Love Candidate - Our Pasts - Chapter 8

Trigger Warning: Sexual Harassment, Domestic Violence/Abuse, and Rape.

________________________

His lips slowly curving upward to form a mischievous smile.

He's... a freak.

I gulped and closed my eyes when I felt his hot breath on the side of my jawline. Calm down, Jiyoung. You've dealt with men like this before. You don't have to act innocent around an asshole like him. I took a deep breath as I gently loosened my grip and opened my eyes to stare at our steamy reflection in the mirror. Smiling, I lowered my hand to place it over his fingers and gave it a light squeeze. Taehyung looked up at me with a suspicious expression when he realized I was relaxing my body against his. Never disclose your fear to people like him because they love to overpower their victims. I exhaled and gently leaned my head against his shoulder to expose my neck with my sensual eyes trained on his in the mirror. The more you try to cower away from them... the more they'll chase after you, so we give the predator what they want. Stay calm until you're ready.

"If your brother... don't like to share... then why are you touching me?" I questioned, slowly turning to face Taehyung when I felt him loosening his arms around my waist. Taehyung gripped my arm firmly as he studied my expression with an uncertain gaze as I leaned against the sink with a flirty smile. Don't let them read you.

"What's with you-" Taehyung whispered, so I teasingly leaned my face toward him. He didn't back away and stared at me with his dull eyes, so I tilted my face to the side to hover my lips over his as I gently gripped his waist. Taehyung glanced down at my fingers, hooked securely over his waistband and darted me a questioning look. He didn't expect me to respond to him, did he?

"Tell me... Why are you doing this? Wae?" I whispered, slowly running my hand over his sticky torso to tease him. Taehyung suddenly leaned forward to kiss me, but I quickly turned my head to the side and wrapped my arms around his neck to grip his hair. Roughly tugging his head back by his hair to maintain the distance between us. Taehyung scoffed under his breath when he missed my lips and dug his face into my hair instead, tickling me with his labored breath.

"My brother only shares his things with me. If you're his woman... then you're mine too," Taehyung whispered, gripping my chin with his fingers, slowly turning my face back towards his. I chuckled at his words and glanced at him with an innocent smile.

"Ah. Do you love shared things? Why? Is it because you never had your own things or... people? Someone who genuinely cares about you? It sucks, huh? Well. The thing is... I don't like to be shared between people," I whispered, leaning forward to whisper in his ear and gently graze my nose over his skin. He tried to kiss me again, so I shoved him hard until he stumbled against the sink. Taehyung tried to straighten his body, but I pushed his shoulder back and grabbed onto his belt to unbuckle it.

"Playing the innocent woman when you're this dirty? My brother will be disappointed. He's a perfect man," Taehyung chuckled as I slipped his trousers down to his knees while running my hand over his abs to tease his body. He loves the thrills of being treated with no respect?

He's definitely a masochist with degradation kink.

"Do you usually play dirty with the things your older brother owns? Why?" I questioned as I crouched down before him and slipped his trousers to his ankle. I gripped his hips and leaned my face over the bulge under his underwear to pant against the thin fabric. Taehyung scoffed at me while biting his lips with temptation, then tilted his head backward with his eyes closed as he pressed his hands on the sink to wait for my touch.

"Because I love to ruin whatever he owns..." Taehyung chuckled, gently gripping my head to position it before his boner. I traced my hand over his thick thighs to stimulate him until I felt him tensing his leg muscles and slowly stood up to face him. Taehyung untangled his hand from my hair as I leaned beside his ear to brush my lips against it. He gripped my waist and chuckled lowly when he felt me running my finger over his underwear's waistband.

"You're so pathetic," I whispered. Taehyung suddenly stopped laughing and turned to look at me with his eyebrows raised, and before he could speak, I smacked him right in the forehead with my fist. I swung the door open and dashed out of the bathroom after yanking my arm free from his grip. Taehyung's eyes grew wide open as he tried to grab me, but I escaped his clutch by an inch. He cursed in anger and tried to chase after me but ended up toppling over his own trouser around his ankle and stumbled out of the bathroom.

"You fucking asshole-" I suddenly halted in my position, turning back to find Taehyung struggling on the floor with the trouser around his ankle. I steered back toward him and roughly pushed Taehyung back onto the floor just as he got onto his feet. He tried to shove me away, so I grabbed his trouser and yanked it off his legs.

"YOU FUCKING BITCH- YAH!" Taehyung cursed when I snatched his trouser from his legs and ran away with it. Leaving Taehyung in his loose shirt and underwear. Hah! Stupid freak! THUD. I toppled backward when I bumped hard into Seokjin, so he quickly caught my arm to stabilize me.

"Jiyoung??? Are you alright? I went to get another towel- Who's trouser is that?" Seokjin fired me a confused look with a towel in his hand when he noticed me holding onto Taehyung's trousers.

"Your brother is a creep!" I panted heavily and shoved the trouser into the trash can.

"YAH!" Taehyung screamed, appearing down the corridor in his underwear with an angered expression. Seokjin's eyes grew wide open when he found his younger brother stumbling in the hallway without his pants on.

"What did you-"

"Let's go!" I grabbed Seokjin's hand and dragged him with me. Seokjin was too stunned to react, so he let me pull him with me as we rushed through the mansion until I broke through the front door. Seokjin suddenly tugged my arm and pulled me back with a questioning look.

"What happened-"

"Your brother tried to harass me, so I stole his trouser," I explained, turning to Seokjin with my eyes wide open in panic. Seokjin pursed his lips and stood staring at me without blinking to process my words.

"You- stole- his trouser?" Seokjin questioned, repeating after me with an uneasy frown.

"Oh! He's crazy! He tried to touch me inappropriately- Wae? Wae?" I ranted at Seokjin when he suddenly burst out laughing at me. I stuttered and stood watching Seokjin as he hysterically laughed at my face until tears filled his eyes. I gulped awkwardly at Seokjin as he gripped his stomach and turned away to rub his face in distress.

"You stole his trouser and ran away with it when he tried to harass you?" Seokjin chuckled softly as he turned to look at me in disbelief.

"Oh- I smacked him in the head and ran for my life," I nodded unsurely when Seokjin wouldn't stop laughing at me. He finally stopped laughing and stared at me with his flustered cheeks, so I unsurely scratched my head when he wouldn't look away from me.

"Are you alright? Did he-"

"I'm fine," I shrugged and stared at Seokjin as he fought the urge to burst out laughing again.

"You stole a drug lord's trousers after smacking his head...? Ah..." Seokjin suddenly held onto my hands and lowered his face to shake his head before looking up at me with a weak smile.

"Why are you laughing?" I gulped, puzzled by his unexpected reaction. Seokjin glanced away with a huge grin and turned back to gaze at me with this weirdly... proud smile.

"Can I kiss you? I really want to kiss you," Seokjin bit his lips with beaming eyes trained on mine. I fell silent as he stared at me with his tempted eyes. But before I could speak, he leaned forward, so I unconsciously closed my eyes, but he didn't kiss me. He pecked my forehead and pulled away with his hands on my shoulders, so I opened my eyes to find him smiling brightly at me. Seokjin eventually took me back to the dining room because he had to deliver his mother's birthday gift. Taehyung showed up a moment later, but he was dressed in casual clothes as he sat beside Seokjin. Seokjin switched his seat with mine to keep Taehyung from me, so I pretended as if nothing happened between us and smiled at his parents. Taehyung didn't look happy, but he remained quiet as he gripped his fork and sideways glared at me. Seokjin took me home afterward, and I was about to get out of his car when he suddenly grabbed my hand to hold me back, so I turned to look at him with my eyebrows raised.

"Are you really alright? I couldn't react properly after hearing your words at my parent's place, so I'm sorry for laughing at the situation. You must've been frightened," Seokjin apologetically stared at me.

"It's fine. I've dealt with much worse," I shook my head. Seokjin's face hardened at my words, finally releasing my wrist to glance at the street. He seemed very unsettled.

"My brother isn't like other men. Don't underestimate him... so be careful around him. I don't want you to get hurt," Seokjin sighed, turning to stare at me with a sore expression.

"I've always been curious about your relationship with your younger brother. And I know I shouldn't be nosy about your family's affairs, but why did he claim you don't like to share? Is it something I should be aware of?" I questioned and leaned back to look at the empty street by my house.

"He said that?" Seokjin turned to look at me in surprise.

"Oh. He said it repeatedly. He said you only share your things with him and that whatever you own... belongs to him too. That includes people you love, and it's his intention to ruin the things you own," I nodded at Seokjin. Why? Why is Taehyung like this? At first, I thought he was a pervert, but after hearing his words... I think he's doing it on purpose to upset Seokjin. Why? Why is he seeking revenge?

"He's right. I don't like to share my things since I was very young. I hate it when people touch my things without my permission. I wanted everything to myself. I was the only child in the family until appa showed up with two kids. Namjoon and Taehyung. His mistress's kids. He cheated on my mother, so my mother was very hurt and angry with abeoji. She had no idea my father was seeing another woman... and even had two children with her. My mother wasn't very fond of the boys. Namjoon was around my age, but Taehyung was just a little boy. My mother wasn't fond of the children because they reminded her of my father's betrayal... but Namjoon earned her affection when he started to achieve in the academy. He was even better than me, so my mother and father loved him. She loved me more though... and Taehyung... he was never good at anything, so he was pretty much neglected his entire life," Seokjin exhaled. I stared at my hand in silence as I listened to Seokjin.

Flashback

Third Person POV

The ten-year-old heir, Kim Seokjin, strolled down the staircase in his night pajamas on a stormy night to search for water. He halted on the stairs when he found his parents arguing in the dim living room. The heir slowly walked down the stairs and approached the living room when he heard his mother whimpering.

"-This is unacceptable!" His mother snapped at his father.

"They're my responsibilities!" His father argued with his mother, who was sitting on the couch with her hands pressed against her face. Seokjin slowly averted his eyes to his father to find two boys standing by his side. One was around his age while the other kid... was just a young boy. He had huge glassy eyes and messy wavy hair... covering his sight. The youngest kid slowly averted his eyes to Seokjin as he nervously gripped his older brother's shirt while hiding behind Namjoon. Seokjin averted his clueless eyes back to his parents as he stood with the strangers in the living room.

Flash.

Seokjin sat at the end of the dining table to eat with his parents. His mother beamed brightly at him as she placed food on his plate until it piled up. His father ruffled his hair cheerfully, so he made a joke, and his parents burst out laughing. Seokjin weakly smiled at his parent's reaction but pursed his lips when he looked up to find the two brothers sitting at the far end of the table with their plain plates of cold food. They ate quietly with a cup of water. Seokjin blinked at his plate filled with food before averting his eyes back to the stranger's plates.

They only had rice and side dishes.

Flash.

The heir slowly walked past the kitchen with his cup of milk when he stopped by a tiny room reserved for the maids. He gently pushes the door open to find the two boys cuddling under the thin blanket in the cramped room. The youngest one was shivering beside his brother as Seokjin watched them sleep through the cold night.

Flash.

Seokjin shrieked happily when his father lifted him off the ground and tickled him. The heir screamed and rushed away from his father, collapsing onto the driveway after fooling around with his father. His mother scolded his father while dabbing the sweat beads off his forehead with her napkin. His parents eventually headed inside the mansion before he did after returning from their fun family outing. Seokjin jogged towards the door with his new stuffed toy but halted almost immediately when he found the youngest boy poking the dirt with a stick as he crouched on the ground. Gulping at the closed door, Seokjin slowly approached the little boy and crouched down to stare at the kid with his curious eyes. The kid quickly got up and tried to rush away when he noticed Seokjin but the heir caught his arm and tugged him back.

"What's your name?" Seokjin questioned, so the boy unsurely turned to look at him in fear.

"I am- not allowed to speak with you-" The kid stuttered in fear with his nervous eyes on the ground.

"It's okay. Talk to me," Seokjin exhaled, firmly gripping the boy's wrist with a reassuring smile. The boy slowly lifted his face to look at the heir with his frightened eyes. His untamed dark wavy hair... prickling... his eyes as he blinked at Seokjin in difficulty.

"I'm- K-Kim Taehyung," The boy whispered and glanced away uncomfortably.

"You've got a dirt smudge on your cheek," Seokjin exhaled, reaching out to brush the kid's cheek.

"Seokjin? What are you doing?!" His mother suddenly appeared. She fired Seokjin a disapproving look when she found her son standing with the mistress's kid, and before Seokjin could speak, she dragged the heir back into the mansion. Seokjin glanced at the young kid with an apologetic expression as the kid sadly stared at him.

Seokjin realized the strangers he was living with were actually his step brothers a year after they arrived. His mother hated the kids, but his father insisted on caring for them, so his mother agreed to let them stay. On one condition. She wanted her son, Kim Seokjin, to be the family's successor. So, his father promised his wife he would let Seokjin inherit all of his assets. He reassured his first wife that his mistress's kids would reside with them only until they turn eighteen.

The first lady never treated the boys well and even banned Seokjin from interacting with them. However, as a child who grew up with so much love and warmth... Seokjin never understood why the boys weren't allowed to be cared for or loved by people around them. He didn't understand why they were treated differently from him if they were his father's children.

Seokjin pitied the kids.

"Oh- What are you doing here-"

"Shhhh. I brought you this," Seokjin quickly closed the door behind his back and tiptoed into the tiny room with a box of chocolate. Namjoon was reading his book, and Taehyung was playing with a few bottle caps he collected from the kitchen's disposable bin. Seokjin excitedly placed the box of sweets on the raggy mattress and sat before them with a warm smile. Taehyung's eyes grew wide open at the sight of the mouth-watering chocolate. The six-year-old kid tried to reach out for it when Namjoon firmly gripped his younger brother's wrist with a disapproving look.

"We can't accept it," Namjoon spoke sternly. Taehyung pouted and lowered his hand when his older brother refused to let him touch the sweet.

"But-"

"You will only put us in trouble with your mother, so please stop visiting us," Namjoon coldly exhaled at Seokjin. The heir swallowed at the boy's rejection and averted his eyes to the youngest boy... who was sadly eyeing him. Sighing, Seokjin took the chocolate box with him and left the room. However, Seokjin didn't give up on approaching the boys.

"Take it. Don't let your brother know," Seokjin smiled, quickly placing a few candies in Taehyung's palm before ruffling the boy's hair.

"Thank you," Taehyung beamed at him. Seokjin immediately straightened his back when Namjoon suddenly appeared down the corridor, so Taehyung quickly shoved the candies in his pocket and strode off. Seokjin winked at Taehyung and jogged past Namjoon with a wide grin.

Flash.

"Waaaaah~ This is... heaven," Taehyung whispered when Seokjin sneaked the youngest boy into his bedroom. The boy's jaw dropped as he stared at the spacious room with his eyes bulging open. It was nothing like his cold and tiny room downstairs.

"Here. You can have this," Seokjin handed Taehyung a small toy car. Taehyung shrieked in excitement so Seokjin immediately covered his mouth in panic. Taehyung sucked in his breath when he felt the firm grip over his mouth. Seokjin signaled the young boy to be quiet, carefully pressing his finger against his lips. Taehyung nodded apologetically, so Seokjin released the kid and took a step back with a soft smile. Although Seokjin didn't like to share his belongings with anyone... he shared them with his youngest stepbrother. The maids and his parents were never allowed to touch his favorite teddy bear because it was a gift from his deceased grandmother. Seokjin was very attached to her, and her passing left him heartbroken, so he treasured the teddy as his prized possession. It was personally knitted by his halmeoni.

It was the only memory he had left of her.

"Oh-"

"Don't touch it!" Seokjin snapped, roughly shoving Taehyung aside when the boy reached out to hold the knitted teddy on his bed. The little kid stumbled to the side and fell hard onto the floor, so Seokjin roughly snatched the teddy with his angered eyes trained on Taehyung.

"I'm sorry- hyung! I didn't mean to!- Hyung!" Taehyung cried in panic as he rubbed his palms together while kneeling on the ground after he realized the oldest brother was upset with him. Seokjin roughly grabbed Taehyung by his collar, dragged the kid out of his room, and slammed the door shut in the child's face. Taehyung bit his trembling lips in tears and slowly walked away from the door when his brother refused to let him back inside. Seokjin gripped the teddy possessively and crawled onto his bed to snuggle against it.

The heir stubbornly ignored his youngest stepbrother whenever the kid tried to apologize to him. Taehyung eventually stopped approaching Seokjin after the hurtful and cold treatments. Seokjin didn't speak with Taehyung until the heir found himself staring at a box of sweets in silence. He glanced at the sweets and averted his eyes to Taehyung, who was quietly poking the leaf in the garden by himself. Seokjin exhaled heavily, pushed open the door, and strolled toward his stepbrother after ensuring his mother wasn't around. Taehyung looked up at Seokjin with a neutral expression although he was surprised by his oldest brother's sudden presence. Seokjin handed Taehyung his chocolate box, so Taehyung stared at the box with an empty expression and walked off without uttering a single word, leaving the chocolate box unattended in the heir's hand. Kim Seokjin kept his gaze on the young boy as he walked away from him.

It was a little past midnight when the heir tiptoed down the stairs to visit the kitchen as usual when Taehyung sleepily stepped out of the room in his pajamas to search for water. Seokjin halted when Taehyung looked up to find him jogging through the corridor. The young boy tried to hurry back inside his room when Seokjin rushed up to the kid, grabbed his wrist, and dragged the boy with him to his room.

"I'm leaving-"

"You can have it," Seokjin shoved the knitted teddy into Taehyung's hands. The young boy halted in surprise, unsurely glancing down at the teddy, then looked up at Seokjin with his clear innocent eyes.

"No-"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be mean to you. I just don't like to share my things," Seokjin pushed the teddy back into Taehyung's hand when the kid tried to hand it back to the heir.

"If you don't like to share. Then why are you giving it to me?" Taehyung blinked at Seokjin in confusion.

"We are a family. I want to share my things with you so you can have it," Seokjin weakly smiled at Taehyung.

"Really? Are you sure-"

"Oh! Everything! You can have everything you want! I'll give it all to you- just don't be mad at me!" Seokjin keenly nodded as he gripped the kid's shoulders. Taehyung broke into a weak smile, so the heir pulled his younger brother into a tight hug.

"Thank you, hyung-" Taehyung weakly nodded and gently hugged his brother when-

"Seokjin. Why aren't you asleep- WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" The door suddenly swung open without warning. The duo turned to find Mrs. Kim standing in the doorway with a dumbfounded expression. Taehyung gripped the teddy in fright when he found her glowering eyes blazing into his.

"Eomma-"

"Ah! I'm sorry- I didn't mean to- Ah-!"

"How dare you touch my son's belongings!?" Mrs. Kim violently snatched the teddy out of Taehyung's hands and yanked him away from Seokjin when he tried to defend the boy.

"Eomma! I gave it to him! Eomma!" Seokjin gasped in shock when Mrs. Kim struck Taehyung across his face, sending the little boy tumbling onto the floor. Seokjin's eyes bulged open in shock as Taehyung whimpered on the ground with a bleeding gum.

"You are not sharing anything with an orphan like him! Everything here belongs to you!" Eomma snapped at Seokjin in anger as Taehyung cried on his knees.

"But- eomma! Stop hurting him! Eomma-" Seokjin cried in horror when his mother grabbed a handful of Taehyung's hair and dragged the boy out of the room. Seokjin cried and ran after his mother as she hauled the youngest boy down the stairs. Taehyung shrieked in pain as he toppled down the steps after her.

"Ah! Ow- I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to take his things! I'm so sorry!" Taehyung whimpered in distress after Mrs. Kim shoved him hard onto the floor. Taehyung collapsed in pain and sat up on his knees to bow at Mrs. Kim's feet as she glared at the kid with her rageful eyes glowering at the mistress's child.

"You fucking-"

"Eomma! Why are you hurting him!?" Seokjin suddenly rushed over to shield Taehyung when she raised her arm to strike him again, accidentally slapping Seokjin right across his face. Seokjin toppled to the side in shock after being struck by his mother. The heir slowly lowered his hand to find blood on his fingers after receiving the harsh blow... as the heavy blood flowed from his nose.

"Omo- Jinnie honey- I didn't mean to-"

"Don't touch me! What's the matter with you? They're Appa's children too!" Seokjin cried at his mother in tears, shoving her away when she tried to touch him.

"They don't deserve to be loved-"

"WHY NOT? BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT YOUR CHILDREN? IT'S APPA'S FAULT FOR BEING WITH ANOTHER WOMAN! HOW CAN YOU HATE THEM SO MUCH WHEN IT WASN'T THEIR CHOICE TO BE BORN AS THE MISTRESS'S SON!?" Seokjin roared at his mother with his bleeding nose. Namjoon suddenly appeared after hearing the argument and rushed towards his younger brother when he found Taehyung whimpering on the floor with his bloody lips. Taehyung cried at his brother's presence and hugged Namjoon tightly in fear, so Namjoon held his brother firmly in his arms to comfort him.

"THEIR MOTHER TOOK AWAY OUR FAMILY'S HAPPINESS! AND YOU WANT TO GIVE UP YOUR POSSESSION TO THE HOMEWRECKER'S SPAWNS!?" Mrs. Kim screamed at Seokjin in anger until she started shaking in anger.

"How is it their fault?! Appa brought them here, and it wasn't their choice! The woman is dead, and they're- They're helpless! How can you treat them this harshly?! It's brutal!- "

"Kim Seokjin-"

"AH! I WON'T LISTEN TO YOU ANYMORE! IF YOU THINK THEY DON'T DESERVE TO BE LOVED- THEN I DON'T DESERVE IT EITHER! I CAN'T LIVE WATCHING YOU TORTURE THEM!" Seokjin screamed at his mother with his hands over his ears and stormed away in anger.

"Seokjin- Honey-" Mrs. Kim gasped in tears and rushed after her son in panic. Namjoon gulped and glanced at Taehyung as he wiped his brother's bloody lips with his shirt's sleeve.

"Hyung-"

"How many times did I warn you not to stay around him?!" Namjoon snapped at Taehyung in anger, making the kid purse his lips in guilt.

"But he's nice- He gave me-"

"I told you to never accept his things! It's pathetic! How are you so pathetic!?" Namjoon gritted at Taehyung, so the boy sucked in his breath to hold back his flowing tears. Namjoon hastily pulled Taehyung onto his feet and dragged the wounded child back to their room.

Mrs. Kim tried to approach her son after the incident, but Seokjin refused to see her. He refused to eat or drink any food or water until he grew sick and collapsed. As a result, Mrs. Kim had no choice but to surrender for the sake of her child's wellbeing. Seokjin made his mother promise to treat his stepbrothers as her own, so she forcefully did as he insisted. She gave the brothers their own bedrooms. Toys and clothes. Sat them at the dining table with the family. She sent them to the same academy as Seokjin. Provided them with the same tutor. She did it by force at first, but after reflecting on her actions, she grew fond of the children. Mrs. Kim apologized to Namjoon and Taehyung and even promised to give them the comfort and affection they needed. Taehyung was a desperate child, so he accepted Mrs. Kim's love without hesitation.

He finally had a proper family. And a mother. A real one.

However, his gratitude didn't last. After growing up with so much family love, the youngest son realized... He was still the last child compared to his brothers. His parents always loved Kim Seokjin the most, and then it was his older brother, Namjoon, because he excels at everything he does. And Taehyung? Whatever he did... he failed miserably. He had nothing to impress his parents. He was the family's disappointment, but no one ever blamed him. Seokjin always treated him well, and so did his parents. They encouraged him and provided him with everything he wanted. Yet Taehyung couldn't help but feel intense jealousy as he watched his parents praise his older brothers. His parents' faces light up so brightly whenever they see Seokjin and Namjoon and would shower them with so much affection. Meanwhile. Taehyung only gets a pat or a brief hug from his parents. They had nothing to say to him. Taehyung felt inferior to his older brothers, and even if his family supported him, he felt like an outcast.

He was no one's favorite. His mother loved Seokjin and his father loved Namjoon. But Kim Taehyung?

No one cares about Kim Taehyung.

End of Flashback

Jiyoung's POV

I chuckled when Jimin teasingly kissed my cheeks as I stood against the drawer to examine the designer bag he bought for me. He just finished showering, and I was getting ready for bed, so he picked me off the floor by my waist. I giggled and leaned forward to kiss my lips as he carried me across the room and tossed me onto my bed. Jimin lowered his body onto mine while running his hands over my body to tease me with his touch, so I wrapped my legs around his waist to hold him against me as I traced my fingers over his bare torso.

"Why were you home late today?" I whispered as he fondled my body until I arched my body in pleasure. Jimin lifted me off the bed to make me sit on his lap, then leaned in to kiss me as he played with my hair.

"I was busy," Jimin smiled and tried to press his lips against mine again, but I placed my hand over his lips to stop him from kissing me. Jimin fired me a pouty expression at my sudden withdrawal. I collapsed back onto the mattress to tease him, so Jimin nudged my legs apart and collapsed onto my body to hug me. Giggling, I held onto his body as he laid over me.

"You haven't told me about your new job yet," I questioned.

"I told you, you don't have to worry-"

"Tell me," I insisted, pushing his chest away when he tried to kiss me again. I cupped Jimin's face to squish his cheeks with my curious eyes fixed on his pupils as I waited for his response.

"Jiyoung- I said-"

"How did you get the money to buy me a designer bag?" I whispered. Jimin suddenly stopped massaging my waist and frowned at me when I refused to drop the topic.

"Are you suspicious of me-"

"I'm not. But tell me the truth. You keep avoiding my question," I muttered under my breath. Jimin clenched his jaw and suddenly sat up to ruffle his wet hair in frustration. I pushed my body off the mattress with my elbows, carefully pulling my shirt down to stare at him with my concerned eyes before averting my gaze to the limited edition designer bag on the drawer. Jimin got it for me a few days ago.

"Jiyoung, why do you keep-"

"I just don't want you to get in trouble again, so tell me," I sighed, hugging my knees anxiously. How did he earn so much money? As much as I want to trust him... I'm growing restless. Jimin glanced at the designer bag and lowered his head.

"I'm working with the mafia," Jimin whispered without looking at me.

"Jimin!-" I gasped in shock but halted when he turned to grip my hands.

"I'm not dealing drugs! It's a different job!" Jimin tried to explain himself. I stared at him in disbelief.

"The mafia?! Are you crazy-"

"I'm working for Kim Taehyung," Jimin gulped while staring at me with his apologetic eyes. My heart dropped at his words. He's working for Kim Taehyung? Seokjin's brother? The drug lord?

"Are you out of your mind?!" I snapped at him in horror.

"Jiyoung I-"

"So it was you! You told him we were together! You told him about our relationship!" I gasped, yanking my hand out of Jimin's grip in horror. I thought Kim Taehyung was stalking me, but no... it was Jimin all along. He exposed us.

"He knew we were in a relationship-"

"AND YOU TOLD HIM WE WERE SLEEPING WITH EACH OTHER WHEN I'M SEEING HIS BROTHER? ARE YOU CRAZY?" I bellowed at him with my eyes wide open in horror. My blood began boiling when Jimin gulped at me with his apologetic eyes.

"Jiyoung, it's not as bad as it sounds-"

"IT IS AS BAD AS IT SOUNDS. THAT MAN IS CRAZY! SEOKJIN WARNED ME- AND YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU'RE INVOLVED WITH HIM!?" I cried in tears. Jimin sighed at my fierce reaction and fired me a disapproving glare.

"So what if he knows we're together? Taehyung hates his brother anyways-"

"He's using it to blackmail me! Are you nuts!? He's using it to blackmail me so he could disable Seokjin!" I snapped in anger. It was Kim Taehyung behind this? Why is he interfering with Seokjin and I? Why? For what purpose and why is he using Jimin???

"And why do you care about Seokjin? Why?" Jimin suddenly exhaled, narrowing his suspicious eyes at me.

"What are you trying to say-"

"Did you think I didn't see you kissing him? Hmm? DID YOU THINK YOU COULD KEEP IT FROM ME?! YOU KEEP ACTING DIFFERENT WHENEVER YOU'RE BACK HOME AFTER GOING OUT WITH HIM! AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER TO TELL ME. WHY? WHY DID YOU KEEP QUIET? I TOLD YOU TO KEEP IT PLATONIC WITH HIM," Jimin suddenly roared in irritation. I stared at him in horror. Jimin saw us?

"It was just an act! It meant nothing to me-"

"Then why didn't you tell me? Why did you come home smiling like an idiot? Did you even look at your own reflection that night? You were smiling from ear to ear, and your cheeks were burning red for him!" Jimin snapped at me.

"Get out of my room," I gulped in tears as I sat on my bed with my fists clenched. He told me to see Seokjin, so I did. I got his permission! Seokjin wanted to escalate things, so I remained silent because I didn't want to worry him about it. I wanted him to trust me because I knew what I was doing, but he's the one doubting me now?

"I'm right, aren't I? That's why you're acting-"

"I shouldn't have given us another chance. You're making me regret everything," I said shortly with my glowering eyes trained on Jimin.

"You must really like him-"

"DON'T YOU DARE ACCUSE ME OF BETRAYING YOU WHEN IT WAS YOU WHO FUCKED ANOTHER GIRL WHILE I WAS TRYING TO KILL MYSELF! DON'T YOU FUCKING GUILT TRIP ME WHEN I WAS BEING SINCERE WITH YOU- EVEN AFTER EVERYTHING YOU DID TO ME! I DID EVERYTHING FOR YOU! I LIVED FOR YOU! I WENT CRAWLING TO MY PARENTS FOR YOU! I WENT BACK TO MY GODDAMN STEPFATHER FOR YOU! I EVEN ABANDONED MY BEST FRIEND FOR YOU! I WAS WRONG FOR HURTING YOUR PARENTS, AND I TRIED- I TRIED TO MAKE IT UP TO YOU! I DID EVERYTHING I COULD TO MAKE YOU STAY BECAUSE I LOVED YOU PARK JIMIN! I LOVED YOU SO GODDAMN MUCH! I WAS LITERALLY BEGGING ON MY KNEES FOR YOU, BUT YOU WALKED AWAY. YOU WALKED AWAY. YOU LEFT ME, AND YOU DARED TO RETURN TO BEG FOR FORGIVENESS, AND LIKE A FOOL I ALWAYS WAS, I WELCOMED YOU. I WELCOMED YOU. I EMPTIED MY BANK FOR YOU. I WENT TO SEE MY MOTHER FOR YOU. YOU KNOW VERY WELL YOU HAVE A FIRM GRIP ON MY FUCKING SOUL, AND YET YOU'RE ACCUSING ME OF FAVORING ANOTHER MAN?" I screamed at him until I felt my chest throbbing in pain. Floods of heavy tears filled my eyes as I glared at him with my burning eyes. Jimin grew hushed at my words as he stood staring at me with a torn gaze.

"Jiyoung-"

"LEAVE!" I screamed, angrily getting off my bed to grab his hand.

"Jiyoung listen to me- I'm sorry, Jiyoung, please-" Jimin whimpered in tears as he desperately begged me, but I yanked my hand out of his grip. He roughly pulled me back into a crushing hug, so I hastily shoved him away from me.

"No! I've had enough-"

"I love you! Jiyoung- I love you, please- I really love you!" Jimin broke into tears as he tried to hold me in place, but I thrust him out of my room and threw the designer bag at him in anger.

"Argh!" I banged the door with my fist in frustration and dropped onto the floor in pain. Jimin whimpered on the other side of the house as he pounded on the door to beg me, so I gripped my hair and screamed in agony. I'm going crazy again! I hate it! I hate it! I screwed my eyes shut in distress when the endless flashes of traumatizing memories flooded my mind.

Flashback

I nervously walked up to Jimin's old store a week after running away but halted when I realized it was closed. I glanced at the notice paper on the glass door only to realize the store was seized by the bank. My heart dropped in horror as I stood staring at the empty store. Gulping, I dashed across the road and ran all the way to their old apartment building. I ran to his parent's home, but the place was empty as well, so I frantically knocked on the nearby door to ask about the Parks. They told me the Parks moved away because they had recently sold their home to repay their debt. I quickly drew my phone from my pocket to contact Jimin, but I couldn't reach him. Panicking, I hurried down the stairs of the building and was about to cross the street when I found Jimin walking toward the building in his gray hoodie with an exhausted expression. He abruptly stopped when he found me standing before him in tears.

"Jimin-"

"Leave," Jimin muttered, walking past me with an unbothered expression.

"Jimin. I'm sorry!" I stuttered, turning to grab his hand, so he hastily yanked his arm out of my grip.

"Leave me alone! You wanted to run away, right?! Keep running!" Jimin turned to glare at me in anger.

"I didn't mean to! I was just stressed-"

"STRESSED? My parents lost their business and home because you took their money! Do you know why I'm here? I'm here to fucking return the house key! You ruined my life when I did my best to help you!" Jimin screamed at me with his spiteful eyes.

"Jimin, please- I'll fix this-"

"No! Let's break up! I don't want to see you anymore!" Jimin snapped, yanking his hand out of my grip. I felt as if he stabbed me with a knife when a spasm of aching pain thumped in my chest.

"Jimin- Don't be like this-"

"You said you can't be the good person- so be the bad person you wanted to be so bad! I can't be with someone like you anymore! You're hopeless! Don't complain about your misery because it's the only thing you've been using to justify your foolish actions! If you think it's the right thing to do- Then do it! I've had enough of you!" Jimin seethed at me and stomped away, leaving me standing on the sidewalk in tears. I wanted to drop to the ground and scream in pain, but I knew I was running out of time, so I ran in the opposite direction. I dashed from street to street because I didn't have cash with me to grab a taxi.

"Jungkook!" I gasped, grabbing onto Jungkook's arm when I found him walking out of his apartment complex.

"What's wrong with you?" Jungkook stared at my puffy eyes and dirty condition in disbelief.

"Lend me- some money- I need money-" I desperately gripped his hand, breathlessly panting when I felt my head swaying from side to side. 

"No. I won't lend you any money. I told you to never return to me if you won't quit using drugs!" Jungkook pulled his arm out of my grip in irritation.

"You're my friend! You have to help me-"

"I will do anything for you, but I will not give you money to kill yourself with toxic substances!" Jungkook frowned at me.

"It's not for drugs! It's for Jimin!" I cried in tears.

"Hah, that fucker? He introduced you to drugs! He's the reason you're like this! I'm leaving!" Jungkook shook his head in disappointment and tried to walk away.

"Jungkook listen, I really need-"

"No! I'm disappointed in you! I let you stay at my place and even fed you to keep you safe, but you ran away from me like a fool to ruin your life with that asshole! I chased after you! I begged you to return to me, but you refused and walked away with that drug addict! I was your family, Jiyoung! Me! Jeon Jungkook! I was your only family to fucking care for you, but you chose to let him drown you with his toxic love! Maybe you'll be happier if you choose to prioritize your worth!" Jungkook snapped, angrily shoving me aside, and stormed away. I stumbled to the side of the road in tears and started sobbing aggressively. Sucking in my breath, I finally dialed the secretary's number, and a car showed up twenty minutes later to pick me up. I didn't speak with the secretary and sat in the back seat in silence as I stared at my dirty fingers.

"Please wash up first. I will inform your parents," The secretary nodded at my filthy condition as we stepped into the villa. I kept my head low as I hurried to my old room and took a shower to clean the smudges off my body. I washed my face to rinse my tears and makeup before stepping into my room to search my old closet. There weren't any clothes but a few long sleeve nightgowns, so I pulled it on and strolled out of my room.

"Where's eomma?" I questioned when I entered the living room to find my stepfather sitting on the couch. The secretary bowed and left the room after my stepfather waved his hand at him. I refused to sit and stood with my arms crossed.

"Your mother went on a business trip. Why are you here?" He questioned with his eyes trained on the newspaper. I clawed my palms anxiously as I stared at him in tears. 

"I need- money," I whispered.

"Money? For what?" My stepfather questioned without looking up at me.

"You don't have to know! Just give it to me," I gulped, refusing to tell him the details.

"I won't give it to you. You ran away, so don't come back here," My stepfather exhaled. I glared at him in irritation. You're the reason I ran away.

"I'll wait until eomma comes back," I muttered and walked away. I hurried to my room, locked the door, and sat down on the bed to call Jimin. He didn't pick up my call, so I sent him a text instead.

Jiyoung: I'll repay all of your parent's debt once my mother returns.

Jiyoung: Give me time. I'll make it right.

Jiyoung: I promise. 

I sent the text to Jimin and slumped down on my old bed to stare at the ceiling. I gloomily turned on my side when the frightening memories filled my head again, so I screwed my eyes shut and coiled on the bed to ignore the thoughts until I accidentally fell asleep. I woke up in the middle of the night and grew super restless as I paced back and forth  in the stuffy room, anxiously biting my nails as I thought about Jimin. I couldn't stand staying inside the villa any longer, so I pushed open my bedroom door and cautiously walked down the corridor.

"I'll just ask him again," I muttered and knocked on my parent's bedroom door, but there wasn't any response. I glanced down the empty hallways and slowly turned the door handle to peek inside. The room is empty. I quietly slipped inside their room and rushed towards the closet after switching on the lights.

"I'll just take these and sell them to the pawn shop," I muttered, drawing the glass drawers open to find all kinds of golden watches. I grabbed the most expensive-looking one with a few others after going through all the drawers, then hurried back to the door and swung it open to leave but halted in shock when I found my stepfather standing in the doorway. He glanced down at the watches in my hand and back at me with a bitter frown.

"What do you think you're doing?" He lifted his eyebrow and took a step forward, so I stumbled backward in horror when I felt my body turning cold in his presence.

"I'm leaving- AH!" I gritted, trying to rush past him when he angrily slammed the door shut to trap me in the room. I grabbed the door handle when he suddenly grabbed my hair and yanked me back, sending me tumbling across the floor.

"Did your mother ever raise you to be a thief? Stealing from your own family?" My stepfather questioned as he stared at me with his angered gaze.

"You're not my family!- AH!-" I cried when he suddenly slapped me hard across my face. The blow was so powerful I felt like he knocked out all of my teeth.

"You ungrateful little bitch! I gave you everything you wanted! I should've left you to die on the streets with your pathetic father!" My stepfather gritted at me as he snatched his belt from the closet, making my body shudder in fear at the sight of his belt. Tears started streaming down my cheeks as he gripped the belt in his hand and was about to strike me with it when I launched forward to hug his legs in fright.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I was foolish- It was my fault! Please! Please! Please!" I pleaded in fear as he raised the belt in the air. I hugged his legs tightly and looked up at him in tears as he glared at me with his outraged eyes.

"Oh, you're sorry now? I should beat you-"

"I'll do everything you want me to do! Please! Just please don't hurt me! I'm sorry! Please- a-ppa- Appa, please!" I whimpered while choking on my own tears when he tried to beat me again.

"What did you say-"

"Appa. You're my father. Appa, please! Jiyoung is terribly sorry! I'll do anything you say- please forgive me!" I pleaded as I gripped tightly only his legs, so he chuckled and slowly crouched down to stare at me with his eyebrows raised.

"Forgive you? Do you take me as a fool?" My stepfather questioned while smiling at me like a madman.

"I'll do anything. Please. Oh? Appa please-" I begged, shakily grabbing his hand in desperation. He grew hushed as he scanned my face with a dull gaze and finally reached out to rub away my tears.

"Don't cry," He whispered, gently pulling me into a comforting hug, so I sobbed in relief as he held me in his arms. He slowly pulled me onto my feet and rocked me gently in his arms to calm me down.

"I'm sorry-" I sobbed and buried my face into his shirt.

"You know I'll always love you as my own," He whispered, sliding his hand down the curve of my spine, tightening his possessive grip around me. He slowly pulled away to rub his thumb over my rosy cheeks as he eyed my puppy eyes with guilt. My stepfather lowered his hand to place it against the side of my neck and gently ran his finger over my collar bone. I stood stiff in place as he traced his finger over my skin. His cold touch... triggering a surge of chills all over my body.

"Appa-"

"Get on the bed," He whispered. My heart sank in horror when he slowly averted his thirsty eyes to mine. I gulped and glanced down at the belt in his hand.

"Appa, please-"

"You said you'll do as I say, right? So get on the bed like a good girl. I will give you the money you need as long as you behave," He whispered as he gently rubbed my cheek with his tender eyes fixed on mine. I was trembling at his touch, so I gulped and stared at him in fear. Slowly, I stepped backward and sat on his bed with my hands clasped together.

"I need 65 million won," I whispered as I gripped my hands in fear.

"I'll give you more than that. You know I'll always give you more than you need. Lay down," My stepfather nodded at me after dropping the belt and walked forward to caress my cheeks again. I wanted to flinch at his touch, but I had no choice but to do as he instructed, so I fearfully leaned back on the mattress as he stood at the foot of his bed. My stepfather stared at me with his lustful eyes as I lay on his bed in my nightgown. I gripped my fist in fear when he suddenly crawled onto the bed with me to massage my shin. Slowly, he slipped his hand up my thighs to massage my flesh as he undid the gown's button over my chest.

"Appa- I don't want to-"

"Shh. This won't hurt. I promise you. I'll make you feel good so just stay still. I won't hurt you," My stepfather glanced at me with a reassuring smile when I felt him slipping his hand between my inner thighs. I tensed my legs and gripped the bedsheet in panic when I felt the presence of his hand over my underwear. Unconscious tears flooded down my cheeks as he gently stroked his finger over my panties, so I grabbed his forearm under my gown to stop him from touching me. My stepfather halted at my sudden resistance and averted his eyes to my terrified face as he hovered over me. I blinked at him with my pleading eyes, so he gently pushed the fabric over my chest aside after unbuttoning my gown to reveal my bra and almost naked body. He stared at my body in silence and gently lowered his face to kiss my belly button, making me whimper with my hand over my lips when he traced his wet tongue up to my bra.

"Appa- no- please-"

"You'll feel good soon," He whispered, suddenly leaning down to snuggle his face against my neck. I bit down on my lips when he started licking my skin as he ran his hand along my body curves. I whimpered in extreme fear when he suddenly fondled my bra to massage my breast, so I gripped his hand and tried to tug it off my chest. He roughly grabbed my hand and pinned my arm against the mattress as he ran his lips over my jawline. I jerked my face away to avoid his lips when he suddenly started unbuckling his belt over me. My eyes bulged open in horror when he took off his shirt and leaned back down to kiss my neck with his almost naked body.

I screwed my eyes shut and tilted my head back against the pillow when my body started trembling out of control. He seized both my wrists and held them over my head with one hand to stop me from resisting him and proceeded to unclasp my bra behind my back. I felt really sick when I felt his unwelcoming touch over my body and started stifling in fear. He tried to hush me, but I could no longer hold back and began bawling at the top of my lungs, so he roughly covered my mouth as he roamed his dirty hands over my sensitive body parts. He slipped his body between my legs after spreading it open and proceeded to kiss his way down my private part.

My heart shattered into bits when I realized what was happening to me. I begged for help as he did dirty things to my body. I pleaded my stepfather to stop his actions, but he never retreated. I was traumatized... terrified... and disgusted by his actions, yet there was little I could do because I was weak. I was vulnerable because I came crawling back to him... to my abusive stepfather... for Jimin. I was at a dead end. And I was desperate to save our relationship because I didn't want to lose Jimin, and it was my only chance to make it right, so I ran back to my nightmare. Hwang Jaehyun.

I tried. I tried to mend our relationship because I knew it was my fault. I wanted to make it work, so I did everything I could to make him stay. He did.

He stayed.

Not until he chose another woman over me after everything I've done to express my sincere apologies.

I couldn't keep him.

He left.

_______________________

Silence. A moment of silence. This was a really tough chapter for me to write. I'm so sorry for the disturbing content, but I really wanted to bring forward the sensitive topics because I wanted to raise awareness. I wanted to write a pure fanfiction, but that's just not me. I don't want it to be light and pure. I want to express my concerns and thoughts on certain subjects. Especially the controversial ones. Why? Because I have been through it. And I feel like many of us are silent because of the fear of being shamed. Society's stigma. Fuck it. I have been harassment by a person... I call my friend. I didn't know it was happening until it was far too late. So to all the women or men... who are dealing with this heartbreaking trauma... please stop blaming yourself. It was not your fault, and you shouldn't beat yourself over it. It was never our fault. Remember that.

I love you guys~! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please take care of your precious health and stay safe! If you need help, feel free to contact me! <3 Have an amazing day~