[FIVE DAYS LATER]

AROHA

It's been five days since Cassie started staying here, and I'm happy to spend time with my family like this, all together.

Sometimes, it's baffling how her in-laws let her handle everything, and when I try to ask her about her husband, she always brushes me off with some excuse. 

It's concerning to me, but she always insists that she's happy. So, I don't bother her about it because she wouldn't lie to, would she?

Yoongi oppa left for the military yesterday. We both cried so much, but after a night of cuddling, we found comfort in each other.

Now, she's so excited to take me to her home. I was initially opposed to the idea of living at her house, but I didn't want to add to Dad's worries. 

He had to attend work, and there was no one else to look after me except the house servants, but Dad doesn't trust them enough when it comes to me, so I obliged.

Cassie helped me dress in a chiffon knee-length frock, and she told me it was pink because it used to be my favorite color back then.

I wanted to tell her that I'd forgotten what colors looked like—that I don't even remember what my favorite color looked like anymore but her cheerful demeanor kept me silent. 

 She sat me down and started doing my hair. "Cassie, tie it up. It will look weird." I spoke.

"No, you look so beautiful. I always wished Mom had given me this blonde color." she replied. I smiled and let her do whatever she wanted.

"Your skin is so clear—maybe America's air is much better! But you do need some blush, I think." Cassie teased. Then I felt something soft tickle over my cheek, making me giggle as she applied the blush.

"Perfect!" I heard her mutter as she guided me to stand up.

"Aroha, you look like a doll! I swear, I'm never giving you back! I'll take you home, make you my daughter, and you'll stay with me forever." she said in one breath, making me laugh.

"Don't you think I'm going to grow up someday?" I teased and she immediately reacted, "No! You're not going to grow up ever, I will not allow it!"

"You are such a kid!" She held my hand and placed another hand on my lower back to guide me. "Come on, let's go to my home!" she said excitedly, and I couldn't help but giggle.

Once we reached downstairs, I heard a gasp followed by Lucie's voice. "Aroha, you look so cute!" I smiled at her compliment. 

"Thank you, Lucie!" I reply. Maybe I did look a little different because Cassie had worked her magic on me.

"Lucie, did you pack your bag?" I heard Cassie ask.

"Yes, madame. I was waiting for you two. The car is waiting outside, and Mr. Min is also in the lounge." Lucie replied.

Actually, I had insisted father to take Lucie with myself because I didn't want to go alone to a place I didn't know even if my sister is living there. 

I know that Mr. Kim is father's best friend, and they are our family too, but it is still awkward to just go and reside in someone's else home. 

"Okay then, let's go, Aroha!" Cassie guided me to the lounge, and soon enough, I heard Dad's voice. 

"My daughters are ready, hmm?"

"Dad, don't you think Aroha looks beautiful?" Cassie said, as if she wanted to announce it to the whole country—or possibly the whole world—how beautiful I looked.

"No doubt, my both daughters are the most beautiful girls in the whole world!" I smiled as I felt Dad embrace both of us, and I wrapped my arms around him.

"Be safe, both of you!" I felt him kiss my forehead.

Dad escorted us outside and we got into the car, Cassie sat beside me, excitedly telling me how beautiful her house is and how nice the people are there.

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AUTHOR POV

It was the weekend, so the Kim family was all at home, making special preparations because Cassie was bringing her sister.

Mr. Min and Mr. Kim had been friends for a very long time and were also business partners.

 Growing up, they dreamed of turning their friendship into family, so they arranged for Cassie to marry Kim Taehyung, hoping to strengthen their bond.

Kim Seokjin was the firstborn in the family and was already married to the business tycoon Mr. Park's daughter, Park Minji. He was happy in his marriage and had two children. He was the president of the Kim Enterprises. 

The second born was Kim Jisoo, who had been studying law and had become the first female lawyer from Daegu, bringing pride to the country.

Finally, the third and last born was Kim Taehyung, who was married to Min Cassie and worked as the vice president of the company.

The family looked very happy and closely bonded to each other. The were very strong.

"Come on, hurry up! I want lunch on the table as soon as they arrive, understand, ladies?" Mrs. Kim said to the kitchen maids.

"Yes, madame." They all replied in unison making Mrs. Kim smile as she went out to take care of other things. 

Mrs. Kim spotted Minji, who was feeding her two-year-old son Misul, and went over to her. "Minji, where's Seokjin? Has he gotten ready?"

"No, Mom, Misul was crying, so I thought I'd feed him and put him to sleep!" she said, and Mrs. Kim nodded, ruffling her grandchild's hair. "Hurry up! they'll be here any time."

Suddenly, Mrs. Kim remembered something and headed upstairs, but her son's voice stopped her. "Mom! Where's Minji? I can't find my shirt!" Seokjin grumbled.

Mrs. Kim went to him and said, "Calm down, young man. She's taking care of your son downstairs. Come here, I'll find your shirt." She then began searching his shirt for him.

In less than a minute, she tossed the shirt at his face. "I knew you were blind from birth!" Seokjin rubbed his neck sheepishly as he got scolded by his mother and Mrs. Kim exited his room.

She then went to her own room, finding her husband getting ready. "Need help?" she asked. He turned to look at her and shook his head. "No, no, go take care of other matters. I'll be downstairs in a minute."

She smiled as she closed the door and went to another room. She knocked lightly before opening the door.

Her youngest son, Kim Taehyung, was sitting calmly on the couch with a book in his hand. He looked up at her and set the book aside. "Yes, Mom?"

She crossed the room and kissed his forehead. Taehyung was her obedient and very punctual son.

He patted the couch beside him, and she took a seat. "Have you had your breakfast, my baby?" she asked. He nodded, adjusting his glasses. "Yes, Minji brought it for me earlier." he replied.

"Do you mind your wife's sister coming here to stay?" Mrs. Kim asked. He shrugged. "Why would I mind who's coming? As long as they don't interfere, I'm fine. And besides, it's not like I have a say in it; she's Dad's guest."

"You do have a say in it; don't say it that way—" she started, but he cut her off. "Mom, we both know I'm not lying." Just then, the loud sound of a car horn echoed outside.

She perked up. "Oh, they must be here!" She stood up to leave but looked back and said, "Come downstairs to greet them." He nodded. "Yes, Mom, I'll be there in a second."

Taehyung stood up, running his fingers through his hair to push it back, and placed the book on the table.

He then proceeded to walk out and head downstairs to greet the guest.

As he descended the stairs, he watched as one after another hugged and surrounded a person. Among them, he did spot Cassie and today she looked so genuinely happy, grinning widely.

She had always talked about her anonymous sister to him, and he didn't quite understand why. Even if Jisoo went to another country, he wouldn't go around talking about her to everyone.

As he made his way down, his steps halted as he noticed his mother holding the girl's hand. As if enchanted, his eyes roamed wildly over every inch of her, trying to study and take her in.

Her porcelain fair skin, small yet curvy figure, and waist-long, silky blonde hair created an almost doll-like appearance with her pink frock. 

His gaze traveled to her face, taking in her plump lips, button nose, and long lashes, as well as the delicate freckles that shyly dusted her cheeks and the bridge of her nose.

He stepped closer, the surrounding scene fading into the background as she turned, her electric blue eyes catching his. His breath caught in his chest.

He was caught so off guard for the first time in his whole life.

And when her plump lips curled up to reveal a divine smile,

He was sure of one thing.

He was done...

"Hey!" 

His deep voice startled her, and her smile faltered. He almost felt hurt but amused that she could be scared so easily. 

Cassie, standing beside her, said, "Aroha, meet my husband, Taehyung!" 

Taehyung noticed how Aroha's hand curled and squeezed her sister's, which amused him even more.

Taehyung smiled in amusement, something he hadn't done in quite a while.

He reached out and took her small hand, and she tensed. Aroha felt uncomfortable with the intense aura he emitted, unsure of how to react.

Her other hand tightened around her sister's, and Cassie frowned, sensing Aroha's discomfort.

"Welcome, little one!" Taehyung said, his warm and soft lips pressing gently against her knuckles.

No one found it odd. Kissing a lady's hand was a tradition and a sign of respect. It was simply the way things were done.

But no matter how many people had kissed her hand before, she had never felt this strange.

Something about Taehyung felt so dark that her already shadowed world seemed to darken even further around her.

Because his hidden darkness weighed heavily than hers...

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Bonus chapter? 

aaaand Thank you for 1k!