Taehyung moved quietly around the kitchen, humming under his breath as he arranged the last pieces of rolled omelette into Jungkook’s bento. He even added tiny heart-shaped carrots—not because he needed to, but because Jungkook once said they looked cute.

The sun had barely risen, yet Taehyung had been up for hours preparing breakfast and lunch.

He always wanted Jungkook’s mornings to start softly.

Just as he finished packing the lunch box, footsteps approached.

Jungkook walked in, hair still messy from the night, shirt half tucked, eyes warm and soft. He leaned down immediately and pressed a kiss to Taehyung’s forehead.

“Good morning,” Jungkook said, voice still low and husky.

Taehyung’s cheeks flushed. Last night had been… intense. They didn’t sleep much.

Just thinking about it made his ears warm.

“Good morning,” Taehyung whispered shyly. “I-I made a bento for you. It’s on the dining table. Don’t forget to take it before going to work.”

Jungkook’s lips curved.

“Hmm. You spoil me.”

Taehyung’s heart fluttered.

But before he could respond, the front door opened.

Minji walked in.

Jungkook’s little sister. Pretty, fashionable, and always annoyed when Taehyung existed in the same room as her brother.

Taehyung stepped slightly back from Jungkook instinctively.

Jungkook straightened, expression turning more neutral.

Minji raised a brow the moment she entered the kitchen.

“What’s for breakfast?”

Taehyung answered politely, “Rice porridge, stir-fried veggies, and egg rolls—”

Minji made a face before he even finished.

“Ugh. That again.”

Taehyung looked down, fingers tightening around the apron cloth.

He didn’t expect her to praise him… but the disgust still stung.

Before he could reply, a bodyguard appeared at the doorway, holding two bento boxes wrapped in elegant packaging—the signature boxes from a high-end restaurant that only opened early mornings.

Jungkook blinked in surprise.

“That place? How did you—? They don’t even do takeout.”

Minji flipped her hair.

“Obviously. I woke up early and picked them up. You and I used to love their bentos, remember? So I thought, why not bring something special for you?”

Taehyung’s small smile dimmed slightly.

He wasn’t jealous—they were siblings.

He just… wished his handmade bento mattered.

Softly, he said, “Ah… I already made one. It’s on the table.”

Minji barely looked at him.

“So what?”

Taehyung blinked.

“It… would be a waste if it goes uneaten.”

Minji rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Then give it to someone who wants it.”

Before he could protest, she grabbed Taehyung’s carefully-prepared bento and handed it to a bodyguard.

“Here. You can have this.”

The bodyguard thanked her awkwardly.

Taehyung’s chest tightened.

He worked so hard…

He woke early…

He made it with love…

And just like that, it was gone.

Jungkook glanced at Taehyung but only laughed lightly.

“Well… Minji knows my taste. We always did love this place.”

Taehyung looked down to hide the sting in his eyes.

He forced a smile.

“You should… have breakfast before you go.”

Jungkook nodded and was about to sit—

“Oppa!” Minji whined. “Let’s go eat at that café near the river. That new brunch place. I want coffee from there.”

Jungkook froze.

“Minji… Taehyung just cooked. We shouldn’t—”

“But I WANT to!” she pushed, crossing her arms. “Come on. It’s been so long since we went out together.”

“Still, Tae worked—”

She leaned closer, voice sugar-sweet with bitterness underneath.

“Oppa, it’s a brother-sister morning. Why ruin it? And besides… he shouldn’t waste food like he always does.”

Her eyes flickered to Taehyung.

“You’re always overdoing things, you know?”

Taehyung’s nails dug into his palms.

Minji added quickly before Jungkook could protest, “He can eat his cooking. We’ll eat out.”

Jungkook sighed, defeated by her tone—he always struggled to say no to her.

“Fine. Just today.”

Taehyung’s throat felt tight, but he still managed a soft smile.

“It’s okay,” he said quietly. “I’ll… clean up and eat later.”

Jungkook gave him a small apologetic look, the only kindness in the moment, before Minji tugged him away.

Taehyung watched them put on their shoes, step outside, and leave.

The door shut.

Silence filled the kitchen.

Taehyung turned back to the table.

Two plates of hot breakfast sat untouched.

Steam still rising…

Food getting cold…

His handmade bento was gone.

The café would take his place.

The morning he planned was ruined.

Taehyung swallowed the ache and whispered to no one—

“It wasn’t supposed to start like this.”

The house was warm.

But he felt cold.

Three months into the marriage, the Jeon house felt different in a way Taehyung couldn’t explain. Not because of the house itself, but because Minji’s presence had slowly begun to fill every corner. She lived with them, always had, but earlier she kept to her own world—going to classes, hanging out with friends, rarely bothering him. But after the wedding, she attached herself to Jungkook as if she had suddenly remembered she had a brother to claim.

Mornings became the worst. Taehyung always woke first, slipping out of Jungkook’s hold carefully so he wouldn’t disturb him. Jungkook didn’t hold him romantically anymore, not the way he used to, but his arm rested over Taehyung’s waist out of habit from when things were good. Taehyung always wished that small touch meant something. But the moment Jungkook woke up, he shifted away, running a hand through his hair with a tired sigh as if carrying a weight Taehyung couldn’t see.

Taehyung cooked every morning—sometimes Jungkook’s favourites, sometimes new recipes. But before Jungkook even entered the dining hall, Minji was always there, sitting in his chair, scrolling through her phone, acting like the queen of the house.

“Oh, he made kimchi fried rice again,” she would say loudly the second Taehyung placed the bowl. “Didn’t you make this just two days ago? Do you even know how to cook anything else?”

Taehyung would simply say softly, “Jungkook likes it,” and Minji would roll her eyes like his words were nothing but noise.

When Jungkook came down, Minji instantly brightened, smiling wider than she ever smiled at anyone else. She clung to his arm, blocking Taehyung’s view, talking over him so Jungkook barely even heard Taehyung’s “Good morning.”

Breakfast used to be peaceful, but now Minji talked nonstop, making sure Taehyung never got a chance to speak. Jungkook didn’t realise it. Or maybe he didn’t want to. Every time Taehyung tried to join the conversation, Minji answered for Jungkook, made a joke, or dismissed him so smoothly that it looked completely normal.

At first Jungkook would glance at Taehyung, maybe offer a small smile of apology. But slowly, even that faded. His eyes rarely met Taehyung’s in the mornings. He ate silently while Minji filled his ears with stories, complaints, or exaggerated sighs about “how some people don’t know how to keep a house tidy.”

Taehyung started talking less—not because Jungkook shut him down, but because there was no space left to talk in.

Evenings weren’t better. Jungkook used to come home early, kiss Taehyung’s cheek, and ask how his day was. But now he came late more often, followed by Minji, both laughing about something he never knew. When Taehyung asked softly if he should reheat dinner, Jungkook would shrug and say he already ate with his sister.

One night, after waiting for hours with untouched food growing cold on the table, Taehyung quietly sat alone, staring at the empty seat where Jungkook always used to sit. He didn’t cry; he just swallowed the heaviness in his chest and collected the dishes, hands trembling slightly. He told himself it wasn’t intentional. Jungkook wasn’t cruel—just busy, distracted, tired. But the same excuses every night slowly began to sound like lies he told himself just to stay standing.

In bed, Jungkook still lay next to him, but their backs faced each other now. Taehyung would turn slightly, wanting to whisper goodnight, wanting to ask if everything was alright between them. But he never got the courage. Jungkook seemed so far away even though they shared the same blanket.

Sometimes Taehyung wondered if Jungkook even remembered that they used to talk in the dark until one of them fell asleep.

Minji’s words slowly seeped into everything—her criticisms, her subtle complaints, her dramatic sighs whenever Taehyung entered the room. She always made it look like Taehyung was the one causing small inconveniences, and Jungkook slowly began reacting to Taehyung with small irritations he never had before.

If Taehyung forgot something, even a tiny thing, Jungkook sighed.

If Taehyung tried too hard, Jungkook grew quiet.

If Taehyung hovered, Jungkook stepped back.

If Taehyung distanced himself, Jungkook didn’t notice.

It wasn’t hatred.

It wasn’t anger.

It was absence.

Taehyung could feel Jungkook slipping away from him inch by inch, day by day, and he still had no idea why.

He had no idea Minji whispered things to Jungkook when he wasn’t around.

He had no idea she twisted his actions into something else.

He had no idea Jungkook believed her more and more with every passing week.

He only knew one thing:

Jungkook loved her.

Jungkook trusted her.

And Taehyung… Taehyung was becoming invisible in the very house he helped fill with warmth.

Namjoon and Seokjin arrived at the Jeon mansion a little earlier than planned. Jungkook was in his study, and Taehyung stood in the living room arranging small flower vases along the shelf. When he saw them enter, he immediately straightened.

“Good morning,” Taehyung said softly, bowing. His voice trembled the slightest bit, though he tried hard to hide it.

Seokjin smiled warmly. “Good morning, Taehyung.” His eyes softened as he took in the omega’s thin frame and tired face. “Did you sleep well?”

Taehyung nodded quickly, too quickly. “Yes, hyung. I’m fine.”

Namjoon’s brows pulled together slightly. Something about the way Taehyung’s shoulders stayed stiff and his hands fidgeted was… off.

Before Namjoon could say anything, Minji descended the stairs with her usual practiced smile.

“Oh, Namjoon, Seokjin! You’re here. Jungkook is upstairs finishing some work.” She spoke smoothly, then turned her gaze to Taehyung. “Taehyung, don’t you have tasks in the storeroom? Or did you forget again?”

Taehyung instantly lowered his head. “I—I’ll go now.”

Seokjin raised a hand. “Wait. He can sit with us for a minute.”

Minji’s smile didn’t falter, but her eyes sharpened. “If he sits, nothing will get done in this house. Better let him stay busy.”

Taehyung nodded hesitantly and slipped away without looking up again.

Namjoon watched him go, a slight heaviness settling in his chest.

“Is everything okay between them?” he asked quietly.

Minji laughed gently, like it was nothing. “Of course. Marriage is just new for Taehyung. He’s still learning. He gets… overly emotional sometimes. Dramatic, even.”

Seokjin’s eyes narrowed—not enough to be rude, but enough to show he didn’t buy her explanation.

Still, before he could question further, Jungkook came down.

“Oh, hyung,” Jungkook said with a small smile, hugging both Namjoon and Seokjin. “Sorry. I was caught up with work.”

His voice sounded normal. But Seokjin noticed how Jungkook didn’t even ask where Taehyung was. No glance around, no question.

Seokjin exchanged a subtle look with Namjoon.

Something was definitely wrong.

Jungkook led his brother and brother-in-law to the dining table, Minji following closely behind like a shadow. Taehyung didn’t join. No one called him.

A strange tension sat silently in the air.

After breakfast, Namjoon stood up. “I’ll go check on Taehyung and say goodbye.”

Minji’s hand shot out, gently gripping his arm. “No need. He’s busy with something. And he might be… upset about something minor. You know how omegas are.”

Seokjin stiffened at that sentence, eyes darkening. “What does that mean?”

Minji paused for just a breath before smiling. “Nothing, Seokjin-oppa. Just that he takes everything to heart.”

Namjoon didn’t respond, but he clearly didn’t believe her. Still, Jungkook was already showing them out, and the moment passed.

Once Namjin left, Minji moved fast.

She approached Jungkook in the hallway, expression troubled.

“Jungkook… there’s something I need to tell you.”

Jungkook frowned. “What now?”

Minji hesitated as if she genuinely didn’t want to say it. “I wasn’t going to mention it… but I think you should know. Taehyung said something earlier to Namjoon hyung. I don’t know if he meant it or if he was just upset.”

Jungkook’s jaw tightened. “What did he say?”

Minji bit her lip. “He said he regretted marrying you. That he feels trapped… that you’re controlling.”

Jungkook froze.

Minji continued softly, “He said he wants to leave but can’t because of your family’s image.”

Silence.

Cold. Heavy. Dangerous.

Jungkook’s breath grew uneven. “He really said that?”

Minji nodded, eyes glistening with fake sympathy. “I’m sorry. I know it hurts. Maybe he didn’t mean it… but he sounded serious.”

Jungkook didn’t stay to hear more.

He stormed down the hallway and found Taehyung in the storeroom, kneeling on the floor, folding linens quietly.

Taehyung looked up immediately when the door slammed open.

“Jungkook…?”

Jungkook’s voice was ice. “So I’m controlling now?”

Taehyung blinked in confusion. “W-What?”

“You regret marrying me, right?” Jungkook snapped, stepping closer. “You feel trapped? You want to leave? That’s what you said?”

Taehyung’s face drained of color. “I never said that. I swear—I never—”

“Don’t lie to me again!” Jungkook’s voice thundered through the small storage room. Taehyung flinched so hard his elbow hit a shelf behind him. “Minji told me everything. She heard you.”

Taehyung’s voice trembled. “I’ve never said a word like that. I never—”

“Stop.” Jungkook raised a hand to silence him. His chest rose and fell sharply. “Do you think I’m blind? Do you think I can’t see how unhappy you are? Do you think I can’t see how you act so innocent outside and cry alone inside this house for sympathy?”

Tears filled Taehyung’s eyes instantly. “Jungkook, please listen—”

“No.” Jungkook shook his head and stepped back like Taehyung’s presence disgusted him. “I’m done. I’m tired of your lies, your manipulation, your fake innocence.”

Taehyung stood there, breathing breaking apart, eyes shining with terrified confusion.

“I’m not lying,” he whispered. “I don’t want to leave you. I never said that. Please… please believe me for once. Just once.”

Jungkook’s jaw clenched so tightly a muscle ticked in anger.

“If you want to leave, just say it. No need to pretend.”

Taehyung’s tears finally broke free. “I don’t! I don’t, Jungkook, please—”

“Enough.”

Jungkook turned around sharply.

Taehyung grabbed his sleeve instinctively, voice cracking painfully. “Don’t go… please don’t walk away—”

Jungkook yanked his arm free like the touch burned him.

“Don’t touch me.”

Taehyung fell to his knees instantly, choking on a sob he tried to hold back.

Jungkook didn’t turn around.

He didn’t see Taehyung’s trembling hands.

He didn’t hear the small, broken plea that followed.

“Why won’t you believe me…?”

Jungkook stormed out of the room.

Minji watched from afar, a victorious smile hidden behind her hand.

And Taehyung stayed kneeling on the cold floor, crying silently into his palms, alone in the dark of the storeroom.

Namjoon and Seokjin left without ever knowing a storm had torn Taehyung apart.

More damage had been done in a single morning than Taehyung could ever fix.