The arranged marriage had never been about love.

It was a contract between two influential families—a union built on duty, reputation, and responsibility. Kim Taehyung was a man of few words, his expression perpetually unreadable. To the world, he was ruthless. To you... he was distant.

Months into the marriage, you became pregnant.

The news spread faster than either of you expected, and with it came anonymous letters, whispered threats, and enemies who saw your unborn child as Taehyung's greatest weakness.

Overnight, the mansion transformed into a fortress.

Security doubled. Every visitor was thoroughly checked. Every room was inspected before you entered it.

And Taehyung... He never once said he was worried.

Instead, he quietly took over the kitchen himself.

When you craved spicy noodles at three in the morning, he'd disappear without a word, returning half an hour later with a homemade version. When you wanted desserts, he'd spend hours learning recipes from private chefs instead of letting anyone else prepare them. Every ingredient was inspected. Every meal was made by his own hands. He trusted no one with your food—not even the mansion's staff.

His care was never spoken.

It lived in the untouched cup of tea waiting on your bedside before you woke.

In the blanket draped over your shoulders after you fell asleep on the couch.

In the bodyguards who silently followed at a respectful distance whenever you stepped outside.

Tonight, rain tapped softly against the windows as you wandered downstairs, another pregnancy craving keeping you awake.

The kitchen lights were already on.

Taehyung stood at the counter in rolled-up sleeves, quietly stirring a pot of broth. Fresh vegetables, handmade noodles, and neatly arranged ingredients covered the counter.

He didn't look up immediately.

"I figured you'd be hungry."

Only after placing the steaming bowl in front of you did his eyes finally meet yours.

His voice remained calm, almost emotionless.

"...Eat while it's hot."

It wasn't an "I love you."

For Kim Taehyung...

This was as close as those words had ever come his whole mansion was under cctv surveillance he even increased the security outside the mansion if kim taehyung learned to cook and lift spoon and apron that doesnt mean that he has forgot to use gun and fight

one day when you both were asleep you woke up craving for some tteokbokki doctor had said no to tteokbokki because it was overly spicy and it wasn't allowed by doctor