In Millionaire Mansion, the vast rose gardens-pink and white blooms swaying gently in the breeze
seemed to breathe life into the gleaming white estate.
Yet inside its grand hall, the atmosphere was heavy.
Two families sat together, exchanging polite words, but tension shadowed the room.
Among them, four middle-aged adults conversed, while two young men sat across from each other-same age, same silence, but different emotions. One boy fixed a sharp glare at the other, who hid his nervousness behind a small, fragile smile, his hand unconsciously reaching for the comfort of his younger brother.
The clinking sound of teacups died away when Jhope finally broke the silence.
Jhope: "So, there's no use for more words, Mr. Karan. Let's fix this."
Jackson: "Jhope..."
Jhope: "Ah, forgive me-I forgot to say one thing. You already know, he is the apple of our eyes. I can't go against his heart, Mr. Karan. He has agreed to the marriage... but he needs time. Let him breathe. Let him finish college first."A brief silence followed until Mrs. Karan spoke, her tone gentle, her eyes warm
Mrs. Karan: "Hyung, there's no need to feel nervous. True, this wedding was our parents' wish, but wishes should never mean chains. Let them have time to understand each other. If love grows, we will move forward. Alex... are you okay with this, my son?" Her gaze shifted onto her child. Alex's shoulders were tense, and though his heart resisted, his lips still forced a quiet nod.
Jackson: "And you, Bear? What do you say?"His eyes found Taehyung, who instantly looked into his elder brother's eyes. Tae's lips curved softly into a nod, trusting everything to him. Their parents smiled at the sight, though one heart in the room sank deeper.
Mr. Karan: "Tae, we want your words, not your brother's."
Tae: "For me, my hyung is everything. If he accepts... then I accept too."(The words sparked fire.)
Suga: "I am not okay with it. I only accept because it was that old man's last wish. But remember-if he ever hurts you, it will be his last day."
His voice carried a tremor of restrained rage and raw love.
Alex: "That will never happen, Suga. You know... from childhood, I've loved Tae more than my own self. I promise you, he will never be hurt-not by me."
Suga: "Good for you."
Jhope: "Suga."
At Jhope's stern voice, Suga's walls closed in. His expression emptied, lips pressing tight as he stood and left without another word. Soon, the Karans also departed, leaving behind the quiet echo of unspoken emotions.
That afternoon, Taehyung retreated to his room, changed clothes, and reappeared downstairs.He slipped silently next to Jhope. Moments later, Suga returned, carrying his favorite strawberry milkshake. Tae's innocent smile as he sipped melted the weight of the room, bringing soft smiles to his brothers' faces.
Jackson: "Enough, Jhope, Suga. He's no longer a child, yet you still cradle him like one. Soon he will belong to another house, and-"
Suga: "And what, Mom? Do you think that matters? Empire or not, he will always be our baby."
The words struck jackson's heart, drawing out equal parts anger and sorrow. he turned his sharp eyes to Taehyung, who mischievously met his glarewith a playful grin.
Jackson: "Taehyung! How many times have I told you-stop changing clothes every hour? This is the seventh shirt today!"
Tae: "So what, Mom? The maids will wash them, not you. Don't stress. Dad, can you... can you send me one lakh promised my friends a treat if I got university admission.
Jackson: "Admission you got not by marks, but by your father's hand. At least learn responsibility if not studies! Don't shame me before your in-laws' house!" His voice wavered between discipline and hidden fear, but Tae only lowered his gaze with a sorrowful pout-half-true, half-playful. Before anger could spill further, Jhope's tone rose, sharp yet protective.
Jhope: "Stop it, jackson. I've warned you-don't ever raise your voice in front of my baby. I don't care about studies or society. I only want him happy. That's all that matters."
Suga: "Yes, Mom. Don't put your harshness on my Bear. And what in-laws' house? He already has his brothers to protect him."
The depth of their love left Jackson silenced. Words trembled in his throat but never came. Frustrated, he turned away to the kitchen.
In the quiet that followed, Jhope and Suga placed their black cards in Tae's hands. His face lit up with genuine joy, eyes gleaming, cheeks glowing as he clutched them tightly like treasures. His innocence and their love wrapped the mansion in warmth, even as silent storms brewed in every adult heart watch over him.
In the market where many small shops were crowded along one side of the main road, under the scorching heat, a young boy carried a lot of bags in his two arms. His face was covered with sweat, and his arms were clearly visible outside his shirt because of the heavy weight of the bags. Finally, he put the bags in one of the shops, when a young girl approached him with a shy smile.
Laila: Even in a simple dress, you get hot, Jungkook, but look, I don't have a chance to see you fully.
(With heavy breaths, she handed over the amount to Jungkook, who gave a little smile and started to count the money.)
Jungkook: Before you arrange it, don't forget to check it, Laila and tell the master I asked about work.
Laila: Why? Don't you want to work for us anymore?
Jungkook: It's not like that, but this amount is not enough for my daily needs, so that's why I want to find a few more jobs.
Laila: Why can't you accept and become the boss of our market? Then you wouldn't need to work for anyone, Jungkook. This whole market will work for you. Just say a simple yes.
(But without a word, Jungkook looked at her with dep, sorry eyes.)
Jungkook: I'd rather burn myself than betray my owner. (Saying this, he simply left. Laila looked at him with a sad face, while her father Rajput watched the whole conversation with a proud smile.)
After getting freshened up, Jungkook picked up some snacks to offer to the temple kids in the evening, one of his favorite afternoon rituals. With a gentle smile on his face, he waited at the crossing signal that had just turned green for the cars.
Nearby, a man stood with his elder son, engaged in a deep discussion. When Jungkook's eyes lingered on them, - he quickly recognized who they were-Mr. Kim, the second most powerful businessman in the city, and his son Suga, who had risen to rule the industry at such a young age.
Jungkook watched them quietly. He admired the way Suga respected his father and the way J-Hope patiently explained things to his son. Seconds later, two more VIPS approached, shook hands with them, and left the entrance of the grand restaurant they were standing before.
Suddenly, Jungkook's eyes brimmed with tears. Witnessing the bond between father and son remi him of the love he longed for.
Shaking his head, he looked back to cross the road-only to freeze. His gaze locked on a boy pulling out a gun aimed straight in the direction of J-Hope and Suga. Panicked, Jungkook tried to call out, but the roaring noise of the traffic drowned his voice. Without wasting another moment, he sprinted across and lunged at them, pulling both aside just as the gun fired. The bullet lodged into the restaurant door with a deafening crack, leaving J-Hope and Suga in shock. Suga instantly barked an order to the bodyguards to secure the area while he hurried to help Jungkook, who had fallen to the ground clutching his right arm, now fractured from the impact.
J-Hope knelt beside him, his voice trembling. "OMG, are you okay, son? Did you get hurt anywhere?
Let me see."
Hearing the word son, Jungkook smiled faintly. He didn't say a word and let J-Hope check his injury.
"Oh God, your right arm is fractured. Let's take you to the hospital now," J-Hope urged.
But Jungkook shook his head.
"No, sir. I'll take care of it. It's not a big deal."
Suga frowned. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, sir," Jungkook affirmed.
Suga then pulled out some money, holding it out casually.
"Here, take this. It will help for your medicin And... thank you for saving us." His tone carried the weight of arrogance, making it sound less like gratitude and more like compensation.
Jungkook didn't accepted it but just gave a small smile us no need for that, J-Hope gently lowered Suga's hand and gave Jungkook an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry, son. For him... for everything." Jungkook shook his head lightly. "It's okay, sir. This is nothing new for someone poor like me."
holding his bag with one hand and wincing at the pain in the other, he walked away. Behind him, J-Hope stared at his son, whose expression silently asked the haunting question: What did I do wrong?
Tae was surrounded by a group of friends, laughing and moving freely on the dance floor of the bar.
His body swayed to the music, playful yet seductive, drawing eyes wherever he turned. From the corner sofa, Alex watched him in silence, a faint smile curling on his lips. But underneath that smile, his eyes carried a hidden hunger stirred by Tae's provocative moves-something Tae noticed almost instantly
With a sly smirk, Tae grabbed two bottles of beer from the counter and walked over, plopping down next to Alex. Pressing close, he leaned against him slightly as he handed one of the bottles over. Alex casually draped his arm across Tae's shoulder, claiming him. Tae took a straight gulp of his own drink, a sigh spilling from his lips.
Tae: "Haa... now I feel relaxed. I'm really done with my mom. His shouting makes me feel like to kill him." Alex glanced at him sharply, raising a brow. Alex: "Just for your mom you feel like that? Then what would you do if it were mine shouting like that?" Without a second thought, Tae muttered darkly. Tae: "i will Kill her."
The words made Alex's face momentarily cloud with darkness. That familiar expression made Tae laugh, amused at the reaction. Ignoring it, he calmly took another sip from the bottle while Alex stared at him with a look that was part exhaustion, part resignation. Alex: "A double face like yours... I've never seen in my life, Tae. With your family, you act all innocent. But here-this side of you-I don't even know how I'm supposed to handle it."
Tae shot him a sideways glance.
Tae: "Didn't you say you love me? Then why are you shocked by my behavior now?"
Alex's reply was firm, almost possessive.
Alex: "Do you think I'd ever leave you just because of your behavior?"
At that, Tae froze. He stared at Alex without blinking, reminded of the truth he already knew: Alex had been lowering his head for Tae since long before Tae could even pronounce his name properly. He had always done whatever Tae demanded, without a word of protest. Even when Suga had tried to come between them, to break this bond, it hadn't worked.
Pushing away the thought, Tae shook his head and stood up from the sofa. Alex looked up at him with a confused face.
Tae: "Drop me home-before Suga-hyung kills you."
In the small, crumbling house-barely fit for one person to live in-Jungkook sat on the cold floor. His shoulder throbbed with pain, and though he tried to soothe it with a warm cloth, the effort was too much for him.
Just as he attempted once more, a soft hand caught his, a touch he instantly recognized.
Jungkook: "Laila... how many times have I told you not to come at night? What if someone sees?"
Laila: "I don't care about someone seeing. What I care about is you. Look at yourself, Jungkook... look at what you're doing to your body."
Her voice trembled as she pressed the warm cloth onto his shoulder. He winced, but her worried gaze softened the sting.
Laila: "Did you eat?"
Jungkook stayed silent. That silence told her everything.
Laila: "I already placed food on the table. Don't forget to eat. And please... don't refuse again. Just because -I love you, Jungkook."
A heavy silence lingered before his quiet, firm reply broke through.
Jungkook: "I will accept everything... as long as it doesn't betray my owner"
With a soft nod, she continued tending to him. Jungkook's eyes drifted toward the shattered window, where the pale moonlight spilled in-the only light left in his world.
In Taehyung's house, the dinner table was set. Jackson carefully served the dishes, but his eyes lingered only on Tae, who still hadn't touched his plate. The sight made Jackson silently frustrated, though before he could say anything, J-Hope began sharing his thoughts about the day.
But the moment J-Hope started praising someone other than him or his older brother, irritation stirred within Tae. He reluctantly put his phone down, only to see his father, who without pause, began admiring Jungkook and his respectful nature.
J-Hope: "Just because of Suga, I forgot to ask his name earlier."
Suga: "What? What did I do wrong, dad? I just wanted to help him, so I gave him what he needed-as thanks."
J-Hope: "No, Suga. Not everyone needs money for everything. But by his nature, I'm completely sure-I can trust his hard work. He's not someone who takes the wrong path."
Tae: "Dad, that's enough. The food is getting cold. You can scold hyung later."
J-Hope: "When did I ever scold your hyung? I was only saying how hardworking that person is, and...
Tae: "That's enough! If you want to praise him even more, go ahead. I'll leave from here."
Tae pushed back his chair, ready to storm off, but J-Hope quickly stopped him, urging him to eat. After much insistence, Tae finally sat down again. He began eating, but his anger simmered quietly-fueled by the way Jungkook was being praised.
Jackson stayed silent, pretending not to involve himself in the discussion. Yet deep down, he felt a quiet satisfaction. It was rare for J-Hope to praise anyone so openly, and the fact that he did so for Jungkook left a warm feeling in Jackson's heart.while other side Tae heart start to hate Jungkook before he see him in Person and about suga he didn't like it but still he quit Just because Jungkook safe them.
Don't forget to vote strawberries...🫂❤️