(In previous chapter where I wrote about Taehyung and his brother past, I had written them as twin brother but now I wanted to do a low-key changes so there is change in story they are not twin brother, Vincent is four years older than Taehyung)

Taehyung and Vincent were sleeping peacefully, their room was quiet except for the sound of their slow steady breaths but suddenly, loud voices echoed through the house, shattering the silence Taehyung's eyes fluttered open first, his heart sank as he recognized the shouting he turned to Vincent, who was already awake, rubbing his eyes with a tired sigh.

"Again?"

Taehyung mumbled while sitting up Vincent also sat up and looked at his younger brother with unreadable expression and said.

"Yeah like always."

They both climbed out of bed and stepped into the hallway, from downstairs, their mother's sharp, angry voice filled the air, cutting through the walls like a blade.

"You think this is enough? I work so hard at home, and you can't even bring home more money?"

She yelled, her voice filled with venom

"I work all day, every single day! Do you think money just falls from the sky?"

Their father answered back his voice was lower but filled with frustration but their mother again snapped angrily.

"You expect me to live like this? Other women have nice things, big houses, vacations! But me? I get nothing after marrying you."

Vincent and Taehyung exchanged a glance, this was nothing new it happened almost every night when their father returned from work their mother always wanted more, more money, more luxuries, more than their father could ever give and their father, exhausted from working long hours, could only argue back in frustration. Vincent sighed and leaned against the railing.

"They will go at it for hours."

Taehyung looked at his brother who was looking at his parents with serious gaze and hugged his arms around himself, his chest feeling tight.

"I hate this why do they have to fight all the time?"

Taehyung said in whisper and Vincent placed a reassuring hand on his younger brother's shoulder.

"It's ok one day maybe everything get better."

Vincent said, his came from far that seemed like he also didn't know when the thing would be good, Taehyung nodded slowly he wanted to believe that was enough, that one day this house filled with shouting and anger, would change in peaceful and happy home, but deep down, he couldn't help but wonder how long they could endure it.

As Taehyung and Vincent stood quietly by the staircase, their father's eyes suddenly landed on them, his face softened after saw them, he let out a tired sigh and ran a hand through his hair.

"Sophia we will talk later."

He muttered, turning away from their seats Sophia, trying to end the fight but Sophia wasn't done, when she followed his gaze and saw her sons standing there, especially Taehyung, her anger flared up even more.

"Oh, look at him! Standing there like a useless statue, just like you!"

She spat, pointing at Taehyung and he flinched but he didn't say anything, he had heard it all before.

"He is exactly like you lazy, weak, always making excuses! No ambition, no future! Just another burden on me, just like you are!!"

She said with pure hate and disgust and Taehyung heart clenched painfully, how could a mother hate her own child? And this thought was enough to kill him.

"Don't you dare to say a word Sophia I had enough!"

"Ohh please you don't he is USELESS!!!"

Vincent's jaw tightened, he immediately stepped in front of Taehyung, as if shielding him from their mother's words.

"That's enough mom stop it."

He said sternly and Hanso held her arm and turned her towards him.

"Not in front of them please."

He said, his voice quiet but pleading, but she jerked his hand and scoffed loudly and said with a venomous tone.

"In front of them? Maybe he should hear the truth! Maybe then he will finally do something with his life instead of disappointing me every second of the day!"

Taehyung swallowed hard, no matter how many times she said it, it still hurt Vincent took Taehyung's wrist and pulled him back toward their room Taehyung didn't look back he just let Vincent drag him away, his chest was heavy with emotions he didn't know how to process when they reached their room, Vincent closed the door and turned to him.

"Don't listen to mom Taehyung she doesn't know what she is saying."

He said softly but his heart ached after saw pain his younger brother's eyes Taehyung sat down on his bed while staring at the floor.

"What if she is right?"

He whispered, his voice was filled with demotivation, Vincent knelt in front of him, gripping his shoulders tightly

"She is not right, you are not what she says you are, you are Taehyung, and that's enough."

He said, his voice was strong and steady, Taehyung looked up at his brother, his vision blurry with tears.

"Then why doesn't she ever see me that way? Why she never love me Vincent."

Vincent sighed heavily after heard his broken tone and pulled him into a tight hug.

"She does Taehyung but she'd just tired with everything but I love you Dad does and we always will."

Vincent said softly but it didn't cure Taehyung's heart, he just closed his eyes gripping Vincent's shirt tightly. In a house filled with chaos and anger, his brother and father was the only safe place he had left.

The next morning, the air was crisp and cool as Taehyung and Vincent was walking to school with their father, the streets were quiet except for the occasional sound of birds chirping and the distant hum of traffic. Vincent was walked ahead, hands in his pockets, lost in his own thoughts and Taehyung stayed beside their father, his bag slung over one shoulder, still feeling the weight of last night's argument in his chest.

When they reached the school gates, Vincent gave Taehyung a reassuring pat on the shoulder before heading inside.

"See you later, Tae."

He said with a small smile before disappearing into the crowd of students, just as Taehyung was about to follow, his father gently placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

"Wait a moment, son."

He said softly and Taehyung turned to look at him, and really looked at him his father's face looked tired, the wrinkles on his forehead deeper than usual, but there was a softness in his eyes.

"Listen about your mother... I know she says things that hurt I know she is hard on you."

Hanso said while rubbing the back of his neck Taehyung lowered his gaze, kicking a small rock with his shoe.

"She hates me Dad."

He muttered painfully and Hanso let out a heavy sigh and shook his head.

"No Taehyung, she doesn't hate you she is just frustrated."

"Frustrated at what? Me? Everything I do is wrong to her."

He said in anger he always lighten his heart in front of his father but every time the pain never seemed to lessen, Hanso placed a firm but gentle hand on his shoulder.

"She doesn't know how to express it, but she does love you she loves both of you I love both of you, more than anything in this world."

Taehyung's throat tightened he wanted to believe that what his father said He really did.

"I know it doesn't feel like it and I know I haven not been the best at stopping her when she goes too far but you have to understand... she wants a different life, a life I can't give her and sometimes, that frustration spills onto you."

His father said his voice filled with regret on which Taehyung scoffed bitterly.

"But that's not fair Dad."

His father gave a sad smile and caressed his hair which was resting on his forehead and said softly.

"No, it's not but life isn't fair, son."

For a moment, there was silence between them Taehyung looked down at the ground, his chest heavy with emotions he didn't know how to process.

"Just remember Taehyung no matter what she says don't let it define you you are not a failure, you are not a disappointment, you are my son, and I am proud of you."

He said softly which squeezing his shoulder, Taehyung's eyes burned, but he quickly blinked away the tears, he had waited so long to hear those words, the school bell rang in the distance, breaking the moment, his father gave him a small smile and ruffled his hair.

"Go on, now don't be late."

Taehyung nodded slowly and turned toward the school, his father's words were echoing in his mind, maybe his mother would never change, maybe she would never see him the way he wanted her to but for now, at least, he knew one thing, his father loved him his brother loved him and that was enough for him. Perhaps??

Taehyung always looked forward to weekends because it meant spending time with his father, unlike the tense, cold atmosphere in the house, being with his father felt different, peaceful. Even if they were not doing anything special, just helping him with small tasks, fixing things around the house, or going to the grocery store together, it was enough, but lately, something felt off.

At first, it was just small things, his father would cough a little more than usual, rubbing his chest as if trying to ease the discomfort, then, he started getting tired more quickly, sitting down to catch his breath after even the simplest tasks Taehyung noticed how his father's once strong hands trembled slightly when lifting something, how his face looked paler, his frame thinner, his clothes, which used to fit perfectly, now seemed loose on his body.

One evening, as they were fixing an old wooden chair in the backyard, his father suddenly stopped, gripping the edge of the table for support, his body shook with violent coughs, deep and painful Taehyung immediately dropped the screwdriver he was holding.

"Dad, are you okay?"

He asked, his voice filled with concern Hanso looked at him and waved him off weakly while forcing a smile

"I am fine, son just a little tired."

But Taehyung was not convinced, his father had always been strong, always able to push through anything but seeing him like this so fragile sent a cold fear through him.

"Maybe you should see a doctor."

Taehyung suggested hesitantly on which Hanso chuckled, though it sounded weak.

"Doctors cost money, kiddo I will be fine just need some rest."

But he wasn't fine.

The coughing got worse, his hands grew weaker the light in his eyes seemed dimmer with each passing day and Taehyung couldn't shake the terrible feeling in his chest, that something was very, very wrong.

✧◍✧◍✧

The next day, the sun rose softly casting a golden hue over the quiet neighborhood, Imara woke up feeling unusually lighthearted a rare feeling for someone like her as she stretched, memories of last night played in her mind the awkward dinner, Taehyung's soft chuckle, the way he ate the buns despite their terrible taste she shook her head with a small laugh.

"What is happening to me?"

After freshening up, she stepped outside for her usual morning jog, already expecting what would happen next and just as she predicted, as she passed Taehyung's house, his grandfather was already standing outside waving at her.

"Good morning, dear!"

He called out cheerfully on which she smiled and jogged toward him.

"Good morning, Grandpa."

"Come, have some tea."

He invited as always and she hesitated for a second, then glanced at the house.

"Is Taehyung awake?"

She asked casually on which his grandfather chuckled and nodded his head.

"He is in the garden, trimming some plants you can go say hello."

And Imara blinked in disbelief a blind man trimming plants? Her curiosity grew as she stepped inside, her heart beating a little faster as she walked toward the garden, as Imara stepped into the garden, the scent of fresh flowers filled the air the small space was just

"How does he do that so effortlessly?"

Arranging flowers at shop was different thing and trimming the garden was whole different thing, but here he was handling the plants with more care and precision than most people with sight she took a step closer, and just then, Taehyung's head tilted slightly.

He said softly with small smile playing on his lips and her eyes widened.

"How did he know?"

But she cleared her throat and tried to regain her composure.

"Good morning I didn't know you were a gardener too."

"Flowers don't need eyes to be cared for they need attention, patience... and a little understanding."

He replied with a shrugg and his words made her pause, there was something about the way he said it, something deeper she smiled and stepped closer.

"Then I guess they are lucky to have you."

She said in soft tone while staring his handsome morning face and Taehyung just chuckled again but didn't respond. Instead, he reached out, brushing his fingers lightly over a blooming rose and plucked a fresh rose, holding it out toward her, and Imara stared at it, her heart stopping for a moment.

He had given her flowers many times before, bouquets, whenever she visited his shop back then, it had felt normal, just a transaction between a florist and his customer, but now, standing here in his garden, receiving a single rose from his hand, it felt... different.

Strange.

She hesitated before finally taking it, her fingers brushing against his for the briefest second a simple touch, yet it sent a shiver down her spine.

"As far as I predict roses suit you."

Taehyung said calmly completely unaware of the storm he had just caused inside her Imara swallowed after heard his compliment her grip tightened slightly around the flower, she had held countless roses in her life, but this one... this one felt special.

"Are you always this smooth, florist?"

She asked with a little smirk which he sensed and chuckled, tilting his head slightly.

"Only with special customers."

And she chuckled while shaking her head and glanced at the plants which were in his care.

"Why have you never questioned me about my blindness?"

He asked out of the blue in serious tone making her caught off guard, she looked at him and blinked her eyes.

"I mean most people ask, some out of curiosity, some out of pity but you never did."

He asked, his tone calm and curious she let out a small breath, thinking for a moment before answering.

"Because it doesn't define you you are more than just your blindness Taehyung you don't need my pity, and you don't need my questions you're... just you."

She said simply while staring his blind eyes and sensed her gaze which was not pity, not sympathy it was something he couldn't define.

"That's an interesting answer most people don't think that way."

He said and looked away from her, Imara smirked on his comment and crossed her arms.

"Well, I'm not most people."

She said while shrugging her shoulder and Taehyung turned his face toward her, as if he could see her even without his eyes, there was something unreadable in his expression, something thoughtful.

"No, you're not."

He said softly and for some reason, that simple statement made Imara's heart beat just a little faster.

As Imara was about to say something, her eyes suddenly widened in horror right there, on the ground near her foot, was a big and fat wriggling worm.

Everybody have weakness and her weakness was insect especially worms she couldn't bear any worms near her she hated them, she had 'Scoleciphobia'
fear of worms, but no body knew in her world, because she knew exposing your fear meant giving your enemy full chance to defeat you.

A sharp scream escaped her lips before she could stop herself, without thinking, she grabbed onto Taehyung, clutching his arm tightly as if her life depended on it and Taehyung who was standing peacefully, his heart skipping a beat as he suddenly felt her warmth against him the scent of her black rose perfume filled his senses, making him momentarily forget how to breathe.

"T...Taehyung, there's a.....there's a worm!"

She stammered, her voice trembling and for a second, Taehyung was too stunned to react, he almost laughed but stopped when he realized how close she was, so close that he could feel the rapid beat of her heart.

"Imara it's just a worm.."

He finally said, his lips twitching into an amused smile but she just clutched his arm more tightly.

"I know it's just a worm! But it's disgusting! Get rid of it!"

Taehyung chuckled softly, the vibration of his laughter sending a strange warmth through her.

"At least guide me where is the disgusting worm?"

He asked slowly and she glanced at the worm and it felt it was coming towards her she went behind him.

"Just two feet away from you."

He nodded his head a slowly, he reached out with his foot and gently pushed the worm aside with the tip of his shoe.

"Is it gone??"

He asked on which Imara hesitated before peeking up at him, her grip on his arm still firm.

"Yes.."

She said with a little sighed still cling on him Taehyung looked at his arm where he was feeling her hand and said with little testing tone.

"But if you want, you can keep holding onto me."

Realizing how tightly she was still clinging to him, her eyes widened, and she immediately let go, stepping back as fast as she could..

"I...I wasn't holding you I was just...uh...stabilizing myself!"

She huffed, crossing her arms and Taehyung chuckled and shook his head and said.

"Of course."

And Imara turned away, trying to hide her burning face even though he couldn't see of all things, she had to embarrass herself over a worm.

But as Taehyung was standing there, still feeling the lingering warmth where she had held him, he realized something, for the first time in a long while, he didn't mind letting someone close.

Imara took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure she could still feel the warmth of Taehyung's arm against her waist, and it annoyed her how easily she had lost control, clearing her throat, she turned back toward him.

"Anyway! Let's just forget that happened."

She said quickly, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"It was just... an unfortunate moment."

Taehyung smirked after heard her, his blind eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Unfortunate for the worm, maybe I think it had no idea it would cause such terror."

"Are you teasing me right now?"

She asked in disbelief while glaring him on while he nodded his head and smiled.

"Just a little."

Imara opened her mouth to argue but stopped when Taehyung's grandfather stepped into the garden, holding a tray with tea and snacks.

"What's going on here I heard screaming?"

He asked, raising an eyebrow, Imara immediately straightened,