Why don't you understand
how much your words
are hurting me?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Taehyung's P.O.V.

I lay in bed, excitement coursing through me over the surprise my father had mentioned this morning.

What could it be? Maybe a trip to an amusement park or a day at the beach? Or even a pet?

I rolled around on my bed, caught up in my thoughts, imagining all the possibilities. But then reality hit me.

Tonight is the family dinner!

Glancing around, I searched for the clock—it was 7:18 PM, which meant I needed to start getting ready.

I quickly picked out a tuxedo from my closet and laid it carefully on the bed, then grabbed a towel and headed to the bathroom.

After a warm shower, I slipped into the hot bath, allowing the water to ease my muscles. Relaxing in the tub, I began to drift off, but then my thoughts turned darker.

It’s been so long since I’ve gone outside. What if I embarrass myself? What if something goes wrong?

Taking a deep breath, I exhaled, pushing the anxious thoughts away. Tonight, I’ll spend time with them. We’ll talk, they’ll be proud of me, and I’ll feel their love.

With that comforting thought, I stepped out of the bath, wrapped myself in a towel, and looked at my reflection in the mirror.

I noticed my small frame, long lashes, and tan skin dotted with a few moles. My favorite one is under my right eye—my father likes it, too. I still don’t have any facial hair, and I’m hoping puberty will catch up soon. I don’t want to look this petite forever.

After studying my features for a moment, I got dressed in the tuxedo and combed my hair, the strands falling over my forehead and reaching the nape of my neck in a soft mullet.

For a final touch, I put on the platinum bracelet my father gave me today, engraved with my initials, "KTH." Smiling, I headed to my parents' bedroom, my heart racing at the thought of going to a fancy restaurant with them.

But as I approached their room, I heard faint voices, tense and sharp. Curious, I moved closer, pressing my ear against the door.

“You know how important this meeting is for my company! I have to attend it!” my father’s voice echoed.

“But tonight was supposed to be about dinner,” my mother replied, her tone strained.

“If I miss this, I’ll suffer a financial loss.”

“What am I supposed to tell Taehyung, then?”

“Let’s… think about it.”

I couldn’t listen any longer. I knocked, then opened the door, my sudden entrance startling them both. Their faces showed shock, as if they’d been caught.

“I-I heard you... both,” I managed, my voice barely a whisper. Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my cheeks, hot and uncontrollable.

I didn’t wait for an answer. I turned and ran back to my room, shutting and locking the door behind me.

Stripping off the tuxedo, I threw it onto the floor and changed into my pajamas. The sound of a knock came from the door, but I ignored it, knowing it was probably them trying to explain.

“Honey, please open the door,” my mother’s voice called softly, but I couldn’t bring myself to respond. Instead, I climbed into bed, wrapping myself tightly in my blanket as though it could shield me from the hurt.

After a few minutes, they stopped knocking, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The tears kept coming, my sobs shaking my body.

Why am I always such a crybaby? I hate myself for getting upset over the smallest things.

Soon my eyelids felt heavy and darkness engulfed me as the thought of being an unwanted child lingered in my head; completely forgetting about my surprise.