AUTHOR POV

The long table is filled with an array of dishes, featuring every kind of salad and juice imaginable. Maids stand behind each chair, ready to assist. The Kim family sat around the table, having their lunch.

Cassie wasn't seated beside her husband; instead, she sat next to Aroha, lovingly feeding her by hand.

She didn't want her sister to feel embarrassed about being blind Infront of her in-laws. Although Aroha could eat on her own, Cassie felt the urge to care for her this way.

Lucie stood next to their chairs, ready to assist, but her help wasn't needed right now as long as Cassie was next to Aroha.

Mrs. Kim clicked her tongue and said with a smile, "If I had another son, I would've made Aroha my daughter!"

"Why, Mother, she's still your daughter, isn't she?" Cassie replied with a smile.

"Of course she is." Mrs. Kim replied warmly before continuing to eat.

"I hope the food is to your liking. Or do you prefer something else?" Minji asked, glancing at Cassie for assurance before turning her gaze back to Aroha.

"Yes, I eat everything." Aroha said, just before Cassie gently shoved another spoonful into her mouth.

"You know, Mother, Aroha was so against coming here to live!" Cassie said loudly, shifting the conversation. Aroha munched shyly, unaware of her surroundings.

"Why? Why is that sweetie?" Mrs. Kim asked, feigning hurt in her tone.

"She thought everyone would be bothered by her presence." Cassie said. Aroha quickly interjected, "No, it's not that! I just thought father would be all alone back home."

"Don't worry about your father; that man knows how to live alone!" Mr. Kim chuckled, and Aroha nodded, smiling in agreement.

Amidst the laughter, Aroha sensed something was off, as if something just wasn't quite right.

Taehyung's eyes were fixed on her face as he silently ate his lunch.

He didn't speak further after their earlier encounter. Mostly, he felt annoyed by how she managed to grab his attention without even trying. He was not a man who usually give a care. 

It gnawed at him to know more about her, to understand what had really happened to her. He wished he had listened more closely to Cassie during all those times she spoke about Aroha.

He thought it would be easy for Cassie's sister to live with them as long as she didn't annoy him, but what would he do when he found himself feeling restless? 

It had barely been two hours, yet he felt unusually restless. He had planned to skip lunch and use work as an excuse to leave.

But he didn't leave; he wanted to stay and watch her.

As the chatter continued around him, he spoke up speaking to Cassie, "How old is your sister?"

He suppressed a smirk as she flinched at his deep voice, her expression turning restless. So, he wasn't the only one feeling unusual?

"She's sixteen." Cassie replied, and he simply hummed in response. He made a mental note that she was ten years younger than him.

He was about to ask something, but before he could, her small voice—meant to be a whisper to her sister—reached him. "Cassie... I'm feeling tired."

He scoffed inwardly thinking how she was such a coward. 'It was so easy to scare her' he thought.

Cassie immediately stood up, excusing herself. "I'll take Aroha to her room; she feels tired." She smiled, and Mrs. Kim nodded as Aroha, and Cassie left the dining room followed by Lucie, disappearing from sight.

"She's such a lovely girl." Jisoo remarked, echoing his thoughts. The others hummed in agreement, while his eyes remained fixed on the door through which she had disappeared.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

AROHA

I lay in the comfortable bed, which was too high to climb easily, while Cassie had stepped out for some work. Lucie was fast asleep beside me on the bed; she must have been exhausted.

I felt slightly uncomfortable here, my heart weighed down by some unknown fear. It was a feeling I'd never experienced before, not even when I first woke up blind.

Everyone here is so welcoming, yet my heart doesn't seem to agree. Maybe it's simply because I'm away from my own home once again.

On top of that, Cassie's husband sounds so scary; it literally gives me chills.

Maybe I shouldn't overthink it. They're all so nice to me, and I'm being unfair by thinking this way.

A knock sounded at the door, and I sat up, alarmed. "Come in." I called out.

The door opened, and someone stepped in. I turned toward the doorway, waiting for the person to speak.

"Do you need anything, Aroha?" a sweet voice resonated, and I instantly calmed down, recognizing it as Minji. "No, I'm fine." I replied.

"I came here to take you out for tea. We usually have it outside in the backyard." she said. I smiled and nodded. "That sounds refreshing."

I swung my legs to the side to get out of bed. "Careful, it's way too high—you could fall forward!" Minji said quickly, reaching out to steady me by holding my arm.

"Yeah, it is high." I laughed, feeling a bit embarrassed as she gently guided me. I slipped down from the bed and landed on my feet.

"What about your maid? Should I wake her up?" Minji asked. I shook my head. "No, it's okay. She was tired anyway."

We headed out together, and Minji started some small talk. "Yejin is so eager to see you."

"Your daughter? How old is she?" I asked.

"Yes, she's six years old." Minji replied with a chuckle. "Ever since she got back from school, she's been nagging me to bring her to see Auntie's sister."

"How sweet. Has she seen me before, or does she just like meeting new people?" I asked.

Minji smiled. "No, she just heard everyone saying how beautiful you are, so now she wants to see you too."  Minji guided me outside, and soon enough, I felt the gentle, warm breeze of the early evening.

"Aroha!" I heard Cassie call out. Before long, she held my arm, gently taking me from Minji's hold and helping me sit in a chair.

I settled down as Cassie handed me a cup of tea. I suppressed a laugh when I realized it was a plastic cup. She really is too overprotective.

"How are you feeling now, my daughter? Did you take a good nap?" Mrs. Kim asked, her voice sweet and caring. 

"Yes, Auntie, I feel much better now!" I said, not wanting to admit that I hadn't slept a wink.

I sipped my tea slowly while Cassie helped me to some pastries, which I happily accepted. I felt a bit awkward, listening to everyone speak among themselves as they tried to include me in the conversation, but I still waited with bated breath.

I was waiting to hear another voice, hoping to confirm that he wasn't among us, as I hadn't heard him yet.

Maybe he wasn't here; otherwise, why wouldn't anyone mention his name in conversation? I stayed focused, seeking for any sign of him.

When I was met with silence, I turned to Cassie, who was right beside me, and asked slowly, "And... where is your husband?"

"I'm right here, little one! I thought you wouldn't remember me." his voice came out of nowhere. I sucked in a harsh breath, feeling a rush of fear and embarrassment wash over me.

His voice came from not too far away, and I managed to keep a small smile on my face, trying to hide the nerves bubbling inside me.

"I was just asking..." I said nervously, clutching the cup tightly in my hand.

"Aroha, do you want me to refill your cup?" Cassie asked. I shook my head, feeling a wave of nausea.

The sound of innocent laughter in the distance drew my attention. 

Soon after, I heard Minji's voice. "Yejin-ah, look, this is Auntie's sister." Not knowing where the little girl was standing, I simply smiled.

"Mama, she looks like my doll!" Yejin said loudly, making me burst into laughter at her adorable remark.

I finally turned toward the direction where I heard her voice. "You're even more beautiful and cute!" I said, even though I couldn't see her, but I was sure she must be adorable.

All kids are adorable.

"Mama, can I hug her?" Her small voice reached me, and everyone around laughed. I opened my arms with a smile. "Come here, you can hug me all you want."

I leaned down a bit when I felt her small hand on my arm, then gently scooped her up and settled her on my lap.

I smiled as her arms tightened around me, and I returned the embrace playfully, wanting to make her happy. Everyone around us cooed, enjoying the sweet moment with light laughter.

"I like you." I heard Yejin say, and I turned my face down, "I also like you very much." I said, mimicking a child's voice.

"I have a doll that looks just like you; her hair is just like yours." she said, and I felt her little fingers gently touching my hair.

"I would like to play dolls with you." I said, and she gasped. "Really?" I nodded vigorously, trying to match her excitement. 

"But the dollhouse is too small; you won't fit in it..." her voice trailed off sadly, and I heard a snort from my side. I suppressed a laugh.

"It's okay; we can play with them in your room or in mine—wherever you like." I said convincingly, hoping to lift her spirits.

"I like it!" she mumbled, settling comfortably in my lap.

I sat there holding her for some time as the conversation and gossip flowed around us.

"Yejin, step down now; it's bad manners." his deep voice came from right beside me, and I tensed up.

"But I like it here." she said, her hands tightening on my arm as she sounded sad to be told to get off my lap.

"No, Yejin, you're tiring her, hmm? Go to your mama now." he said, his voice coaxing her gently. 

"Are you tired?" she asked hopefully, and I instantly replied, "No, Yejin, I'm fine."

"Uncle, but she's not tired—" she started, but he cut her off, his voice low yet strict. "Now, will you disrespect your uncle like that, Yejin? Go to your mother right now!"

"Okay..." the little girl said, reluctantly climbing out of my lap and wandering away.

"I am fine; you didn't have to scold her." I said slowly, trying to keep my tone even.

I felt a little annoyed at how he had just shooed her away and scolded her for nothing.

"I had to because it's not good manners. Not everyone is as kind as you." he replied, his tone firm and scary and I tried not to scowl, I suddenly wanted to get up and leave but his voice made me froze. 

"Also... you are too fragile."

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