I quickly walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind me with trembling hands. The soft click of the lock echoed in the small space, a futile attempt to create a barrier between myself and the man on the other side. I knew better. A lock wouldn't protect me. Nothing could. Taehyung wasn't the kind of man who respected boundaries or locks.

My reflection in the mirror was a haunting reminder of my vulnerability. My eyes, rimmed with red, glistened with unshed tears. My cheeks were streaked, and my lips trembled with residual fear and humiliation. I turned slightly, pulling the hem of my panties up to see the angry red marks on my buttocks. I hissed in pain, my fingers trembling as they traced the sensitive skin.

A rush of shame washed over me as I remembered how my body had betrayed me. Despite the pain, there had been something else-something shameful-that stirred within me during his punishment. I hated myself for it.

I let the remains of my corset fall to the floor and reached for the nightgown neatly folded on the chair. It was a cruel joke, an extension of the torment. The sheer fabric left little to the imagination, a thin veil of gossamer that barely covered my body. The lace over my breasts provided a semblance of modesty, but the middle section revealed everything underneath. My stomach, the curve of my hips, and those cursed bow panties were all on display.

I pulled it over my head, the delicate fabric brushing against my skin like a taunt. A bitter laugh escaped my lips, hollow and desperate. It was laughable how this was supposed to be sleepwear. I wasn't brave enough to march out there naked, though it felt like I might as well be.

At the sink, I scrubbed the makeup off my face, letting the water wash away the remnants of the day. My hands shook as I brushed my teeth and let my hair fall around my shoulders. The routine gave me a few precious moments to gather myself, to push down the rising panic. But the clock was ticking, and eventually, I couldn't avoid the inevitable any longer.

I grabbed the door handle, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves. The air in the bedroom was thick with tension, the silence oppressive. Taehyung sat in the armchair, the bottle of Scotch on the table beside him noticeably emptier. His gaze was sharp despite the alcohol, his eyes trailing over me as I stepped into the room.

He let out a humorless laugh, the sound cold and cutting. "That's what you choose to wear when you don't want me to fuck you?"

Heat rushed to my cheeks, a mix of shame and indignation. I crossed my arms over my chest, wishing I could shrink under his scrutiny. "I didn't choose it," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.

He tilted his head, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. "My stepmother?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. He set down his glass, rising from the chair with a fluid grace that made my stomach twist in knots. I flinched as he approached, my body instinctively recoiling. His eyes darkened, a flash of something dangerous passing through them.

Without a word, he brushed past me, his arm grazing mine. I gasped at the contact, a shiver running down my spine. The bathroom door closed behind him, the sound of running water following shortly after.

I let out a harsh breath, my knees buckling slightly. The tension in my body eased just a fraction, but the reprieve was temporary. I knew he would come back. Slowly, I approached the bed, my eyes drawn to the stain on the sheets-a mark of deceit, a fragile shield against the brutality of tradition.

I lay down on the very edge of the mattress, my body tense and rigid as I turned onto my side. The covers felt heavier than usual, suffocating me as I pulled them up to my chin. Squeezing my eyes shut, I willed myself to fall asleep, desperate for an escape from this day-this nightmare. But deep down, I knew that sleep wouldn't come easily, not tonight, not with Taehyung so close.

The sound of the running water stopped, and a few moments later, the bathroom door creaked open. My heart pounded against my ribs, each beat echoing in my ears. I forced myself to breathe evenly, pretending I was already asleep. Maybe, just maybe, he would leave me alone.

His footsteps were soft but deliberate as he crossed the room. The click of the light switch plunged us into darkness, a thick, oppressive void that swallowed every bit of light and hope. It felt like I was trapped in a dense forest at night, where unseen dangers lurked in every shadow. My mind conjured images of predators, silent and deadly, stalking their prey. And I was the prey.

The bed dipped under his weight, and my body was instinctively tensed. I clutched the edge of the mattress, fingers digging into the fabric as if it could anchor me, protect me. My breath hitched, and I pressed my lips together, willing myself to stay silent. Only shallow breaths escaped, barely audible, as I waited for him to make his move.

Taehyung lay down, the mattress shifting under his weight. The proximity was suffocating. I could feel the heat of his body, the faint scent of soap mixed with the lingering aroma of Scotch. My mind raced with fear, my heart hammering in my chest. I held my breath, waiting for him to reach out, to claim what he believed was his.

Would this be my life now? Nights filled with dread, my body a prisoner to fear, my mind trapped in a never-ending cycle of helplessness and despair? The thought made my stomach churn. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. This wasn't how I had envisioned my life.

A surge of emotion welled up inside me-fear, helplessness, and a simmering anger that threatened to boil over. But above all, there was hatred. Hatred for the man who had put me in this position. My father.

He was supposed to protect me, to keep me safe. But instead, he had handed me over to a monster, a man whose reputation was soaked in blood. He didn't know Taehyung, not really. All he cared about was power, and I was the price he was willing to pay to secure it.

The betrayal cut deeper than any knife could. I had always known my father was ruthless, but I never thought he would sacrifice me so easily. The weight of that realization pressed down on me, a hot, searing pain that spread through my chest.

Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I couldn't afford to be weak, not now. Not when Taehyung was just inches away, a predator lying in wait. I bit down on my lip, the metallic taste of blood grounding me, keeping me from breaking.

In the silence of the room, I could hear his steady breathing. Each exhaled a reminder of the man who now controlled my life, my fate. I hated him, hated my father, and hated myself for the helplessness I felt. But most of all, I hated the future that loomed ahead-a future filled with darkness, fear, and misery.

I clenched my fists under the covers, the fabric twisting between my fingers. I didn't know how long I could endure this, how long I could keep pretending. But for now, all I could do was survive the night, one shallow breath at a time.

________________________

Stifling heat dragged me from the thin veil of restless sleep, sweat prickling along my hairline and dampening the back of my neck. My mind was groggy, struggling to understand the oppressive warmth cocooning me. One eye cracked open, and the sharp glare of sunlight slashed across my face, making me wince. The source of the heat wasn't immediately clear.

It took a few long, disoriented moments before I registered the heavy arm wrapped tightly around my waist, the unyielding wall of muscle pressed against my back. Taehyung. His body was a furnace, his breath steady and warm against the nape of my neck. My heart thudded wildly as the events of last night flashed in my mind.

I shifted slightly, desperate for even an inch of space, but the movement only brought another startling realization. Something hard pressed insistently against my lower back. My cheeks flamed as my mind connected the dots, my thoughts stuttering to a halt.

Was that his...?

I couldn't even finish the question. Heat burned under my skin, spreading from my cheeks down to my chest. The rumors about men like Taehyung-big hands, big feet, and the implications that followed-flashed through my mind, making me wish the mattress would just swallow me whole.

Before I went to sleep, I had been careful, positioning myself at the very edge of the bed, determined to keep my distance. Yet somehow, here I was, nestled firmly in the center, Taehyung's hold unbreakable. Either I had unconsciously sought him out in the night, or he had pulled me close.

I took a shaky breath, hoping to calm my racing heart, but it only filled my lungs with his intoxicating scent-leather, vanilla, and the lingering hint of Scotch. It was heady, suffocating, and I wasn't sure I'd ever get used to it.

"Good, you're awake." His voice was hoarse, husky with sleep, sending a shiver down my spine.

Reality crashed down on me. Taehyung. My husband. The word felt foreign, like a cloak that didn't quite fit. I turned my head slightly, catching his gaze. His eyes were hooded, the remnants of sleep softening the usual sharpness. But there was no mistaking the calculating gleam beneath.

Taehyung's hand tightened on my hip, rolling me onto my back with ease. I tensed, my breath catching as he leaned over me, propped on one elbow. His eyes roved over my face, and I wished desperately to know what he was thinking. The weight of his scrutiny was almost unbearable.

His heat radiated through the thin barrier of our clothing, the sheer fabric of my nightgown doing little to shield me. In the sunlight filtering through the window, the scars marking his body became visible. They were a stark contrast to the smooth expanse of muscle, a testament to the life he led. I found myself wondering what it would be like to trace them, to feel the stories etched into his skin.

He reached out, his fingers catching a stray strand of my hair. My breath hitched, but he let it fall away after a moment, his face hardening into something colder, more calculating.

"It won't be long until my stepmother, my aunts, and the rest of the women in my family come knocking," he said, his tone edged with disdain. "They'll want the sheets-proof for their spectacle in the dining room."

A flush crept up my cheeks. The humiliation of it all was suffocating. His eyes darkened slightly, a flicker of something else-was it amusement or something deeper?-replacing the cold detachment.

My gaze flickered to a small cut on his arm, already scabbing over. It wasn't deep, but it was enough. Enough to satisfy the vultures waiting outside.

"My blood will give them what they want," he murmured. "It'll be the foundation of our story. But they'll expect us to fill in the details. Nobody can know what really happened."

"Nobody will know," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I won't tell anyone."

Memories of the night before clawed at me, a tumult of fear and something darker that I couldn't quite name. The weight of Taehyung's gaze pinned me, pulling me back to the present.

He sat up, drawing my eyes unwillingly to the expanse of his chest, the intricate tattoos covering his skin. My cheeks burned as I met his gaze, his smirk making my stomach twist in knots.

"You should be wearing more than this pathetic excuse for a nightgown when they arrive," he said, his tone clipped. "I don't want them seeing your body, especially not your hips and thighs. Let them wonder if I left marks on you."

His words sent a shiver through me, the memory of his handprint on my skin igniting something I didn't want to acknowledge. His smirk deepened as if he could read the thoughts swirling in my mind.

"But we can't hide your face from them," he added, his hand reaching for my cheek.

Instinctively, I flinched, squeezing my eyes shut. Every muscle in my body tensed, bracing for what might come. But all I felt was the light brush of his fingers against my skin. My eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, I saw something other than cold calculation in his eyes. Something different. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by the same detached mask he always wore.

The room was silent, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on us. I didn't know how to navigate this new reality, this fragile truce between us. All I knew was that it wouldn't last. It couldn't.

Taehyung leaned in, the space between us shrinking until his presence was overwhelming. Instinctively, I flinched, a tremor running down my spine as his proximity stirred unwanted memories. But he didn't stop. His lips collided with mine, firm and insistent, catching me off guard. My hands flew to his chest, my palms pressing against the hard planes of his muscles. Yet, despite every instinct screaming at me to push him away, I remained still.

His tongue teased at my lips, coaxing them apart. Hesitation warred within me, but I relented, allowing him entrance. Our tongues brushed, the contact sending a jolt through me. My eyes flew open, wide with uncertainty. I didn't know how to respond, didn't know what he expected.

The last incident flashed vividly in my mind, a shudder shaking my frame. But Taehyung didn't falter. He took control, his lips and tongue dominating mine with a skill that left no room for doubt or resistance. His kiss was demanding, possessive, leaving me breathless and disoriented. His hand cradled my cheek, the warmth of his touch a stark contrast to the cold fear lingering in my chest.

His stubble grazed against my lips and skin, the roughness oddly electric. It should have bothered me, but instead, it made my skin tingle, awakening sensations I didn't know I possessed. His body pressed against mine, the restrained strength palpable. Every muscle, every movement, spoke of control- control he exerted effortlessly.

I lost track of time, lost in the strange mix of sensations. The kiss was unfamiliar, but not unpleasant. It was intense, overwhelming, and inescapable. Eventually, he pulled back, his eyes dark with unspoken desires. His gaze burned into mine, leaving me shivering-not just from fear but something else, something I wasn't ready to confront.

A sharp knock at the door shattered the moment. Taehyung sighed, swinging his legs out of bed and standing with a fluid grace. My breath caught as my eyes involuntarily dropped, catching sight of the undeniable bulge in his briefs. Heat flooded my cheeks, and I quickly looked away.

"Now," he said, his voice steady, "go and grab a bathrobe."

I didn't hesitate, leaping out of bed with a speed driven by nervous energy. The stained sheets were a harsh reminder of the performance we had to put on. I hurried into the bathroom, grabbing the long white satin bathrobe hanging behind the door. Slipping it over my nightgown, I felt a pang of embarrassment as I gathered the remnants of my corset from the floor.

When I returned to the bedroom, Taehyung was strapping on his gun and knife holster over his bare chest. The sight was... striking. He exuded an air of lethal elegance, the sharp contrast between his naked torso and the weaponry creating a picture of raw power. He secured another knife strap to his forearm, covering a small cut, before pulling on a crisp black suit.

My cheeks burned as I moved further into the room, tossing the corset beside the ruined wedding dress. Taehyung was a magnificent sight-tall, muscular, every inch of him exuding authority. My eyes lingered, curiosity sparking despite myself. How would he look without those?

I quickly shook the thought away, leaning against the wall near the window. Wrapping my arms around myself, a new worry crept in. Would the women outside notice? Would they realize Taehyung hadn't truly slept with me? These were married women, sharp-eyed and experienced. They would know, wouldn't they?

Taehyung didn't seem concerned. He strode to the door and opened it wide, standing tall before the gathered women. Gasps echoed down the corridor, followed by giggles and muttered Italian words- prayers or curses, I couldn't tell. The scene was almost surreal, a twisted spectacle of tradition and scrutiny.

"We've come to collect the sheets," Taehyung's stepmother announced, her glee poorly hidden beneath a mask of decorum.

Taehyung stepped back, his expression unreadable as he allowed them entry. The women filed in, their eyes darting to the bed, then to me. I felt their gazes like physical weight, burning into my skin. My face flushed with humiliation, knowing they were searching for proof of my taken virginity-a grotesque ritual that left me feeling exposed and judged.

Nina and Cosima approached the bed, their movements practiced and efficient. Nina's voice was light, teasing, but there was a sharp edge beneath her words. "Taehyung," she began, her smile falsely sweet, "did nobody tell you to be gentle with your virgin bride?"

Laughter rippled through the room, a mix of genuine amusement and nervous titters. I lowered my eyes, swallowing the retort that burned on my tongue. Taehyung, however, didn't miss a beat.

"You're married to my father," he said smoothly, his voice a silken blade. "Does he strike you as a man who teaches his sons to be gentle with anyone?"

Nina's smile tightened, her lips thinning, but she didn't falter. The room went still, the weight of Taehyung's words settling heavily. The tension crackled in the air, thick and suffocating.

I risked a glance toward my family, my heart sinking at the expressions I found. Shock, pity, and something akin to sorrow reflected in their eyes. My mother's gaze met mine, a silent question lingering in her stare. I looked away, unable to hold it.

Across the room, Taehyung's eyes met mine briefly. In that moment, a silent understanding passed between us. We shared a secret now, one that bound us in this twisted dance of appearances. Despite everything, I felt a flicker of gratitude. It was a strange, bitter thing, but in our world, even the smallest kindness could not be overlooked.

The women carried the sheets away, their hushed whispers filling the corridor. The performance was over, but the weight of it lingered, heavy on my chest. I exhaled slowly, knowing this was only the beginning of many battles I would have to fight in silence.

________________________

⁠♡♡ ⁠♡♡

"Don't make me come looking for you, babygirl. Just hit that vote button like a good girl."

⁠♡♡ ⁠♡♡

Author's Note:

What did you think of this chapter? Let me know your thoughts!

Until next chapter
-lavendermiso

______________________________________

HAPPY HOBI DAY EVERYONE!!!

An early update just for Our HOPE!!!

Hehe 😁