Threads of fate

Chapter 39

Stopping in front of his door, she hesitated for a moment before raising her hand and knocking softly.

There was no response.

She knocked again, a little firmer this time.

A few moments passed before she heard soft footsteps from inside. The door creaked open slightly, revealing Jin standing there in his pajamas. His eyes were tired, his expression unreadable, as if he hadn’t gotten much sleep either.

“Minji?” His voice was hoarse, laced with exhaustion. “Is something wrong?”

Minji shook her head. “I should be asking you that.”

Jin’s brows furrowed slightly. “What?”

She exhaled and crossed her arms. “Something happened last night, Jin oppa. I saw how you looked at Namjoon at the engagement ceremony. And this morning, when I asked Namjoon where he was last night, I know he lied to me.” She studied Jin’s face carefully, and sure enough, his lips pressed into a thin line.

“Jin,” she continued gently, “I’m not here to force you to tell me anything. But I can see you’re not okay. And I can’t just pretend like I don’t notice.”

Jin glanced down the hallway, as if making sure no one else was awake, then let out a deep sigh. Without a word, he stepped aside, silently inviting her in.

Minji walked inside, and Jin quietly closed the door behind her. The room was dimly lit, a warm glow from the bedside lamp casting soft shadows across the walls. His bed was slightly messy, the blankets half-pulled, as if he had been tossing and turning.

Jin and Minji sat on the sofa inside Jin’s room. Minji watched him closely, her hands clasped together as she waited for him to speak. She could tell he was hesitant, his gaze shifting as if searching for the right words—or an escape.

“Jin,” Minji started, her voice soft but firm. “Please, don’t lie to me. If you’re going to make something up, then don’t say anything at all. I just want the truth.”

Jin exhaled heavily. He had wanted to brush it off, to avoid the painful memories, but Minji’s determined eyes told him that she wouldn’t let it go. He had no choice.

Running a hand through his hair, he leaned back against the sofa and finally spoke. “Minji… there’s a lot you don’t know about me. About my past.”

Minji nodded. “Then tell me.”

Jin took a deep breath before continuing. “I was once a part of BTS.”

Minji’s eyes widened in shock. “Wait… what?”

Jin gave her a small, sad smile. “I was one of them. We weren’t just a group—we were a family. We spent years together, growing, struggling, and achieving things we never imagined. But… things changed.”

Minji stayed silent, giving him space to continue.

“Jungkook and I… we weren’t just friends.” Jin’s voice was quieter now, tinged with emotion. “We fell in love. At first, only the members knew, and they supported us. Later, we told our families, and despite everything, we were happy. We loved each other deeply.”

Minji could see the pain in Jin’s eyes, the way his hands clenched slightly as he spoke.

“But then,” he swallowed, “Jungkook started to change. He began to avoid me. He became distant, cold. I didn’t understand why. And then, one day… he asked for a breakup.”

Minji gasped slightly, but she still didn’t interrupt.

“He told me he loved someone else. That he loved Sana.” Jin let out a bitter chuckle. “I was shattered. I didn’t understand how everything we had could just disappear like that. So, I left. I enlisted in the military. I thought… maybe if I disappeared, I could move on.”