It was supposed to be an easy, unremarkable life for Mina. Or so it seemed.
The unraveling began when her sister, Alicia, gave her heart to Kim Taehyung. A man revered and feared alike, a being carved from iron will and unshakable strength, his ever...
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The typhoon had arrived in full fury. Rain lashed against the windows in relentless sheets, each droplet a soldier in the storm's vengeful army. The wind howled like a wild beast, rattling the world as if it sought to tear it apart. Lightning split the heavens, illuminating the chaos outside in stark, silver flashes, each bolt a jagged scar across the brooding sky.
Dinner had come to an end, the air thick with an unspoken tension that lingered like the aftertaste of a bitter meal. Mina, as always, was tasked with clearing the table, her movements quiet and practiced, as if she had long resigned herself to the routine. Alicia pushed her chair back sharply, the sound grating against the silence, and rose to her feet.
But just as she turned to leave, her gaze flickered back, an involuntary glance that sent a surge of anger coursing through her veins. There he was, her boyfriend, leaning down to help Mina. His hands brushed hers as he reached for a plate, the gesture casual, almost intimate.
Alicia's fists clenched at her sides. Of all people, why her? The girl she loathed with every fiber of her being. Without a word, she stormed off, her steps quick and heavy as she sought refuge in the bathroom. Behind the closed door, she leaned against the cold tile wall, her breath ragged. Only here, in the confines of the small room, could she let the storm inside her rage freely.
In the cramped solitude of the bathroom, Alicia's fingers raked through her hair, gripping at the roots as if she could physically pull the frustration from her mind. Her breaths came in sharp bursts, each exhale laced with a muttered curse aimed at the one name she couldn't stop thinking about.
"Mina," she hissed, the word venom on her tongue. It wasn't just jealousy, it was a festering hatred that twisted and coiled within her, refusing to be tamed. Her nails scraped against her scalp, the motion almost desperate, as if it could drown out the image of them together, of him helping her.
Meanwhile, Taehyung lingered in the dining area, his hands busy collecting plates and carrying them to the sink where Mina stood washing. The clatter of dishes and the rhythmic sound of running water filled the silence, but Taehyung's focus was elsewhere. His gaze flickered toward her, stealing glances whenever she wasn't looking.
There was something magnetic about the way Mina worked, her movements unassuming yet graceful. She seemed oblivious to how close he had gotten, but Taehyung could feel the pull, an invisible thread tightening between them.
Mina's hands paused under the stream of water as she noticed the subtle brush of his presence beside her. He was close... Closer than usual. His hand reached over to place another dish into the sink, his arm brushing hers ever so slightly. The proximity made her blink in surprise, though she said nothing, attributing it to his usual kindness.
For Taehyung, it was torture and solace in equal measure. The excuse of helping allowed him to stay near her, yet each stolen moment made the ache in his chest grow stronger.
