MY REDEMPTION •KTH FF•

25

Taehyung sat with his family and the Park family in their cozy living room, unaware of the bombshell his father was about to drop. Taehyung didn't know why his father had suddenly called him there.

"Taehyung," his father began, "I wanted to talk to you about something important."

Taehyung's heart raced as he tried to anticipate what his father might say. He looked over at Yoora, who smiled warmly at him.

"After your semester ends," his father continued, "I think it's time for you and Yoora to get engaged."

Silence descended upon the group as Taehyung processed the words. He felt his heart sink as the weight of his father's expectations pressed down on him.

"I...I can't get engaged," Taehyung stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Everyone present gasped in shock at Taehyung's unexpected rejection. Tears welled up in Yoora's eyes as she looked at him, her expression a mix of confusion and hurt.

"I thought you cared about me," Yoora whispered, her voice cracking. His father's disappointed gaze bore into him, and Taehyung could see the hurt and frustration in his eyes.

"You're being selfish, Taehyung," his father said sternly. "You're letting everyone down with your indecision."

Taehyung rose abruptly from his seat, his heart pounding in his chest. "I see Yoora as a sister, Appa. I can't marry her," he explained, desperately trying to make his family understand.

Yoora's eyes filled with tears as she looked down, her heart breaking silently.

His father's expression darkened, a look of anger flashing in his eyes. "You can't say no, Taehyung. This is important for our family's honor," he insisted sternly, his voice laced with authority.

"It's not about honor, Appa. It's about my feelings," Taehyung retorted, his voice quivering with emotion. "I... I love someone else."

Before Taehyung could say more, his father's hand struck across his cheek with a sharp slap, the sound echoing in the room. Taehyung staggered backward, his cheek stinging with pain.

"You dare reject this proposal?" his father thundered. "If you refuse, I will not only disown you but also break all relations with you."

Tears welled up in Taehyung's eyes as he realized the gravity of the situation. He had never seen his father so enraged before. His heart felt heavy with the weight of his family's expectations crushing him.

Jin stepped forward, "Father, please, let's calm down and talk about this. Taehyung's happiness should matter to us as much as our family's honor."

The room fell into a heavy silence once more, the words hanging in the air like a delicate balance between tradition and personal freedom.

But their mother's voice cut through the tension, "If you deny this, we will disown you. We cannot bear the disgrace in our family."

Yoora's voice trembled as she spoke softly, "It's okay if you don't want to marry me." Tears welled up in her eyes, her heartbreak palpable in the room.

The Park family stood up, their expressions a mix of anger and disappointment, and left, taking Yoora with them. The Kim's watched them go, their hearts heavy with the weight of what had just transpired.

Taehyung's eyes brimmed with unshed tears as he looked at his parents, feeling a deep sense of betrayal and sadness.

His father's face contorted in anger. "What nonsense is this? You will do as I say, or you will no longer be welcome in this house. I will disown you as my son," he threatened, his voice cold and unyielding.