𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 ( 𝐀 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬)

•6•

Chapter 6: Fragile Bonds

Nia's tear-stained eyes remained fixed on the window, her heart crying out in pain. Her tears flowed ceaselessly, each one a testament to the agony she felt. Her heart was a battlefield of emotions, and the hurt ran deep.

She wiped her tears roughly when a knock on her door startled her. Upon opening the door, she was met with the surprising sight of her brother standing there. Unconsciously, she took a few steps back, fear gripping her.

Her brother approached her with a softened expression, a hint of understanding in his eyes. He reached out and hugged her gently, a gesture that caught her off guard. Nia was torn between her desire to trust him and her deep-seated fear.

Breaking the hug, she pushed him away in fear, her body trembling and her breathing erratic. She took a few steps back, her voice trembling as she pleaded, "No, don't come close. Go away."

"It's okay, Nia. I'm not here to hurt you," he reassured her, taking slow steps toward her.

"No!" She cried out, retreating further until her back was against the wall. She hugged herself, panic rising within her.

"Go away!"

"It's okay, Nia! I'm not going to hurt you," her brother said gently, but his words seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Nia felt like she couldn't breathe; her brother noticed her struggle to breathe, realizing that she was having a panic attack.

"Hey, it's okay. I won't hurt you," he said softly, drawing closer to her.

"No!" She cried out, running to a corner of the room and hugging herself tightly. Her brother, Taemin, felt helpless as he watched her in distress.

But then, he noticed something peculiar in her behavior. She seemed to be struggling to breathe, as if she was having a panic attack. Without hesitation, he embraced her, rubbing her back gently in an attempt to soothe her.

His soothing whispers, the warmth of his embrace, and the safety she felt in his arms gradually calmed her. Nia rested her head on his chest, unwilling to let go, and Taemin was equally reluctant to release her.

After some time, her breathing steadied, and the panic attack passed. Taemin held her close as she lay against his chest, unwilling to let her go.

It had been a long time since Nia had received such warmth and comfort, and it left her with a strange mix of emotions.

After a while, Taemin gently laid her on the bed, tucking her in with a blanket. He couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pity for his sister. It was hard to believe how Nia had managed to endure the relentless abuse in their house.

Taemin's heart ached every time he witnessed the cruelty their mother subjected Nia to. He longed to help her, to protect her, but he knew the consequences of going against their mother.

As he gazed at his sister, now sleeping soundly under the blanket, Taemin couldn't help but wonder how someone could survive such abuse, constant starvation, and the crushing weight of their mother's cruelty. He knew, without a doubt, that their mother was not a human being, but a monster in disguise.

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