SHADOWS OF THE FALLEN

The air inside Jennie’s mansion was heavy, suffocating almost, as if the walls themselves had absorbed the storm brewing between them. It had been hours since their heated moment, yet neither had spoken a word about it. Jennie had returned to her cold demeanor, and Taehyung—despite his possessive rage earlier—was now eerily silent.

But his silence wasn’t of defeat. It was calculation.

Jennie sat in her private study, her fingers skimming over the edge of her glass of whiskey, lost in thought. The ice clinked as she swirled the liquid, her mind replaying everything—her father’s death, Irene’s deception, and Taehyung’s sudden confession that everything he did with Irene was an act.

He should’ve told her sooner.

A knock echoed through the room. Without looking up, she said, “Come in.”

Jungkook entered first, his expression serious, followed by Lisa and Jisoo. Taehyung was the last to step in, closing the door behind him. Jennie didn’t even spare him a glance.

“We have to make a move,” Jungkook started, his tone laced with urgency. “Irene is gaining more ground. After your father’s murder, she’s being seen as more powerful than ever.”

Lisa scoffed, arms crossed. “That snake knew what she was doing. She made sure no one suspected her directly.”

Jennie took a deep breath, her grip on the glass tightening. “She wants me broken,” she murmured. “She thinks I’ll crumble without my father.”

Jisoo, who had remained quiet until now, studied Jennie’s expression. “You’re not crumbling, though. You’re just getting started.”

Jennie’s lips curled into a smirk, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Damn right.”

Everyone turned when Taehyung finally spoke, his voice deep and calculated. “Then we strike first.”

His words held weight. Authority. But Jennie refused to look at him. Instead, she turned to Jungkook. “How strong is Irene’s security?”

Jungkook exhaled. “Stronger than before. She’s paranoid. She knows she just committed the most dangerous crime, and now she’s trying to protect herself from the aftermath.”

“She knows I’m coming for her,” Jennie said, her voice like ice.

Taehyung took a step closer, his eyes darkening. “She knows we’re coming for her.”

Jennie’s fingers twitched.

Jisoo glanced between them and then cleared her throat. “If we want to take Irene down, we need to be smart about it. Going in without a solid plan will get us killed.”

Lisa leaned forward, resting her hands on the table. “So what’s the plan?”

For the first time since the meeting started, Jennie looked at Taehyung. Their gazes locked, and for a moment, no words were spoken. There was tension, thick and unbreakable, an unspoken understanding between them.

She knew he wanted revenge as badly as she did. Maybe even more.

Taehyung was the first to break the silence. “Irene trusts me.”

Lisa frowned. “And?”

“She still believes I love her,” Taehyung continued, his voice calm but dangerous. “That’s our advantage. She has no idea I know what she did.”

Jennie clenched her jaw. She hated that he had to keep pretending with Irene. Hated that he had to stay close to that woman. But she knew it was necessary.

“And what about Jennie?” Jisoo asked, looking at Taehyung. “If Irene suspects that Jennie is onto her, she might—”

“Irene already suspects I’m after her,” Jennie interrupted. “She’s waiting for me to make a move.”

Taehyung’s eyes darkened at the confidence in her voice. “Then let’s give her what she wants.”

Jennie smirked. “Not yet.”

Taehyung raised a brow. “What do you mean?”

Jennie leaned back in her chair, exuding nothing but control. “Irene thinks I’ll act on impulse. That’s what she wants—to provoke me, to make me reckless.”

Jungkook tilted his head. “So what’s the plan?”

Jennie’s smirk deepened. “We make her think she’s winning.”

For the first time since the meeting started, Taehyung smirked as well.

Lisa grinned. “I like the sound of that.”

Jisoo nodded. “So we let her believe she’s got the upper hand until it’s too late for her to escape?”

“Exactly,” Jennie confirmed.

Jungkook chuckled. “Damn, you really are your father’s daughter.”

At the mention of her father, Jennie’s smirk faltered for a split second, but she quickly recovered. “And soon, I’ll be the one to make Irene regret the day she ever crossed me.”

Taehyung’s gaze lingered on her. There was something dangerous in his eyes—something possessive. He admired the fire in her, the way she refused to break.

She was still avoiding him, still refusing to acknowledge the growing tension between them. But Taehyung had already decided—he wouldn’t let her run forever.

Because no matter how much she tried to fight it, she was his.

And soon, the entire world would know.