The large living room of your family's house was filled with a tense silence. It was a familiar feeling—one that always hung in the air whenever the family gathered for serious discussions. You sat quietly in the corner, used to being overlooked. You had never been close to your family, always feeling like an outsider.

"Y/n, bring us some tea?" your mother asked, her tone more like an order than a request. Without a word, you stood up and headed to the kitchen. You were used to this—being given small tasks and never being included in the important matters.

As you prepared the tea, you overheard bits of the conversation from the living room.

"...Park Jimin is not someone we can afford to upset. If this marriage doesn't happen, we could be in serious trouble," your uncle said, his voice filled with concern.

The name made your heart skip a beat. Park Jimin was well-known, not just in your family but throughout the city. He was the leader of a powerful mafia family, known for his cold, ruthless ways. The thought of him being connected to your family was enough to make you uneasy.

Returning to the living room, you set the tea tray down on the table. No one seemed to notice you, too absorbed in their discussion.

"Mira doesn't want this," your aunt said, her voice strained. "She's only twenty-one. This isn't the life we wanted for her."

Your uncle sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "None of us wanted this, but it's necessary. Our businesses have been struggling, and with Jimin's backing, we'll secure our position. It's either this marriage or we risk everything. The deal has been made."

You felt a pang of bitterness. Mira, your cousin, was the family's pride and joy. She was the perfect daughter—always getting the attention and praise. You, on the other hand, were often overlooked, just there to fill space.

Your father, who rarely spoke, finally said, "We don't have a choice. If Mira marries Jimin, our business will be protected. Without this marriage, we're finished."

The room went quiet, the seriousness of his words sinking in. Mira tried to smile, but you could see the fear in her eyes. She was just as trapped as you felt, but at least she had a role in this family—one that mattered. You were just... there.

The grand mansion stood as a symbol of wealth and power, but for you, it was nothing more than a gilded cage. After your parents died, you were taken in by your aunt and uncle, but they never made you feel like part of the family. 

The coldness was one thing, but the cruelty from your cousin Mira was another. She was always quick to blame you for anything that went wrong, and her word was enough to earn you harsh punishments from your aunt. Behind closed doors, Mira's treatment of you was nothing short of cruel, but in front of others, she put on an act of care and concern, making it seem like she was the kind cousin looking out for you. You learned early on that you had no real place in this family. They only kept you around out of obligation, and Mira took advantage of that, ensuring you stayed on the outside.

As the wedding day drew near, the house was buzzing with activity. Everyone was focused on making the event perfect. Your family's coldness toward you seemed to grow, as if they wanted to remind you that you didn't belong in the spotlight.

Mira, however, wasn't her usual self. She was quieter, less lively, and seemed almost lost. One evening, you found her sitting alone in the garden, staring off into the distance. She looked vulnerable in a way you hadn't seen before, but you didn't approach her. You knew better than to ask if she was okay; Mira would never respond with kindness. Instead, she would likely lash out, making your already difficult life even more unbearable.

So, you kept your distance, as you always did, knowing that nothing good ever came from crossing paths with Mira. As the wedding day drew nearer, you couldn't shake the feeling that this marriage would change everything

The grand hall buzzed with anticipation, the air thick with the scent of roses and the hushed whispers of guests. The marriage of your cousin, Mira, to the enigmatic mafia boss Park Jimin was supposed to be the wedding of the century—a union of power and beauty. You, Y/n, stood in the shadows, trying to stay invisible, but destiny had other plans.

As the clock struck six, an unnatural silence fell over the crowd. A murmur spread through the guests like wildfire, their confused and alarmed faces turning toward the entrance. Mira was nowhere to be seen.

"She's gone," your aunt whispered urgently, her voice trembling as she clutched your arm. "She ran away."

Your heart pounded in your chest as you processed her words. Mira had always been rebellious, but this? Running away from her own wedding to a man like Jimin? You glanced toward the altar, where Park Jimin stood, his sharp gaze cutting through the crowd, his expression unreadable. His presence exuded danger and authority, and you could sense the tension in the room thickening.

"We can't let this get out," your uncle hissed, eyes darting around as he tried to maintain composure. "Y/n, you have to take her place."

Your head snapped up, eyes widening in shock. "What? No! I can't—"

"You must," your aunt interrupted, her voice frantic. "If we don't, he'll destroy us. You know what he's capable of."

Before you could protest further, you were being dragged toward a room, servants hurriedly dressing you in Mira's wedding gown. Your mind raced, heart pounding as you struggled to grasp the reality of what was happening. You had no choice; as you have never given choice you were always a coverup for them.

Minutes later, you found yourself standing at the entrance of the grand hall, Mira's gown heavy on your shoulders, her veil obscuring your face. You could feel Jimin's intense gaze on you as you walked down the aisle, every step echoing the finality of the decision made by them.

When you reached the altar, you hesitated, your hands trembling as you lifted the eyes to see and there Jimin's dark eyes locked onto yours, a flicker of surprise and something else—something darker—flashing across his face.

"So, it's you," he murmured, his voice low and velvety, sending shivers down your spine. "Interesting."

You tried to look away, but his gaze held you captive. There was no going back now. As the priest began the ceremony, you realized the gravity of your situation. You were about to marry a man feared by many, a man whose world was filled with shadows and secrets.

As the vows were exchanged, Jimin's grip on your hand tightened, his voice firm and unyielding. "From this moment on, welcome to hell," he whispered, his voice a dark blend of promise and threat. His words sent a shiver down your spine, the meaning of his statement sinking in deeply.

"Don't expect anything from this marriage," he continued, his tone cold and indifferent. "I'll deal with your family later. For now, know that you're under my watch."

The way he spoke made it clear that his control over the situation extended far beyond the confines of the marriage.

As the wedding concluded, guests began to leave, offering you polite wishes for a happy future. Their smiles were warm but hollow, their words a mere formality. You stood near the exit, accepting their goodbyes with a heavy heart, feeling more like a spectator than a participant in your own life.

Once the last guest had departed, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The mansion, now quiet and dim, seemed to amplify the tension that had been simmering beneath the surface. Your aunt and uncle approached you, their faces grim and their expressions tightly controlled.

"Y/n," your aunt said, her voice strained. "We need to talk." "We need you to understand something," your uncle said, his tone serious. "Now that you're married to Jimin, things have changed drastically. You're part of a powerful and dangerous world, and you need to be aware of the risks."

Your aunt nodded in agreement, her face hardening. "Jimin is not someone you can cross. This marriage was meant to secure our family's position, but it also means you're under his scrutiny. You need to be careful and avoid any behavior that could cause trouble."

"We'll be monitoring you closely," your uncle continued. "Any mistakes could have serious consequences , both for you and for us. Jimin's protection is not something to be taken lightly."

You nodded, feeling the gravity of their words. The mansion, once a place of cold formality, now felt like a prison. You were trapped in a new reality where every action was scrutinized, and every mistake could be terrible.

After the tense conversation with your aunt and uncle, you were left feeling anxious. The grand mansion that had been your prison now felt like a distant memory as you prepared to leave with your new husband, Park Jimin.

Jimin's car awaited outside, a sleek, black vehicle that seemed to reflect the darkness of the situation. As you approached, the driver opened the door for you, and you hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. The interior of the car was just as luxurious as you'd expect.

Jimin climbed into the car beside you, his presence commanding and silent. The drive to his mansion was long and silent, the only sounds the hum of the engine and the occasional turn of the tires on the road.

As the cityscape blurred by outside the window, you couldn't shake the feeling of being anxious The mansion you were heading to was the heart of Jimin's world, a place where power and danger ruled. The silence in the car was heavy, each moment stretching into a profound sense of unease.

Finally, the car turned onto a private road, leading to a grand estate that loomed ahead like a fortress. The mansion was imposing, its dark stone and wrought iron gates standing as a stark contrast to the wealth and luxury of your previous home. The grandeur of the estate was overwhelming, and you felt a shiver run down your spine as the vehicle came to a stop in front of the entrance.

Jimin exited the car first, his movements commanding. He waited for you to join him, and as you stepped out, the chill in the air seemed to match the coldness of his demeanor. The mansion's entrance loomed before you, a grand archway leading into an interior shrouded in shadows and mystery.

As you walked toward the door, you couldn't help but feel the weight of your new reality settling heavily upon you. The mansion where you now lived was huge and luxurious, but it felt empty and cold. You were given a room that was spacious and beautifully decorated, but it lacked any warmth or personal touch. Jimin's room was far away on another floor, emphasizing the separation between you.

You and Jimin rarely spoke. When you tried to talk to him, his replies were short and distant. It became clear that he wasn't interested in having conversations with you. Over time, you stopped trying to engage him, realizing it only made things more uncomfortable.

The mansion was big enough that you could avoid each other easily. You kept to your own space, and Jimin did the same. The silence between you grew, and you began to feel more and more alone. Your room, though luxurious, felt like a cage, a place where you spent your days in isolation.

As the days went by, you felt exhausted from trying to connect with Jimin. He remained distant and unresponsive, so you decided to stop making an effort. No more special meals or little touches to make the mansion feel more like home.

You started to pull back, and your interactions with Jimin became more formal. You didn't try to please him or anticipate his needs anymore. The effort you had put in before was gone, and you accepted things as they were.

One evening, after days of tense silence, Jimin unexpectedly appeared in your doorway. His usual cold expression was softened by something else—something that looked almost like uncertainty. He leaned against the doorframe, his eyes searching yours.

"We need to talk," he said, his voice quieter than you'd expected.

You nodded, not knowing what to expect. You had grown so used to the silence between you that the idea of a real conversation felt strange. Jimin stepped into the room, and the air grew heavier as he closed the door behind him.

For a moment, neither of you spoke. He finally sat down across from you, his gaze steady but unsure.

"What happened between us?" he asked, his voice low. "Everything felt... different, and I didn't notice until it was gone."

You blinked, surprised by the vulnerability in his words. "What do you mean?" you asked softly, unsure how to respond.

Jimin let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I didn't realize how much I had come to rely on you—on the little things. The meals, the conversations, the... presence. I didn't pay attention when you were doing all of that, but now that you've stopped, it's like there's this huge emptiness in the house. In me."

His words hit you harder than you expected. For so long, you had felt invisible, like your efforts were meaningless. But now, here he was, admitting that he had noticed more than you thought.

"I pulled away because I didn't think it mattered to you," you confessed, your voice barely above a whisper. "Everything I did... you never seemed to care. I felt like a shadow, doing all these things, and you never looked twice."

Jimin's jaw tightened, and his eyes dropped to the floor, guilt clouding his expression. "I guess I didn't know how to show that I noticed," he admitted. "I'm not good at... expressing things. But I see it now, and I feel the absence of everything you did for me."

You looked at him, your heart heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions. "You didn't see it until I stopped," you said quietly. "Do you even care, Jimin? Or are you just upset that the comfort you're used to is gone?"

Jimin met your eyes, and for the first time, you saw something raw in his gaze. "I didn't realize how much I cared until it was too late," he admitted, his voice cracking slightly. "I've been cold, distant... I thought it was easier that way. But now I see that it's not about the meals or the small gestures. It's about you. I've missed you."

The room fell silent again, his words hanging in the air. You could see the sincerity in his eyes, the regret for the distance that had grown between you. For so long, you had believed Jimin didn't care, that your presence in his life was more of a formality. But now, as you sat across from him, you realized that maybe, just maybe, things could be different.

"I don't know how to fix this," Jimin continued softly. "But I want to try. I don't want to keep losing you."

You took a deep breath, the pain and isolation you had felt for so long bubbling to the surface. "It's not going to be easy, Jimin," you said, your voice trembling slightly. "You hurt me. You shut me out for so long. I don't know if I can trust that things will change."

Jimin nodded, his eyes filled with regret. "I know. But I'm willing to try, if you'll let me."

You looked at him for a long moment, emotions swirling in your chest. You had been waiting for so long to hear him say something like this, but now that the words were out in the open, they didn't feel like enough. You took a deep breath, steadying yourself before speaking.

"You told me not to expect anything from this marriage, Jimin," you began, your voice steady but thick with emotion. "You made it clear from the start that this was just... an arrangement. Nothing more. So I didn't expect anything. But still, I tried. I tried to make it work, tried to make this place feel like a home, even when you gave me nothing in return."

Jimin opened his mouth to say something, but you held up your hand to stop him. The words you had kept bottled up for so long were finally spilling out.

"And every time I made an effort, every time I reached out, you shut me down," you continued, your voice cracking slightly. "I did everything I could to make this marriage something real, but in the end, it was like hitting a wall. You were cold, distant, and no matter what I did, I couldn't break through."

Jimin's face tightened with guilt, and he looked down at the floor, unable to meet your eyes. You took a shaky breath, your heart aching as you finally said what you had been too scared to admit before.

"It's too late, Jimin," you whispered. "I've already given up. I tried so hard, but it was a waste. And now... it's better if we go our separate ways. I don't want to keep pretending like things can change when they won't."

Jimin's head snapped up, his eyes wide with shock and pain. "No," he said quickly, his voice urgent. "Don't say that. Please. I know I messed up. I know I hurt you, and I hate myself for it. But I'm asking you to give me one more chance. Please don't give up on me... on us."

Tears welled up in your eyes as you looked at him, torn between the part of you that still cared and the part that had been broken too many times.

"I can't keep waiting for you to change, Jimin," you said softly, your voice shaking. "You've hurt me too much. I don't even know if I can trust you anymore. How do I know this isn't just another empty promise? You've never cared before—why now?"

Jimin took a step closer, his voice desperate. "Because I finally see it," he whispered, his eyes pleading. "I see what I've been blind to this whole time. I see how much you've given, how much I've taken for granted. And I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm asking you for it anyway. I'm asking for a chance to make things right."

Tears slipped down your cheeks as you shook your head. "You don't understand, Jimin," you said, your voice breaking. "I was alone in this marriage from the very beginning. I gave and gave, and you never gave anything back. And now you want me to believe that things will be different? It's hard to believe that."

"I know," Jimin said, his voice rough with emotion. "I know I failed you, but please, don't walk away. I don't want to lose you. I can't lose you. I didn't realize how much you meant to me until I started losing you, and it's tearing me apart."

You stared at him, your heart aching with the weight of his words. A part of you wanted to believe him, wanted to hold on to the hope that he really could change. But another part of you was tired—tired of fighting, tired of being hurt, tired of waiting for something that might never come.

"I don't know if I can do this anymore, Jimin," you whispered, wiping at your tears. "I don't know if I have anything left to give."

Jimin reached out, gently taking your hands in his. His touch was warm, but there was an unfamiliar vulnerability in his grip, as if he was afraid you might slip away.

"Then let me give this time," he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "Let me be the one who tries, who works for this marriage. I don't want to walk away from you, from us. Please, don't walk away from me."

You looked down at your hands in his, feeling the warmth and the weight of his words. There was so much pain between you, so much hurt, but for the first time, you saw something real in his eyes—regret, fear, and maybe even love.

"I don't know if I can trust you," you whispered.

"I'll spend the rest of my life earning it," Jimin replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "Just give me the chance."

For a long moment, you said nothing. The silence was heavy with uncertainty, but in the midst of the pain, there was a small flicker of hope. You didn't know if you could heal from all the hurt, but for the first time, Jimin was asking to try. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough to take one more step forward.

"Alright," you said softly, your voice trembling. "But Jimin, if you hurt me again... I won't stay."

Jimin nodded, his eyes filled with a mixture of relief and sorrow. "I won't," he whispered. "I swear, I won't.

As you lay in bed beside Jimin, your mind wandered to the little things he had done over the past few weeks—small, loving gestures that had slowly broken down the walls around your heart. It was those quiet moments that reminded you of how far both of you had come.

Flashback 1: The Morning Coffee

One morning, you woke up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. When you walked into the kitchen, Jimin was standing there, awkwardly holding two mugs. He looked up at you, almost shy.

"I... made your favorite," he said, holding out the cup.

You blinked in surprise. He had never done this before. You took the mug from his hands, feeling the warmth of it seep into your skin. The coffee was perfect, just the way you liked it.

Jimin scratched the back of his neck, a little nervous. "I thought... maybe you'd like it."

You smiled softly. "Thank you, Jimin."

Flashback 2: The Quiet Dinner

There was a night when you had been too exhausted to cook after a long day. You expected the usual silence and distance between you and Jimin. But when you got home, you found him in the kitchen, awkwardly stirring a pot of soup.

"It's not much, but I thought I'd try," he said, glancing over his shoulder at you.

You couldn't help but laugh softly at the sight of him in an apron, fumbling through a recipe. But the effort warmed your heart. The soup, though simple, tasted like the most thoughtful meal you'd ever had.

"It's perfect," you told him, watching as a small, relieved smile tugged at his lips.

Flashback 3: The Unexpected Gift

One afternoon, you found a small package on your desk. Inside was a book you had mentioned once, in passing, months ago. You hadn't even thought he'd heard you. But there it was—a sign that he was paying attention, even to the smallest things.

"I remembered you saying you liked this author," Jimin said casually when you asked him about it. His voice was soft, as if he was unsure whether it would matter to you.

It mattered more than you could say.

Flashback 4: The Silent Comfort

There was a night when you had been upset—though you didn't say anything, Jimin had noticed. Instead of asking questions, he simply sat beside you, offering silent comfort. He didn't try to fix it, he didn't push you to talk. He just stayed there, his presence steady and reassuring.

When you finally leaned your head on his shoulder, he wrapped his arm around you, pulling you close without a word.

Each of these moments played back in your mind, painting a picture of the man Jimin had become—someone who was trying, in his own way, to show you how much he cared. They were small gestures, but to you, they meant the world.

One evening, after a quiet dinner, Jimin approached you, his expression softer than you'd ever seen it. You were both sitting in the living room, a comfortable silence between you. But tonight, there was something in the air, something unspoken that seemed to hover between you.

"Can we talk?" Jimin asked, his voice gentle.

You looked up at him, feeling a nervous flutter in your chest. "About what?" you asked, though you had a feeling you already knew.

Jimin took a deep breath, sitting down beside you. His eyes searched yours, full of sincerity. "About us," he said quietly. "About everything that's changed."

You nodded, waiting for him to continue.

"I know it hasn't been easy," Jimin began, his voice full of emotion. "And I know I've hurt you before. But these past few weeks... I've realized something. I've realized how much you mean to me. How much I've taken for granted. And how much I've fallen for you."

Your heart skipped a beat at his words. You could feel the warmth in his voice, the truth in his eyes. For the first time, you saw the man behind the mask he had worn for so long.

"I never thought I could care for someone like this," Jimin continued, his voice trembling slightly. "But you... you've changed everything. I can't imagine my life without you now. And I know I don't deserve it, but... I love you, Y/N."

The confession hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Your breath caught in your throat as you processed his words. For so long, you had wondered if this moment would ever come, and now that it was here, you could feel your heart swelling with emotions you had tried to bury.

"I love you too, Jimin," you whispered, your voice soft but sure. "I didn't want to admit it at first. I didn't want to get hurt again. But you've shown me that you've changed, and... I've fallen for you too."

Jimin's eyes lit up with a mixture of relief and joy. He reached for your hand, holding it gently between his own. "I promise, I'll never hurt you again," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I'll spend the rest of my life making sure you know how much you mean to me."

You smiled through the tears that had begun to gather in your eyes, squeezing his hand. "I believe you," you said softly. "And I want to build something real with you, Jimin. I want us to be happy."

Jimin leaned in, his forehead resting gently against yours. "We will be," he whispered. "I'll make sure of it."

For the first time, you felt truly at peace. The pain of the past seemed to fade away, replaced by the warmth of the love that had grown between you. The man who had once seemed so distant and cold was now someone you couldn't imagine living without.

In the weeks that followed, things continued to change for the better. Jimin became more attentive, more open with his feelings, and you found yourself falling deeper in love with him every day. The mansion, once filled with tension and silence, was now a place of laughter and warmth.

One night, as you lay in bed beside him, Jimin turned to you, a soft smile playing on his lips. "I never thought I could be this happy," he admitted, his voice a gentle murmur. "But you've changed everything for me."

You smiled, resting your head on his chest. "You've changed everything for me too," you whispered. "I never thought we'd get here, but I'm so glad we did."

Jimin wrapped his arms around you, pulling you closer. "I love you," he said again, his voice full of warmth.

"I love you too," you replied, closing your eyes as you listened to the steady beat of his heart.

In that moment, you knew that the two of you had found something special. Despite all the pain, all the struggles, you had found love in each other. And this time, you knew it was forever.