𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 ( 𝐀 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬)

•27•

Y/n wandered barefoot through the quiet halls of the house. The wind teased the sheer curtains, brushing lightly against her skin as she passed. Downstairs, she could faintly hear Hana's laughter, likely teasing Mingyu about his terrible ramen skills again.

It had been a week since Jungkook practically pushed her into the house before vanishing for urgent business.

"You need someone to look after you," he'd said, worry in his eyes. "Stay here until I'm back."

She hadn't protested. Mingyu was quietly watchful, and Hana's energy could light up any room. They gave her space and maybe that was the problem. Too much space left her alone with the strange emptiness in her head.

That's what brought her here.

She turned a corner into a hallway she didn't remember noticing before. At the end stood a door, always shut. But today, it was open just slightly. Like it had been waiting.

Something about it pulled her in.

Curious, she pushed the door open a little more and stepped inside.

A cozy study greeted her. It had a warm, masculine feel leather, wood, and a faint trace of cologne lingering in the air. Books lined the shelves, and a grand desk sat in the center like it owned the space.

Her steps were cautious. She wasn't trying to snoop. She just felt something here.

Her fingers brushed the desk, and one drawer, slightly open, caught her eye. She hesitated, biting her lip before gently pulling it open.

A leather bound photo album slid forward.

She sat on the rug, her heart thudding with unease and curiosity. Slowly, she opened it.

The first page stole her breath.

It was her laughing, smiling, surrounded by seven different boys. Each photo radiated warmth. One had her tugging someone's cheek playfully. In another, she was asleep on someone's shoulder while the rest grinned at the camera.

She didn't recognize them.

Neither by name, nor by memory.

But her chest ached, like a string had been pulled too tight inside her.

Her fingers trembled as she turned the page. That strange, heavy sadness returned. The kind that didn't make sense. The kind that felt like missing something you didn't even know you'd lost.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Panicking, she slammed the album shut and shoved it back into the drawer, closing it just as the door creaked open.

Mingyu stood there, arms crossed, brow lifted. "You're not supposed to be in here."

She stood quickly, brushing her hands against her clothes. "I... didn't know. The door was open."

"It's Jungkook's study," he said. "He keeps it locked for a reason."

She nodded, guilt flickering across her face. "I'm sorry... I wasn't trying to pry. I just this hallway felt different. I thought it was just another sitting room."

He watched her for a moment, eyes narrowing slightly. "Did you find anything?"

She shook her head too quickly. "No. Just books. I didn't stay long."

He didn't press. Just sighed. "Dinner's almost ready. Hana's attempting kimchi spaghetti. She says you're the test subject."

That earned a faint, nervous laugh from her. "That sounds... terrifying."