Contract| KTH | ?

10 Years Ago

"My mom and dad were arguing again. I don't even remember what started it, but this time, it was worse than ever. My dad, red with fury, stormed out of the house. I thought he'd come back calmer, but instead..." Yn's voice trembled as she recounted her past.

Taehyung listened intently, his jaw tightening as anger brewed within him.

"He came back with another woman... and a boy, about two years older than me. He announced that they'd be living with us from that day forward. My mom and I were shocked, completely blindsided. We didn't know who they were, and we refused. But..." Her voice broke. "My so-called dad didn't take 'no' lightly. He beat my mom mercilessly until she agreed.

Later, we found out. That woman... she was his first love. My mom was never his choice. Their marriage was arranged by my grandparents. But the affair..." Yn clenched her fists, tears
brimming in her eyes. "It had been going on for years.

"One day, my mom caught them kissing in our living room. That's when she realized the truth. She was shattered, but my mom wasn't someone to break easily. She tried to fight back, tried to take her revenge. But no matter what she did, my dad was always a step ahead. He tortured her until she finally... gave up.

"She stopped fighting. She stopped speaking. And one day... she stopped breathing." Yn's voice cracked, and tears streamed down her cheeks.

Taehyung's hands balled into fists, his knuckles turning white.

"That wasn't the worst part," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "My stepbrother... Song Do Seok. He always looked at me with those disgusting eyes, filled with lust.

"One evening, my dad and that woman went out on a date, leaving me alone with him. I didn't think anything of it; I was just a kid. I asked him if we could watch a movie, and he agreed.

"We sat on the couch, and at first, everything seemed normal. But then... he moved closer. I felt uncomfortable and told him to move away. But instead, he moved closer, placing his hand on my thigh." Her voice trembled as she relived the memory. "I shoved his hand away and slid to the other end of the couch, but this time... he grabbed my waist and pulled me toward him.

His hand... it was on my inner thigh. I was so angry, but I was just a kid. I scolded him, but he only smirked. And then... he carried me to the bedroom." Yn's breath hitched, and she covered her face as fresh tears fell. "He tied my hands and legs to the bedframe. I screamed, but no one was there to help me. He hovered over me..."

"Stop," Taehyung interrupted, his voice trembling with rage. "You don't have to say any more." His eyes glistened with unshed tears, his blood boiling at the thought of what she endured. "Yn, I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I swear, they'll pay for this."

Yn buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking his shirt as she sobbed uncontrollably. For the first time, she allowed herself to be vulnerable in front of someone.

"I'm here," Taehyung murmured, his voice gentle yet firm. "Cry as much as you need. I won't leave you."

Exhausted, Yn eventually fell asleep in his arms, her face still streaked with tears

Taehyung gently carried her to his car, draped his coat over her, and drove her home. As he laid her on her bed, he couldn't stop the flood of emotions overwhelming him.

"She's always been so cold, so distant," he thought, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "I judged her without knowing what she's been through. I'm sorry, Yn. I'll protect you from now on."

For the first time in years, tears slid down his own cheeks.

The Next Morning

Taehyung knocked softly on her bedroom door before stepping inside.

"Good morning, Yn," he greeted with a boxy smile, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

Yn blinked in surprise, unused to seeing such warmth from him. "Good morning," she replied hesitantly, her mind racing. Why is he smiling like that? And why is he here in my room?

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his tone filled with genuine concern.

She frowned, her defenses kicking in. "Why do you care?"

"Because you're my wife," he replied smoothly, the smile never leaving his face.

"This is just an arranged marriage, Taehyung. You don't need to pretend to care."

"Who said I'm pretending?" he countered, raising an eyebrow.

Yn sighed and turned toward the door. "I can take care of myself."

Before she could leave, he grabbed her wrist. "Don't you remember last night?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity

Yn froze. "W-What do you mean?" she stammered, panic creeping into her voice.

"Hmmm... nothing," he replied with a smirk, releasing her wrist. She stared at him, her face heating up as her mind raced. What did I do? Why is he smirking like that? Did... did something happen between us?

"Yn," he said, breaking her thoughts. "What?" she snapped.

"Relax. Nothing happened," he said, his smirk widening. Relief flooded her, but embarrassment quickly followed.

"You're impossible," she muttered, storming out of the room.

Later That Day

"Why are you ignoring me?" Taehyung asked, leaning against her office desk.

"I'm not ignoring you," she replied curtly, not meeting his gaze.

"Don't act innocent. What's going on?"

"As if you care," she retorted, shuffling papers unnecessarily.

"I do care," he said firmly. Yn scoffed.

"Don't pretend, Taehyung. This is all part of your game, isn't it? To win that stupid bet and make me fall for you?" His jaw tightened, and he grabbed her wrist as she tried to walk away.

"It's not a game, Yn. I care about you. More than you realize." She stared at him, her eyes searching his for any hint of deceit. But all she saw was sincerity, and it terrified her.

"Let me go," she whispered.

"Yn..." "Please," she said, her voice breaking. Taehyung released her, watching as she retreated to her room and shut the door.

"I'll wait," he whispered to himself. "For as long as it takes, I'll wait for you."