THE GIRL WHO RUINED HIM|| KTH

"Wake up Y/N! First day of college, don't start it under the blanket." Y/N squeezed her eyes shut wishing the morning could wait just a little longer. But her mom's voice blasted through the walls like a foghorn, dragging her back to reality. The scent of freshly steamed rice and sizzling kimchi pancakes filled the air mixed with soft strains of classic Korean ballads playing on the TV. Today was her first day at Haneul University the place she'd worked so hard to get into. She rolled over and blinked at the cracked ceiling. She dragged herself into the bathroom and stepped under the cold shower the water slowly pulling her out of sleep. After drying off she slipped into her faded jeans and oversized hoodie Her straight hair hung loose around her waist.

Just No makeup... No filters... No pretenses....

She walked downstairs and was immediately hit by the comforting smell of freshly steamed rice and sizzling kimchi pancakes. Her dad wrestled stubbornly with a jar of gochujang his face red with effort. Her little brother sat at the table furiously poking at his bowl of rice as if daring it to fight back. Her mom stood by the stove flipping kimchi pancakes with expert precision while half-singing an old Korean ballad and tossing out orders like a drill sergeant.

"There she is! The future CEO of starving engineers—and master of late-night ramen!" her dad announced proudly finally prying the gochujang lid off with a triumphant grunt.

Y/N rolled her eyes "More like future queen of stress-eating and sarcasm."

"Did you pack your lunch, genius?" her mom asked without looking up stirring the bubbling doenjang stew.

Y/N slid into her seat, gripping the steel lunchbox like a trophy "Sorry, cafeteria food, Mom's kimchi beats you any day."

"God help your stomach" her brother mumbled eyes glued to his tablet.

"I don't need divine intervention," she smirked.

Her dad grinned and shoved a steel lunchbox towards her. "Just in case this one's loaded with mom's secret kimchi recipe. Warning: extremely addictive."

"Call it what you want. I call it skillful bargaining with charm and kimchi power "her mom said.

The whole table burst into laughter.

It was loud.

It was chaotic.

It was home.

Another World where the sun filtered through the automated blinds of Taehyung's massive, black-and-gold bedroom. He lay shirtless, tangled in charcoal sheets on his king-sized bed, one arm thrown over his eyes. The room smelled faintly of leather, cologne, and stillness.

The towering double doors of the Kim mansion opened with a quiet hiss as the butler bowed low.

"Miss Stacy, welcome." She walked in with a rehearsed smile, her designer dress hugging her perfectly, hair falling in waves over her shoulders. "Stacy, darling!" Mrs. Kim appeared from the left corridor air-kissing her on both cheeks.

"You look stunning," Stacy beamed, offering a graceful bow. "I love your blouse."

"Oh, this old thing?" Mrs. Kim laughed, brushing invisible dust from her pearl-white silk. "Straight from Chanel's private collection."

Mr. Kim entered behind her, checking the time on his Rolex. "You're early."

Stacy bowed politely. "Good morning, Uncle."

He gave a stiff nod "He's still upstairs as usual."

"Of course," Stacy said smoothly hiding her irritation with a smile. "I'll go wake him."

Mrs. Kim looped her arm through Stacy's as they walked toward the grand staircase. "Join us for breakfast after hmm? I've got a new necklace to show you. And we need to talk about that charity event next month."

"Absolutely," Stacy replied sweetly. "Maybe we can match our dresses again."

Behind them, Mr. Kim simply turned and walked away without another word.

Then, soft footsteps. A light tap at the door which opened without permission.

"Taehyung," a voice cooed sweetly. "Wake up, love." Stacy.

She tiptoed to his bed, her manicured fingers brushing back his hair. Then, leaning down, she pressed a kiss to his cheek.

His eyes snapped open the second her lips touched his cheek. Cold, blank like a knife in the dark.

"Don't," he said voice low and sharp like the crack of breaking ice.

Stacy froze, her smile twitching "It was just a kiss."

"I didn't ask for it," he said, sitting up slowly the sheets slipping off his bare chest. His stare was hard void of affection "And I sure as hell don't want it."

She tried to laugh it off, smoothing the front of her designer dress. "Relax I'm your girlfriend, remember?"

He scoffed. "You're not my girlfriend, Stacy. You're my father's arrangement." Her smile dropped, just for a second. "You could at least pretend you care," she muttered. "For appearances."

"I don't fake love. And especially not for someone who only loves my bank account."

Before she could speak again, he opened the marble bathroom door.

"Next time, knock. Or better.....don't come at all."

The door shut behind him with a heavy, final thud.

By the time Taehyung came downstairs, the Kim estate was already alive. Stacy was seated at the breakfast table beside his mother, both women chatting over bone China cups of tea. "This necklace looks divine on you, eomeoni," Stacy smiled, admiring the glinting Cartier piece resting against Mrs. Kim's flawless neckline. Mrs. Kim chuckled ever elegant in her ivory silk.

"Limited edition. Straight from Paris. Taehyung's father finally remembered I have a neck." They both laughed, sipping their tea delicately.

Taehyung walked in, now dressed in a crisp white shirt, dark slacks, and an expensive watch. His hair was still slightly damp, and his eyes looked like they hadn't slept in years.

"Good morning son," Mrs. Kim greeted with her usual glassy smile.

Taehyung gave a short nod, dropping into his seat.

"Finally" Mr. Kim muttered from behind his morning paper, not looking up. "Try waking earlier once in a while. The world doesn't wait for heirs who sleep in." Taehyung picked up his tea ignoring the jab completely.

" Also you'll oversee the Jeju resort acquisition," Mr. Kim said without looking up. "The investors are expecting our heir. You'll be there."

Taehyung gave a short nod, chewing his toast.

Mr. Kim sipped his black coffee, then added "Also, we should consider setting a timeline for the engagement."

Taehyung paused, his jaw tightening. "There's no rush."

"There's also no reason to wait" Mr. Kim replied smoothly. "You two already look like a power couple. It's only a matter of time."

Across the table Stacy tilted her head and smiled. "We could keep it low-key. No pressure. Just something elegant."

Taehyung didn't look at her.

Mrs. Kim chimed in, "Your father and I are only suggesting. You're both adults. But appearances matter, Taehyung. Especially when eyes are watching."

He didn't argue. He didn't agree.

He simply went back to his tea, gaze distant.

Stacy shifted the topic effortlessly, turning to Mrs. Kim. "Did you see the new Dior line for the Seoul gala? I think crystal embroidery would be divine on you."

"I was thinking the same," Mrs. Kim said with a graceful nod. "Classic silhouettes. Always timeless."

Their laughter rose again light and hollow under the glittering chandelier. And Taehyung just sat there, silent and polished.

The long table was nearly cleared. Breakfast was over and so was the act.

Mr. Kim adjusted his cufflinks and stood already scrolling through his phone. "I'll be at the Gangnam office all day. Don't be late for the Jeju prep, Taehyung." Mrs. Kim rose more gracefully, fixing her pearl earrings as she turned to Stacy.

"Let's catch up this weekend, hmm? I'll text you the spa appointment."

Stacy smiled sweetly. "Of course, eomeoni." Taehyung simply pushed back his chair and stood silent. Mr. Kim was already walking out phone at his ear.

Mrs. Kim kissed Taehyung on the cheek without waiting for eye contact. "Try to look like you slept. The doors shut behind them. Only silence remained. Stacy stood, smoothing her dress. "Well," she chirped. "Another perfect family breakfast." Taehyung didn't respond. He was already walking toward the garage.

The Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut waited outside like a beast in hibernation. Black. Sleek. Unapologetically rich. Taehyung opened the passenger door without a word. Stacy slid in, still playing the part of the devoted girlfriend. He took the driver's seat, pressed the ignition, and the car roared to life. They pulled out of the estate gates, trees blurring past in a blur of green and gold. Inside the car, silence pressed against them like tinted glass.

She leaned back against the seat arms crossed. "Taehyung at least try to smile when we get there. You know how people talk."

"I don't care what they say," he muttered. "Let them choke on their own assumptions." Stacy turned to him, biting back the urge to scream. "Do you ever get tired of acting like the world owes you nothing?" He exhaled slowly, eyes still forward. "No. Because it doesn't."

And just like that, the silence returned—sharp and final. But somewhere deep in his chest, behind the armor and attitude, a strange heaviness stirred. Something in the air felt different. Something he couldn't name. And he had no idea... that today would be the beginning of everything he thought he didn't need.

𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣'𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙚𝙩 𝙮𝙚𝙩.𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝.𝙉𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧? 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙣.