PROLOGUE
The sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the Kim family estate in hues of orange and red. The large courtyard bustled with life, the evening air thick with the scent of spices and freshly baked bread.
Hana sat on the stone steps, hands resting on her lap, watching her sisters, Mira and Soyeon, giggle as they helped their mother peel vegetables. Their laughter was short-lived.
Kim Na-young (grandma)
“Enough with the giggling! Girls should be graceful and quiet,” their grandmother scolded, shaking her head in disapproval.
Hana sighed. This was nothing new. In this household, daughters were meant to be seen, not heard. The kitchen was their domain, and their dreams—if they had any—were better left unspoken.
Across the courtyard, a different world existed. The men lounged on the wooden porch, deep in discussion. Taehyung, his older brothers—Seokjin and Jison—and their father sat together, their voices brimming with excitement. Unlike the women, they were never told to lower their voices. Their futures stretched ahead of them like open roads, full of choices and possibilities.
Kim Seojoon (Tae's father)
“You’ve made the right decision, son,” Taehyung’s father said, clapping his shoulder.
Kim Seojoon (Tae's father)
“Studying in the city will be good for you. Once you finish, enlisting in the military will be beneficial for you and for us as well.”
Hana felt her stomach drop.
She had known this day was coming, had heard the hushed discussions late at night. But hearing it out loud made it real.
Kim Eunji (Hana's mother)
“He’s leaving so soon,” she whispered, setting aside the dough she had been kneading.
Kim Nari (Tae's mother)
“Tomorrow,” She sighed beside her.
Kim Eunji (Hana's mother)
“Just like that?”
Kim Nari (Tae's mother)
“It’s for the best. A man’s life shouldn’t be wasted in a small village. He has bigger things ahead of him.”
Kim Na-young (grandma)
“And what about marriage?” she interjected, lowering her voice, so the men wouldn’t hear.
Kim Na-young (grandma)
“You already have a girl in mind for him, don’t you?”
Kim Nari (Tae's mother)
She smiled knowingly. “Of course. Someone from a good family, well-mannered, raised with the right values.”
Hana swallowed hard, pretending not to hear.
Her fingers curled into her skirt as she stole a glance at Taehyung.
This was it. Tonight, she would tell him.
As the evening stretched on, Hana stood near the well, her heart pounding. The sky had darkened, and the soft glow of lanterns illuminated the courtyard. She had spent hours rehearsing the words in her head.
Kim Hana (Hanni) (15)
'Taehyung-ah, I… I think I love you.'
Would he laugh at her? Would he call her childish? Or maybe… just maybe, he felt the same?
Footsteps approached, steady and familiar. She turned, finding him walking toward her, hands in his pockets.
Kim Taehyung (Tae) (19)
“Hana,” he called, flashing that carefree smile of his.
Her lips parted, but before she could speak, he beat her to it.
Kim Taehyung (Tae) (19)
“I have something to tell you,” he said, excitement lighting up his eyes.
Kim Hana (Hanni) (15)
She took a deep breath. “Me too.”
Kim Taehyung (Tae) (19)
“You first,” he insisted, shifting his bag from one shoulder to the other.
Kim Hana (Hanni) (15)
Hana hesitated. “No… you go ahead.”
Kim Taehyung (Tae) (19)
Taehyung grinned. “Alright then.” He exhaled deeply, glancing up at the sky before looking back at her. “I’m leaving.”
The world around her stilled.
Kim Taehyung (Tae) (19)
“I got accepted,” he continued, his voice filled with pride.
Kim Taehyung (Tae) (19)
“Tomorrow, I leave for the city. I’ll be studying there for a few years, and after that… I’ve decided to enlist in the military.”
Her heart, which had been racing moments ago, suddenly felt unbearably still.
She wanted to scream, to beg him to stay, to tell him everything she had bottled up for years. But instead, she forced a smile, though it felt like a wound.
Kim Hana (Hanni) (15)
“That’s… that’s amazing, Taehyung-ah.”
Kim Taehyung (Tae) (19)
“Right?” He grinned, oblivious to the war raging inside her.
Kim Taehyung (Tae) (19)
“It’ll be tough, but it’s what I want. What my father wants.”
Of course. What his father wants.
Just like her father wanted her to be a proper daughter. To grow up, get married, and bring honor to the family.
She had spent years longing for him, waiting for the right moment.
And just like that, the moment passed.
That night, as she watched him walk away, she realized something cruel.
Some feelings, no matter how deep, would never see the light of day.
And some loves were meant only to be mourned.
Author ♡
So how's the prologue?
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Are you ready for this bittersweet journey of two cousins, who did exactly what was forbidden?
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Vote and Comment.
Author ♡
Bye Bye Love you all..
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