CHAPTER 2:STARTING FROM ZERO

Chapter 1 (Continued): Starting from Zero

Taehyung reached across the marble countertop, his fingers grazing the back of Jungkook’s hand. He didn’t pull away when he felt Jungkook flinch; he simply held on tighter, grounding them both.

"I’m tired, Jungkook," Taehyung said, his voice dropping to a soft, vulnerable hum. "I’m tired of the walls between us. I’m tired of the silence in this house and the way we look at each other like strangers."

Jungkook’s eyes searched his, looking for a catch. "We aren't just strangers, Taehyung. We’re... we’ve been enemies in this marriage for a long time."

"Then let’s stop," Taehyung pleaded. He moved his stool closer, until their knees brushed. "Can we just start over? From zero? Forget the contracts, forget the family pressures, and forget every cruel thing I’ve said to you. Let’s pretend we just met today, and you’re just a man I want to get to know."

Jungkook let out a shaky breath, his gaze dropping to their joined hands. "You make it sound so easy. You think a few words can fix three years of... this?"

"No," Taehyung whispered. "I know it won't be easy. I know I have a lot to prove to you. But look at me, Jungkook."

Jungkook slowly lifted his head.

"I’m not going anywhere," Taehyung promised. "I'm going to stay right here until you believe me."

The tension in Jungkook’s shoulders finally began to bleed away. He didn't smile—not yet—but he flipped his hand over, interlacing his fingers with Taehyung’s. His grip was almost painfully tight, as if he were afraid that if he let go, the "new" Taehyung would vanish.

"Starting from zero," Jungkook repeated, the words tasting strange on his tongue. He looked at the coffee Taehyung had made. "If we're starting from zero... then nice to meet you, Taehyung. I'm Jungkook."

Taehyung felt a genuine, fluttery sensation in his chest—the kind of "crush" feeling he hadn't felt in a lifetime. "Nice to meet you, Jungkook. I hear you’re a very hardworking CEO. Maybe you should take the day off and spend it with your husband?"

Jungkook’s lips quirked—the ghost of a real smile. "My husband is very demanding. But I think I can manage that."

The quiet of the kitchen was peaceful until Taehyung’s phone, left on the marble island, began to buzz aggressively. The caller ID flashed: Bogum.

In his past life, Taehyung would have snatched the phone away, turned his back to Jungkook, and spoken in hushed, giggling tones. Bogum had been his "best friend," the one who constantly whispered that Jungkook was controlling, that Jungkook was boring, and that Taehyung deserved "freedom."

He now knew Bogum was the one who had helped orchestrate the "accident" that killed him.

Jungkook’s expression shifted instantly. The warmth that had started to settle in his eyes froze over. He pulled his hand back from Taehyung’s, his jaw tightening. This was the pattern he knew: a phone call from him, and Taehyung would disappear.

"You should take that," Jungkook said, his voice returning to that hollow, professional tone. "It’s your friend."

Taehyung didn't reach for the phone to hide it. Instead, he slid it to the center of the table and looked Jungkook dead in the eye.

"I don't have anything to say to him that you can't hear," Taehyung said firmly. He hit the Speaker button.

"Tae! Finally!" Bogum’s voice loud and whiny filtered through the kitchen. "Why haven't you replied? I’m waiting at the club. Did that 'robot' husband of yours lock you in again? Honestly, I don't know how you stand living in that morgue with him. Come out, I have the divorce lawyer's new draft for you to look at."

The air in the kitchen turned icy. Jungkook looked away, his knuckles white as he gripped his coffee mug. He looked like a man expecting a blow to the chest.

Taehyung leaned toward the phone, his voice cold and clear. "Bogum."

"Yeah, Tae?"

"First, don't ever call my husband a robot again. He has a name, and it’s Jungkook. And second, don't ever call this house a morgue. It’s my home."

There was a stunned silence on the other end. "Tae? Are you... are you drunk? It’s ten in the morning."

"I've never been more sober," Taehyung snapped. "Stop calling me. Stop sending me drafts for things I never asked for. I love my husband, and I’m busy starting our life over. Delete my number."

Taehyung didn't wait for a response. He hit the red 'end' button and, without a second thought, blocked the contact.

He looked up at Jungkook. The CEO was staring at the phone as if it had just exploded. His mouth was slightly open, his eyes wide with a mixture of shock and a tiny, flickering spark of hope.

"You..." Jungkook cleared his throat, struggling to find his voice. "You told him to delete your number."

"I told him I love my husband," Taehyung corrected softly. He reached out and covered Jungkook's hand again. "That was the most important part. Did you hear that part, Jungkook?"

Jungkook’s gaze snapped to Taehyung’s. For a second, the "Ice King" looked completely undone. "I heard it. I just... I don't know if I'm allowed to believe it yet."

Taehyung stood up, walked around the stool, and stepped into the space between Jungkook’s legs, placing his hands on Jungkook's shoulders.

"Then I'll just have to say it every day until you do," Taehyung whispered.

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