Stepbrother's Obsession || Park Jimin FF

I. Smile

Scrolling through her phone, her legs grew numb from being crossed for nearly half an hour. She finally sat up and started stretching. No food, no sleep. She spent her entire day in this tiny, dark room. Ever since she lost her father, this had become her daily routine. Occasionally, she would eat when her stomach growled at her, and she would sometimes sleep when she sought the solace of temporary oblivion.

Her mother noticed every change in her, except for the ever-present smile on her lips. To her, only in darkness could one see the stars. She might be suffering now, but she believed that everything would return to its best in due time. She knew that no one could truly appreciate the light without having been in the darkness. Though she felt lost, she could see a faint ray of light becoming visible in her eyes.

Was what she saw truly the hope she had been waiting for months? Or was it just a glimmer leading her into an even darker place?

"Honey, open the door. We need to talk." Lost in her thoughts, she barely registered her mother's voice from the other side of the door, knocking and pleading for her daughter to open it.

She didn't move a muscle for minutes until she finally gathered the courage to stand up and go to the door. As she twisted the handle, she was met with the eyes that had always brought her comfort, softening her heart instantly.

"Mom, what is the matter?" she asked with a smile, though her mother could see the deep sadness and exhaustion in her eyes.

The older woman gently patted her daughter's shoulder before entering the room and making herself comfortable on the bed. She looked around the room while her daughter furrowed her brows in confusion, wondering why her mother insisted on having this conversation.

"May I know what it is we need to talk about?" she asked politely, regaining her mother's attention, her eyes reflecting something she couldn't quite explain.

Her mother sighed heavily, forming a light smile. Her daughter stood there, waiting for her to speak.

"Y/N, I just got married." A sarcastic laugh escaped her daughter's lips after hearing those words.

Her daughter mistook it for a prank, holding her stomach as she tried to calm down.

"Come on, Mom. It sounds funny, but aren't you going too far with this joke? Dad just passed away three months ago. How could you be married already?" Her mother felt a pang of hurt.

She knew it was hard for her daughter to accept, as her father's death was still a fresh wound in her heart. She felt sorry, worried, and afraid of her daughter's reaction.

"I'm not joking. I met him almost two months ago. We began seeing each other after a week. He proposed to me last month, and I said yes. We got married yesterday. His son was there at our wedding. I didn't tell you because I was afraid you would disown me." Shock transformed her daughter's face.

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She wanted to cry, but no tears came. Her legs felt weak.

"Mom, you don't know how happy I am for you! I can't believe it. I-I..." She ran to give her mother the tightest hug she had ever given.

Finally, tears streamed down her cheeks. Her heart felt both happy and aching. She was glad her mother found someone to give her strength and happiness, but she wondered if it was too soon to move on from her father. For now, she just wanted to cry and embrace her mother.

"Dear, we need to leave this place soon. We will be living with him and his son as planned." Her mother broke the hug, feeling her insides shattering.

"Mom, no. Please, don't make me leave this house. It's the only thing Dad left us. I can't bear losing it." She pleaded on her knees, tears pouring down her face.