SCENT OF RUIN
Six: House Rules
The first thing you noticed when you woke up…
Was that you weren’t alone.
You blinked slowly, your body stiff under unfamiliar sheets. Your eyes adjusted to the dim morning light filtering through thick curtains.
Then you turned your head.
And froze.
Jungkook was sitting on the edge of the bed.
Fully dressed.
Hair messy.
Arms crossed.
Watching you.
Like he hadn’t slept at all.
Like he’d been waiting for your eyes to open.
You swallowed, throat dry.
“How long have you been staring at me?”
Jungkook didn’t blink.
“Long enough.”
Your stomach twisted.
“That’s creepy.”
He shrugged. “Good.”
You pushed yourself upright, the blanket sliding down your shoulders. You were still in the dress from last night. Wrinkled. Uncomfortable. Humiliating.
You glanced around quickly.
The door was closed.
Still locked.
Your heart jumped.
“You locked me in.”
Jungkook nodded. “Yeah.”
You stared at him in disbelief.
“Are you insane?”
Jungkook leaned back slightly, resting his hands on his thighs.
“You keep asking me that.”
“Because you are,” you snapped.
He smiled faintly. “Maybe.”
You yanked the blanket tighter around yourself.
“Where are the guards Namjoon said he’d put outside?”
“They’re there,” Jungkook answered.
“And I can’t leave?”
“You can leave,” he said casually. “If I let you.”
Your jaw clenched.
“Who do you think you are?”
Jungkook’s gaze traveled down your face slowly.
Then he answered in a calm voice that made your blood boil.
“The one who kept you alive last night.”
You stared at him, breath sharp.
“That doesn’t give you the right to treat me like a prisoner.”
Jungkook tilted his head.
“You are a prisoner.”
Your chest tightened.
“Of who?”
Jungkook’s lips curved.
“Of the situation,” he said.
You scoffed. “Nice excuse.”
He didn’t react.
Instead, he stood up, walking to the dresser. He opened a drawer and tossed something onto the bed.
A set of clothes.
A plain oversized shirt and sweatpants.
You stared at it.
“What is that?”
“Change,” he said.
You narrowed your eyes. “I didn’t ask for your clothes.”
Jungkook turned back to you.
“You’re not walking around my house in that dress.”
You blinked.
“Your house?”
He stepped closer.
“Our house.”
You clenched your fists.
“And who said I’m staying here long enough to need clothes?”
Jungkook’s gaze hardened.
“I did.”
Silence.
You swallowed hard.
“You’re not my owner.”
Jungkook walked closer until he was right beside the bed.
His voice lowered.
“Stop saying that.”
You glared up at him.
“Why? Because you don’t like hearing it?”
Jungkook’s jaw flexed.
“Because it makes me want to prove you wrong.”
Your heart skipped.
Your mouth went dry.
You held his gaze anyway.
“You can’t.”
Jungkook leaned down slightly.
“Try me.”
The words hit you like a shove.
You stared at him, breathing shallow.
Then you broke eye contact first, reaching for the clothes and storming toward the bathroom.
You slammed the door behind you.
You heard him laugh softly on the other side.
Not a warm laugh.
A satisfied one.
When you came out, Jungkook was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
He looked you up and down.
The shirt hung loose on you, covering your thighs. The sweatpants were too long.
You felt ridiculous.
But at least you felt less exposed.
Jungkook nodded slowly.
“Better.”
You glared.
“You sound like my father.”
Jungkook’s smile disappeared.
“What did you say?”
You froze slightly, then lifted your chin.
“I said you sound like my father.”
Jungkook stepped forward.
His voice sharpened.
“Don’t compare me to him.”
You scoffed. “Why? You’re just as controlling.”
Jungkook’s eyes darkened.
“I’m worse,” he said calmly.
Your blood ran cold.
Then he turned toward the door and unlocked it.
“Come,” he said.
You hesitated.
“Where?”
“Breakfast.”
You stared at him.
“I’m not hungry.”
Jungkook turned his head slightly.
“That wasn’t a question.”
Your stomach twisted.
“Stop ordering me around.”
Jungkook’s lips curved.
“You’ll get used to it.”
You clenched your jaw, but you followed.
Because you had no choice.
Two guards stood outside the door.
Armed.
Expressionless.
They nodded at Jungkook.
You stared at them, shocked.
They weren’t just security.
They looked like soldiers.
Jungkook didn’t even glance at them.
He simply walked down the hallway, and you followed, feeling their eyes on your back.
You reached the dining room.
It had been cleaned.
No broken glass.
No overturned chairs.
No blood.
Only the faint smell of bleach lingering in the air.
Like last night never happened.
But you knew it did.
Because the mansion felt quieter.
Like it was holding its breath.
Namjoon was already seated at the table.
Fresh coffee in front of him.
Tablet in hand.
He looked up when you entered.
His gaze flicked briefly to Jungkook.
Then back to you.
“Sit.”
You paused.
Jungkook pulled out a chair beside him.
Not across the table.
Beside.
Like he wanted to keep you close.
You ignored it and sat across from Namjoon instead.
Jungkook’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t say anything.
Instead, he sat down anyway—right beside you.
Too close.
Jin entered next, hair still damp from a shower.
He looked fresh.
Too fresh.
Like he hadn’t been covered in blood hours ago.
He smiled brightly.
“Good morning, sister.”
You didn’t respond.
Jin sat down with exaggerated elegance.
Yoongi walked in after him, looking like he hadn’t slept either.
Hoseok followed, a bandage visible under his shirt.
Jimin came last, calm and quiet.
Taehyung strolled in like he was going to a party.
Taehyung’s eyes immediately found you.
He smiled.
“Morning, Y/N.”
You stared at him. “What?”
Taehyung shrugged.
“You look like you didn’t sleep.”
You replied flatly. “I wonder why.”
Jin laughed.
“Aw, she’s still angry.”
Yoongi muttered, “Of course she is.”
Namjoon set down his tablet.
“Enough,” he said.
Everyone went quiet.
Namjoon looked at you.
“We’re going to talk.”
You swallowed. “About what?”
Namjoon’s voice was calm.
“About what happens from now on.”
Jungkook leaned back in his chair.
“She stays with me,” he said.
Namjoon ignored him.
Jungkook’s eyes narrowed.
“Hyung.”
Namjoon finally looked at him.
“If you interrupt me again,” Namjoon said evenly, “you can eat outside with the guards.”
Jungkook stared at him.
Then he smirked.
“Try it.”
Hoseok sighed. “Not now.”
Jin leaned in toward Namjoon.
“Just tell her the rules already. I’m hungry.”
Namjoon looked back at you.
“First rule,” Namjoon said. “You do not leave this estate.”
You blinked. “Excuse me?”
Namjoon repeated, “You do not leave.”
You looked at your mother’s empty chair.
“And my mom?”
Hoseok answered.
“She’s resting. She’ll come down later.”
You clenched your fists.
“So she can leave?”
Namjoon replied, “No.”
Your heart dropped.
“You’re keeping her here too?”
Taehyung smiled faintly.
“We’re keeping everyone here.”
You snapped your gaze toward him.
“Why are you acting like this is normal?”
Taehyung shrugged. “Because it is.”
You swallowed hard.
Namjoon continued.
“Second rule,” he said. “No phones. No social media. No calls. No texts.”
You stared at him.
“That’s kidnapping.”
Yoongi spoke without looking up from his coffee.
“No,” he said. “Kidnapping is when you take someone who belongs to someone else.”
You felt your stomach twist.
Jimin finally spoke, voice quiet.
“You belong to danger now.”
You snapped your gaze to him.
“What does that even mean?”
Jimin’s expression didn’t change.
“It means Rossi won’t stop,” he said. “Not until you’re dead. Or in his hands.”
Jin added casually, “Or until he gets what he wants.”
You swallowed.
“And what does he want?”
Silence.
Then Namjoon answered.
“He wants the ledger.”
You frowned. “I already told you I don’t have it.”
Jungkook spoke immediately.
“She doesn’t.”
Namjoon glanced at him. “How would you know?”
Jungkook’s eyes narrowed.
“Because she’s not smart enough to hide it.”
You whipped your head toward him.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!”
Jungkook smiled. “See? Not smart.”
Jin laughed loudly.
Hoseok groaned. “Jungkook…”
Taehyung leaned in.
“She’s smart enough to make you crazy,” Taehyung murmured.
Jungkook’s smile faded.
“Shut up.”
Taehyung only smiled wider.
Namjoon continued calmly.
“Third rule,” he said. “You don’t speak to the staff unless necessary.”
You blinked.
“What? Why?”
Yoongi answered.
“Because Rossi pays people.”
Jin added, “And because you’re a liability.”
You clenched your jaw.
“I’m not a liability.”
Jin smiled.
“You’re the biggest one in this house.”
You wanted to throw your glass at him.
Instead, you breathed through your anger.
Namjoon continued.
“Fourth rule,” he said. “You do not go anywhere alone.”
You stared.
“What? Like I’m a child?”
Namjoon didn’t react.
“You’ll be escorted. Always.”
You shook your head.
“This is insane.”
Jungkook muttered, “You should be grateful.”
You snapped your gaze to him.
“Grateful?! You locked me in your room!”
Jungkook leaned forward.
“And you’re alive.”
You slammed your palm on the table.
“That doesn’t make you a hero!”
The room went silent.
Even Jin stopped smiling.
Jungkook stared at you.
His eyes were dark.
Then he spoke quietly.
“You don’t know what happened last night.”
You glared.
“I saw enough.”
Jungkook’s jaw flexed.
“No,” he said. “You didn’t.”
You opened your mouth—
But Namjoon cut in.
“Enough,” he said sharply.
Then he looked at you.
“You’re angry. I understand. But you’re alive because we moved fast.”
You swallowed hard.
“And if I don’t follow your rules?”
Yoongi’s voice was calm.
“Then you die.”
Hoseok added softly, “Or worse.”
Your throat tightened.
“Worse than dying?”
Taehyung’s smile widened.
“Yes.”
You felt sick.
Jimin leaned forward slightly.
“Rossi is not like your father,” he said. “He doesn’t bargain.”
You whispered, “Then why did he send men here instead of coming himself?”
Jin answered instantly.
“Because he wanted to see how far we’d go for you.”
Your heart dropped.
“To test you?”
Jin shook his head.
“To test us.”
You looked around the table.
Their faces were calm.
Too calm.
Like they’d already accepted the war.
Like it was inevitable.
Namjoon spoke again.
“There’s another reason we’re doing this,” he said.
You swallowed. “What reason?”
Namjoon’s gaze sharpened.
“Because Rossi will think you’re valuable if you’re scared.”
You frowned. “That makes no sense.”
Yoongi explained.
“If you look disposable,” he said, “he’ll kill you. If you look protected, he’ll trade.”
You stared at him.
“So you’re using me as bait.”
Jungkook’s chair scraped back abruptly.
He stood up.
“Don’t,” he said.
His voice was low.
Threatening.
You stared at him.
“What? That’s exactly what this is.”
Jungkook stepped closer to the table.
“You’re not bait.”
You scoffed. “Then what am I?”
Jungkook’s eyes darkened.
“You’re ours.”
The words made your stomach twist.
Namjoon’s expression tightened.
“Jungkook.”
Jungkook didn’t care.
He looked straight at you.
“Don’t ever call yourself bait again,” he said.
Your breath hitched.
“Why?”
Jungkook’s voice lowered.
“Because bait is meant to be sacrificed.”
You swallowed.
“And I’m not,” he finished.
Silence filled the room.
Hoseok looked down.
Jimin stared at his plate.
Taehyung smiled faintly.
Yoongi’s jaw clenched.
Jin’s expression was unreadable.
Namjoon finally spoke.
“You’re not being sacrificed,” Namjoon said. “You’re being guarded.”
You whispered, “What’s the difference?”
Namjoon’s gaze held yours.
“The difference,” he said, “is that we don’t lose what belongs to us.”
Your blood ran cold.
Your voice cracked.
“Stop saying that. I don’t belong to you.”
Jin leaned his cheek on his hand.
“You’re really obsessed with that line.”
You snapped at him.
“Because it’s true.”
Jin smiled.
“And yet you’re still sitting here.”
You glared.
“Because you won’t let me leave!”
Jin hummed.
“Exactly.”
You clenched your fists, shaking.
Then you heard footsteps.
Soft.
Familiar.
Your mother entered the dining room.
She looked exhausted.
Her eyes were puffy, like she’d been crying.
Her hair was slightly messy.
But she forced a smile when she saw you.
“Y/N…”
Relief hit you so hard you nearly cried.
You stood up immediately.
“Mom!”
You rushed to her.
She hugged you tightly.
So tightly.
Like she was afraid you’d vanish.
“I’m okay,” you whispered.
Your mother’s hands trembled as she cupped your face.
“Are you hurt?”
You shook your head.
“No. But—Mom, we need to leave.”
Your mother froze.
Her eyes flickered nervously toward Jeon Kangtae’s empty chair.
Then toward Namjoon.
Then toward Jungkook.
And the way she looked at them…
It made your stomach sink.
Because she looked afraid of them.
Not Rossi.
Them.
Your mother swallowed.
“Y/N…” she whispered.
You pulled back slightly.
“What? What is it?”
Your mother’s voice dropped.
“We can’t.”
Your blood went cold.
“What do you mean we can’t?”
Your mother’s lips trembled.
“They said it’s not safe,” she whispered.
You stared at her.
“Mom. They’re keeping us locked in this house.”
Your mother’s eyes filled with tears.
“I know,” she whispered.
You felt like your heart cracked.
“Then why are you agreeing?”
Your mother looked away.
Then she whispered the words that shattered your chest completely.
“Because Jeon Kangtae told me… if I try to take you away, he’ll hand you to Rossi himself.”
Silence.
Your lungs stopped working.
You stared at her, unable to breathe.
“What…?”
Your mother’s voice broke.
“He said Rossi offered him a deal,” she whispered. “A business deal. And he said… he said if I disobey him…”
Her eyes lifted to yours.
“…you’ll pay for it.”
Your knees went weak.
You stumbled backward.
And suddenly the room felt smaller.
Hotter.
Like the walls were closing in.
Namjoon’s jaw tightened.
Hoseok muttered, “Father…”
Jin’s smile disappeared completely.
Yoongi’s eyes turned murderous.
Taehyung’s gaze darkened.
Jimin’s face went cold.
Jungkook…
Jungkook looked like he wanted to kill someone.
His hands clenched into fists.
“What deal?” Jungkook demanded.
Your mother flinched at his tone.
“Jungkook,” Hoseok warned quietly.
Your mother swallowed hard.
“He said Rossi wants the girl,” she whispered. “And he said… he said if Rossi doesn’t get her soon, he’ll take her by force.”
You felt sick.
Your voice cracked.
“So my stepfather is willing to sell me.”
Your mother started crying.
“I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I didn’t know he was like this. I swear I didn’t—”
You stepped toward her again, gripping her arms.
“It’s not your fault,” you whispered.
But it didn’t feel true.
Because you were here.
Because she married him.
Because you were trapped.
And then Namjoon spoke.
His voice was calm.
Cold.
But dangerous.
“My father made a deal with Rossi,” Namjoon said quietly.
Jin muttered, “I’ll kill him.”
Hoseok snapped, “Jin—”
Jin’s eyes turned sharp.
“No. I mean it.”
Yoongi stood up slowly.
“He’ll hand her over,” Yoongi said.
Taehyung’s smile vanished.
“He’ll betray us,” Taehyung murmured.
Jimin’s voice was soft.
“He already has.”
And Jungkook…
Jungkook stepped forward, stopping in front of you.
His gaze locked on your face.
His voice lowered.
“Do you understand now?”
You stared at him.
“Understand what?”
Jungkook’s eyes darkened.
“That the danger isn’t Rossi,” he said.
Then his gaze flickered toward the hallway.
Toward the rest of the house.
“Your danger is my father.”
Your blood ran cold.
Jungkook stepped closer.
He didn’t touch you this time.
But his presence was overwhelming.
And his voice was quieter.
Almost gentle.
“If you leave this house,” he murmured, “you die.”
You swallowed hard.
“And if I stay?”
Jungkook’s lips curved.
His eyes dropped briefly to your mouth.
Then back to your eyes.
“Then you live,” he said.
A pause.
Then he added—
“But you belong to us.”
Your stomach twisted again.
You shook your head.
“No. No, I don’t.”
Jungkook’s gaze sharpened.
“Yes,” he whispered. “You do.”
Namjoon’s voice cut in.
“Enough.”
Jungkook didn’t look away from you.
Namjoon continued.
“She’s scared. Stop pushing her.”
Jungkook finally turned to Namjoon.
“Scared is good,” he said.
Jimin spoke quietly.
“Scared means she won’t run.”
Your breath caught.
You stared at Jimin.
He didn’t even look ashamed.
Like he’d said something obvious.
Your hands trembled.
Your mother clung to you again, crying softly.
And in that moment…
You realized something terrifying.
None of them were trying to help you escape.
They were trying to make sure you stayed.
Namjoon spoke again, voice calm.
“Y/N,” he said. “You will stay on the third floor. You will have guards. You will not go near the outer gates. You will not contact anyone outside.”
You whispered, “You’re imprisoning me.”
Namjoon’s eyes darkened.
“We’re protecting you.”
You shook your head.
“No,” you whispered. “You’re keeping me.”
Taehyung smiled.
“Yes.”
Your breath hitched.
Namjoon glanced at Taehyung sharply.
Taehyung only shrugged.
“What?” Taehyung said. “It’s true.”
Jin leaned forward, voice softer now.
“Y/N,” he said, “you don’t understand the kind of men we are.”
You stared at him.
Jin’s smile returned—slow, dangerous.
“We don’t let go of things once they’re ours.”
Your stomach churned.
Hoseok looked away like he didn’t like hearing it said out loud.
Yoongi stared at you with a cold expression.
Jimin watched you like he was memorizing every reaction.
Taehyung looked entertained.
And Jungkook…
Jungkook stepped closer again.
His voice dropped.
“You smell like you want to run,” he whispered.
Your eyes widened.
“What?”
Jungkook’s lips curved.
“But you won’t,” he murmured.
Then he leaned in slightly.
“Because you’re starting to realize…”
His gaze flicked to your lips.
“…that there’s nowhere safer than inside our hands.”
Your throat tightened.
You whispered, “You’re all sick.”
Jungkook smiled.
“Yes,” he said softly.
Then he added—
“And you’re still here.”
Your breath caught.
Your mother clutched your hand tightly.
And you realized…
This wasn’t a family dinner table.
This was a courtroom.
And the verdict had already been decided.
You were staying.
Whether you wanted to or not.
