When Love Forgets

Chapter 3

Mina's POV

I had prepared dinner for Taehyung hours ago, and now I sat in the living room, waiting. It was past 11 p.m., and he still hadn't come home. Maybe he was out with his friends. After all, it was the end of summer vacation, and next week we would be back at the university. Or perhaps he was busy with his father and brother at the family company.

Taehyung would eventually take his place in the business, following in his father's footsteps. As for me, I had chosen to study decorating engineering, a field I loved. But once university was over, I didn't know what I was going to do with my life. Everything felt uncertain.

Lost in my thoughts, I heard the front door creak open. Taehyung stepped inside, looking at me with a blank expression. I stood up, trying to smile, but my nerves got the best of me.

"Hey, I was waiting for you," I said, my voice shaky.

"Why are you waiting for me?" he asked, his tone colder than I expected.

I cleared my throat, trying to steady my nerves. "I prepared dinner for you."

"I'm not hungry," he cut me off before turning and heading upstairs.

I swallowed, the sting of rejection hitting me harder than I wanted to admit. I wasn't hungry either.

I turned around and retreated to my room, burying the hurt I felt. I opened my phone, hoping to distract myself. But when I saw a message from my stepmother, the weight of her words sent a chill down my spine.

"I saw an article about you and your husband. You look horrible in that dress. You need to buy expensive clothes-you're the wife of the most handsome and richest businessman now."

I sighed, feeling a wave of frustration. How did the press even get a picture of me from our private dinner?

Taehyung's POV

I exhaled a puff of smoke, staring at the sky as the cool night air surrounded me. My arms were wrapped around my bare torso, trying to find some comfort in the stillness.

Suddenly, I felt someone press against me from behind, her hands sliding over my chest. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"What are you thinking about?" Sora asked, her voice soft as she kissed my back.

"I'm thinking about how I don't want to go back home," I said, my voice low and tired.

"So don't. We can spend the night here with me, in my apartment," she said, her lips brushing against my skin.

"You know I can't do that. The press is everywhere," I sighed, turning around to face her.

Sora looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. I met her gaze and sighed again, feeling the weight of the situation.

"We have to wait, baby. And I promise you, I won't leave you alone," I said, pressing my lips gently to her forehead.

She smiled, but there was a hint of worry in her eyes.

"Okay, but I feel like you're going to change now. You're married, and maybe she will take you away from me."

I sighed heavily, brushing a lock of hair from her face.

"That's not going to happen, you know that. This marriage is just on paper. She knows that too."

"But she's your childhood friend, and your family loves her," she said, her voice small and uncertain.