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The atmosphere at Seokjin’s residence was relaxed and inviting. Frosty’s genuine interest in Namjoon’s friends and their wives left him feeling content. She immediately clicked with Hoseok’s wife, Noémi, and Yoongi’s wife, Yeonra.

While the guys were outside on the porch playing darts and snooker, Frosty stayed indoors, happily eating dessert with baby Kai on her lap. The chubby-cheeked baby was utterly fascinated by her. His tiny hands were tangled in her platinum locks, gently tugging and playing.

Noémi grinned, “Oh my goodness… Kai has a sweet little crush.” She was almost five months pregnant and she and Hobi can't wait for their babys' arrival in four months time.

Yeonra chuckled softly, “Yes… Frosty is very pretty. Babies always stare at people they lov or are drawn to.”

Frosty grinned. “Well, I always seem to have that effect on babies.”

Noémi smirked. “So, Frosty… er, what’s the deal with you and Joonie? He’s spending an awfully suspicious amount of time with you.”

Frosty giggled as she played with already sleepy Kai’s soft fingers, “We’re just friends, I swear. I’m not his type for dating or even marriage, and I’ve accepted that. His mom made sure of that. We enjoy doing bucket list stuff together. Oh and I’m his new cover designer, by the way.”

The girls caught the subtle shift in her expression. Noémi and Yeonra gave each other a fleeting glance. Who doesnt know the Kim matriarch. A flicker of hidden pain passed through Frosty’s eyes, and they instantly knew, her feelings for Namjoon ran deeper than friendship.

Yeonra’s eyes widened, trying to steer the conversation away from emotional landmines, “Oh wow! Ae you a graphic designer?”

Frosty smiled into Yeonra’s warm, mahogany gaze. “Sort of. I’m more of an artist, an illustrator really. I illustrated some work for one of their authors last year, and Joon asked me to design the cover for his new novel.”

Noémi’s eyes lit up. “That’s incredible! I’m a jewelry designer for Cartier. Looks like we’ve got a little artsy trio going on ,Yeonra’s a music producer.”

Frosty’s jaw dropped. “Seriously? You’re both already so well-established. I’d love to start my own dsign company after graduation.”

The girls chatted more about their backgrounds. Frosty shared her Italian heritage and discovered that both Noémi and Yeonra were half-Korean, Noémi from France, Yeonra from the U.S. It made Frosty feel an unexpected sense of kinship with them. She also learned Jungkook’s wife was visiting her sister in Ilsan, and that both Jimin and Seokjin were single. Taehyung’s girlfriend, Dilraba, was away shooting a hair commercial and couldn’t make it to the gathering.

Meanwhile, outside on the porch, the conversation had turnedto Namjoon and the mysterious blonde.

Yoongi leaned against a pillar with a cider in and. “Are you sure it’s just friendship with Frosty? I heard your mom isn’t exactly thrilled about the situation.”

Namjoon snorted. “I can be friends with whoever I want. Frosty’s fun and refreshing. I’m relaxed around her. She knows we can’t be more than friends and she’s accepted that.”

Jungkook raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure about that? She seems a lot more invested in you than you think.”

Jimin smirked, eyes glinting. “I have to admit ,she’s stunning. Didn’t know she had natural blueish eyes.”

Hoseok sighed. “As long as you’ve set boundaries, Joon. She’s young, don’t play with her heart. I think she really cares about you.”

Namjoon’s eyes dimmed. “She does. But my mom would make her life hell. They’ve already met… and I know my mother said something to her.”

Seokjin sipped his soda. “Your mom wants you settled, no wonder she pushed that arranged marriage. But it’s your life, Joon. You should decide who you want to be with.”

Namjoon exhaled slowly. “My mom sacrificed so much for me and my sister. The least I can do is honor her wishes. She wants grandkids and wants me to marry into a strong family legacy.”

Yoongi shook his head. “Don’t lose yourself in it. Think about your happiness. My parents wanted me to marry Suzy...who I couldn’t stand. But I followed my heart. Yeonra and Kai are my whole world. Don’t make head decisions, Joon. Make heart ones.”

Just then, Taehyung stepped onto the porch, his face tight with discomfort.

Jungkook looked up, concerned, “You okay, Tae?”

Taehyung nodded, “Yeah… just a splitting migraine. Seokjin, do you mind if I head out early? I want to visit my parents and get some of my mom’s homemade remedy, then rest.”

Jungkook frowned, “Are you sure you can drive?”

Seokjin’s brows drew together, “Let Jungkook take you home. Jimin can drive your car and come back with Jungkook afterward.”

Jimin agreed, already getting up. “It’s safer, Tae. Those migraines are brutal, and traffic’s heavy right now. You can nap in the backseat.”

Taehyung nodded gratefully. “Thank you.”

Namjoon smiled gently. “Hope you feel better, Tae.”

The rest of the guys stayed behind and enjoyed their time together as the maknae-line drove out of the estate.

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Inside, Frosty was soaking in every moment with the two women, who welcomed her with warmth and without judgment. They could clearly see the quiet affection she held for Namjoon and both silently agreed that he needed to be honest with her about the arranged marriage before things spiraled beyond repair.

Later, just after 5 p.m. Namjoon and Frosty took their leave. The girls hugged her tightly, urging her to keep in touch when she returned to Italy and wishing her a beautiful graduation day.

Frosty’s grandmother wasn’t home, giving her a few quiet hours to reflect and soak in the stillness,time to reminisce about everything she had shared with Namjoon over the past weeks. He, on the other hand, seemed slightly rushed. He had received a call from his mother, summoning him to her office.

He kissed her softly on the cheek before heading for the door. But just as his hand reached for the handle, he turned back toward where Frosty stood, a faint sadness lingering in her eyes.

She quickly masked it and gave a small, quiet finger wave.,“Bye, Joon. Thanks again for inviting me. I hope you have a great week ahead.”

Namjoon looked at her with an intensity that made her heart falter. He hesitated.

“Frosty... I’m sorry for everything. Whatever happens, please remember,you’re very special to me. What we shared in Phuket... it meant something. It wasn’t a mistake. But our time hanging out is over now. Reality is setting in. So... have a safe trip back to Italy.”

His words hung in the air, it was heavy and so heartbreaking.

Frosty’s eyes welled up with tears, “I... will. So... I guess we won’t be finishing our bucket list. But that’s okay. Thank you, for letting me in these past few weeks. For letting me love you without losing our friendship. Be safe.” She smiled through her tears.

Namjoon nodded, then closed his eyes for a brief moment. “Frosty?”

Without thinking, he turned back again, stepping close and gently cupping her cheeks. He wiped the tears from her face,and then kissed her. Not softly or out of politeness, but with urgency. With finality. Frosty gasped at the suddenness, but her arms instinctively wrapped around his shoulders as she kissed him back, like a girl madly in love,because she was.

Their kiss left them breathless, both knowing it would be the last.

Namjoon wanted to remember her like this,full of passion, honesty, and unconditional love. When he walked out that door, it would mark the end of their chapter. No more bucket list adventures. No more cozy evenings. The cord had to be cut, even if it hurt.

He leaned against her swollen lips, whispering, “I’m going to miss you so much. You’re part of my light, Frosty.”

She looked up hopefully at him with tearful eyes and a shaky smile. “Me too… But we can still text, right? Or will your mom be mad?”

Namjoon shook his head gently. “She’s in a mood right now. And I have a lot going on with the publishing house. I’ll probably be out of town this coming week. So… take care. Let’s at least send each other the bucket list pics, okay? I really had fun doing it with you.”

Frosty nodded. “Me too. I’ll compile them and send them to you. Good luck with everything. Don’t forget me.”

Her blue-grey eyes glistened with unshed tears. Saying goodbye, truly goodbye, devastated her. How would she move on without seeing or talking to the man who had become her entire world? Namjoon was 'it 'for her. But she'll never have him.

She loved him. Deeply. But she also knew the truth: she wasn’t his ideal match,not to his family. His mother had made it crystal clear. She wasn’t suitable for their social circle. In not so plain words. Not good enough for their heir.

She understood. This was how their world worked. Especially among Asian chaebol families. They didn’t want love,they wanted legacy. Structure. Prestige.

And if even Celine,who dated him for four years, whom he loved, wasn’t considered good enough, then who was she?

An illegitimate child from an illicit affair. No father. No legacy. Just stigma.

Namjoon pulled her into one last embrace. Frosty wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, not wanting to let go. When he finally did, he stepped back slowly, his eyes memorizing every inch of her face. His expression was full of unspoken defeat.

“Take care, Frosty. I’ll never forget you.”

Then he was gone.

Out of her life.

No more bucket lists. No more late-night laughter. No more moments with the CEO who had unexpectedly become her entire heart.

Reality had returned, and now, they both had to go back to who they were before they met.

Frosty could only hope Namjoon would find happiness. That he would find what he was looking for.

Even if it wasn’t her.

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The following week was calm and painfully mundane for Frosty. Almost colorless.

Only now did she truly understand why mornings used to feel so exciting.It had always been the anticipation of seeing or speaking to Joon.

But now…pure silence.

There were no messages from Namjoon in the days that followed, which left Frosty restless, disinterested in everything around her.

Chiji and her grandmother noticed the change and grew concerned. The aura of deep sadness was enveloped around her.

"I'm fine," Frosty insisted one afternoon, offering her Gran a small smile. "You don’t have to worry anymore. My time with Joon is finally over. I'll get over him Gran. You and I both know I'm never going to be a fit for any chaebol family. Nobody is going to love a weird looking Asian girl with a tainted legacy." She sadly state. Her heart missed Namjoon.

Her grandmother could see the defeat in her grandchilds'   eyes.Frostys confidence was failing. She was adamant that Noone would love her for her.

She buried herself in work at Kwon Petals, quietly helping Chiji complete elaborate floral arrangements for an upcoming sweet sixteen of a Gangnam heiress. Another major contract came in, this time from a CEO in Daegu, whose youngest daughter was marrying into another chaebol family.

Strangely, the wedding job made Frosty feel a dull ache inside. She doubted she'd ever be accepted by a family like that. Her mother past had ruined that possibility long ago. Maybe Pablo was her ultimate future.

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Meanwhile, Namjoon was in Taiwan. He and his mother had recently had a serious talk about his future.

After spending time at Shancai’s family estate where he was also expected to attend a prestigious actor’s award ceremony by her side ,they would be making their engagement public. Namjoons family will arrange the huge engagement celebrations in Shancai family home, but the wedding will be in Seoul.

The home was breathtaking: the picture of old money, tradition, and control. Shancai’s mother had taken him on a stroll through the mansion’s gardens, reminiscing fondly about the mischief she and his own mother got up to during their school and college years.

The two women had always dreamed of merging their families,not just as friends, but as eternal kin.

Shancai herself had been polite, graceful, and composed, traits Namjoon respected. He didn’t love her, but she was a solid choice by his mother’s standards.

One evening, the two of them sat down in her family’s formal living room to lay out the expectations of their union.

“I won’t interfere with your career or friendships, I know you had weekly gatherings and Ill support you” Shancai began calmly. “But I do ask for one thing though, that you sever any existing ties with a certain blonde. I don’t want to compete with any woman for my fiancé’s attention.”

Namjoon nodded slowly, “Frosty and I have already moved on.”

Shancai looked visibly relieved. She felt that Frosty already had to much invested time of Joon.

According to his mother, that girl had been a stumbling block , a threat to all the plans laid out for his future.

They agreed to marry in a year, giving them time to learn more about each other. Children would come two years after the wedding, allowing Shancai to focus on her career and Namjoon to adjust to fatherhood.

He promised to give her the life she was used to, luxurious, secure, and peaceful. She suggested they begin house-hunting soon, as designing one from scratch would be too exhausting.

Namjoon had no objections.

Back in Seoul, Mi-young was fuming. Inwardly, she was devastated that Namjoon had agreed to his mother’s ludicrous plan. If he wanted to marry so badly, why hadn’t he chosen her, his best friend, business partner, and the one who stood beside him through every high and low? She also comes from a good family, while not as rich as them,but still.

They could’ve been a power couple. Kim Publishing would be in good hands. Together they would take the company to glorious heights.

The tension boiled over that week, leading to their first real fallout.

Yeji, ever the curious observer, was seated on the executive floor during their confrontation. She pretended to work at her computer with headphones on but caught every heated word. Her eyes were wide in disbelief as Mi-young finally unleashed the emotions she’d kept bottled up for years.

Namjoon’s voice was tight, “Mi, I know you hate Shancai, for reasons only you seem to understand. But she’s a good choice. She fits my mom’s expectations. Don’t you get it? No woman should have to endure a hateful mother-in-law. I love my mom, flaws and all... but I value peace too.”

Mi-young pinched the bridge of her nose, frustrated.
“Joon… Shancai isn’t the one for you. She knows nothing about publishing. No business sense. She wants to be pampered like a princess, nothing more than a trophy wife. Marry for love, not status.”

Namjoon’s eyes flashed.“Mi-young, don’t overstep. You’re my friend, and I need you to stay in your lane. Shan doesnt need to know any of my business.”

Mi-young looked stunned, her voice trembling,
“That’s why I am advising you, as your friend. It breaks my heart that you’re settling for a loveless marriage. You don’t even like her! And why is she living at your penthouse when there are five-star hotels everywhere?”

Namjoon let out a low growl, “You think I don’t know that? I was ready to marry for love. Celine was the only woman I’ve ever truly loved. But my mom despised her. Do you think I want my future wife to go through the same insults, the same humiliation? Love costs too much. I won’t let anyone I love suffer like that.At least this way, my children will be accepted by the grandma. I’ll have peace with my family. Shan is only staying with me because I promised her parents I’d take care of her while she finishes her shoot. She’ll be gone by Saturday.”

Mi-young’s eyes welled up with tears, “I love you, Namjoon. And you probably know that. Even if you don’t feel the same... I’ll always have your back. But I can’t watch you throw your life away in a cold, calculated marriage. Honestly, I’d rather see you with that blonde, Vincenzia. At least she made you smile. You have a personality with her.  With her, you had light in your eyes. Shan will crush that, inner child within you. I’m sorry. Hate me if you must. But you’re making the biggest mistake of your life.”

She gave him one final, piercing, disappointed look before storming out. Her face was flushed, and her eyes rimmed with unshed tears.

Yeji fumbled with the handset, pretending to be on a busy call as Mi-young’s heels clicked past her, calling for her attention.

“Oh, Ms. Mi-young! I’m so sorry—did Mr. Kim need me?” she asked innocently, eyes wide.

Mi-young sighed.“No. Just get me the design proposal for our new client. Colby Industries wants manual drafts.”

Yeji exhaled in relief. Her soul nearly left her body.

She watched Mi-young retreat down the corridor, her ruby-red bob bouncing against her shoulders. Despite the Celine suit and trademark poise, Mi-young seemed… defeated, a vulnerability was settled over her.

Not in the boardroom. But by love.

Namjoon leaned back in his leather chair, eyes closed, letting the silence settle.

He knew Mi-young would understand one day, why he made the most difficult decision of his life.

He and Celine had shared a final meeting weeks ago. They both knew they’d always carry a deep affection for each other. But he refused to subject her or anyone else he cared about, to the contempt of his mother. No one deserve a life time of pain, just to be with him.

Not even a pure friendship with Frosty had survived the wrath of the Kim matriarch.

A/n: Namjoon and Frostys' time together came to an end.

Thank you so much for all the reads, votes, comments.

1. What are your thoughts about this chapter?

2. Do you think Bangtan club likes Frosty with Namjoon?

3. Do you think Frosty will be happy without Joon?

4. Do you think Namjoon was wrong not to tell Frosty about him and Shan?

5. What do you think about Mi-youngs reaction?

6. Do you agree with Mi-young or Namjoon?

7. Do you think Frosty will be negatively affected by the news?

8. Is Namjoon right to sacrifice love for peace?

9. With a mom like that would you do the same to safeguard your love?