But Taehyung quickly pushed the thought aside.This was all happening because of Jungkook in the first place.If he had just— No. He wasn't going to think about it now. So,he simply followed his so-called husband out,already bracing himself for whatever the morning had in store.

— Jungkook didn't want to go to Busan. He really didn't. But Elder Jeon wasn't having any of it. "We married you to the omega you wanted," the old man said without any sugarcoating, glancing between Jungkook and Taehyung. "You got what you wanted.

Now, as tradition, you'll both visit our hometown and take blessings from the ancestors." Taehyung sat next to Jungkook, shoulders a little too straight, hands folded politely on his lap. He didn't say anything—but he didn't need to. He looked like someone dropped into the

middle of a family breakfast without a clue of anything. Jungkook didn't even try to hide his sigh. "We can pray from here too. Graves don't disappear just because we don't show up," he muttered. "Jungkook," Somi's voice cut in sharp, giving him a warning look.

He rolled his eyes, clearly not in the mood for this whole ritual. Then his gaze flicked to the side—and landed on Taehyung. Taehyung didn't say anything, but the look on his face? Yeah, Jungkook caught it. Slight frown. A bit confused. Maybe even disappointed.

And Jungkook knew why. Taehyung probably thought he was being disrespectful. Or childish. Or both. He didn't even need to say it. Jungkook already felt it in the way Taehyung was looking at him. Great. Just great. The last thing he needed was another fight with Taehyung.

So, after a moment of silence, Jungkook sat up a little straighter and cleared his throat. "Fine. We'll go." His grandfather gave a small nod, clearly pleased with that answer. But Jungkook wasn't finished yet. "But," he added, "only if you agree to something

I've already decided." Now his father was looking at him, eyebrows raised. "And what's that?" Jungkook looked briefly at Taehyung, who looked… unsure. Like he wasn't sure if he should be nervous or just keep smiling politely at everyone.

Then Jungkook turned his gaze back to the table. "Now that I'm married, and I have a mate," he said slowly, "I want to live separately. Just me and Taehyung." The room didn't go quiet exactly—but it paused. Not complete silence, but that kind of loaded pause

where everyone was processing at the same time. Jungkook didn't care. He didn't want to be watched 24/7 by his mom or have his grandfather breathing down his neck every time he walked out of his room. And maybe, just maybe,if they had space, things would be better with Taehyung.

Or maybe it’d still be hell. But at least it’d be private hell. Taehyung blinked at him, clearly caught off guard by what Jungkook just said. For a second, Jungkook thought—maybe he'll thank me later. It wasn't like Taehyung looked all that comfortable sitting here,

surrounded by people he barely knew, trying to keep that polite smile on his face. Jungkook had noticed how his fingers kept fidgeting under the table, how his eyes darted every time one of them spoke. But before Jungkook could even feel a little smug about doing something

helpful, Taehyung's expression shifted. From surprised… to a full-on glare. A full-on, "what the hell are you doing" kind of look. Jungkook blinked. Okay, that wasn't the reaction he expected.

Before Jungkook could say anything, his father leaned forward slightly, brows pulled together. "Live separately?" he repeated, his voice tight. "You just got married, Jungkook. This isn't something we've ever done before." Jungkook didn't flinch. "Yeah, well, I'm not everyone

else. Things don't always have to be done the way we've always done them." His father sighed heavily, rubbing a hand over his face like he was already exhausted. He didn't argue further, though. Somi just watched, quiet. She didn't look angry, more like she was still

processing everything, but she didn't speak up either. Then, out of nowhere, Elder Jeon spoke. Jungkook had been expecting the usual disapproval—some kind of lecture about tradition or respect for the family, but instead, his grandfather just shrugged.

"Hwan, if that's what he wants, let him do it. He's old enough to make his own choices." Jungkook froze—then his whole mood shifted in an instant. He lit up. Like really lit up. Like someone had just handed him the keys to freedom.

"Are you serious?" he asked, whipping his head toward his grandfather, eyes wide, tone way too eager. "We can? Like—really?" The grin on his face was boyish, ridiculous, way too happy for someone who'd just gotten glared at by his omega.

He looked around the table like he'd just won something, his mood flipped like a switch. Gone was the irritation, the tension from earlier—now he looked downright pleased with himself, like he'd cracked some secret code. Finally, one decision that actually went his way.

Even if his so-called husband looked two seconds from stabbing him with a spoon. But Jungkook? He just looked back at that same husband with a dumb, genuine smile on his face. The kind that made his dimples show. Because in his head, this wasn't just about space.

It was strategy. Living separately? That was step one. He was convinced—absolutely convinced—that a little distance from the chaos, just the two of them in one space, might actually make Taehyung fall for him. Or at least stop hating him.

— In their bedroom after breakfast, Taehyung followed Jungkook in, arms crossed. "Why do you want to live separately?" he asked, watching Jungkook pace around with his phone in hand. Jungkook didn't stop. "Why don't you?" he tossed back, like it was obvious.

"I thought you'd love being away from my family. No pretending. No fake smiles. Just you and me, peacefully avoiding each other." "Pretending?" Taehyung repeated, eyebrows shooting up in disbelief. That made Jungkook pause mid-step. He turned around slowly, finally meeting

Taehyung's eyes. "Aren't you?" he asked, raising a brow. "Pretending?" Taehyung stared at him, then let out a sigh, shaking his head. "They're not you, Jungkook. I don't need to pretend to like them. They're actually—surprisingly—very kind. Unlike you." His voice sharpened.

"If I had a son like you, I'd be damned." Jungkook scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Will you please stop insulting me every time you open your mouth?" "Oh? So you get insulted now? Wow, I thought you only knew how to dish it out." "Are you done?" Jungkook asked flatly.

Taehyung snapped back, "No, I'm not!" Jungkook let out a dry, fake laugh, then quieted. His tone dropped, more serious. "Okay then. Tell me. What is it?" Taehyung's jaw tightened, but his voice was clear. "I don't want to live separately. I want to stay here."

Jungkook's brows furrowed. He was genuinely confused now. "But why? I don't get it. You seem so uncomfortable around my family. Wouldn't you rather have space?" Taehyung's reply came quick—and full of venom. "Because being around them is still better than being alone with you."

He stared at Jungkook, his voice rising. "I don't want your space. I want distance. I don't trust you. Not even a little." And Jungkook blinked—once, then twice. For a second, he didn't say anything. Just stood there, staring at Taehyung like he couldn't

believe what he'd just heard. The words echoed in his head, louder than they should've. 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦. His jaw tightened. He was trying. Actually trying to make things better. Be civil. Create distance so Taehyung could

breathe, so maybe—just maybe—things wouldn't be as miserable between them. And this was what he got in return? Jungkook let out a breathy scoff, more disbelief than amusement. "Wow," he muttered, shaking his head. "You know what? Fine." His tone was low but final,

voice tinged with cold amusement. "You don't trust me? Cool. Then you'll love what comes next." Taehyung frowned, already regretting how fast the mood had flipped. Jungkook looked right at him, smile gone now—expression unreadable. "We're definitely living separately now.

I was trying to be considerate, but you just made the choice easier for me." He turned away, looking at his phone again like the conversation was already over. "Start packing. We're moving out by tomorrow." Taehyung scoffed behind him. "You can't be serious."

"Oh, I'm very serious," Jungkook replied without even looking up. "So what then?" Taehyung snapped, stepping closer. "You're just going to drag me out of here? What if I don't go?" Jungkook turned slowly, lips curled in a dry smile. "Then I guess you're staying here…

with my family. While I live somewhere else." Taehyung blinked, stunned for a beat. Jungkook shrugged. "And if that's the case, I hope you won't mind if I start visiting your parent's house. Or, you know, maybe do something a little extra. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Taehyung's face dropped immediately, horrified. "You're not going there. You're not making a scene, Jungkook. You promised me—you said after we got married, you wouldn't mess with my family!" "I did," Jungkook nodded. "But that promise kinda depends on you being with me,

doesn't it? If my omega decides he's not coming to where his alpha is living… well," he smiled, all fake sweetness. "I can't really keep that promise then. Sorry." Taehyung clenched his jaw, eyes burning with frustration. He stood there for a moment,

fists tight at his sides, then spun on his heel. Jungkook blinked, a little thrown off. "Wait—are not you—" Taehyung yanked open the closet, loud and fast. "I'm packing," he snapped. "Isn't that what you wanted?!" "Ah… yeah. Good," Jungkook mumbled, trying to act like

he didn't care, scrolling through his phone. Totally fine. Totally fine. But, he wasn't. Not really. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Taehyung angrily folding his clothes, each movement quick and frustrated, like he was trying to fold away all the irritation.

The room felt heavy, and Jungkook's stomach sank. But then, he reminded himself—he made his decision. There was no going back. He didn't bother looking up from his phone as he shot a quick text to one of their staff. "Have someone go to my old apartment. Clear everything out."

— Taehyung's first—and apparently last—day in this house was… well, a mix of things. The place itself? Honestly, really nice. Way prettier than he expected. It had this calm, quiet vibe that he actually liked. Lunch wasn't bad either. His mother-in-law had been nice.