Unsolved Ego ( Abusive Husbands)

episode 17

( I want a lottttt of comments )

You and Jimin were asleep, though the distance between you on the bed was noticeable. Jimin lay at the corner, turned away.

Suddenly, a soft knock at the door woke you both. You quickly sat up, adjusting your saree, your heartbeat quickening.

Carefully, you went to the door, opening it slightly. Your mother-in-law stood there, her face filled with concern.

Mother-in-law: "YN, my child, are you feeling better?"

You nodded, offering her a faint smile.

You: "Yes, eomma."

Her eyes softened as she held out a glass.

Mother-in-law: "Here, drink this juice. I'm making porridge for you, okay? After that, take a bath and rest. Don't worry about coming downstairs; I'll cook with your aunt today, hmm?"

You managed a small smile and accepted the glass, but confusion gnawed at you. Did she know what had happened? Did everyone know? As her eyes lingered on the bruises on your hand, you saw fear flicker in her expression-fear of what her son might have done.

Even though she saw the bruises, she said nothing. She couldn't. She was powerless to help you in any real way. All she could do was pray for you silently and offer you love, her only way of showing support.

Noticing her gaze lingering on your hand, you quickly adjusted your dupatta, covering the marks. She gave you a forced smile, one that hid her helplessness, and walked away quietly.

You closed the door and turned around, only to flinch when you saw Jimin awake, his face turned toward you with half-open eyes. You set the juice glass on the bedside table, fumbling for words.

You: "I'm... I'm sorry I woke you up. E-eomma came-"

He interrupted, his voice raspy and laced with drowsiness.

Jimin: "Seems like she shows affection to you."

He lay back, closing his eyes, his tone detached. Jimin had never liked his mother. To him, she was a "trophy mother," someone who cared more about appearances than genuine love.

She hadn't bathed him as a child or helped when he struggled with his weight. These memories festered in his mind, poisoning his feelings toward her.

Her attempts to care for you now only deepened the divide, reminding him of the affection he believed he'd never received.

You were taken aback by Jimin's cold words, unsure of their meaning. You stared at him, confused, but he lay straight on the bed, his eyes closed as if dismissing the conversation.

Jimin: "Don't talk to her when I'm around."

His tone was icy, and he turned his back to you. The words stung, and you couldn't understand why he'd say that about his own mother. Still, fear kept you from questioning him or defying his order.

You: "O...ok."

Quietly, you gathered your clothes and went to the bathroom. As you prepared to bathe, you noticed something peculiar about the household.

In every room, there was a separate wardrobe section just for you, filled with clothes tailored to your preferences. However, this was absent in Yoongi's and Jin's rooms-a small but strange detail.

As the warm water ran over your body, you noticed the bruises on your skin had faded. They weren't completely gone, but the green and purple discoloration had softened. You couldn't recall applying any treatment and didn't realize that Jimin had been tending to you in your sleep, gently placing ice on your bruises throughout the night.