Kim Miso

The moment I stepped through the door, the familiar weight of exhaustion settled over me like a heavy blanket. My body ached, not just from the physical strain of the heels I’d been wearing all evening but from the mental exhaustion of keeping up appearances. Taehyung, that cold, controlling bastard, had dragged me to yet another one of his tedious business parties, filled with plastic smiles, backhanded compliments, and the constant murmur of deal-making.

I kicked off my heels with a sigh, relishing the cool touch of the floor beneath my feet. My reflection caught my eye in the full-length mirror, and I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at the image staring back at me. There she was: Kim Miso, wife of the infamous Kim Taehyung, perfectly poised in an elegant black gown that clung to my curves, hair pinned up, and makeup still flawless. But that wasn’t me. Not really. This was just the version of Miso Taehyung paraded around at these events—a trophy wife, someone who stood by his side, smiled on command, and didn’t question anything.

I hated it.

Sinking down onto the edge of the bed, I let out a deep breath, rubbing my temples to ease the growing tension. As much as I despised those parties, they had become routine. I had learned to cope, to keep my cool while Taehyung strutted around like the king of the world. But tonight... tonight had been harder than usual. Maybe it was the constant whispers behind my back, or the leering gazes from some of Taehyung’s associates. Maybe it was just the weight of pretending, of always having to be “on.” Whatever it was, I could feel the anxiety simmering just below the surface, threatening to boil over.

Just then, my phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling me from my thoughts. I reached for it, glancing at the screen. A small smile tugged at my lips.

Yoongi.

He was the one person who could always make me feel grounded, no matter how chaotic my life became. Yoongi wasn’t just a best friend; he was the one constant in a world full of shifting alliances and fake relationships. He knew me better than anyone—probably better than I knew myself sometimes.

“Yoongi-yah,” I greeted him, my voice soft but tinged with relief. “Finally decided to check in on me, huh? I was starting to think you’d forgotten about your favorite girl.”

His low chuckle rumbled through the phone, instantly easing some of the tension in my shoulders. “Forget about you? Not in this lifetime, Miso. I’ve just been... busy, you know. Running a business for your father takes time.”

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, yeah, Mr. CEO, with your billions of dollars and all your fancy meetings. Meanwhile, here I am, surviving another evening in the lion’s den.”

“Lion’s den, huh?” Yoongi’s voice was filled with amusement. “How’s life with Mr. Bossy going? Still trying to rein you in?”

I laughed, though there was no real humor in it. “Trying? Oh, please. He’s not trying—he’s failing. Miserably. If he thinks he can control me, he’s got another thing coming. But yeah, he’s still dragging me to these ridiculous parties. You should’ve seen tonight’s crowd—nothing but a bunch of old men in suits trying to show off how rich they are.”

Yoongi hummed thoughtfully on the other end. “Sounds like a blast. Did Taehyung manage to behave himself, or did he pull his usual stunt of throwing cold glares at you all the time?”

I bit my lip, remembering the way Taehyung had stepped in tonight, his eyes dark and dangerous when one of his business partners had gotten a little too close for comfort. “Oh, you know him. He’s always got to play the role of the protective husband, even if he doesn’t give a damn about me. Honestly, it’s kind of funny. One minute, he’s acting like I’m just a pawn in his game, and the next, he’s scaring off anyone who so much as looks at me wrong.”

“Possessive much?” Yoongi’s voice was teasing, but there was an edge of concern beneath it.

“Yeah, you could say that. But honestly, it’s exhausting. All these parties, all the pretending... it’s just too much sometimes.”

There was a brief silence on the other end, and I knew what was coming before Yoongi even said it. His voice softened, losing its usual playful tone. “Miso... how are you really doing? I mean, with everything. And don’t lie to me. You’ve been quiet lately.”

I swallowed, feeling a lump form in my throat. Of course he could see right through me. He always could. “I’m... managing,” I replied, though I knew how hollow the words sounded. “It’s just a lot. Taehyung, the marriage, all these things. I knew what I was getting into, but... it’s still overwhelming sometimes.”

“And what about... the other thing?” Yoongi’s voice dropped lower, more serious. “Your little space. Is it happening more?”

I froze for a moment, my heart skipping a beat. I hated lying to him, but I couldn’t tell him the truth. Yoongi already had enough on his plate, with his company, his own problems. He didn’t need to worry about me on top of that.

“No, not really,” I lied, forcing my voice to stay steady. “It’s... it’s been fine. Just every now and then. I’ve been keeping it under control.”

But the truth was, it wasn’t fine. Not even close.

Every time Taehyung dragged me to one of those suffocating parties, I felt the anxiety creeping up on me, tightening its grip around my chest. The pressure to be perfect, to smile and play the role, it was all too much. I held it together for the cameras, for the people watching. But behind closed doors, when it was just me and the silence of the penthouse, that’s when I let it all go. That’s when little space would come for me, like a warm blanket pulling me in, offering an escape from the world that felt too big, too loud.

But Yoongi didn’t need to know that. He had enough going on without having to worry about me falling apart.

There was a pause on the other end, as if Yoongi was weighing my words, trying to decide if he believed me. “Miso,” he said softly, his voice full of concern, “you don’t have to pretend with me. If it’s happening more often, you need to tell me. I don’t want you bottling this up.”

I closed my eyes, letting out a shaky breath. “I know. I know, Yoongi, but... it’s fine. Really. I’m managing. I just don’t want to add to your problems. You’ve got enough going on.”

“Miso.” His voice was firm now, cutting through my defenses. “You are never a problem. Do you hear me? You’re my best friend. I don’t care how busy I am, or how much crap I’m dealing with. If you need me, you call me. I don’t want you trying to deal with this alone.”

I felt my throat tighten, the words catching there. God, how did I get so lucky to have someone like Yoongi in my life? He always knew how to ground me, to remind me that I wasn’t as alone as I felt sometimes. But still, I couldn’t burden him with everything. I had to handle this on my own, at least for now.

“I’ll be fine” I said, trying to keep my tone light. “Don’t worry so much. You’ll get wrinkles.”

Yoongi snorted, the tension easing slightly. “Please. I’m too good-looking for wrinkles. Besides, I think you’ve got more to worry about than my flawless face.”

I laughed softly, grateful for the change in tone. “Yeah, like surviving another day with Mr. Bossy. You have no idea how frustrating he can be.”

“Oh, I have some idea,” Yoongi replied dryly. “I’ve heard lot about that guy, remember? He’s like a walking iceberg.”

“More like a walking dictatorship,” I muttered. “He thinks he can just order me around, like I’m one of his employees. I swear, the man has control issues.”

“Sounds like a match made in heaven,” Yoongi teased. “You, the queen of sass, and him, the king of control. No wonder you’re driving each other crazy.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, you have no idea. He’s constantly trying to break me, to make me fall in line. Like tonight—he kept giving me this look, daring me to say something out of place. It’s like he enjoys watching me squirm.”

“And do you squirm?”

“Hell no.” I grinned, feeling a bit of my fire return. “I hold my ground. Every. Single. Time. I don’t care how powerful he thinks he is, no one controls me. Especially not him.”

“That’s my girl,” Yoongi said, pride evident in his voice. “You keep giving him hell.”

“Oh, I plan to,” I replied, my mind flashing back to the moments where Taehyung had tried to assert his dominance. Only for me to push back, just enough to show him that I wasn’t someone who could be easily broken. He’d flash me that cold, calculating stare, the one that sent chills down everyone else’s spine—but it just made me smirk. The tension between us had grown so thick, you could cut it with a knife. It was almost amusing, watching him try to get me to submit. Almost.

But there was another side to it—one I didn’t want to admit, even to myself. As much as Taehyung infuriated me, as much as I hated how he tried to control every aspect of my life, there was something undeniably magnetic about him. His presence was overwhelming, suffocating at times, but there was an energy between us, something raw and electric that I couldn’t deny.

I shook the thought away, refusing to let it take root. I wasn’t about to let myself get caught up in whatever this twisted dynamic was. Sure, he was sexy as hell—anyone with eyes could see that. But he was also arrogant, cold, and emotionally unavailable. There was no way I could ever be attracted to him... right?

Yoongi’s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. “You still there, Miso? You got quiet.”

“Yeah, sorry,” I said quickly, forcing a laugh. “Just thinking about how much of a pain in the ass Taehyung is. You know, sometimes I wonder if he gets off on making my life difficult.”

Yoongi snorted. “Wouldn’t surprise me. Guys like him, they thrive on control. It’s all about power for them. But I know you, Miso—you’re not the type to let anyone, not even him, walk all over you.”

“Damn right,” I said with a grin. “He can try all he wants, but I’m not about to become his little obedient wife. I wasn’t raised that way.”

“No, you definitely weren’t,” Yoongi agreed. “But just... be careful, okay? Guys like Taehyung, they don’t take well to being challenged. And you... well, you love a good challenge.”

I laughed again, the sound lighter this time. “You know me too well, Yoongi-yah. But don’t worry, I’ve got this under control. Taehyung can huff and puff all he wants—I’m not going anywhere.”

There was a brief pause, and then Yoongi’s voice dropped to a more serious tone. “But for real, Miso... if things ever get too much, you can always come to me. I don’t care if it’s in the middle of the night or if I’m in the middle of a meeting. You call me, okay?”

The lump in my throat returned, and I swallowed hard to keep my voice steady. “Thanks, Yoongi. I appreciate that. But honestly, I’m fine. I’ll figure it out.”

We talked for a while longer, the conversation shifting to lighter topics—old memories, inside jokes, and the occasional teasing about my choice in men. By the time we hung up, I felt a little more like myself again. Yoongi had that effect on me. He always knew how to pull me back from the edge.

But once the call ended and the silence of the room settled in again, I was left alone with my thoughts.

I leaned back against the headboard, staring up at the ceiling as my mind wandered back to Taehyung. It was impossible to avoid thinking about him, no matter how much I wanted to. After all, he was a constant presence in my life now. Whether I liked it or not, he is my husband. And though I had told myself this marriage was just a business arrangement, just a way to consolidate power between two mafia families, there was no denying that things had... shifted.

In the months since we had married, I had seen sides of Taehyung that I wasn’t expecting. Sure, he was still the cold, calculating mafia king I had married, but there were moments—small, fleeting moments—where I saw something else beneath the surface. Something that confused me, intrigued me, and, if I were being honest with myself, scared me a little.

Like the way he never laid a hand on me, no matter how angry he got. There were times when I could see the fury in his eyes, when his jaw clenched, and his hands balled into fists, but he never crossed that line. Not that I wouldn’t fight back if he ever tried. Hell, I’d probably give him a black eye if he even thought about it. But still, the fact that he hadn’t... it meant something.

And then there was the way he reacted at those parties. I’d catch him glaring at anyone who got too close, his jaw tight, his eyes dark with something that almost looked like... jealousy? Possessiveness? I wasn’t sure. But it was there. Every time another man tried to flirt with me or lingered too long in my space, Taehyung would step in, his presence commanding the room, sending a silent message that I am off-limits.

It was territorial, primal even. And as much as I hated to admit it, there was something about it that made my heart race.

“Ugh,” I groaned, rubbing my hands over my face. “Get a grip, Miso.”

I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. This wasn’t some fairytale romance where the cold, brooding husband secretly cared for his wife. This was a mafia marriage—built on power, control, and alliances. Love had no place here.

And yet...

I couldn’t deny the way my body reacted to him. The sexual tension between us had been simmering for months now, growing stronger with each passing day. It was in the way his eyes lingered on me when he thought I wasn’t looking, the way his voice would drop an octave when we were alone, the way he stood just a little too close sometimes, making it hard to breathe.

It was maddening.

And worse, I knew he could feel it too. There were moments—small, fleeting moments—where I caught him looking at me, his gaze heated, as if he was fighting the same internal battle I was. But he never acted on it. He never made a move. And I didn’t know if that was because he didn’t want me, or because he was trying to prove some point, trying to maintain control over himself... and over me.

But there was one thing I was sure of: as much as I hated him, as much as I resented the way he tried to control every aspect of my life, there was a part of me—one I didn’t want to admit existed—that was attracted to him.

It wasn’t emotional, not by a long shot. This wasn’t some slow-burn romance where I was falling for him despite myself. No, this was purely physical. Sexual. It was the way his body moved, the strength in his frame, the intensity in his eyes. It was the way he could command a room with just a look, the way he could make people bend to his will without saying a word.

And as much as I hated to admit it, I was attracted to that power.

I rolled over onto my side, staring out the window at the city lights beyond. This was my life now. Married to a man I couldn’t stand, living in a world where control and power were the only things that mattered. But even in the middle of all the chaos, there was a part of me that was starting to wonder...

Was there more to Taehyung than the cold, ruthless exterior he showed the world?

Or was I just fooling myself, trying to find something—anything—that would make this marriage bearable?

As I closed my eyes, trying to push the thoughts away, one thing became clear:

Whatever this was between Taehyung and me, it wasn’t going away anytime soon.

And I wasn’t sure how much longer I could pretend it didn’t exist.

★★★★★★★

Author's Note:

Hey, lovely readers! 🌸

First of all, thank you for diving into this chapter with me. I hope you enjoyed seeing Miso’s inner thoughts as much as I loved writing them! Miso’s life is so layered—between her complicated marriage to Taehyung and the way she handles her inner world, it’s been exciting to explore her emotional journey. This chapter really gave us a deeper look into how she processes everything—from her attraction to Taehyung (even if she hates to admit it) to her strength in standing her ground, and of course, her softer side when she’s in her little space.

I wanted to show you guys how Miso feels stuck between two worlds: the fierce, independent woman she is on the outside, and the vulnerable side she hides from the world. The tension with Taehyung is only getting more intense, and I can promise you—things are about to get even more complicated!

And Yoongi! Ahh, he’s such a solid rock in Miso’s life. His friendship with her is so precious, and you’ll definitely see more of their bond in the future. I love writing their moments together because they always bring a mix of comfort, sass, and emotional depth.

I’m so grateful for all the support you’ve shown this story so far! Your comments, likes, and reads mean the world to me. I can’t wait to hear what you think about this chapter—especially with all the tension brewing between Miso and Taehyung. What do you think is going to happen next? 👀

Keep those theories coming, and stay tuned for more drama, more tension, and maybe... just maybe... a few surprises in the next chapters. 😉

Much love, StarlitWings 🌙