FORCED MARRIAGE WITH BROTHER IN LAW

chapter 48

The days passed in a blur, each one blending into the next as Y/N endured Taehyung’s suffocating presence. He was always watching, always controlling, and there was little she could do to escape the cycle of fear. But amidst the darkness, Jimin’s quiet acts of defiance became her only source of solace.

It started small—a painkiller slipped into her hand when Taehyung wasn’t looking, an extra portion of food placed on her plate when he wasn’t paying attention. Jimin never said much, but his actions spoke volumes. He wasn’t just feeling guilty; he was trying to make things right in the only way he could.

One night, after another violent outburst from Taehyung, Y/N found herself curled up in the corner of the bedroom, her body aching from his wrath. Taehyung had left in a fury, slamming the door behind him, and she had no energy left to move.

Then, the door creaked open softly. Jimin stepped inside, his face tense with hesitation. In his hand, he held a damp cloth and a bottle of antiseptic.

"Let me help you," he murmured, kneeling beside her.

Y/N flinched instinctively, but Jimin didn’t move closer until she gave a slight nod. He pressed the cloth gently against a cut on her arm, his touch surprisingly gentle. She hissed at the sting, but he didn’t stop, carefully tending to her wounds as if trying to undo the damage he had once encouraged.

"Why are you doing this?" Y/N whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

Jimin hesitated before answering. "Because I was wrong. And because… you don’t deserve this."

She stared at him, searching for any sign of deception. But for once, Jimin looked sincere. The guilt in his eyes was unmistakable, and though she wasn’t ready to forgive, a part of her wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, he could be different.

"You need to eat," Jimin said after a moment, pulling a small container of rice and vegetables from his pocket. "He’s asleep. You have time."

Y/N hesitated before taking the food. It was a small comfort, but in this place, even the smallest kindness felt like a lifeline.

As she ate in silence, Jimin sat beside her, his eyes trained on the door as if expecting Taehyung to barge in at any moment. The weight of their unspoken words hung between them, but for now, neither of them needed to speak.

For now, this was enough.

But Y/N knew it couldn’t last forever. One wrong move, one slip-up, and Taehyung would notice. And when he did, there would be consequences.

And yet, as Jimin handed her a bottle of water and whispered, "I’ll help you when the time comes," she allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, there was still hope left for escape.

The tension in the house had grown unbearable. Every moment felt like walking on glass, but Y/N had learned how to hide her pain well. She had no choice.

Jimin, however, saw everything. And now, he had a plan.

One evening, as Taehyung sat in the dimly lit living room, his eyes fixated on a glass of whiskey, Jimin casually leaned against the doorway. He had been waiting for the right moment, and now, with Taehyung in a rare moment of contemplation, he struck.

"You know," Jimin began, his tone light but deliberate, "Y/N’s brother is getting married soon. They’re expecting her in India."

Taehyung scoffed, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "And? What do I care? She’s not going anywhere."

Jimin smirked slightly, stepping closer. "That’s the thing. If she doesn’t go, people will start asking questions. Her family will wonder why she isn’t there. They’ll demand answers."

Taehyung’s grip on the glass tightened, his jaw clenching. Jimin took the pause as an opportunity to push further.

"Imagine what they’ll think if she shows up looking… like this." Jimin gestured vaguely, referencing Y/N’s fragile state, the bruises that hadn’t fully faded, the exhaustion etched into her features. "Her family isn’t stupid, Taehyung. They’ll see everything. And if they suspect something’s wrong, they won’t just let it go."

Taehyung exhaled sharply, placing his drink down with a clink. Then, with an indifferent shrug, he muttered, "It’s fine. Her parents don’t care that much anyway. It won’t matter."

Jimin’s eyes darkened, his patience fraying. "You think so after looking at Y/N," he said coldly. "You think every parent just turns a blind eye when their child is suffering? When they see their daughter covered in bruises, barely able to stand? You think they won’t care?"

Taehyung didn’t respond immediately, his fingers tightening around the armrest of his chair. Jimin didn’t wait for an answer. He leaned in slightly, voice quieter but sharper. "You’re playing with fire. If you send her like this, you won’t just have her family questioning things—you’ll have a lot more people watching. And once they start, they won’t stop."

Taehyung sat in silence, considering his words. After a long pause, he sighed. "Fine. I’ll make sure she’s healed before we go."

Jimin nodded, satisfaction hidden behind a neutral expression. The first step of the plan had worked. Now, they just had to ensure that Y/N would be strong enough—because once they were in India, away from Taehyung’s domain, the real escape could begin.