The clock struck eight in the evening when the sound of Jungkook’s luxury car rolled into the mansion driveway. The maids lined up quickly at the entrance, heads bowed. Easton opened the car door, but one look at Jungkook’s expression made everyone freeze—his jaw was tight, his eyes cold, and his aura screamed danger.

He didn’t utter a word and went straight inside. The maids dared not even breathe loudly.

Rose, on the other hand, was sitting in the living room casually, her legs crossed on the couch, scrolling through her phone like she owned the place. She didn’t even glance up when Jungkook entered.

Jungkook stopped, staring at her. His lips curved into a dark smile.

“So… my little wifey is enjoying her freedom?” he said, loosening his tie and throwing it on the sofa.

Rose looked up slowly, unfazed. “Oh, you’re back? I thought maybe the office kicked you out for being so bossy.”

The maids gasped silently. Easton coughed to hide his laugh, but one glare from Jungkook shut him up instantly.

Jungkook leaned against the armrest of the sofa, his eyes never leaving her. “You really have no idea what kind of fire you’re playing with, Rose.”

Rose set her phone aside, stood up, and walked toward him, her eyes sharp. “And you don’t know what kind of storm you invited into your perfect little world, Jungkook.”

For a moment, silence stretched between them—an invisible battle of wills. Then Jungkook suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer, his breath brushing her ear.

“Be careful, Rose. One more move out of line… and I won’t hold back.”

But instead of fear, Rose smirked. “Try me.”

Jungkook’s patience snapped. Without another word, he gripped Rose’s wrist tighter and began pulling her upstairs. The maids lowered their heads, terrified, not daring to move. Easton clenched his jaw but stayed silent—he knew this was between them now.

Rose didn’t resist, though. She walked beside him with the same boldness, her smirk never fading. That only fueled Jungkook’s anger more.

He kicked open the bedroom door, dragged her inside, and slammed it shut behind him. The echo rang through the mansion, making the maids flinch downstairs.

Jungkook pushed her against the wall, his eyes dark.

“You really think you can humiliate me in front of my people? Disarranging the table, breaking my rules… you’re begging for punishment, Rose.”

Rose tilted her head, her lips curling into a taunting smile.

“Punishment? Oh please, Jungkook. You can lock me here, shout at me, even drag me around like your property… but guess what? I’ll still do what I want.”

His jaw clenched, his hand pressing against the wall near her head.

“You’re underestimating me.”

“And you,” she shot back, leaning closer so her eyes pierced into his, “are overestimating yourself.”

For a moment, the room was filled with nothing but their heavy breaths. Jungkook’s fury battled with a strange admiration—no one had ever dared to stand up to him like this.

He suddenly grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

“You’ll regret this attitude, wifey.”

But Rose only chuckled softly, whispering, “Or maybe you’ll regret underestimating me.”

Jungkook’s patience was finally gone. He had tolerated her games at the breakfast table, tolerated her words, but not anymore. His grip on her chin tightened, and his eyes turned darker.

“You really think this is a joke, Rose?” his voice was dangerously low.

“You always look so scary when you’re angry,” she replied with a sly smirk, refusing to back down.

That smirk—he hated it, yet it drove him insane. With a sudden move, Jungkook pinned her hands above her head against the wall. She gasped but didn’t look away.

“You’re mine,” he growled, pressing closer. “And in this mansion, my word is law. You will learn that.”

Rose lifted her chin boldly, her voice calm but sharp.

“Then teach me, Jungkook. Let’s see how strong your ‘law’ really is.”

His eyes blazed. No fear. Not even a flicker in her eyes. That defiance made him want to break her walls, yet at the same time it stirred something inside him he couldn’t control.

He leaned dangerously close, their breaths mixing, his voice almost a whisper.

“Careful, wifey… you’re playing with fire.”

Rose smirked back, whispering,

“Maybe I like fire.”

And with that, Jungkook lost the last bit of restraint—he lifted her in one swift motion, carrying her to the bed and tossing her down, his shadow towering over her as she stared back with that same fearless gaze

Jungkook towered over her, his shadow swallowing her small frame on the bed. His jaw clenched, his eyes dark with fury and desire.

“You think you can challenge me and walk away, Rose?” His voice was low, dangerous, almost like a growl.

Rose, instead of shrinking back, pushed herself up on her elbows, her gaze steady.

“And what if I do? You’ll lock me up? Force me again? That’s all you know, Jungkook.”

His nostrils flared, and in an instant, he grabbed her wrist and pinned her down against the mattress, his weight pressing her into the sheets. She struggled for a second but quickly stopped, her eyes never wavering.

“You don’t get it,” he hissed, his face so close their noses almost touched. “I don’t need to force you… one day, you’ll come to me on your own.”

Rose gave a small, mocking laugh.

“Keep dreaming, Jungkook.”

That laugh—sharp and fearless—burned through him. He tightened his grip, lowering his voice into a husky whisper.

“You keep testing me, wifey. You have no idea how much I can make you regret this boldness.”

But instead of showing fear, Rose leaned closer, her lips brushing his ear as she whispered,

“Or maybe you have no idea how much I can make you lose control.”

Jungkook froze for a second, her words hitting harder than her actions. His chest rose and fell heavily as he stared into her daring eyes. Then, with a dark chuckle, he released her hands abruptly and stood up.

“Fine,” he muttered, straightening his shirt. “Keep playing your games. But remember, Rose… when I finally decide to take what’s mine, you won’t be able to run.”

Rose smirked, sitting up on the bed, her tone taunting yet calm.

“Then you better be ready, Jungkook. Because I don’t run.”

The room filled with thick silence, both of them breathing heavily, both refusing to back down. The war had only just begun.