The sun filtered weakly through the curtains, casting golden lines across the floor. Jennie sat at the dining table, watching as Taehyung hurriedly fixed his tie in front of the mirror. He hadn’t even sat down for breakfast — the breakfast she woke up early to make.

"You're leaving already?" she asked quietly, fingers nervously playing with the spoon in her cup of tea.

Taehyung glanced at her briefly, adjusting his collar. "Yeah. Tight schedule today."

Jennie's eyes followed him, her heart sinking at how casually he said that — like their time together didn’t matter anymore.

"But Tae, we were supposed to go to that art gallery today… you promised."

Taehyung paused for a second, guilt flashing in his eyes, but he masked it quickly. "I'm sorry, Jagiya. Maybe another time?"

Another time.
Always another time.

**The Growing Silence**

The door closed behind him, leaving Jennie alone in the quiet apartment. The walls that once held their laughter now felt suffocating.

She stared at her untouched breakfast, tears pooling in her eyes.

Was this marriage supposed to feel this lonely?

Once upon a time, Taehyung would have held her hand, kissed her forehead, and whispered sweet nothings. Now, it felt like he was a stranger living in the same house.

The headlines, the fan shipping with Irene — it all swirled inside Jennie’s mind like a tornado she couldn't escape from.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Jisoo.

> "Hey babe, are you okay? You seem off these days."

Jennie stared at it for a long time but couldn't bring herself to reply. She didn't know how to put her feelings into words.

**Taehyung’s Day: The Pressure Builds**

Meanwhile, Taehyung sat in the makeup chair on set, scrolling through his phone.

His screen was filled with articles:
"Taehyung and Irene, the hottest new on-screen couple!"
"Fans rooting for Taehyung and Irene to date in real life!"

He sighed, throwing the phone on the counter.

Irene walked by, noticing his tense expression.

"You good, Tae?" she asked, casually leaning against the door.

"Yeah," he mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

She raised a brow but didn’t push further. "Alright. Just don’t forget, your 'perfect couple' image is selling our drama. Smile, okay?"

Taehyung forced a smile, but inside, he felt like he was drowning.

He missed Jennie.
He missed coming home and finding her arms open for him.
But the weight of hiding their marriage from the world and maintaining a fake public image was tearing him apart.

**A Night Out Without Her**

Later that night, photos would circulate — Taehyung and Irene attending a cast dinner. Laughing. Sitting close.

Jennie would see them all.
Every. Single. One.

** Alone in a Crowd**

Jennie had been invited to a BLACKPINK event that evening. She decided to go, hoping maybe it would take her mind off Taehyung.

She smiled and posed for cameras, laughed with Jisoo, Rose and Lisa, but inside, she felt empty.

As the crowd cheered around them, Jennie’s eyes caught a glimpse of a giant screen displaying news:

"Taehyung and Irene looking cozy at tonight's cast dinner!"

Her smile faltered for a moment.
Jisoo noticed, nudging her slightly. "Hey, you okay?"

Jennie nodded quickly, forcing a laugh. "Yeah, just tired."

But Jisoo’s eyes softened with concern.

**Back Home — An Empty Bed**

Jennie arrived home past midnight. The apartment was dark. Taehyung wasn’t back yet.

She dropped her purse on the couch and sat down, burying her face in her hands.

The silence was unbearable.

Her eyes wandered to the wall — the framed wedding photo of her and Taehyung, laughing like nothing could ever come between them.

Where did that love go?

She stood up and walked to the bedroom, lying down on her side of the bed, hugging his pillow tightly, the tears finally spilling over.

She missed him.

But she didn’t know how to reach him anymore.

**Taehyung’s Return — A Glimpse of Guilt**

It was nearly 3 a.m. when Taehyung finally walked through the door, loosening his tie.

He found Jennie asleep in bed, her back to him, her arms wrapped around a pillow.

He stood there for a long moment, watching her in the dim light.

Guilt gnawed at his chest.

What am I doing to us?

But instead of waking her or holding her close, he sighed and slipped quietly into bed, careful not to disturb her.

Jennie stirred slightly at the sound but didn’t turn.

Taehyung reached out as if to touch her, but his hand stopped mid-air.

And then he rolled over, facing away, both of them lost in their own silent pain.

To be continued...