For misunderstanding. For hoping. For believing in something that was never there to begin with.
For falling for someone who had never given him a reason to.
He had thought they were more than just friends.
He had convinced himself that the boy was finally going to confess, that he'd ask him out on one of the dates Taehyung had spent so many nights daydreaming about.
But instead, all he got was heartbreak.
But instead, all he got was heartbreak.
When he leaned in, hoping for a kiss, his friend pulled away and rejected him. And just like that, his friend cut him off, saying they could no longer be friends. He insisted it would never feel natural again, that the awkwardness would linger and ruin everything between them.
That night, Taehyung cried harder than he ever had before. From then on, he couldn't let anyone get too close. He distanced himself from everyone, his friends, his family, those who had once cared about him.
Since then, his heart had remained cold, locked away.
Since then, his heart had remained cold, locked away.
His dreams of finding someone who loved him with the same intensity had faded completely.
Now, at twenty seven, Taehyung watched as his brother found his soulmate. The way Beomgyu spoke about his boyfriend lately made it clear that nothing could tear them apart.
Now, at twenty seven, Taehyung watched as his brother found his soulmate. The way Beomgyu spoke about his boyfriend lately made it clear that nothing could tear them apart.
After all, they'd been together for two years.
His sister, on the other hand, was dating a boy in high school. Despite their parents' disapproval, she held her ground. She even swore she'd leave the house if they forced her to break up with him.
His sister, on the other hand, was dating a boy in high school. Despite their parents' disapproval, she held her ground. She even swore she'd leave the house if they forced her to break up with him.
And, of course, her parents couldn't bring themselves to let her walk out, so they relented, allowing her to stay with her boyfriend.
As for Taehyung?
He never found the one.
It had been nine years since his heart was first shattered. And ever since, he'd kept it closed off.
As for Taehyung?
He never found the one.
It had been nine years since his heart was first shattered. And ever since, he'd kept it closed off.
He was too afraid of the same kind of misunderstanding happening again. Too afraid of feeling that sting once more. So he'd convinced himself that loneliness was his fate, that he was meant to walk through life without anyone to love him.
He had always been alone, ever since the day he was born, and he convinced himself that he would stay alone forever.
Yet, even as he told himself this, a deep, quiet fear lingered. He was afraid of being alone—of truly feeling alone.
Yet, even as he told himself this, a deep, quiet fear lingered. He was afraid of being alone—of truly feeling alone.
That's why he had stayed in his parents' mansion all this time.
He worked as an assistant manager in his father's company, turning down every offer for a higher position.
He didn't think he could handle the pressure.
He worked as an assistant manager in his father's company, turning down every offer for a higher position.
He didn't think he could handle the pressure.
He knew he wouldn't do a good job, and thankfully, his father understood.
For a while, his father had tried to convince him otherwise, but eventually, he accepted Taehyung's decision.
For a while, his father had tried to convince him otherwise, but eventually, he accepted Taehyung's decision.
But now, as Taehyung caught the slight judgment in his parents' eyes, the unspoken words, he couldn't shake the feeling of being useless.
He felt like a burden, like someone who should be discarded because he couldn't contribute anything of value to the family.
He felt like a burden, like someone who should be discarded because he couldn't contribute anything of value to the family.
He wasn't the CEO. He couldn't make his father proud.
And now, his father had started introducing Beomgyu as the future CEO of the company. Beomgyu, with his bright smile, responded with excitement, clearly eager for the role his father had chosen for him.
And now, his father had started introducing Beomgyu as the future CEO of the company. Beomgyu, with his bright smile, responded with excitement, clearly eager for the role his father had chosen for him.
Taehyung knew his brother was smart. He never doubted that Beomgyu would do a great job as the future CEO.
His sister had once asked him if he planned on moving into an apartment and living on his own. She had always dreamed of having her own place.
His sister had once asked him if he planned on moving into an apartment and living on his own. She had always dreamed of having her own place.
Yet, even though she asked out of curiosity, Taehyung couldn't push the feeling that his presence was too much for them.
He had stopped participating in family activities, barely attending their charity events or any of their other gatherings.
He had stopped participating in family activities, barely attending their charity events or any of their other gatherings.
He always felt out of place, like he didn't belong. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't erase that feeling from his chest.
There was a time when he had considered moving into an apartment, living by himself.
But even that idea felt too overwhelming.
There was a time when he had considered moving into an apartment, living by himself.
But even that idea felt too overwhelming.
He knew he wouldn't be able to handle the loneliness, the quiet, the emptiness, the space left for his thoughts to consume him.
He knew that if he was left alone with nothing but his mind, he would eventually lose himself.
He knew that if he was left alone with nothing but his mind, he would eventually lose himself.
Although Taehyung barely engaged with his family, whether at home or at their events, he still preferred it to being alone.
He had always feared being alone, ever since his childhood.
He had always feared being alone, ever since his childhood.
Now, as his father presented the arranged marriage proposal, that familiar feeling of being a burden crept back. He remembered when his father had offered him a higher position in the company, only for him to refuse.
The least he could do now was say yes, to finally give his father and mother something to smile about, to stop feeling like a weight they had to carry.
And at least he wouldn't be alone, right?
He'd get married, and his husband would fill the emptiness in his heart.
And at least he wouldn't be alone, right?
He'd get married, and his husband would fill the emptiness in his heart.
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