Not Just An Infatuation ( COMPLETED )

chapter 69

Sia sat on the edge of the bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She had accepted the deal—a deal that bound her to Taehyung in a way she could scarcely comprehend. The words had left her lips, agreeing to be his wife in exchange for her freedom, but the reality of what that meant lingered like a heavy fog around her.

Her heart was a battlefield, torn between the desire to escape and the bitter acceptance of her fate. Could she really be the wife Taehyung demanded? Could she fulfill the role he envisioned for her after everything he had done? The question gnawed at her, its answer slipping further away the more she tried to grasp it.

Memories of his cruelty flashed before her eyes—his cold gaze, his harsh words, the pain he had inflicted. How could she possibly endure his touch, let alone reciprocate the affection he so obsessively craved? The thought of his hands on her, of his lips seeking hers, sent a shiver down her spine. All she felt was dread.

How could she live as his wife when every fiber of her being recoiled at the thought of his intimacy?

Her mind was a storm of conflicting emotions. Could she truly give herself to him, knowing the darkness that lurked behind his twisted version of love? Or was she doomed to exist in this perpetual state of numbness, pretending to be the dutiful wife he desired while her soul withered away?

Sia clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, trying to anchor herself in the chaos. The answer eluded her, leaving her trapped in a limbo between acceptance and despair. She didn’t know if she could survive being his wife. She didn’t know if she could endure his touch, his affection, his obsession. All she knew was that the path she had chosen was one she couldn’t turn back from, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead was more terrifying than anything she had ever faced.

Taehyung had kept his word, allowing her the freedom she had so desperately craved. She was free to go wherever she wished, to reclaim parts of her life that had been ripped away from her. But even as she breathed in this newfound liberty, a shadow of doubt lingered.

The first day she ventured out, she was almost overwhelmed by the sensory overload—the bustling streets, the chatter of people, Everything felt foreign, yet achingly familiar. 

She found herself drawn to the  school which was Kim's where she used to work, where her heart had always found solace. When she walked through the doors, it was like stepping into another life, one where she wasn’t haunted by the specter of Taehyung’s presence. The children’s laughter filled the space, drowning out the echoes of her own turmoil.

Sia threw herself into her work, desperate for any distraction that could pull her away from the chaos inside her. The innocent smiles of the children, their pure joy, became her anchor. They didn’t know her pain, her suffering—they just saw their teacher, the woman who cared for them and made them feel safe. And for those precious hours each day, she could almost convince herself that she was just that—just Sia, the teacher.

But the freedom to move about the city also meant facing her past, and there was one person she needed to see. Her best friend, Natasha. The last time they had spoken had been years ago, before her life had spiraled into darkness. Natasha had been her confidante, the one person who knew all her secrets. But when Taehyung came into her life, Sia had been forced to cut off all ties, isolating herself from everyone she cared about.

When she knocked on Natasha’s door, her heart raced with anticipation. Would Natasha still recognize her? Would she even want to see her after all these years? But the moment the door opened and Sia saw her friend’s face, all her fears melted away. Natasha’s eyes widened in shock, then quickly filled with tears as she pulled Sia into a tight embrace.