Chapter 9 : The Choice

When word of the exile reached the Park estate, Jimin’s family summoned him home. The room he once knew as warm felt cold now—his father’s voice firm, his mother’s eyes full of disappointment.

“You brought shame to our name,” his father said. “You broke your engagement and followed a disgraced Alpha. You are no longer a Park.”

Jimin’s heart twisted, but he stayed silent. Beside him, Jungkook stood tall, the calm mask gone from his face.

“Enough,” Jungkook said, his tone cutting through the argument. “Don’t put the blame only on him. It wasn’t just his mistake. We both lost control, and we both will bear it.”

The elder Parks turned their glare on him, but Jungkook didn’t flinch. He took a breath, his voice deepening into that commanding Alpha timbre that left no space for doubt.

“Jimin,” he said quietly but firmly, “choose. Either me—or them.

If you choose me, you walk away. No more messages, no more visits. You start over with me.”

The words hung heavy in the air. Even Jungkook’s eyes showed hesitation, as if he already regretted giving that ultimatum.

Jimin looked between his parents and the Alpha who had lost everything for him. His heart pounded. Then he straightened, voice shaking but sure.

“I’m leaving with my Alpha,” he said.

His parents called after him, but he didn’t turn back. He walked toward Jungkook, their footsteps echoing together down the long marble hall.

Outside, the air smelled of rain again—the same scent from the night their fate had changed. Jungkook said nothing, only opened the car door.

They drove in silence to the city, the skyline rising like ghosts of the life Jungkook had once ruled. At the top of a tall glass tower, the elevator doors opened to his penthouse—empty, quiet, waiting.

Jimin stood by the window, watching the clouds roll over the city lights. Jungkook joined him a moment later.

“We start here,” he said simply.

And though the world had turned its back on them both, that night they chose to face it together.