When Love Forgets

Chapter 15

                     

                     Mina's POV

As I stepped into the university party, I could feel the weight of the world pressing down on me. Nari had insisted I come, promising that it would be fun, but deep down, I didn’t want to be here. The bright lights and pulsating music only heightened my anxiety, reminding me of all the events I had been forced to attend with Taehyung—each one a dull reminder of my reality as his "good wife." My stepmother’s voice echoed in my mind, forbidding me from enjoying the nightlife, as if it were a sin to seek happiness outside the confines of our home.

But maybe it was time to break free, even just for tonight.

I wore a dress that hugged my body perfectly, its soft fabric making me feel slightly more confident. My makeup was simple, just enough to accentuate my features, and my hair fell beautifully around my shoulders. I settled into a chair beside Nari, watching the crowd swirl around us. People danced, laughed, and connected, while I felt like an outsider looking in. I was new to this scene, and the unfamiliarity made me feel vulnerable.

When Nari excused herself to go to the bathroom, I was left alone with my thoughts. I sipped on my drink, staring into the crowd, trying to distract myself from the gnawing emptiness in my chest. That was when I saw them.

Taehyung and Sora.

For a moment, I was frozen, unable to tear my eyes away from the sight of them together. Sora was clutching his arm, laughing at something he said, and he looked at her with a softness that made my heart clench painfully in my chest. He was smiling, but there was something different about him—a warmth that hadn’t been directed at me in a long time. Was he truly happy with her? He had told me he loved Sora, yet seeing them together felt like a betrayal of everything we had once shared.

I watched as Sora whispered something into his ear, and he nodded, that smile still plastered on his face. My heart shattered a little more with each shared glance and quiet laugh. It was like watching a movie unfold, one where I had no part, and I was simply a spectator in my own life. How could he have forgotten me so easily?

I should have hated him, but instead, the ache in my heart only grew. I wanted to scream, to shake him and make him remember the moments we once cherished, the promises we made. But he seemed so content in his new reality, searching for something I knew I could no longer provide.

My reverie was broken when Nari returned, her cheerful demeanor a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me. She caught sight of me staring and followed my gaze to Taehyung and Sora.

“Hey, don't let them get to you,” she said, her voice laced with concern. “He doesn’t deserve your tears.”

I forced a smile, even as sadness clung to me like a shadow.

“I know. I just... it’s hard to forget someone who meant so much.”

“Let’s focus on having fun tonight. We’re here to enjoy ourselves, remember?” Nari nudged me gently, her eyes filled with determination.

I nodded, taking a deep breath as I tried to push the painful thoughts aside.

“You’re right. Let’s try to forget about them for now.”

With that, we joined the throng of students dancing, but even as I swayed to the music, my heart felt heavy. No matter how much I tried to smile, every beat reminded me of the laughter I had lost, the warmth I had once known, and the love that now seemed like a distant memory.

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                  Taehyung POV