----
Tysha stared out the large windows of the mansion, watching the morning sunlight spill over the cityscape. She felt like a prisoner trapped in a glass cage. Every corner of this mansion exuded luxury, but it was cold and lifeless—much like her husband.
Footsteps echoed behind her, and she felt her spine tense as Taehyung entered the room. He was dressed immaculately, his face unreadable, but she could feel the chill in the air intensify as he approached her.
“Breakfast is ready,” he said, his voice as flat as ever.
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked toward the dining room. Tysha followed, feeling a mix of frustration and defiance simmering beneath her skin.
---
The dining room was lavishly decorated, with a long table filled with an array of gourmet dishes. Taehyung took his seat at the head of the table, not bothering to glance in her direction as she sat across from him.
They ate in silence, the clinking of silverware the only sound between them. Tysha could barely taste her food; she was too focused on the tension between them, the unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.
Finally, she couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Why did you marry me, Taehyung?” she asked, her voice quiet but steady.
He looked up, his gaze piercing and cold. “I told you last night, didn’t I? You’re a means to an end. Nothing more.”
“But why me?” she pressed, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice.
He set down his fork, his eyes narrowing. “My reasons are my own. Don’t assume you have the right to question me.”
“Maybe if you actually talked to me instead of treating me like a…like a possession, I wouldn’t have to ask,” she shot back, the words slipping out before she could stop herself.
A dark look crossed his face, and he stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. He walked over to her side of the table, looming over her, his presence almost suffocating.
“Listen carefully, Tysha,” he said, his voice dangerously low. “You are here because I allow it. Don’t push your luck.”
She swallowed, feeling her pulse quicken, but she refused to look away. “And what if I don’t follow your ‘rules’? What if I refuse to be treated like this?”
A ghost of a smirk appeared on his lips, as if her defiance amused him. “Then you’ll learn quickly just how unforgiving I can be. Don’t make this harder on yourself.”
---
Tysha stormed out of the dining room after breakfast, her heart pounding with anger and fear. She could still feel the weight of Taehyung’s words pressing down on her, but a part of her refused to be crushed. She wouldn’t let him break her spirit—not now, not ever.
As she wandered through the endless hallways of the mansion, she pulled out her phone and dialed the one person she trusted—Jungkook, her close friend who had supported her through everything.
He picked up almost immediately, his familiar voice a balm to her frayed nerves. “Tysha! Are you okay? How’s… everything?”
“Not great, Jungkook,” she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. “I feel like I’m trapped here. Taehyung… he’s cold, distant. It’s like I don’t even exist to him, except when he wants to remind me of how little control I have.”
She heard Jungkook sigh on the other end. “I knew this marriage wasn’t what you wanted, Tysha. You don’t deserve to be treated like that.”
“Thank you, Jungkook. I just don’t know how to handle him. He’s… intimidating.”
“I’ll be there for you,” he replied firmly. “I don’t care about his power or his status. You’re not alone, okay? If you ever need to talk or if things get worse, just let me know. I’ll help however I can.”
Her heart swelled with gratitude, and she felt a small flicker of strength return. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
“Anytime,” he said, his voice warm. “Just remember, you’re stronger than you think. Don’t let him make you feel powerless.”
She nodded, even though he couldn’t see her, and they spoke a bit longer before she ended the call. Talking to Jungkook made her feel a bit more grounded, a reminder that there was someone out there who genuinely cared about her well-being.
---
Later that evening, Tysha sat on the edge of the bed, her heart pounding as she heard Taehyung’s footsteps approaching. He entered the room, his expression as unreadable as ever. She knew she had to be careful—any hint of defiance could set him off.
He walked over to her, his gaze cold and calculating. “I expect you to behave yourself, Tysha. This marriage doesn’t give you freedom to do as you please.”
She looked up at him, her resolve hardening. “I’m not your puppet, Taehyung.”
He laughed, a low, mocking sound. “Is that so? You seem to forget that I hold all the power here.”
“Maybe for now,” she replied, her voice steady. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll let you control me forever.”
His expression darkened, and he leaned in close, his voice a harsh whisper. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Tysha. Keep pushing, and you’ll regret it.”
Her heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to back down. “I’d rather regret fighting back than regret losing myself to you.”
They stared at each other, the air thick with tension, neither willing to break the silence. Finally, he stepped back, his expression unreadable once more.
“Suit yourself,” he said coldly. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
As he left the room, Tysha took a shaky breath, her heart racing. She knew she was walking a fine line, but she couldn’t stand the thought of letting him win. This marriage might be a prison, but she would find a way to survive it on her own terms.
---
~to be continued
Please vote me💕 🌹
Thanks for reading love youuuuu ❤
YOU ARE READING
BOUND BY SHADOWS : A DARK ROMANCE
FanficIn a world where love is a luxury and duty reigns supreme, Tysha finds herself trapped in an arranged marriage to the enigmatic and cold Kim Taehyung. As she navigates the oppressive expectations of her new life, Tysha grapples with Taehyung's rude...
