LISA POV

As Taehyung's gaze bore into mine, a silent exchange of emotions passed between us, his eyes conveying a depth of feeling that resonated within me. "Take care," he uttered softly, his voice carrying a blend of concern and affection before he departed with his guards.

Left standing in the wake of his departure, I couldn't help but watch him go, a mixture of longing and uncertainty swirling within me.

My stepmother's presence nearby caught my attention, her serene expression masking a subtle undercurrent of emotion that piqued my curiosity.

I approached her tentatively, sensing there was more to her demeanor than met the eye. "Is everything alright, Mother?" I inquired gently, searching for any hint of what lay beneath her composed facade.

She offered me a small, reassuring smile, though her eyes betrayed a hint of sadness. "Everything is fine, dear. Just take care of yourself," she replied cryptically, her words laden with unspoken meaning that left me pondering long.

With a gentle smile, she beckoned me closer. "Lisa, my dear," she said, her voice carrying a warmth that softened the edges of her words. "Can we talk for a while? There's something important you need to know, my love."

I nodded, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension swirling inside me. "Of course, mother," I replied, trying to keep my tone steady despite the turmoil within. "I've been meaning to speak with you too. I understand it's a taboo subject, but I've come to realize... I can empathize with your perspective."

Her chuckle was like a melody in the stillness of the hallway. "Ah, my dear Lisa," she said, her eyes twinkling with a mixture of fondness and understanding. "It's comforting to hear you say that. But there's something Taehyung needs to grasp—a truth that must be acknowledged. We can't discuss it here. Please, come with me to my room."

With a sense of both anticipation and trepidation, I followed her down the hallway, each step feeling like a journey into the unknown.

I nodded, following my stepmother into her room. As she closed the door behind us, she motioned for me to sit on the bed before joining me; her expression was weighed down by sadness, sending a ripple of unease through me. "Mother, what's wrong?" I asked, my voice tinged with concern.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she pulled me into a tight embrace, a gesture so unexpected it left me stunned. "I'm sorry, Lisa," she whispered between sobs, her words muffled against my shoulder. "I've treated you poorly, my dear. Please forgive me."

Her apology caught me off guard, melting away the barriers of resentment I had harbored toward her. "Mother, I already have," I assured her, my heart softening at the sight of her vulnerability. "But why are you crying?"

She released me from the embrace, her gaze searching mine with a mixture of anguish and determination. "Lisa, you can't marry Taehyung," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.

My confusion quickly turned to anger at the thought of losing Taehyung, my love, and soon-to-be husband, igniting a fierce protectiveness within me. "What do you mean, Mom?"

As my stepmother held my hand tightly, her words sent a chill down my spine. "Lisa, he killed your father for the property, and now he wants to eliminate you too, so no one will suspect."

She confessed, her voice filled with a mix of sorrow and desperation. "I know it was all part of the game we played to get your property, I admit, but Lisa, I can't bear to see you hurt. Taehyung will stop at nothing for that property."

Shocked and disbelieving, I pulled my hand away, shaking my head in denial. "No, Mom, I can't believe Taehyung could do something like that."

I protested, my mind reeling with disbelief. "It was just an accident that Dad got into. Taehyung had nothing to do with it."

My stepmother's gaze bore into mine, her expression pleading. "You think I'm lying, Lisa? For your own sake, I've called someone. You should run and save yourself. Taehyung won't marry you; he'll just use you. He doesn't love you."

She insisted, her words cutting through me like a knife. "He confessed himself to me last night about planning your father's death out of anger when he found out about the property papers. That's why he asked me to play along with you."

I felt as though time had stopped, frozen in disbelief at the betrayal unfolding before me. How could the man I loved, who had showered me with affection and devotion, be capable of such deceit?

My mind refused to accept the possibility, grappling with the realization that perhaps every moment of our love had been nothing more than a carefully orchestrated facade.

Shattered and in denial, I couldn't bring myself to accept the devastating truth my stepmother was revealing. "Mother, no, he can't do this," I protested weakly, my voice breaking as tears streamed down my cheeks. But my stepmother wouldn't let me retreat into denial, shaking me gently but firmly as she spoke.

"Lisa, it's a bitter reality, my love," she insisted, her voice filled with urgency and sorrow. "I beg you, just run away. I know I've wronged you in many ways, but as a woman, I must keep you safe. I'm terrified for your safety."

My heart ached with betrayal and confusion. How could the man I loved be capable of such heinous acts? Despite the evidence my stepmother presented, I couldn't reconcile the image of Taehyung as a murderer with the loving partner I knew.

He had always professed his love for me, and he had even offered to give up the property, a gesture that seemed to contradict the idea of him using it to control me.

As my stepmother cupped my face, her words cut through the turmoil in my mind. "Lisa, we don't have time," she urged, her eyes pleading with me to listen. "Pack your things, my love, and just go. I've already arranged for someone to take you to a safer place. Once everything settles, I'll call you back, and together, we'll fight against Taehyung. This time, I'm with you. I'm ashamed to call Taehyung my son; he's a beast."

As my stepmother's words sank in, a whirlwind of emotions swept through me, leaving me feeling adrift in a sea of uncertainty and betrayal. The room felt suffocating, each breath laden with the weight of the truth I struggled to accept.

Trembling, I reached out to grasp my stepmother's hand, seeking solace and reassurance in her touch. "But, Mother, how could he... How could Taehyung do such a thing?" I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper.

Her eyes glistened with tears, mirroring the anguish reflected in my own. "I don't know, my dear," she replied, her voice trembling with emotion. "But I cannot bear to see you suffer because of him. You must leave, for your own safety."

The room seemed to spin around me as I struggled to process the enormity of what was unfolding. Taehyung, the man I had loved and trusted with all my heart, now stood accused of the most heinous of crimes.

My mind rebelled against the notion, desperately clinging to the memories of our shared moments of happiness and love. How can Taehyung kill my dad? Why is my heart not accepting this all?

But deep down, a nagging doubt gnawed at my soul, whispering that perhaps my stepmother's words held a painful truth I was unwilling to confront.

As I held my stepmother's hand tightly, a shiver ran down my spine at the thought of Taehyung's potential wrath. "Mom, if he finds out, I know he'll stop at nothing to find me," I whispered, my voice tinged with fear and uncertainty.

Memories flooded my mind in a tumultuous rush—the deaths of the guards, the events surrounding my father's demise—but despite the accusations, my heart still clung to Taehyung, refusing to let go of the love we shared.

A pang of hurt pierced through the numbness that enveloped me, a lingering ache that refused to be ignored. Why would he do such a thing if, indeed, he was responsible? The contradiction between the accusations and my undying love for him left me feeling torn and confused.

But my stepmother's urgency brought me back to the present, her words cutting through my inner turmoil. "Lisa, we don't have time, my love."

She pleaded, her eyes filled with a mixture of concern and determination. "I'm telling you the truth. Taehyung won't be able to find you. I'll tell him you've gone to Lena's house, as she's been missing you. And I truly am sending you to Lena's house."

The mention of Aunt Lena stirred a mix of emotions within me—longing for the comfort and safety she had always provided, mingled with the pain of knowing I would be leaving behind everything I had ever known.

But faced with the uncertainty of Taehyung's intentions and the possibility of danger looming over me, I knew that for now, Aunt Lena's house offered the safest refuge.

As I reluctantly nodded, the weight of my stepmother's words pressing down on me like a heavy burden, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that gripped my heart. "Mom, you need to come with me."

I insisted, my voice trembling with fear for her safety. "Taehyung will stop at nothing, and I can't bear the thought of losing you too. I just want the truth from him and justice for my father."

Her gentle touch brought a fleeting sense of comfort as she cupped my face in her hands. "My love, you'll see how I'll handle this."

She reassured me, her eyes reflecting a steely resolve. "Just stay safe, and I'll bear the pain for you. It's my turn to repay you for all the pain I've caused. Now, don't waste any more time. Pack your things and go."

With a heavy heart, I made my way to my room, locking the door behind me as if seeking refuge from the storm raging outside.

Collapsing to my knees, tears streamed down my face as the reality of the situation crashed over me like a tidal wave. The man who touched my body with his hand with the same hand, how can he kill my dad?

The man who had whispered sweet nothings in my ear, whose kisses had ignited a fire within me, now stood accused of the most despicable of crimes.

How could I reconcile the love I felt for him with the betrayal he had inflicted on me?

Bitter laughter escaped my lips as I contemplated the irony of it all. Taehyung, the man who had promised to love and cherish me, was the very same person responsible for the anguish and pain that now consumed me.

How could he have forgotten my father's love and the bond we shared, all for the sake of greed for power and money?

In that moment of clarity, I realized that my stepmother's words held a painful truth I could no longer deny. Taehyung's love for me had been nothing more than a facade, a means to an end.

And now, faced with the harsh reality of his betrayal, I could only cling to the hope that justice would prevail, even as my heart shattered into a million irreparable pieces.

With tears blurring my vision, I mechanically packed my belongings, each item a painful reminder of the life I was leaving behind.

As I reached for my purse, my fingers brushed against the iPhone. Taehyung had gifted me a bitter reminder of the love that had turned sour.

Despite the anguish it brought, I couldn't bear to part with it, tucking it safely into my bag as a painful memento of what once was.

Clutching the suitcase tightly, I emerged from my room to find my stepmother standing there, her gaze fixed on me with a mix of concern and determination.

"Lisa dear," she said softly, her voice tinged with urgency. "I need to take you somewhere they can help you, okay?" She gestured for me to leave my suitcase in my room. "I'll have someone send it for you. You know Taehyung's guards are here; they won't allow us to leave like this."

I nodded in understanding, feeling a knot of apprehension tightening in my stomach. Walking back into my room, I carefully placed my bag down, a sense of unease creeping over me.

Stepping back into the hallway, I met my stepmother's gaze once more. "Lisa, don't be scared," she reassured me, her eyes filled with a mixture of compassion and determination.

"Just trust me, okay?" She reached out, taking my hand in hers, offering a sense of comfort and security as we made our way out of the mansion.

As we walked, I clutched my purse tightly, feeling a sense of vulnerability in the face of the unknown. Suddenly, one of Taehyung's guards appeared, bowing respectfully before us. "Ma'am, where are you going?" he inquired, his tone polite but firm.

My stepmother's response came effortlessly, masking our true intentions with practiced ease. "We're just going shopping," she replied smoothly, her voice betraying no hint of deception. "Please, take us."

The guard nodded in compliance, a subtle indication of acceptance, as he swiftly summoned a luxurious car from the garage.

With practiced precision, the chauffeur emerged, opening the door for us with a polite bow. My stepmother and I settled into the plush interior, the leather seats enveloping us in comfort as the engine hummed to life.

Once we were settled, my stepmother leaned forward, instructing the guard who would be driving us. "Head towards the outskirts of town," she directed, her voice steady despite the urgency of our situation. "There's a shop there that can help us."

The guard acknowledged her instructions with a curt nod, his expression betraying no curiosity as to our true destination.

With a gentle press of the accelerator, the car glided smoothly out of the mansion grounds, leaving behind the imposing gates and the watchful eyes of Taehyung's security detail.

As we embarked on our journey, a sense of anticipation mingled with apprehension filled the air, each passing mile bringing us closer to the unknown yet promising refuge that awaited us.

With my stepmother's guidance, I was leading the way. I clung to the hope that this would be the beginning of a new chapter, free from the shadows of fear and uncertainty that had plagued us for far too long.

I don't know how I will fight against Taehyung, but why is my heart not believing it? He loves me; he can't see tears in my eyes. I know he is not the man who can give me this pain.

As the car came to a stop, my stepmother wasted no time in gesturing for me to exit first. With a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, I opened the door and stepped out onto the pavement, followed closely by my stepmother.

The guard, ever vigilant, stepped out of the car as well, his brow furrowing in confusion as he addressed my stepmother. "Ma'am, where are you going?" he inquired, his tone tinged with skepticism. "There's no shopping area around here."

My stepmother's response was firm and unwavering, her determination shining through despite the guard's questioning.

"I know a good place," she asserted, her gaze meeting his without hesitation. "And it's important for me right now. Please, just stay here and don't bother us."

The guard's expression softened momentarily as he glanced towards me, his duty to protect conflicting with my stepmother's urgency. "But Sir Taehyung instructed us to always stay by your side," he explained, his voice tinged with reluctance. "He ordered all the guards to adhere to this, ma'am."

The tension hung heavy in the air as my stepmother and the guard locked eyes, each grappling with their respective duties and desires.

As we walked, my stepmother's grip on my hand tightened, her voice low but firm as she addressed the guard. "It's okay, we won't be long," she reassured him, her tone masking the urgency that lay beneath. "Just wait here for us."

The guard hesitated for a moment, his gaze flickering between my stepmother and me, before finally nodding in reluctant acquiescence. "Yes, ma'am," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of concern as he returned to his post beside the car.

Turning away from the guard, my stepmother urged me forward, her pace quickening as we approached the entrance to the unfamiliar building. "Come on, Lisa," she whispered, her voice strained with emotion. "We're almost there."

As we stepped inside, I couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension that hung heavy in the air. The sight of so many other girls gathered in the dimly lit room only heightened my sense of unease; their curious stares followed us as we made our way through the crowd.

I glanced up at my stepmother, my voice trembling as I whispered, "Where are we? What is this place?"

She offered me a reassuring smile, though it failed to ease the knot of fear that had taken root in my chest. "It's okay, Lisa," she replied, her tone strained but determined. "Trust me, we're safe here."

But as I looked around at the sea of unfamiliar faces, the fear that had been gnawing at the edges of my mind threatened to consume me entirely. Something was not right, and as the realization dawned, my heart sank with a sinking dread.

As my stepmother spoke, her words did little to quell the rising tide of fear and confusion within me. "Lisa, they will help you," she insisted, her voice strained with a mixture of desperation and determination.

Unable to contain my growing apprehension, I turned to her, my voice trembling with uncertainty. "Who are they?" I demanded, my eyes searching hers for answers that she seemed unwilling or unable to provide.

Before she could respond, a woman approached us, her expression stern as she addressed my stepmother. "Who are you?" she demanded, her tone sharp with suspicion.

My stepmother met her gaze evenly, her composure unwavering despite the tension that hung in the air. "Please, let her come with me," she implored, her voice tinged with urgency. "I'll explain everything."

Confusion and fear churned within me as I struggled to make sense of the situation. "Mother, what is this place? Who have you brought me here?" I asked, my voice tinged with desperation.

But as I looked around at the women gathered in the room, a sinking realization dawned on me. Their appearance, their demeanor—it all pointed to one grim truth.

This was no place of refuge.

This was a brothel.

Panic seized me as I realized the danger we were in, my heart pounding in my chest as I clung to the faint hope that my stepmother had a plan to get us out of this nightmare.

As the truth dawned upon me, a cold chill swept through my veins, freezing me in place as if I were trapped in a nightmare from which I could not wake.

My stepmother's lips curled into a sinister smile, her eyes glinting with malice as she spoke, her voice dripping with venom.

"Lisa, dear," she cooed, her tone sickeningly sweet. "I've grown tired of you. You're nothing but a burden, holding me back from the life I deserve."

I recoiled in horror, the realization of her betrayal striking me like a blow to the gut. "No..." I whispered, my voice barely a breath as I stumbled backward, my eyes wide with disbelief.

But before I could react, the woman before us spoke, her voice cutting through the air like a knife. "What's your price?" She demanded, her gaze cold and calculating as she appraised me like a piece of meat up for sale.

My stepmother's grin widened, her laughter echoing in the dimly lit room like the cackle of a malevolent witch. "She's all yours," she declared, her words like a death sentence hanging heavy in the air.

Panic surged within me, a primal instinct urging me to flee, to escape this hellish nightmare before it consumed me whole.

With a surge of adrenaline, I turned to run, but before I could take a single step, my stepmother's hand closed around my arm like a vice, her grip iron-tight as she yanked me back with a force that sent me stumbling to the ground.

Pain exploded across my cheek as her hand connected with my face, the sting of the slap reverberating through every fiber of my being.

Tears blurred my vision as I looked up at her, my heart breaking as I realized the depths of her cruelty.

At that moment, as the reality of my betrayal washed over me like a tidal wave, I knew that I was truly alone, abandoned by the one person who was supposed to protect me.

As the woman approached, reaching out to claim me as her own, I felt a part of myself shatter irreparably, lost to the darkness that now threatened to consume me whole. As I lay there, crumpled on the ground, my world crumbling around me, the madam of the brothel approached with a cold detachment that sent shivers down my spine.

Her eyes gleamed with calculating cruelty as she surveyed me, her lips twisting into a smirk of satisfaction.

"Take her to a room," she commanded, her voice as sharp as a whip cracking through the air. "Make sure she knows her place."

I struggled against the hands that reached out to restrain me, my cries of protest echoing off the walls of the dingy room. "No, please," I pleaded, my voice choked with tears. "I haven't done anything wrong. I only love Taehyung. Why do you hate me?"

The madam chuckled, a sound devoid of warmth or empathy. "Because of your mother," she replied, her words like a dagger to my heart. "She betrayed us, and now you'll pay the price."

With a sense of dread weighing heavily on me, I was dragged away, my protests drowned out by the sound of my own sobs.

As I was ushered into the darkness of the room, a sense of despair washed over me, consuming me whole as I realized the depths of the betrayal that had brought me to this place.

Alone and terrified, I could only pray for a miracle to save me from the nightmare that now threatened to engulf me entirely.

But in the depths of my despair, I knew that my fate was sealed, a prisoner to the darkness that awaited me within the walls of this wretched place.

Despite my struggles and cries, the other girls held me firm, their grip like shackles binding me to my fate. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I fought against their hold, my voice rising in a desperate plea for freedom. "Help me, please.".

But my cries fell on deaf ears as the madam approached once more, her hand raised in a cruel mockery of compassion.

With a sharp crack, her palm connected with my cheek, sending a fresh wave of pain coursing through my body.

I recoiled from the blow, my vision swimming with tears as I stared up at her with defiance burning in my eyes. "You can't do this to me," I declared, my voice trembling but resolute. "I won't sell my body to anyone. I am not yours to command. I belong to Taehyung. Stay away from me."

The madam's laughter echoed through the room, a hollow sound devoid of mercy or remorse. "You belong to me now; you belong to every man who will come here and enjoy your beauty."

She sneered, her words like venom dripping from her lips. "And you'll do as I say, or you'll suffer the consequences."

But even as she spoke, I refused to back down, clinging to the flicker of hope that burned within me like a beacon in the darkness.

No matter what horrors awaited me in this place, I would never surrender my dignity or my love for Taehyung.

With every fiber of my being, I vowed to fight against the chains of oppression that sought to crush me, determined to hold onto my humanity in the face of unspeakable evil.

As the reality of my situation sank in, rage surged within me like a tempest, fueling my defiance against the betrayal of my stepmother's deception. Through tear-filled eyes, I fixed my gaze on her, my voice trembling with righteous fury.

"You lied to me! You cheated me!" I screamed, each accusation laced with the raw pain of betrayal. "I wish I had listened to my heart instead of listening to you. Leave me!"

Tears mingled with the fire in my eyes as I pushed against the girls holding me, desperate to break free from their grasp and confront the woman who had led me into this nightmare.

My heart ached with the weight of her betrayal, the shattered trust between us casting a shadow over everything I had once believed to be true.

But as I confronted her, my stepmother remained unmoved, her expression cold and impassive as she watched my anguish unfold before her. There was no remorse in her eyes, no hint of regret for the pain she had inflicted upon me.

With a heavy heart, I realized that the woman I had once looked to for guidance and love was nothing more than a stranger, a monster disguised in the guise of a mother.

And as the reality of her deception settled upon me like a suffocating shroud, I knew that I was truly alone in this cruel and unforgiving world.

As I struggled against the grip of the other girls, my stepmother's gaze flickered with something akin to regret, but it was fleeting, quickly replaced by a steely resolve.

Without a word of explanation or apology, she reached into her purse and withdrew a wad of cash, tossing it callously in the direction of the madam.

"There's your payment," she declared coldly, her voice devoid of emotion as she turned to leave. But before she vanished into the shadows, she cast one final glance in my direction, a hint of hate and winks mingling with the bitterness in her eyes.

"I hated your mother," she whispered, her words a cruel reminder of the tangled web of secrets and lies that had brought us to this moment.

"And maybe, just maybe, there are other secrets too. I would never have wanted that you would marry my son; he will soon forget you. I will make sure Lisa and I hate you and your mother. You were nothing but an eyesore for me."

And with that cryptic message hanging in the air like a specter of doubt, she disappeared into the light, leaving me alone in the darkness with nothing but questions and the bitter taste of betrayal upon my lips.

As the realization of her abandonment settled upon me like a heavyweight, I knew that the journey ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty, but one thing remained certain:

I would not rest until I uncovered the truth behind my stepmother's hatred and the secrets she had left buried in her wake.

As the weight of my betrayal crashed down upon me, I crumbled to the ground, tears streaming down my cheeks as I sobbed uncontrollably.

Anguish and regret tore through me like a hurricane, shredding my sense of self and leaving me feeling utterly lost and alone.

Amidst my cries, my mind raced with thoughts of Taehyung, the man I loved with all my heart. How could I have been so blind to the truth?

My stepmother's lies had poisoned my mind, clouding my judgment and leading me down a path of destruction.

But deep down, I knew the truth. Taehyung would never betray me. He was not capable of such cruelty. The love we shared was pure and true, untainted by the lies and deceit that had torn my world apart.

Why hadn't I listened to my heart? Why had I allowed myself to be swayed by the malicious words of my stepmother? The answer was clear now: fear had clouded my judgment, fear of losing everything I held dear.

But as I lay there, consumed by grief and regret, a glimmer of hope flickered within me. No matter how deep the betrayal, no matter how dark the shadows that threatened to engulf me, I knew that Taehyung's love would guide me through the darkness.

With a newfound determination burning within me, I vowed to uncover the truth, to unravel the web of lies that had ensnared me, and to reclaim the love and happiness that had been stolen from me.

And as I whispered his name through tear-stained lips, I knew that no matter what trials lay ahead, our love would endure—unbreakable and eternal.

The room seemed to shrink around me as panic surged through my veins, each heartbeat echoing in the oppressive silence.

With a desperate cry, I lunged forward, my limbs flailing as I fought against the restraining grip of the other girls.

"Let me go!" I screamed the words torn from my throat in a wild frenzy of fear and desperation. "Please, I beg you!"

But my pleas fell on deaf ears as the madam's cold voice pierced the air like a blade. "Tie her down," she commanded, her tone devoid of compassion as she gestured toward the bed with a cruel flourish.

As hands closed around my wrists, dragging me towards the bed with a force that stole the breath from my lungs,

I thrashed against them, my voice rising to a fevered pitch. "No! Please, I'll do anything; just let me go!" I pleaded, the taste of bile burning bitterly upon my tongue.

But my protests were met with silence, with the other girls obeying the madam's orders with ruthless efficiency that sent a shiver down my spine.

With trembling hands, they secured my wrists to the bed frame, each knot pulling tighter around my skin like chains of iron.

As the last of my freedom slipped away, I turned to the madam, desperation etched on every line of my face. "Please," I begged, tears streaming down my cheeks in a torrent of despair. "I can give you more money, whatever you want. Just don't do this to me."

But the madam's expression remained as cold and impassive as stone, her gaze unwavering as she delivered a swift slap across my cheek.

The sting of it cut through me like a knife, sending shockwaves of pain reverberating through every nerve ending.

With a gasp, I felt the world tilt and spin, darkness closing in around me like a suffocating shroud. As I teetered on the brink of unconsciousness,

One final cry of defiance tore from my lips, a desperate plea for mercy that echoed off the walls of the room, unanswered and unheard.

.

.

I love you, Taehyung. Please come to me, my love. I am just waiting for you.