloomed within me. Maybe, just maybe, every day could be like today. Jungkook rarely said “I love you” anymore. I went to sleep, clinging to the possibility that tomorrow would be just as good.