Love Candidate - Marriage - Chapter 31

My compressed head swayed like a whirlpool as I struggled to resist the tight restraints around my throat. Everything was out of focus, so I closed my eyes to calm my pulsating temples, tightly gripping my fists to counter the pain. I'm not going to die like this. Did she think I was a defenseless bitch? I gritted my teeth until the corner of my lips curved upward to form a weak smile with my head tilted backward as she tightened the chain to squeeze out my soul with her so-called cursed necklace. The room was dead quiet as I wrestled with her on the floor- All I heard was her labored breathing beside my ear. It's taking longer than expected to kill me, huh?

"ARGH!" The witch shrieked in shock when I swung my elbow backward with all my might. She suddenly lost her grip on the slippery blood-soaked necklace and tumbled back onto the floor with her hands clasped over her bleeding nose after my elbow collided in her face. I coughed in pain after the forceful release, shakily lowering my body to grip my wounded neck to stop the blood from flowing. Shit. My neck aches so much! My chest is desperately thumping for air, and my head is clouded with swelling pressure. My vision was still blurry from her brutal attack, so I screwed my eyes shut as nasty spit dripped from my parted lips. My head is still swirling like madness, but I won't die at her hand either. I took a deep breath while choking on the floor to recollect my scattered senses and slowly pushed my body off the slippery blood-stained floor.

"You will die!" She screamed, frantically scrambling across the floor to reach me. I immediately grabbed the teapot from the coffee table, wildly turning to smash the heated ceramic right in her fucking evil face. Burn in hell, you bitch! She screamed in terror at the damaging impact when the steaming tea splashed all over her face- dropping right back onto her knees to rub her burning skin in distress. I couldn't speak because it felt as if my neck was torn apart, so I shakily leaned against the couch for balance.

"ARGH! ARGH! MY FACE!" The woman howled in pain as she covered her flaming face with her hands. I weakly turned to stare at her desperate anguish, then glanced down at my bloody hand before glancing up at the staircase to find Kim Namjoon staring at us from the first floor. He glanced back and forth between me... and his screeching mother with a startled expression.

"Stop!-" Namjoon gasped, sprinting down the stairs toward me as I bent down to snatch a shattered shard from the ground. He swiftly bolted forward, so I twisted my body and swung my leg in the air- aiming right at Namjoon's face. My shoe slammed hard against his cheekbone- sending him tumbling onto the floor after receiving the violent blow.

I lost my balance after high kicking him and collapsed weakly onto the carpet with the shard gripped tightly between my blood-soaked fingers. Shit! I'm losing my energy! I need to get out of here! Even with the dire situation- my inner evil refused to flee for my life. I have to kill that witch! Namjoon grunted in pain with his hands clasped over the side of his head as he struggled to regain his balance but failed and staggered back onto the floor. I coughed in distress and slowly turned toward the woman again as she remained screaming on the floor with a boiled face.

"How dare- you take my life-! Did you think I was a fucking easy lamb to slaughter?! My father might've been forgiving- but I'm not! Give me back- my father's kidneys! You hideous witch don't deserve to fucking breathe after slaughtering so many innocent lives!" I gritted while struggling to voice out my words due to the painful contraction around my throat, but I didn't give up and growled at her in rage. The witch screamed in horror when I hastily leaped forward to pin her fucking fragile body back on the floor with all my might. Her face burnt so bad- she could barely open her eyes to look at me.

"I will- gouge out your organs, you fucking sick bitch!" I screamed with my wounded neck as she fought to push me out of her body, but I angrily shoved her hands away and stabbed her lower stomach with all my might. The woman gasped in shock when the sharp edge plunged into her lower abdomen.

"I WILL DIG OUT MY FATHER'S KIDNEYS! I WILL TEAR YOUR FUCKING STITCHES APART!" I roared so loud- I could no longer feel the ache around my neck. The witch wailed in shock when I thrust the shard deeper into her open flesh. Namjoon suddenly launched at me. I shrieked in pain after he tackled me onto the floor with his beefy body, so I thrashed with all my might to wrestle him. Shit- he's too strong- I winced in pain when he roughly slammed me against the floor to pin me down, gripping my wrists tightly to humble me with his muscular arms.

"Are you out of your mind-"

"SHE KILLED YOUR MOTHER!" I screamed while fighting to force his heavy body off mine, but Namjoon only tightened his grip around my wrists to trap me beneath him. I furiously glared at his piercing dragon eyes while struggling to escape from under him. Argh! I have to kill her! Namjoon clenched his jaw in irritation when I wouldn't stop resisting him before turning to look at his stepmother. The bitch was wailing on the floor with the teapot shard sticking out of her flesh. Namjoon shakily glanced down at me again-

"You better fuck off-"

"YAH!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Seokjin shouted, suddenly bursting inside the mansion to find the bloody mess within the living room. I tilted my head to the side as I lay under Namjoon to find Seokjin rushing toward us. The heir halted in shock when he noticed his mother sprawling unconsciously on the floor as blood seeped from under her body.

"She tried to hurt eomma!" Namjoon roared, hastily getting off me. I whimpered in pain at his release and quickly pushed my weak body off the floor to sob in distress. My entire body is aching so much!

"How can you accuse me-" I whispered with my pained eyes fixed on Namjoon. He fired me a troubled expression as Seokjin glanced back and forth between me and his mother. Namjoon walked over to his stepmother, effortlessly lifting her lifeless body from the floor, then rushed out of the mansion with her. I swallowed in tears after they disappeared from sight and lowered my face to touch my wounded neck. I almost killed her- I was so so so close to murdering that witch! Seokjin suddenly slid his arm under my legs to heave me up, so I unconsciously gripped his shoulder to maintain my balance as he hurried toward his car.

I blacked out in his arms after the drug seeped throughout my body, weakening my nerves. But it wasn't a long coma. I woke up as soon as we arrived at the hospital. I was afraid to fall asleep again, so I refused to rest and sat stiffly on the bed as the doctor bandaged my injured neck. I stared at my clean hands without blinking after the nurse wiped the dried blood from my body. Seokjin entered the medical room after leaving to check on his mother in the other room. Namjoon must be guarding her. I can't do anything now! Dammit! I didn't want to look at his dim face, so I glanced away as he worriedly spoke with the doctor to discuss my condition.

"Jiyoung-"

"I want to go back to the villa," I whispered when Seokjin sat at my bedside to hold my hand.

"Whatever happened-"

"You asked me not to hurt your family. I never harmed them physically... until your mother decided to murder me," I muttered, lifting my resenting eyes to glare at his anxious face. Did he expect me to let this slide!? He saw it! He saw her intention, and yet he wants me to overlook it?!

"I'm sorry. I didn't know my mother would get so upset over a necklace," Seokjin lightly squeezed my fingers to express his remorse.

"She killed your brothers' birth mother just like she tried to killed me. Did you know that?" I asked, dully staring at his uptight frown.

"What?" Seokjin blinked at my words, unable to digest my statement. 

"She murdered your father's mistress by strangling her with the necklace. Just like she did with me. Taehyung lost his mother because of her. She claims the pendant belonged to the mistress. Your father gifted it to Taehyung's birth mother," I mumbled, averting my eyes away when I couldn't stand looking at Seokjin any longer. How long is he going to defend her? He grew hushed at my words, so we remained in the room without exchanging any more conversations.

"I'm in a difficult position right now. She's my mother, and you're my girlfriend-"

"I'm not your girlfriend. It has always been me and Taehyung-"

"After all the times we've spent together? Are you going to deny it? Jiyoung. You know the truth, and I know you're only sticking with him because you feel guilty," Seokjin shook his head. I swallowed the painful lump in my throat and lowered my face to hide my tearful eyes.

"I'm tired. I don't want to stay near your mother so take me to the villa. I'll leave on my own if you refuse. And if you won't let me leave- then I will barge into her room to finish her," I exhaled, hastily getting off the medical after yanking my hand out of his grip. Seokjin watched my hasty attitude with a difficult frown as I stormed out of the medical room. He eventually agreed to drive me home, so we left in his car. I didn't speak with him on the dark highway with my eyes fixed on the forest.

"My mother is a retired spy. She was trained by her top general father to assassinate since she was your age. That's why I'm against your involvement with her. I know what she's capable of doing, and I don't want you to get hurt," Seokjin sighed, finally speaking to me when he couldn't stand the cold silence between us. I didn't respond and kept my eyes on the road with my head tilted against the window and arms crossed over my chest. A spy? That doesn't mean she can go around butchering people at her own will.

"My father might be wealthy, but he never had political power until he married my mother. She was the only daughter of a top general, so many officials admired her. She gave my father access to political power. That's why my father feared her," Seokjin explained. I closed my eyes at his words. I'm so tired. Seokjin stopped talking when he realized I wasn't in the mood to speak with him.

I quickly got out of the car as soon as we arrived at the villa.

"Go home," I muttered, turning to stop Seokjin from entering the brightly lit villa. Taehyung was watching TV inside the living room. He suddenly turned to look at us when he noticed the car's headlights.

"Jiyoung, I want to speak-"

"My throat hurts. I can't speak, so give me time. Please leave. I really don't want to see your face right now because you remind me of your mother," I shook my head in tears. Seokjin frowned at my bitter pleas and glanced inside the villa as Taehyung got onto his feet with his eyes fixed on us. He slowly limped toward the doorway with a curious expression. Seokjin sighed heavily before turning around to leave as I requested. I watched him get back into his car until he pulled out of the property and left. Sighing, I turned to enter the villa just as Taehyung reached the doorway to greet me. My stuffy chest suddenly grew lighter upon his cheerful presence.

"Hey. Why did you visit at this hour? It's late-" Taehyung smiled in confusion as he watched me take off the hospital slippers. I couldn't face him, so I pretended to organize the scattered sneakers on the shoe rack to avoid looking directly at him.

"Why are you dressed in a hospital gown- What happened to your neck?" Taehyung suddenly stepped forward to confront me when he finally noticed the bandage around my neck. I gulped at his worried tone and slowly lifted my face to stare at him in tears. The excitement on Taehyung's face suddenly vanished when he noticed my puffy eyes and dreadful face. I don't know. I really don't know what I'm feeling right now.

"Baby, what happened? Talk to me-"

"I'm scared," I sobbed, suddenly breaking down when he stepped forward to reach out for me. I can't do this anymore. Everything is a mess, and I'm drowning again. I drew him into a tight hug when I could no longer suppress my frustration and bawled against his chest in pain. I want to feel better! But why is it so hard to live a peaceful life!? Taehyung was taken aback by my heartbreaking whimper, so he stood stiffly in his position... embracing me in his strong arms to assure me of his presence.

"Who did this to you?" Taehyung firmly gripped my shoulders after pulling away to lower his concerned face, fixing his dim eyes on the bloody bandage around my neck. Warm tears slipped down the corner of my eyes as I struggled to answer his questions. His face darkened at how shattered I was. I can see it... the worry in his eyes. I want to tell him everything. I want to tell him about the terrible things they did to me, but I'm in too much pain to even answer his simple questions. He gently took my wrist when I wouldn't respond to him and led me toward the living room to make me sit on the couch.

I pursed my lips when Taehyung walked up the stairs without speaking to me, eventually returning with a fresh set of clothes. He reached his hand behind my back to loosen my suffocating bra before slipping the hospital shirt over my head. I let him undress me until I was fully naked before him. Taehyung halted to stare at the fresh bruises on my flesh with a stern frown. I gripped my hands nervously when he briefly looked up at me for explanations but I didn't say anything. So, he sighed heavily at my unresponsive behavior and stood up to slip the nightgown over my head, dressing me in the light silk.

"Can we have sex?" I asked, nervously chewing my lower lips. My body is too tense- I feel like I'm going to break at any moment. Taehyung gripped my hand over my lap as he crouched before me with a pained expression.

"I'm not hard," He sadly stared at me. I blinked the tear walls in my eyes until it shattered, allowing the hot streams to flow down my cheeks. Taehyung stared at my beaten condition in difficulty and softly leaned forward to kiss me. I gripped his hands with my eyes closed until he pulled away to examine me again.

"Can we? I'll let you do anything with my body," I pressed, desperately staring at him. Taehyung released a dejected sigh, then got up to sit on the couch with me while holding my hands in his.

"I'd please your body anytime you want, but how can I think about having sex with you when you're in this state? I can't. I know sex is your coping mechanism but Jiyoung, you have me. Pleasure is temporary, and I know you've been using it as a distraction before- but that's because you had no one by your side to comfort you. You do now. You have me. A real human being. You have me, Jiyoung. Give me a chance to comfort you," Taehyung shook his head to reject me. I pursed my lips at his anxious eyes and glanced down at our interlaced fingers. Can I really numb my pain without sex? Does it even work? The only time... I could clear my jammed mind is when I let heavy the liquor numb my system. Or when I'm high on powerful drugs. Or when a man is thrusting deep inside me. How can I feel better without any of those distractions? Is that possible?

"Okay," I whispered in defeat. I can't talk anymore. My throat is aching like hell. Taehyung exhaled and leaned forward to engulf me in his arms, so I gripped his torso and pressed my face against his warm chest.

"I'll take care of you, so lean on me," Taehyung softly whispered while rubbing my back to ease my strained body. I wanted to cry again, but I was too exhausted to even lift my fingers, so I tugged him closer as silent tears slipped down my cheeks. He's right. I had no one before, but I do now. Sex, alcohol, and drugs aren't the answer to everything. Sometimes... the presence of someone you love is enough to assure your soul of the unforgiving situation. He's not a temporary person in my life. I can rely on him. Taehyung carefully tilted his body backward to lay down on the couch while holding me over him. So, I shifted my position to sleep on his heated body, quietly listening to his steady heartbeat. Thump... Thump... Thump...

The tense emotion in my chest didn't fade right away, but I didn't feel as terrified anymore. Not when he's holding me like this. The constant rhythm of his heartbeat is untangling the messy threads in my mind. And his warmth is melting the stubborn emotion in my chest. Even his touch is soothing my sore muscles... with every stroke I felt over my body. It wasn't as effective and quick as pleasure, but it's working. I can rely on him. Slowly... very slowly. My chest grew lighter after the heavyweight subsided, and my noisy mind began to hush until I was devoid of thoughts. My body muscles began to relax over his body as he scratched my scalp to soothe the discomfort I was feeling.

The power of love isn't a quick solution to resist pain, but it does work.

Love doesn't numb the scorching wounds, it heals.

It takes time, so I have to be patient with it.

I can feel it... subtly seeping into me to mend my damages until I was completely calm, and my eyes began to drop at the comfort of his embrace. The tears in my eyes receded, leaving me with stinging pupils, so I closed my eyes to finally rest in his arms until he put me into a deep sleep.

I always thought love was only a myth or a delusion created by liars to fool desperate people like me. My mother said she loved my father, but she left him. My father claimed to love me, but he left me. My stepfather insisted his love was pure until he forced me to have sex with him and would abuse my body to tame me with his tough love. Jungkook had always stayed by my side, claiming to love me, but I never really felt it. Yet I believed him. I believed them. I believed they loved me... even if their love came with a painful cost. But after meeting Taehyung, Jimin and Seokjin... I was able to understand love better. Warmth and comfort. No white lies or bad intentions. All I ever needed was someone... who is willing to hold me at my lowest point.

Someone who loves me unconditionally without expecting a return to benefit themselves.

Maybe, love is real... and I was only with the wrong people?

Third Person POV

Kim Taehyung remained on the couch with one arm around Jiyoung's waist to hold her over him. He tangled his other hand in her messy hair to weave his fingers through her scalp with his eyes fixed on the plain ceiling above them. He didn't dare move his body as she laid face first over his chest to absorb his unlimited warmth. Despite his calmness, the drug lord was on the brink of mass murdering whoever broke his woman... this badly.

He had never seen her in such a damaged condition, except for her past sexual trauma. How did a woman so independent and strong... Break like this? He questioned himself. Taehyung carefully lifted his head to find Jiyoung fast asleep on his chest after half an hour of holding her shattered soul. He exhaled in relief after succeeding in calming her aching soul. Taehyung rested his head back on the cushion, gently shifting her unconscious body off his body to lay her by his side instead. He slipped his stiff bicep under her floppy neck to cushion her head, then turned on his side to hug her body close to his. He wanted to look at her face.

"What happened to you?" Taehyung whispered, gently brushing Jiyoung's messy hair from her face, lowering his hand to graze the bandage around her neck. He needed an answer. His heart ached intensely when he noticed the swollen bruise over her neck. There were a few people he cared about, but ever since he met her... Taehyung realized. The people he always cared about never really cared about the things he did for them. His mother. His father. His brothers. His ex-lovers. His own people. Not a soul cared about him. They simply didn't bat an eye after he worked tirelessly to prove his devotion to them.

Their ignorance had triggered his unspoken self-doubt. So, he kept asking himself if he was really worthy of their attention? Why was he never enough for anyone? Why won't anyone acknowledge his hard work? He never had an answer to those questions until he met Jiyoung.

His heart didn't flutter for her when he first met her. His mind didn't go blank. His dick didn't go hard at her presence. Instead. Taehyung felt this strange... unexplainable sensation. There was something about her. She seemed to notice his invisible presence. In a room filled with people who didn't bother about him... it was Jiyoung who glanced at him. When his mother dropped his gift on the floor to welcome the heir... It was Jiyoung who directed her concern toward him.

Every time he stood in the outcasted background to watch his parents display their affection for his older brothers. It was Jiyoung... who looked past them to observe him. He felt visible around her. He liked her attention because she never treat him like an invisible ghost. People only paid attention to him when they needed something from him. But that wasn't the case for Jiyoung. She looked at him simply because she noticed him. She never needed anything from him, yet she never hesitated to express her concerns. And that was the reason why... he chased after her.

Taehyung kept bothering her even if she was dismissive of his approach. She kept pushing him away, but he never surrendered. He knew... only she could see him in the pitiful world filled with people who disregarded his hard work. Repeatedly, he'd approach her. And every time, Jiyoung would notice him without failure. She wasn't aware of her trivial gesture, but it meant the world to the needy invisible soul... to be noticed by someone. Taehyung fell even deeper into the abyss... when she made the first move on him. She kissed him at the most unexpected time. Their first kiss startled his soul because he never expected anyone to grab hold of him that way. A grip he was never familiar with. She went for his cheeks. She held his face instead of his body. Even if he was only a stranger she claimed to despise, she held him with so much tenderness when they first got intimate at her place. He was usually the one to take charge in bed- but it was her... who humbled him.

There was so much about Jiyoung. So much he could recall about her. It was her who sheltered him when he had nowhere else to go. It was Jiyoung... who rushed for a doctor in the middle of the night to rescue him when others would have left him to die. She gave him blood. She shared her bed with him even if she didn't like him. She cooked him food and even brought him side dishes. Naturally, a person who has been invisible all his life would grow attached to her. She might not be aware, but every time she held his cheeks to kiss him... His entire body would go weak for her. She became his greatest strength and weakness. He knew that. He knew she had a chokehold of his soul, and he would do anything to keep her by his side.

Even if it meant... giving up on his pride to kneel for her love. He'd do it without hesitation.

Jiyoung's POV

I woke up the next morning to find myself sleeping on the couch, and Taehyung was sleeping on the cold floor with his arm tucked under his head. Why is he sleeping on the floor? I rolled over to peek over the edge to find him tapping his phone with his thumb. He's awake. Taehyung suddenly dropped his phone on his chest before averting his eyes to stare at my striking messy hair. I watched him from the couch with my innocent eyes. We didn't speak but stared at one another in utter silence.

"Are you alright? Seokjin came by earlier to drop the treatment pack," Taehyung sat up to ruffle his hair, nodding at the medical supply on the coffee table. Seokjin visited? I didn't feel like talking with Taehyung because of the discomfort in my throat, so I blankly laid back down to stare at the ceiling above me. Should I tell him? That his stepmother killed his birth mother? This early in the morning? I was a nuisance last night. He must be dead worried about me.

"Does it hurt to talk?" He asked, scratching his head awkwardly when I refused to speak with him. I turned my head sideways on the cushion to stare at his concerned expression and extended my arm to pat his firm cheek before nodding at him.

I didn't speak much a few days after the incident because my wound was hurting too much. Taehyung didn't pressure me to talk either and took care of me since he can walk now. He still limps around, but he's making progress. I cooked meals for us every day... even if he told me not to work, but I didn't want him to eat ramen all the time. I finally told Taehyung about the incident a few days after, and he was somewhat very... calm. I expected him to be reactive, but his neutral face... suggested otherwise. Is he not devastated?

"I knew that," Taehyung sighed while applying cream to my wounded neck.

"You knew?" I blinked at him in shock as we sat on the couch. 

"Oh. I knew eomma was murdered because I was with her that night, but I was young. It was traumatizing... so I kept pushing the unpleasant memories away. I saw the police carrying eomma's body out of our house. Hyung-nim wasn't home, but I was. I was asleep when eomma was murdered. There was blood all over the living room. Hyung was devastated, and I was in too much shock to even react. We had no one to rely on for a week until appa showed up on a stormy night. He told us to pack our things. We left with him, and that's how we ended up at the villa. I never suspected my stepmother, but I'm not surprised either," He shrugged, turning to grab the bandage from the kit. He gently tilted my chin to expose my neck before wrapping the cotton around my throat to secure the wound.

"Are you not upset?" I unsurely studied his composed expression. Taehyung didn't answer me. He's too concentrated on fixing my bandage. He placed the treatment kit away after trimming it, then lowered his hand to hold mine with a worried frown.

"It happened two decades ago. I'm upset, of course, but it doesn't matter now. Do you know what bothers me? You... having to suffer like this. I couldn't help my mother because I was young and weak, but I won't repeat the same mistake. I'll protect you, so don't go out on your own. Give me time to heal and stay by my side until I'm strong again," Taehyung weakly smiled while rubbing my knuckles. I nodded at his words and leaned forward to give him a crushing hug.

Fast Forward

"I'm home," Taehyung announced his return while I flipped through the wedding pictorial to choose our pictures. I turned to find Taehyung limping inside the villa with heavy grocery bags in his hands after leaving the area to get me pads. 

"Why did you buy so much? I only need pads," I mumbled as he settled the bags beside me.

"I brought a few packs, but I got you snacks and drinks as well. The internet says I should feed my grumpy girlfriend on her period," He teased while taking out random pads packages to show them to me. I glanced at the snack-filled bags and looked back up at him.

"Why is everything according to the internet? Don't you know what I-"

"Of course, I know what you like! I bought your favorite snacks and ice cream! Even the hot sausages! Also- I'm not an expert at caring for my girlfriend since I've never been in a serious relationship before! I grew up with brothers, not sisters! My stepmother always neglected me, so how am I supposed to understand women? I'm trying my best! Please show this man some appreciation!" Taehyung cutely gripped the pad package while pouting at me when I wouldn't stop teasing him. I laughed and lightly shook my head at his upset face.

"Did you leave on your own?" I shook my head before turning back to flip through the photo samples.

"No. My ankle is still stiff, so I took a taxi," Taehyung mumbled while arranging the snacks back into the bag. He placed the bags in the kitchen, then sat down beside me to peel a hot sausage. Taehyung carefully fed me, so I opened my mouth to bite a chunk before glancing back at the picture with a pen.

"You circled everything," I muttered while skimming through the photographs. We were supposed to pick a couple of photos to compile in a photo album, but Taehyung had already chosen every picture.

"Can't I do that?" He asked after biting my sausage as he scanned the pictures beside me.

"There are too many! There are over 200 shots! Some of them are similar! You'll only waste money on the unnecessary ones," I nudged his shoulders. We'll take plenty more pictures during the actual wedding, so why is he so greedy? Taehyung extended his arm to flip through the pages, glancing back and forth to examine an identical picture with his narrowed eyes.

"They're not the same! Look! Your head is slightly tilted!" Taehyung insisted, pointing at my head angle.

"Yeah, but everything else is the same! Let's just pick one-"

"No. I want to have every shot of our moment," Taehyung grimaced, pushing my hands off the document to slam it shut. I sighed in annoyance and turned to look at him as he dismissively placed the folder away. Why did he ask me to pick if he's going to choose everything anyways? He pulled out the guest list instead and flipped it open to fill the slots with a pen. 

"You're inviting all of your men?" I weakly smiled as he scribbled messily on the name list.

"Yeah. Why not? You don't want them-"

"No. Invite whoever you want," I shrugged when Taehyung suddenly turned to look at me. I exhaled and glanced down at the ring on my finger in silence. Taehyung made me wear it again. I have been feeling very heavy lately because I don't know where I'm heading or what I'm doing.

"Can I ask a question?" I whispered with my unblinking eyes fixed on the sparkling diamonds. Everything feels so surreal. How did I end up with a ring on my finger in the blink of an eye?

"What is it?" Taehyung responded without looking at me.

"If you were... to meet a woman... who is the exact opposite of me... would you marry her?" I asked with my eyes fixed on the ring.

"What do you mean?" Taehyung asked as he scribbled on the paper. He didn't look at me. I flipped my hands over to find the scars on both my wrists before glancing at Taehyung, who was too busy hovering over the coffee table to fill in the guest list.

"If you ever meet a woman... who is pure. Someone perfect. Someone without past traumas. Someone who will love you unconditionally. Someone ideal and has her life together. Someone independent and free-spirited. A beautiful, perfect, and pure woman with elegance and class. Would you marry her?" I asked with my eyes fixed on Taehyung's attractive side profile.

"Yeah? Why not? If she's pure and perfect, then I'll marry her if she likes me," Taehyung responded without hesitation. My heart sank at his words, but I wasn't surprised either. Did I expect him to choose the worst for himself?

"You'd choose her without hesitation?" I whispered, glancing down at the ring on my finger with a pouty expression.

"Sure," Taehyung nodded without looking at me. I gripped my fist and glanced at the pretty lake with a pained expression. Why did I ask the question? I'm so stupid. Maybe I'm just emotionally unstable because of my period. Ah! Whatever.

"Should I book a bigger venue?" Taehyung muttered as he skimmed through the interior portfolios. He didn't seem to notice my sulky mood at all. I tried not to fuss over it, but my emotions got the best of me, so I sighed and slipped the ring off my finger.

"Doesn't matter. We're not getting married anyways," I muttered, placing the ring on the coffee table. Taehyung glanced from his paper to the ring, then turned to look at my moody attitude in confusion.

"What do you mean-"

"You said it yourself. You prefer a pure and perfect woman. I'm not her, so let's not get married," I shook my head while folding my arms with my eyes fixed on his startled gaze.

"Are you stupid? Put it back on-"

"No! I don't want to! Go away!" I whined when he grabbed the ring to force it back onto me. I immediately pushed his hand away to stop him from slipping it on.

"You said you'd marry me! Why are you-" Taehyung snapped as he fought to push the ring onto my finger, so I curled my fingers into a tight fist but he didn't give up and wrestled with my hand to free my fingers.

"Go find your perfect woman!" I screamed, pushing him away until he lost his balance. Taehyung scoffed in shock after tumbling to the side. He fired me a sharp glare, so I rolled my eyes in response when he suddenly swung his leg over me. I gasped in shock when he sat facing me on my lap to pin me in place. He shoved my shoulders against the couch and quickly slipped the ring back onto my ring finger before I could stop him.

"Don't ever take it off again!" Taehyung frowned as he remained on my lap.

"No-" I refused- trying to slip the ring off again when he aggressively gripped my cheeks and leaned forward to kiss me. I clutched his shirt tightly, attempting to turn my face away from him, but he wouldn't allow it and drew my body against his to inject me with his love. He gently stroked my lips until I gave up on resisting him. Slowly... he pulled away to stare at me with a fond gaze. I fired him a sore expression.

"I was just teasing you. How can you ask me those absurd questions when I literally fell to my knees for you? How can you ask questions like that when you know you've got a chokehold of my soul? Hmm? How can you ask me if I prefer a perfect woman- when I'm literally crawling after you like a dog? How can you ask me those questions to make yourself feel bad like this? I'm organizing our wedding! I'm planning the guest lists! I'm fighting to secure a famous designer so he can tailor your wedding dress! I'm constantly meeting with managers to plan our wedding! I even picked all the diamonds on your ring with my own hands! Are you out of your mind?!" Taehyung lowered his hands to grip my shoulders with his stern gaze fixed on mine. I speechlessly blinked at his concerned frown and glanced at the ring on my hand.

"Isn't it weird? You want to marry me after being with me for only a few months?-"

"It's been over a year since we got together-"

"Yeah, but we were separated most of the time after your fake death!-"

"I don't want to waste our time dating for fun! Let's just settle and live a happy life! Stop whining over what I said! How can you ask me those questions when you already own all my assets? My body! My heart! My people! Woman! Just eat the snacks and try not to hurt your own feelings if you're bored! Stop nagging me like this!" Taehyung scolded me while squeezing my cheeks to snap me back to my senses. He quickly got off my lap and bent down to lift me off the floor. I gasped in shock when he carelessly tossed me onto the couch. Taehyung turned to grab a few snack bags, so I tried to sit up when he forcefully pushed my shoulders back down. He placed the chip bags in my arms after forcing me to lay on the couch, and then spread the blanket over my body to keep me warm. I hugged the snack packages unsurely as he tucked me in like a child.

"Behave! Don't think of absurd thoughts again!" Taehyung grimaced over me. He bent down to kiss my forehead before turning around to sit on the floor and went straight back to his document. I glared at the back of his head- hastily lifting the snack bag when I felt the urge to throw it at his head. Aish! How can he say those words and expect me to forget it!? I crossed my arms in defeat and turned to sleep on the couch with my eyes screwed shut, and after a moment of silence... I actually dozed off. Maybe it's just my period. I don't know.

A few days passed without any outside disturbance. I tried not to fight with Taehyung over petty things because of my crazy mood swings. He was very understanding and took great care of me while he finalized the guest list on his laptop. We didn't eat home-cooked meals for a while because I was still feeling unwell, so Taehyung had to go out for packed meals. We got really bored at one point... and ended up binge-watching a TV show all day.

"WHAT?! SHE'S HIS DAUGHTER?!" Taehyung shrieked while perching on the couch with his mouth hanging open. I leaned against his shoulder with a blank face. Daebak? I stared at the screen in shock as the alphas gawked at each other in horror after unveiling the truth behind the female lead's identity.

"So she's the legitimate heir??? Not Park Bogum???" I whispered in disbelief. The TV show suddenly ended, and the OST played as usual after the shocking cliffhanger. Taehyung gripped his hair in bewilderment, wildly turning to look at me with his bulging eyes.

"This is unbelievable! She suffered so much!" Taehyung gasped, reaching out to switch the channel to a cooking show instead.

"Wah~ People are the real evils, huh?" I coughed. I'm thirsty. We had too many salty snacks. Taehyung reached out for a bottle of water before handing it to me after uncapping it. I accepted his offer and tilted my head backward to take a sip as he watched me drink the water.

"Does your neck still hurt?" He asked, keeping his eyes fixed on the cotton bandage around my throat. I swallowed the water and handed it back to him before flushing the coolness down my throat.

"It's sore, but it doesn't hurt. I should be fine by next week," I shrugged, averting my eyes back to the show on the TV.

"Is your period over?" Taehyung asked, turning to watch the show as I sat crossed legs on the couch to watch the mouth-watering dish. I'm hungry.

"Yeah. It ended this morning," I muttered as I watched the pretty and handsome actors and actresses enjoy their meal with my unblinking eyes.

"Oh," Taehyung responded, suddenly placing his arm over my shoulder to draw me close to him. I unconsciously snuggled against his shoulder when he tugged me down to make me lay on his lap instead. I shifted my body position to rest on my side with my eyes trained on the television. Taehyung gently rubbed my upper arm, and we grew hushed again to watch the show. I chuckled at the comedian exclaim on the screen when I felt Taehyung extending his arm to place his hand on my buttcheek. He gently groped me. But I didn't pay attention to his touch until he slipped his hand under my thin pajama shorts to fondle my bare buttcheeks. I reached down to pull his hand out of my pants and interlaced our fingers instead. Why is he suddenly touchy?

Taehyung didn't resist me and continued watching the television when he suddenly pulled his fingers free from mine to place his hand on my waist instead. I exhaled softly as I watched the chef cook the delicious dish when I felt Taehyung slipping his hand under my shirt to rub my bare waistline. I didn't stop him and figured he only wanted to touch my skin until he slipped his hand up my body to grope my boobs. I giggled and grabbed his hand over my shirt as he gently massaged my sensitive spots. Taehyung glanced down to smile at me... so I patted his firm cheek and averted my eyes back to the screen. He kept playing with my breasts under my shirt.

"Do you want to have fun? I'm bored of the show," Taehyung muttered, gently pushing my hair behind my ear with his free hand while massaging my boob with his other hand.

"No. I'm tired," I shook my head, pulling his hand out of my shirt again. Taehyung sighed heavily and averted his attention back to the screen at my objection.

"I'm horny," Taehyung muttered. I pursed my lips and looked up at him unsurely.

"Okay," I nodded and averted my eyes back to the television.

"Let's have sex," Taehyung bluntly replied. I glanced up at his cute frown when I kept dismissing his hints and averted my eyes back to the steamy hot lobster on the screen.

"I'm not in the mood," I shook my head.

"Then I'll set you in the mood-"

"No~ I don't want to," I shook my head when he tried to shift my position, but I held his chest back to keep my head seated on his lap.

"Why not? It's been almost a week since-"

"Why are you complaining? I asked you to have sex before! You denied it yourself!" I briefly fired him an irritated glare. I asked him to pleasure our bodies before my period started, but he refused and chose to hold me instead.

"How can I agree to have sex when you were a bloody mess? Come on~" Taehyung pouted, lowering his face to kiss my forehead. I pushed his face away with my palm to keep him from smooching my face with his annoying lips. I'm hungry. I want to eat the dish on the television.

"Then wait a little longer. I'm really not in the mood," I sighed, sitting up beside Taehyung instead to anticipate the show when he wouldn't stop touching my body. Taehyung sideways glared at me as we sat shoulder to shoulder on the couch but didn't complain and averted his eyes back to the screen. Should I cook? I don't think I have enough ingredients to replicate the dish- I averted my eyes from the screen when Taehyung suddenly grabbed my hand to place it over his boner.

"Just hold me then! It's the least you can do!" Taehyung grimaced when I tried to pull away. He firmly held my hand over the hump under his pants, so I exhaled and glanced back at the screen. Does that help? Won't it turn him on even more? Shaking my head, I turned to face the TV and did as he insisted.

"Appa never taught me how to cook a lobster- Are you serious?" I whispered when Taehyung casually slipped my hand under his waistband to make me touch his bare flesh. He shakily exhaled as he made me rub my fingers over his private part.

"I really want you, and I know I can't force you against your will, so just help me out. Oh?" He pouted, averting his troubled eyes to me. I unblinkingly stared at his unsettled expression with my hand under his pants. He's hard. I glanced back at the lobster and back to him. I want the lobster though.

"Fine," I sighed in defeat when I couldn't resist his cute puppy eyes. Taehyung broke into a wide grin and leaned forward to kiss me. I exhaled and slipped off the couch to kneel before him as he pulled off his pants and tossed them aside to spread his legs for me. I leaned forward to hover my face over his bulge as I held onto him and finally leaned down to please him. Taehyung grunted above me after I took him in my mouth and gently thrust his hips upward to stimulate his private part. I grabbed his hands to make him hold up my dangling hair, so he did.

The room grew hushed as I orally pleased him with my tongue and mouth. I bopped my head over his crotch at a constant place until I heard him groaning over me in satisfaction. I gripped his thighs and lowered my face to take him deeper until he threw his head back against the couch to moan out loud. It took a while because he was very hard and horny. My jaw started hurting, but his body was getting tenser, and he was also getting louder- which is a good signal. It indicates I'm doing a great job. I helped him ease his painful urge until he finished, but I pulled out on time to let him unload himself. I turned to grab a few tissues and handed them to him when he suddenly pulled me down onto his lap to kiss me while roaming his hungry hands all over my body.

"What about you?" He whispered against my lips as I gripped his shoulders with a flustered face. We held intense eye contact as he rubbed my back to arouse me with the teasing strokes over my sensitive skin. I stared at his flushed cheeks and leaned forward to kiss him when I felt my body throbbing for him. He's very naughty! He knows I easily get aroused when he touches me like this! Taehyung smiled at my positive response and slipped his hands under my shirt to grope my breast when the door suddenly opened, and Seokjin appeared. I quickly jerked my lips away and crawled off Taehyung in panic. Taehyung turned wildly to look at his older brother while pulling on his pants with a startled expression.

"Did I- disturb you guys?" Seokjin awkwardly halted when he realized we were getting intimate in the living room. I cleared my throat awkwardly and glanced away to avoid Seokjin.

"What are you doing here?" Taehyung grimaced with his arms folded over his chest.

"I'm here to bring groceries. I brought seafood and lobsters," Seokjin shrugged as he carried the bags inside the villa.

"Leave. Jiyoung doesn't want to see you," Taehyung walked up to his brother to grab the grocery bag. Seokjin frowned at his brother and glanced at me as I restlessly scratched my head on the couch. I don't want to see him, but I'm hungry. The food Taehyung brought for me from outside was too salty- I didn't even eat much.

"Jiyoung didn't say that, did she?" Seokjin darted his brother with a skeptical look.

"Do I have to repeat myself?" Taehyung tensed his arms muscles. He was immediately interrupted when my stomach decided to make funny gurgling noises. Taehyung blinked awkwardly at the growling sound and turned to look at me. I hugged my stomach in embarrassment before lowering my face to hide from their dumbfounded stares.

"She's hungry. Didn't you eat?" Seokjin frowned at me. I didn't answer and looked down awkwardly.

"We ate! I bought her packed meals, so leave- *CROOOOK*" Taehyung slightly nudged his brother but halted abruptly when my stomach hungrily growled again. What the fuck? Why am I growling as soon as I see Seokjin!? What's wrong with my stomach?! I rubbed my face in embarrassment when they both turned to look at me with an uneasy expression.

"Are you deaf? I'm not leaving until she tells me to. Are you hungry? I'll cook for you if you're hungry so tell me. I know the packed meal isn't enough," Seokjin stubbornly frowned at me. I pursed my lips, then glanced at Taehyung's uptight look from the couch before glancing back at Seokjin's concerned expression.

"Can you cook whatever they're cooking on television?" I mumbled, slightly nodding at the screen. Seokjin glanced at the dish with his eyebrows furrowed. Taehuung's jaw dropped at my request. Seokjin exhaled deeply after I admitted to my hunger. He hastily snatched the bags from Taehyung and stormed into the kitchen without speaking another word.

"I said leave!-"

"Let him stay. I'm hungry," I shook my head at Taehyung when he tried to chase after Seokjin. Taehyung fired me an upset expression as I got up from the couch and strolled into the kitchen to sit at the dining table.

"This is what you've been buying her? Are you serious? Kimbap? Microwaved rice? Frozen pizzas? You can't even cook fresh rice for her? That's why she's not feeling well!" Seokjin scolded as he hurriedly threw away the empty food packages into the dustbin.

"What am I supposed to do? I can't cook!" Taehyung argued. Seokjin shook his head at his brother, anxiously turning to frown at my sick face.

"I'll take a few days off to look after her. She will never recover if I let you treat her like this," Seokjin sighed, turning to wash the dirty dishes in the sink. Taehyung suddenly tensed his body at his older brother's provoking statement.

"You don't have to act all cool and caring-"

"I'm not acting cool to impress her! I'm worried about her health! You're the only one acting foolish! I called many times to ask if Jiyoung needed proper food, but you ignored all my calls! Why? Because you refuse to let her see me! Now look at her condition! Don't you dare raise your voice at me! I fucking love Jiyoung just as much as you love her!" Seokjin turned to glare at his younger brother with his glowering eyes. Taehyung froze in his place when he noticed how upset Seokjin was. I unsurely stared at Seokjin's intimidating glare and glanced at Taehyung's flustered face. He's taken aback by his brother's words. Taehyung told Seokjin not to see me?

"I know you what you're-"

"Are you going to keep up with your pathetic jealousy and neglect her needs?! Look at her! Look at her yellowish skin and tell me she's alright! Look at the entire villa! It's a fucking mess! How can you let her live in this kind of environment? There are snack bags all over the floor! The sink is dirty! You don't even do the laundry! There is only packed food- and you even bought outside water when there's a goddamn water filter in the house! Look at the sweets and harmful snacks! She's not supposed to eat those when she's this sick! Moh? You love her? Is that why you chose to let her thrive with all the trashy shit instead of asking me to come over?! She's this sick, but it doesn't matter because you only care about her sucking your dick! How can you ask her to give you a fucking blowjob when her fucking throat is bandaged!? Look at her again and tell me if she looks like she's well!?" Seokjin roared at his younger brother until his face and ears turned red. Taehyung gripped his fists at his brother's disappointed glare and glanced at my dark circles. He's speechless. I'm speechless too. Why is Seokjin so agitated? He's been holding it in all these times?

"She's on her period! The internet says-"

"The internet says she should be given junkies and frozen food?! Does she look any better after eating whatever the internet suggests!? She needs proper nutrition to flush out the harmful waste from her body! She needs warm water and tea to assist her period flow! Not fucking soft drinks with high sugar levels! She needs freshly cooked rice, not microwaved ones! Admit it if you can't fucking take care of her because it has always been Jiyoung who took care of your childish ass! She's not complaining because she loves you, and you should feel sorry for her!" Seokjin angrily fired Taehyung a piercing glare. Taehyung intensely clenched his jaw at Seokjin's fiery glare. He tried to speak, but no word came out of his lips, no matter how hard he tried to counter his brother. The youngest brother suddenly stomped out of the kitchen in anger when he failed to refute his older brother. Seokjin trailed his burning eyes after Taehyung and finally turned to rest his hands against the sink with his head hung low. I stared at Seokjin's broad shoulder from behind in the quiet room, listening to his unsteady breathing rhythm with my hands clasped together. He's fuming. Should I chase after Taehyung?

"Taehyung tried his best. You can't blame him," I whispered. Taehyung might not be as organized as his older brother, but he's trying.

"His effort is not enough. You know that. I know you're very mindful of his feelings, but Jiyoung- you deserve better treatment. You can't baby him forever," Seokjin calmly spoke, slowly turning to face me. I gulped at his anxious eyes and glanced down at my hands in guilt. I didn't know how to respond, so Seokjin turned back around to prepare the meals for me. I watched him cook in silence without conversing with him.

Seokjin made me warm honey tea as I waited for my meals, so I took a sip as he plate the food and finally placed it before me. He actually cooked me the lobster dish I requested. I'm impressed. He knows all the recipes? The savory scent is enough to make my mouth water in hunger. He even made herbal soup to help me swallow the warm fried rice. I picked up the spoon and hungrily ate the meal after thanking him. Fuck. It's been a while since I got to eat proper food! This is so satisfying. Seokjin cleaned up the mess inside the villa while I ate the hot meal. I didn't want to disturb him, so I washed my own dishes after scraping my plates clean with my spoon. The meal was crazy delicious, so I didn't leave a single leftover. Not even a rice grain. I'm finally stuffed. I feel so much better now.

"I got herbal supplements for you from abroad. It's a bit bitter but take it before bed. It should help you sleep," Seokjin handed me a golden box filled with expensive supplements.

"Thank you," I weakly smiled at him. Seokjin ruffled my hair and nodded at me with a slight smile while gripping the mop in his other hand. He's doing the house chores.

"Head to bed. I'll clean up the place," Seokjin turned to look at the half-filled trash bag in the living room. Did he drive all the way here just to clean up the villa like a housemaid and serve me food? I should've cleaned up after myself. I feel guilty.

"It's getting late, so leave it. I'll take care-"

"I'll stay over. Don't worry," Seokjin shook his head before walking away to vacuum the living room. I hugged the metallic box with my sad gaze fixed on his rolled-up sleeves and the sweat stains on his shirt. I feel so sorry for him. Sighing, I walked upstairs to find Taehyung sleeping sideways on the bed with his arms crossed over his chest. He didn't speak to me but took deep exhales every few minutes, so I took a bath and finally got dressed in my nightgown. I tore open a supplement pack before squeezing the sticky paste into my mouth.

"Gah~!" I screwed my face in shock at how bitter it was. He's right- this is too bitter! The foul aftertaste sent an uncomfortable chill down my spine, so I lowered my face to hover over the sink until I succeeded in swallowing everything.

"It better help me sleep," I mumbled after throwing away the empty package, then walked out of the bathroom to join Taehyung. He was facing the lake, so I figured he was still upset and laid down beside him. I don't feel like speaking either, but he's not in a good mood, so I should comfort him. I scooted closer over the mattress until my body aligned with his. Carefully, I lifted my arm to hug Taehyung from behind. He didn't budge at my embrace.

"I love you," I whispered, leaning over to peck his firm cheek when he wouldn't turn to face me. I slipped my arm under his head to cushion him. Taehyung let out a heavy sigh but still wouldn't turn around, so I spooned him on the bed to comfort him. Taehyung isn't the type to stay angry for long. He's hot-tempered, but he cools down just as quickly. It's probably because no one ever comforted him when he was younger, so he had no choice but to make peace with himself. Even if people did him wrong, he'd be the first to approach and apologize because he's so desperate for affection. Taehyung finally gave in to me after he felt my soothing touch and turned to face me. He kept his eyes closed, so I pulled his head against my chest as he wrapped his strong arm around my waist to hold me close.

"I love you too," Taehyung replied after a long pause. I didn't respond to him and gently grazed his scalp as he snuggled against me. Taehyung tightened his arm around me, so I rubbed his back until we both fell asleep in each other's arms on the bed. The supplement did help. I was able to fall asleep without any struggles. It weirdly helped my body relax as well. I felt really... comfortable for the first time ever since I was almost murdered by the witch.

Well. Seokjin did stay at the villa as he insisted, and Taehyung was overly protective of me for no reason. He'd follow me around the house or follow his brother around. He wouldn't let us stay in the same room and wouldn't let Seokjin touch me either. Seokjin didn't seem to approve his younger brother's possessive behavior. But he didn't cause any arguments either because he didn't want to disturb me. He'd cook us proper meals and even fix a leaking pipe while Taehyung watched him from the doorway with a suspicious look.

"I plan on going for a walk tomorrow morning. Come along. You need fresh air," Seokjin nodded at me while he ate from a bowl as we sat together in the living room.

"She's not going!" Taehyung immediately rejected his brother's suggestion. Seokjin chewed his food, slowly turning to look at Taehyung with his eyebrow raised.

"I didn't ask you," Seokjin said shortly.

"I said she's not going!" Taehyung snapped back, nervously gripping my hand with his stern gaze fixed on his brother. Seokjin exchanged awkward glances with me before glancing back at his brother.

"You can come if you want," Seokjin shrugged, getting on his feet to put his bowl away in the kitchen.

"We're getting married soon," Taehyung informed, eagerly observing Seokjin's composed attitude. Seokjin poured himself a drink and strolled back into the living room with a straight face.

"Is he forcing you to marry him?" Seokjin jokes, sitting back down. Taehyung suddenly tensed his body at his brother's dismissive reaction.

"No?! She agreed! Stop seeing her!" Taehyung argued while glaring at Seokjin from across the couch.

"I've been watching over her for longer than you did. I'd have to be blind to avoid seeing her. And what's the matter with you? Why are you so nervous if you're so confident about the marriage?" Seokjin laughed with a smug expression. Taehyung frowned at his brother's cocky laughter. He suddenly yanked me off the couch, so I stumbled after him as he dragged me up the stairs without explaining himself.

"You need to calm down," I mumbled after he slammed the door shut with a frustrated grimace.

"I want to adjust the wedding date. Let's get married within this month," Taehyung anxiously turned to look at me while gripping my hands in his. He would storm away whenever he got mad at Seokjin, but he'd also drag me along with him. He wouldn't leave me behind. I sadly sat on the bed edge to observe his timid behavior. Is he even in his right mind? Why is he suddenly so insecure? Why is he suddenly doubtful of me?

"Okay. You set the date," I sighed in defeat. I don't want to fight with Taehyung over his brother. He can do whatever he wants if he's happy with it. I'm not against marriage. Taehyung immediately walked over to his laptop to contact the event managers about the wedding, so I sighed and went to sleep after taking the supplement, leaving Taehyung alone to handle the schedule.

A swift movement on the side of the bed woke me up in the middle of the night, so I rubbed my eyes until I felt Taehyung kissing me. He's not asleep? I grunted and turned my face in his direction as he gently stroked my cheeks with his thumb, softly grazing his lips over mine at a steady rhythm. I gripped his waist to hold him as he hovered over me with his fingers in my hair. My vision eventually cleared up after a moment of responding to his tender kiss- to find Seokjn's face hovering over mine instead of Taehyung's. He smiled at my startled expression, so I turned my head on the pillow to find Taehyung asleep beside us. Seokjin lowered his face to kiss my neck as I nervously gripped his shirt and turned back to him.

"Seokjin- Wait- I can't-" I whispered, trying to push his face away. Seokjin gently held my wrist to hold me down as he carefully crawled onto the bed with me.

"Do you want to leave the room?" Seokjin asked, pulling his moist lips away to stare at me with his fond eyes. I was still half awake so I kept glancing back and forth to process the situation.

"Can't we talk tomorrow? I really can't do this. Taehyung-" I anxiously shook his head, but Seokjin wouldn't let me finish my sentence and leaned back down to kiss me. I didn't respond to his love call but couldn't push him off me either since he was holding me captive with his strong arms. Seokjin's breath grew heavier as he tilted his face to kiss my jawline, so I extended my arm across the bed to tug Taehyung's arm in panic. He stirred in his sleep but didn't wake up, so I tapped his arm repeatedly- but he simply rolled over to turn away from us. Shit.

"What about you? You can't do this because of him? What about you? Are you sure you're satisfied with him?" Seokjin paused to stare at me. I nervously laid under his massive body as Seokjin rubbed my cheeks with a dejected frown. Sighing at my muted response, he lowered his lips to meet mine again, causing me to tense my body at his comforting touch. Seokjin suddenly grunted over me when an immense force slammed against the side of his body. I gasped in shock when Seokjin tumbled off the bed at the blow, landing hard on the floor with a painful THUD. 

"What the fuck are you doing!?" Taehyung roared after shoving his brother off the bed. I wildly turned to look at Taehyung's outraged face in the dark and quickly sat up in fear.

"Did you have to push me?! You could've joined us if you wanted to!" Seokjin grimaced as he sat on the floor to rub his sore back. My eyes widened in shock when Taehyung scrambled off the bed to slam his older back onto the floor.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH HER! ARGH! YOU FUCKING DICKHEAD!" Taehyung cursed, angrily punching Seokjin in the face.

"YOU CHOSE TO LET ME IN! DID YOU THINK YOU COULD PUSH ME OUT- AS IF I'M NOBODY!?" Seokjin bellowed, hurling his younger brother off him. I froze on the bed when Seokjin suddenly rolled over Taehyung to dodge his brother's wild swings, but Taehyung was oddly very reactive. He violently slammed his head against Seokjin's forehead- sending Seokjin tumbling backward with his hands clasped over his head.

"YOU STOLE MY GIRLFRIEND ONCE! I WON'T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN! YOU MOTHER FUCKER! YOU DON'T DESERVE ANYONE! SHE'S MINE! SHE'S MINE! SHE'S MINE!" Taehyung thumped his rock-hard fists over Seokjin's chest in rage, angrily striking Seokjin hard in the jaw until blood splattered all over Seokjin's lips with every violent blow.

"YOU'RE A FUCKING PATHETIC SCUMBAG!- ARH!" Seokjin spat at his brother when Taehyung suddenly clasped Seokjin's head between his oversized palms. My eyes bulged open when Taehyung angrily slammed his brother's head against the floor to crush his skull. THUD. THUD. THUD. Taehyung didn't stop. He kept smashing Seokjin's head on the solid surface until Seokjin's arms dropped weakly to his sides.

"Tae- stop- you're killing him!" I gasped, shakily getting off the bed to grab Taehyung's arm, but he refused to let go of Seokjin's head. He tried to slam Seokjin's head again, so I quickly slipped my hand underneath Seokjin's bleeding head to cushion the impact. Taehyung tried to push me away but I wrestled with him to protect Seokjin's skull from colliding with the floor again.

"He deserves to die-"

"TAEHYUNG!" I shrieked, roughly pushing him aside when he wouldn't contain his violent act. Taehyung tumbled off Seokjin at my forceful thrust. I quickly dropped to my knees again, hastily pulling Seokjin into a sitting position with my hand under his wounded head. My jaw dropped open when I noticed heavy blood trickling down Seokjin's hairline as Taehyung grunted on the floor.

"Don't touch him!" Taehyung screamed in jealousy, hastily grabbing my arm to pull me away from Seokjin.

"Are you out of your mind!?" I screamed back at Taehyung in anger, but Taehyung didn't seem to hear me. He roughly yanked me onto my feet until my arm slipped from under Seokjin, who weakly slumped back onto the floor in pain.

"We're leaving! I won't let you stay near him-" Taehyung angrily dragged me away as I watched Seokjin hug his injured ribs in pain. I tried to yank my arm from Taehyung's clutch when he angrily wrapped his arms around my body to haul me backward with all his might.

"STOP! TAEHYUNG- STOP!" I screamed, but he refused to let me go and forcefully dragged me toward the door. He grunted in pain when we both collided into the door, so I angrily shoved his loose arm from my body and tried to run forward- but I didn't escape his clutch. He swiftly snatched my waist and towed me back so hard- I thought he crushed my organs.

"ARGH!" Taehyung roared, violently slamming me against the wall when I wouldn't stop resisting him. I whimpered in shock when a surging pain shot up the back of my skull after my head thumped hard against the concrete wall. I tried to stand up straight but couldn't because Taehyung was tightly squeezing my shoulders to pin me against the wall with his immense strength. My head is aching so much I can see stars circling over me! Taehyung furiously fumed over my face as he clutched my vulnerable body to stop me from helping his injured brother. I looked up at his glowering eyes in tears until the stuffiness within my chest exploded within my swelling chest. My entire body vibrated in distress as the unforgiving emotions contaminated my remaining nerves to torment me with agonizing pain.

"Let go of me," I whispered, keeping my pained eyes on Taehyung's deadly glare. Taehyung didn't listen to me and squeezed my shoulders harder to defy my order.

"No," He gritted, leaning his killer face forward to overpower me.

"Let go of me. Now," I sucked in my tears with my razor-sharp eyes fixed on his. Taehyung tried to speak but couldn't when he realized I was glaring at him with a bitter expression. I won't submit to him!

"I can't-"

"Kim Taehyung," I warned, leaning forward to counter his dominance. Taehyung clenched his jaw when he felt the severity of my threat. He tried to resist me but couldn't- shakily, he released my shoulders with an angered yet frightened expression. I gripped my aching shoulder and glanced at Seokjin, who was sitting on the floor with a swollen face.

"Jiyoung, I'm scared-"

"You don't hurt people when you're scared. Get out of my way," I fired Taehyung a deadly glare and tried to shove him away when he immediately blocked my path again. His lethal energy was suddenly replaced by a timid one.

"I'm sorry! Baby, I'm sorry! Please! I didn't mean to hurt you!" Taehyung whimpered, shakily grabbing my arm when I dismissively pushed him aside.

"DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME! LET GO!" I screamed at his face, finally losing my temper. Taehyung flinched in fright at my violent outburst with his terrified eyes fixed on mine. His lips started trembling in fear, so I shoved him aside and walked up to Seokjin.

"Baby! I promise I won't hurt you again! Please! I'm sorry! It's my fault! I lost control- Please don't go to him! Jiyoung! I love you! You can't possibly choose him over me?!" Taehyung cried, suddenly dropping to his knees to kneel before me. I stared at his frightened expression before glancing back to Seokjin as he wiped his bloody lips. Seokjin bitterly watched his younger brother's unstable condition with a disapproving glare. Taehyung wailed in distress when I ignored his pleas and pulled Seokjin onto his feet.

"I'm sorry! Jiyoung, I'm sorry! Don't leave me! Babe- please-"

"Shut up and stay in your place! Speak another word, and I will fucking lose my shit!" I screamed at Taehyung when he wouldn't stop behaving like a fucking child. Taehyung sucked in his breath in shock until tears swelled in his eyes as he remained on the floor with his legs tucked underneath him. I turned to heave Seokjin onto his feet as Taehyung stifled his desperate whimpers. I need to separate them before they break into a deadly fight. Seokjin limped out of the room with me after I opened the door, leaving Taehyung alone inside his bedroom. I heard Taehyung letting out a frustrated cry but ignored him and took Seokjin back to his bedroom.

"Are you conscious enough to drive on your own? You need to leave the villa," I asked after closing the door, eventually turning to examine Seokjin's beaten condition. Taehyung is really upset to be this brutal with his own brother. Seokjin seethed in pain as he struggled to sit down on the mattress before looking up at me with a pained expression.

"Look at my condition and tell me if I'm in a stable state. I can leave if that's what you want but look at me. Look at me and tell me if I deserve to drive away with a bleeding head?" Seokjin clenched his jaw at my biased attitude toward his injuries.

"You asked for trouble. You knew Taehyung didn't want you around, but you approached me anyways-"

"You both agreed to let me into your relationship. I had no problems with it. I loved you as my girlfriend and cherished Taehyung as my younger brother, so I took care of you and him because I loved you both. I treated you the way you wanted to be treated, and it was never out of pity. I truly loved you. And I even protected Taehyung from my family because I've always treasured him as my brother. Why am I not enough for you or him? Was the invitation a bait to lure me in so you could use me to satisfy your sexual desires? Is that my only role in the relationship? It's a bit unfair, don't you think?" Seokjin argued, cutting me off mid-sentence as he sat on the bed edge in his blood-drenched shirt. I restlessly watched the streams of blood... trickling down the side of his face before glancing back at the bruises on his face.

"The relationship was only good for sex, but it's very unhealthy for our relationship. You know that," I shook my head, crossing my arms to counter his claims.

"You knew that too. Taehyung knew that too and yet you risked it. We all knew Jiyoung. How can you blame it on me? I really don't want to fight with Taehyung over you. I wanted a healthy relationship, even if it meant I had to share you with Taehyung. You know I would do anything to protect Taehyung- That's why I didn't hurt him a moment ago. But you two need to realize that- I'm not an object to fuck around with just because you can," Seokjin confronted me. I lowered my face to rub off my sweat and turned to grab a first aid kit from the bathroom. Maybe it is a little unfair for Seokjin, but we need to stop this before everything escalates out of control. Seokjin kept his spiteful eyes on me as I sat beside him on the bed edge to pull out the disinfectant. I didn't want to speak, so I quietly treated his wound instead of responding to him. Seokjin didn't resist me and sat quietly to observe my guilty face. He didn't harm Taehyung and chose to let his brother hurt him. I saw that.

"Fine. It was our mistake to take the risk. Please. Just let this go. Just this once. Taehyung-"

"Why is everything about him? Why is he treated like a precious child? Hmm? Why are you so reactive when it comes to him? And why are you hesitant when it comes to me? You'd immediately rush to him as soon as he gets hurt to comfort him. And me? I'm sitting here... bleeding like this, and yet- you hesitated to approach me. Why is it that he gets an affectionate bandage on his little bruise, and all I get is a cold dab on my bruises?" Seokjin shakily questioned, grabbing my wrist to remove it from his swollen cheekbone. I slowly looked at his pained eyes with conflicting thoughts as he intensely held eye contact with me.

"Because what's in here... it's different," I sighed, lowering my hand from his grip to tap his left chest with my palm. Seokjin furrowed his eyebrow and glanced down at my hand placement on his heart.

"What do you mean?" Seokjin asked, glancing back up at me with a baffled expression.

"Taehyung... He's still a child. He's gullible. And you... Seokjin... you're a man. You're a man, and he's not," I swallowed in tears. Seokjin pursed his lips at my torn expression before glancing down at my hand over his chest again. I knew that. I know Taehyung is a soul that needs constant attention. He needs to be taken care of, and I'm willing to shelter his inner child with my love. But Seokjin...? Seokjin doesn't need me. He knows that. He's an independent man. He can thrive on his own without anyone's help.

"Just because I'm a man- It doesn't mean I don't deserve to be loved," Seokjin placed his hand over mine on his chest while staring at me in pain. I scoffed at his words and slightly shook my head to disapprove his claim.

"I don't mean it in a bad way. What I mean is... You don't need me. Seokjin, you're a worthy man. You're handsome. Wealthy. Soft-spoken. You love your family, and you'd never hurt your brothers. You're loyal. And you'd do anything to protect the people you love. You have an honorable reputation and high status. Women would die to be with you, but you don't need any woman to prove yourself. Not even me. Why did I hesitate when you got hurt? Because I know you're mature enough to handle the situation on your own. I knew you'd never strike your brother, even if he was trying to kill you. You're a man. And Taehyung's not. I constantly have to pick him up when he tumbles. He is like a child. He acts on his impulse, and he's very immature sometimes. The only time he seems manly is when we have sex, and there's nothing wrong with him acting like that. You two might've been raised under the same roof, but you're not the same. Why? Because you were raised with a separate form of love and attention. Even if you had the same mother and father... The love you received was far different from what Taehyung received. That's why... he's him. And you're... you. His inner child doesn't make him any less of a man. I know he's comfortable with me, and he trusts me. That's why I was allowed to witness his vulnerable side, and I like it. I like him. I want to cradle him in my arms because of his vulnerability, but I can't do that with you. I'm sorry," I whispered, slightly shaking my head at Seokjin's sore gaze. He gulped at my words and glanced away but didn't let go of my hand.

"I know you're guilty," Seokjin whispered, lowering our hands from his chest to rest them over my lap.

"What?" I frowned.

"The reason... you refuse to treat me the same as my brother is because you're afraid. You claim you like to nurture him, but that is a direct reflection of your desire. You're treating him the way you want to be treated. It's not Taehyung that needs to be cradled. It's you. You're fulfilling your needs by caring for him. That's why you keep refusing me. You know I can provide you with what you need. You always knew I could treat you well... I know it. Jiyoung, you can't hide from me. I know you're conflicted after the trip with me because you realized I'm what you need. That's why you immediately pushed me away once we returned. You used Taehyung as an excuse to avoid your real desire, and that is to be taken care of," Seokjin shook his head. I pursed my lips in guilt and glanced down at our hands. The trip did awaken me. Seokjin is right... but it's not entirely true either.

"I love Taehyung. Seokjin I love Taehyung. I might've enjoyed your treatment, but it is Taehyung that I yearn for. I'm sorry, but if I had to choose- it'll always be him because he was never an option," I sighed, gently slipping my hand from Seokjin's grip. For some reason, Seokjin didn't look hurt.

"I know that. I know you'd choose him over me because you know he'd never leave your side. But the question is... will you be happy with him? It's easy to choose. It's easy to claim your love for him, but will you be happy with him? Happiness is not a promise. Can you live for the rest of your life taking care of him? I know your love is strong enough to overcome the challenges but will you live well? I left you a few days with him, and you barely had anything to eat. You were hungry... and yet you didn't dare complain because you love him. You were tired... and yet you submitted and knelt before him to suck his dick on demand. You knew you needed proper treatment and attention... and yet you chose to replace your essential needs with pleasure. How long can you live like that? Surely it won't hurt you now, but are you sure you can put up with him forever? We all have a limit, and Taehyung does not know limits because he's carelessly handling your love. He will keep exploiting you, even if it's unintentional- it will drain you," Seokjin reached out to hold my hand again. I blinked at Seokjin's worried frown and glanced down at our hands.

"Are you trying to make me doubt my happiness with Taehyung?" I asked, finally looking back at him as we sat inside the dim room.

"No. I'm asking you to reconsider your decision to get married. You barely knew each other, yet you immediately wanted to get married? Are you sure this is what you really want? What if it's just a match on fire? You'll burn out," Seokjin sighed.

"We barely knew each other too-"

"I knew you. I always knew you, Jiyoung. I had my eyes on you, but I never approached you until I was ready. I didn't approach you just because I wanted to have fun. The day I asked your parents to see you- I already had marriage in mind. It took me years. Over a decade to prepare myself for you because I wanted to fulfill your needs. Every action I took was made with you in mind. I didn't want to hold you when I'm not ready. But all that was ruined when Taehyung decided he wanted to marry you too. He never wanted to marry you in the first place. He never even thought about marriage before he met you. He doesn't even know what a real relationship is. To him... marriage is just a way to claim you as his. To him, a marriage is forever. A happy ending. To him, a marriage is about you two becoming husband and wife after a ceremony," Seokjin frowned. I studied his stern facial expression in silence.

"What is marriage to you then?" I asked shortly. What is he trying to prove exactly?

"Marriage is a new beginning for me. A fresh start for you. It's a new chapter with a person I love. A family. Kids. A cozy home. Warm love. You. I see you. A happy you. Your happiness. Our happiness. I want a marriage not because I want to possess you as mine with the government intervention but because I want a new beginning for us. It's because I want to have a family with you. It's because you deserve a fresh start after all the misery you've been through. I want to offer you a new start. You don't believe me? Then ask Taehyung. Ask him what a marriage is to him. You'll get the answer, and you'll realize... your definition of marriage is nothing like his," Seokjin shook his head as he squeezed my hand to waver me with his words. Seokjin's definition of marriage is the same as mine. A family. A cozy home. A fresh start. Happiness. We have the same definition of marriage, except I don't see him in it. I see Taehyung. That's the problem.

"Get some rest. You should leave tomorrow. I don't think I can handle another fight," I sighed, pulling my hand free from Seokjin's grip, and got up to leave the room. I don't know how to untangle the mess. Creak. I opened the door to find Taehyung sitting on the bed edge with his hands clasped together. He wasn't crying anymore, but his eyes were puffy. I slowly closed the door while holding eye contact with Taehyung and leaned my body back against the door to process my thoughts.

"I'm really sorry. I really didn't mean to hurt you," Taehyung apologized as he sat on the mattress with his adorable puppy eyes. I glanced at the floor, but there weren't any blood stains. He must've wiped the blood clean while I was with Seokjin.

"You should apologize to your brother. Seokjin is hurt pretty bad," I sighed, pushing my body off the door to walk toward Taehyung. I sat beside him on the bed, so he quickly turned to hold my hands with his fearful eyes fixed on mine.

"You can't leave me-"

"I'm not leaving you. Why are you like this? How many times do I have to reassure you?" I shook my head. Taehyung pouted and glanced down at my hands in guilt.

"I'm afraid of losing you to him," Taehyung whispered, nervously looking up at me.

"Is that why you're rushing the marriage?" I asked.

"Yeah. I want to claim you as mine, and the only way to keep him away is to make you my wife. I won't act like this anymore after we get married because I'll be assured," Taehyung nodded. I blinked at his pale face in exhaustion. Seokjin is right. Marriage is simply a way to possess me in Taehyung's definition.

"Why is it so hard for you to trust me?" I asked. Why won't he trust me?

"It's not that I don't trust you. I don't trust myself. I don't have faith in myself. My brother is a perfect man. I'm not- Jiyoung- you know I'm not a perfect man. I know I'm not enough for you, and I've been acting childish around you, but I promise I'll give you everything you need," Taehyung blinked, cutely staring at me with his hopeless eyes. I glanced down at our hands and back at him in difficulty.

"Anything?" I asked, blankly staring at him.

"Even my life," Taehyung nodded without hesitation.

"Then give me your baby," I replied.

"What?" Taehyung blinked, taken aback by my request.

"Let's have a baby together. I want to have your child," I sighed.

"But-"

"You don't want to have a baby?" I asked.

"No- No, it's just- I thought we should wait until we're married," Taehyung quickly denied.

"If you're so afraid of losing me... then put your baby in me. I'll do whatever it takes to prove my loyalty," I replied. Taehyung pursed his lips at my words with a troubled expression.

"I love you," Taehyung whispered, leaning forward to kiss me. I closed my eyes at his tender touch and slowly responded to his lip's movement until my cheeks flushed with warmth.

"Then give me your love," I whispered, pulling away to stare at him. Taehyung weakly smiled at me and slowly laid me down on the mattress. He gently caressed my hair while kissing me on the bed, so I exhaled and hugged him tightly.

We made love again, and I let him impregnate me.

Fast Forward

I stood in silence by the sink in the mafia apartment after we returned to the building because Taehyung was sick of living at the vacation villa. My heart steadily thumped against my ribs as I stared at the pregnancy kit on the sink to await the result. Taehyung gently back hugged me with his chin rested on my shoulder as we both stared at the test with a restless feeling. Why am I so nervous?

Result: Pregnant.

We both stood frozen by the sink with our eyes fixed on the result in utter silence. Taehyung stopped breathing behind me, and I could feel his pulsating chest halting against my back. Slowly, the corner of my lips curved into a weak smile as Taehyung tightened his arms around my body to give me a comforting hug. He chuckled brightly through the mirror before averting his eyes to meet mine. I turned around to face him with my arms encircled around his neck as he held onto my hips with a proud smile after receiving the positive outcome. Taehyung leaned down to give me a sweet kiss before pulling away to hug me instead.

"Thank you," Taehyung sighed, pulling away to place his warm palm on my cheek.

"Thank you?" I smiled. Why is he thanking me?

"Thank you for sacrificing your body and health to carry my child," Taehyung replied. I laughed at his honeyed words and tiptoed to peck his lips as I clung to his thick neck.

"You're a father now. You should be prepared," I teased, gently booping my nose against his.

"And you're the mother of my children," Taehyung softly chuckled as he traced his thumb over my lips. I couldn't stop grinning, so I pulled him into a tight hug again. This is the assurance we both need to stabilize our unstable relationship. I'm glad I made the decision to get pregnant.

"I have to watch my weight until the wedding," I sighed, pulling away to look at the mirror with a worried frown. The gown might not fit me since the wedding is in three weeks.

"It's alright. Eat whatever you want. We can always loosen the dress," Taehyung ruffled my hair. He leaned over the sink to take a picture of my pregnancy test before throwing it away.

"Why are you taking a picture of it?" I asked, unsurely washing my hands in the sink.

"Why else? I'm sending the result to my men. They need to keep their eyes on my pregnant wife and baby, so everyone should be aware," Taehyung smiled while typing on his phone. I shook my head in disbelief with a slight smile as I watched him announce my pregnancy to the entire mafia cult. Both Jimin and Yoongi came home cheering that night after receiving the news. They bought food and drinks to congratulate us, so we spent time together at the apartment and celebrated with a few bottles of liquor. I called to inform Jungkook the same night, and he was beyond excited for me.

Seokjin wasn't happy with the news, and it's expected. I needed to draw a line to save my relationship with Taehyung. He asked to speak with me in private, but I kept on refusing his request and used the wedding preparation as an excuse to avoid him. I wanted to sue Mrs. Kim for my stepfather's tragic past, but Taehyung insisted we stay low until we were married because he didn't want me to get hurt.

My stepfather, on the other hand, was losing the trail against the Kims because Namjoon possessed too much evidence of his corrupted deeds. My mother is doing her best to keep Jungkook's family out of the disorder. And even if I was at peace... I still felt restless. I will not rest until I obtain justice for my father, but how can I do that? Seokjin has most of the documents. How can I ask him for the files after ditching him for Taehyung? He probably won't let me touch his mother.

I blankly grazed my fingertips over the faded scars over my neck with a blank face to observe it. Revenge. I'm going to take my revenge no matter what it takes. I don't care about the consequences as long as the witch gets exposed for her crime. I exhaled and lowered my fingers to send Hoseok a pre-written message. Hoseok will help me publish the news.

"Jiyoung? Are you alright?" Taehyung knocked, startling me. I quickly placed my phone away after texting Hoseok, then walked out of the bathroom to find him waiting outside with a venue manager. Taehyung took my hand with a weak smile, and we followed the man into the large wedding venue. He gave us a tour around the place, and we eventually sat down to finalize the wedding arrangement and menu for the guests. Taehyung was pretty detailed with the decorations. He even prepared expensive cologne and perfume as gifts for the guests. The food menu was all high-class food, and the liquor was unlimited. Although I insisted on inviting a small number of guests- He disagreed, claiming he had to invite all of his mafia men.

"Aigo! What are you doing here at this hour?" Ajumma gasped in shock when she opened the door to find me and Taehyung me standing in the doorway. She pulled me into a crushing hug, so I chuckled and patted her back to comfort her. I miss her. She looks well. I'm relieved.

"Anneonghaseyo," Taehyung politely bowed at ajumma as he held onto a few gift bags. I wanted to visit ajumma, so Taehyung agreed to take me to her place right after discussing our wedding preparations with the manager at the venue.

"Come in! It's cold! What are you guys doing here?" She invited us inside her home with a bright beam.

"Actually- I'm only here to drop Jiyoung off. I have an appointment, so you two enjoy your time. Please take care of her," Taehyung refused. I turned to take the gift bags out of his hand as he conversed with ajumma.

"I'll feed her! I heard she's pregnant from Changwon. Go! Don't stay out too late, so come back as soon as possible! She needs to return home early for a good night's rest," Ajumma cutely patted Taehyung's shoulder.

"Call me when you're done, okay? I'll see you in a bit," Taehyung smiled, leaning down to give me a soft peck. Taehyung bid ajumma goodbye and left her house in his car to see Jimin and Yoongi. Ajumma took me inside her warm apartment at around 6:00 PM. I realized she was in the middle of cooking dinner when I noticed the unwashed ingredients in the sink, so I decided to help her. She insisted that I sit still because I was pregnant, but I told her I wanted to help her. She eventually agreed to let me chop her vegetables and wouldn't let me do any heavy work. Changwon returned home at around 7:00 PM, so we settled together in their tiny room to enjoy dinner.

"Aigo! This is expensive silk! Why did you waste so much money!?" Ajumma gasped in shock as she examined the traditional handbook I bought for her.

"My fiancé insisted we purchase fine silk so you could look pretty at our wedding. Please accept it," I smiled. Taehyung was very thoughtful. He offered to buy ajumma a handbook for our wedding. Taehyung even gave Changwon a gift card to visit his personal designer to tailor Changwon's suit for our wedding. Well. Taehyung has always been generous. Did I tell you? He often donated to the orphanage across the nation and even funded scholarships for unfortunate university students.

"But this silk- it costs a fortune! You even bought me the matured ginseng herb and quality grapes! This is too much!" Ajumma whined, nodding at the expensive gifts she received from us.

"Oh! I almost forgot. This is for you. It's a gift from me!" I laughed at her whiny complaints before pulling out a jewel box and handed it to Changwon. He reached over the table out of curiosity.

"You must be kidding me!? This is the latest model!" Changwon gasped after he saw the deluxe watch inside the box. I grinned and nodded at him.

"I never got a chance to thank you properly for taking care of me. Thank you for being my doctor and a friend," I weakly smiled at him.

"Wah! This is the perks of being a mafia wife, huh? I'm so jealous!" Changwon scoffed as he slipped the watch onto his wrist.

"Watch your words! Don't take it-"

"Eomma! It's a gift! It's rude to reject gifts! And who on earth would reject a limited edition watch like this!?" Changwon cutely argued with his mother when she tried to slip the watch from his wrist.

"It's too expensive! Refund it-"

"Ajumma~! I'll get mad if you keep making a fuss!" I fired her a playful glare. She pursed her lips at me and finally pulled her hand away from Changwon's wrist.

"Her husband is crazy rich, eomma. You don't have to worry about them splurging. Jiyoung is a leading shareholder, so she should be allowed to spend her hard-earned money," Changwon patted his mother's back. She glanced back and forth between us with a concerned expression.

"I'm just worried about you. I prayed for you to marry a decent man- not a mafia boss," Ajumma confessed. Changwon pursed his lips and glanced at me with a dumbfounded look after hearing his mother's harsh words.

"Eomma! How can you say that? Jiyoung loves-"

"I know! I know I should be happy for you guys! I am happy! But it's dangerous, and I don't want you to get hurt because of his job," Ajumma shook her head when Changwon tried to confront her critical judgment.

"It's alright. I'm not upset. I understand, but you don't have to worry about me, okay? He keeps his work separated from our life, and I am very safe with him," I gently took ajumma's hands to reassure her. She frowned at me and glanced at the gifts again.

"Do you love him? Are you sure?" Ajumma anxiously asked.

"What do you mean-"

"It felt like everything was a rush. I'm not interfering with your love life, but it was a really swift decision to get married. There are a lot of problems on his side of his family too. They keep hurting you. Jiyoung-ah... I hope you'll live happily with him, but I'm worried about you," Ajumma gripped my hands. I grew quiet with my sad gaze fixed on her dim pupils. People keep repeating the same doubt. My mother. My stepfather. Jungkook. Seokjin and now Ajumma too?

"I love him enough to carry his child. I want to have a family with him, and I'm happy," I sighed. Ajumma didn't respond right away and searched my eyes to read my honest response. I am happy with him. She eventually dropped the topic, and we spent the remaining time chatting about her expanding business instead. I called Taehyung a few times, but he was unavailable, so I bid ajumma goodbye and left her house on my own. She asked Changwon to escort me, but I told her I'm going to visit my old house to collect a few items. My place is nearby, so I didn't want to bother Changwon and decided to leave their home alone.

"Jimin crashes here often," I muttered as I scanned the neat living room after entering my house. Jimin sometimes stays at my house when he's too exhausted to return to the apartment. Creak. I glanced up at my bedroom unsurely. Is Jimin home?

"Jimin? What are you doing here? Did Taehyung send you on an emergency trip again?" I asked as I made my way up the stairs. No response. I frowned at my closed door. Did I imagine the sound?

"I'm here to collect a few things, so I'll leave-" I continued, casually opening my bedroom door to find an empty bedroom. Huh? Where did he go? The shower in my bathroom suddenly started running, and the lights were on. He must be showering. I glanced at Jimin's clothes on the bed and turned toward the drawer to pull them open. I'm collecting my father's photographs.

"Taehyung said he's going to help you and Yoongi get your suits tailored for our wedding," I spoke as I placed the photographs in my handbag. The bathroom door opened, and Jimin stepped out in his towel, but I didn't look because I didn't want to see him shirtless. My phone started ringing, so I quickly reached inside my coat pocket to find... Stupid Man... on the screen.

"Oh?" I answered while holding the phone against my ear with my shoulder as I rummaged through the drawers. Jimin silently got dressed behind me.

"Where are you?" Taehyung asked.

"At my house. I left ajumma's place. Can you pick me up here?" I informed him as I gathered the albums to stuff them in my bag.

"Alright. I'm heading there with Jimin. He's going to rest at your place tonight since he has a business trip tomorrow," Taehyung responded.

"Oh. Okay," I nodded, dismissively hanging up on Taehyung. I placed my phone back into the pocket of my coat and turned to fix the items in my handbag when I suddenly froze in realization. Jimin? Jimin is with Taehyung right now? Then who- I sucked in my breath when I felt a looming presence behind my back. Who is in my house? I nervously glanced at the bathroom door and at the shadow standing behind me. Who entered my house?! What do I do? I'll get in trouble if I react. Maybe I should play along and leave quietly?

"Jimin, I'll get going now," I gripped my handbag and tried to walk away without looking at the person.

"Where are you going, princess?" The man replied, stepping to the side to block my path. I froze in shock when my soul recognized his husky voice. Shakily, I lifted my horrified eyes to stare at his wicked sharp brown eyes with the handbag swung over my shoulder. My heart stopped beating, and my veins withered in fear when I found the... sick man... towering over me. I couldn't budge or move an inch as I stood before my... stepfather.

"H-How did you-" I stuttered in shock. How did he get here? He's supposed to be in prison! I blinked in fear as my stepfather gazed at me with his deadly eyes. He suddenly took a step forward, causing me to back away in panic. My body thudded against the drawer as I fearfully held eye contact with him.

"I missed you, so I came to see my little princess," The man's lips curved into an evil smile. I wanted to run away, but my legs were cemented to the ground, and my body was cold as ice. He slowly pressed his body against mine to pin me against the drawer, causing my heart to skip in fear. My heart started pumping blood like crazy the longer I stared at his evil-infested brown eyes. Disturbing memories began to flood my mind with his unpleasant acts toward me. The man chuckled at my submissive reaction and tilted his wrinkled head to examine my blood-drained face. Severe goosebumps swept across my body when I felt his cold hand against the side of my cheek. This can't be real- I sucked in my breath when the man lifted his evil siren eyes to get a better look at my terrified face. I intensely gripped the drawer in fear when I felt his foul breath over my face. The past trauma had completely solidified my body with its poison.

"Tell me you miss me... my pretty doll," The sick man whispered with his venomous tongue, paralyzing my body with his bone-chilling breath until a jolt of fear surged throughout my numbed nerves.

I couldn't speak. I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe.

All I could do was feel his unpleasant... familiar touch over my skin as the man cornered me with my past traumas, disabling me with his invasive strokes while roaming his fingers freely over my vulnerable body.

________________________

Hello everyone. I'm so sorry for the extremely delayed update. I have been dealing with personal problems, so it was difficult for me to stay active here. I'm so sorry for worrying everyone and I'd like to apologize for my absence. I'm fine if you're wondering. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Thank you so much for being patient with me and the story. I love you guys. Please have a great day~ <3 I'll reply to everyone tomorrow after I finish my exam.