Chapter 1: The Lonely Mansion

The sun had barely risen over the city, casting golden rays over the enormous black iron gates that guarded the grand mansion of the most feared mafia empire. It was a place of power, of secrets, and of silence—so much silence that even laughter echoed like a memory.

Inside that mansion, in a room tucked away in the corner of the second floor, a small alarm clock buzzed weakly at 6:30 a.m. A pale hand reached out from under the blanket and hit the snooze button with practiced precision. Y/N groaned softly, her voice still hoarse from yesterday's tears.

She sat up slowly. Thirteen years old. Too young to feel this heavy.

Her room, though beautifully decorated with pastel walls, plush toys, and a soft white rug, felt colder than a hospital ward. Not because of the temperature—but because of the silence. The kind of silence that settles in your chest like dust and refuses to be shaken off.

Y/N dragged herself out of bed, wincing slightly at the dull ache in her limbs. Her stomach growled, but she ignored it like she always did. Food had stopped feeling like comfort a long time ago.

She walked past the long hallway lined with portraits—her brothers, all seven of them, standing tall and proud. Jin, Namjoon, Yoongi, Hoseok, Taehyung, Jimin, Jungkook. Each one older, stronger, and more distant than the last. Once, they used to smile in these hallways. Once, they used to fight over who would tie her shoelaces. Once, they were a family.

But now?

Now, Y/N was just a shadow in the mansion.

She descended the grand staircase quietly, careful not to make a sound. The last time she had overslept and missed her test, Jungkook had dragged her to the study room and slapped her notebook on the desk with fire in his eyes.

“You think life is a joke?” he’d said, voice cold. “You don’t deserve the name you carry if you can’t even pass basic tests.”

She’d wanted to scream, to tell him she tried. That she studied until her eyes burned. That she barely slept. That the kids at school tore her notebooks, laughed at her answers, locked her in bathrooms.

But her mouth never opened. Because what was the point?

At breakfast, the dining table was already set by the maids. A silent row of luxury—toast, eggs, fresh juice, fruit salad, even her favorite blueberry pancakes. But no one was seated. Just the clinking of cutlery as staff moved about.

She sat quietly at her end of the table, watching as Jin walked in, dressed in his usual designer suit, checking his phone. He glanced at her once and gave a quick nod. Not a “good morning.” Not even a smile.

Namjoon followed, muttering something about a meeting with the Russians. Suga strolled in next, yawning, barely looking up. J-Hope walked in behind him, giving the maids instructions about surveillance updates.

Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook came last—laughing at something they saw on Taehyung’s phone. For a moment, she thought maybe they'd notice her. Maybe they'd ruffle her hair like they used to. Maybe they'd ask her about her science project.

But nothing. Just silence.

She pushed her plate away after two bites. Her stomach had curled in on itself. The blueberry pancake tasted like ash in her mouth.

“Y/N,” Jin said sharply, not even looking up. “You have a math test today. Don’t come back with trash like last time.”

Jungkook didn’t even wait for her response. “If your score is below 80, you know what’s coming.”

Y/N’s heart sank. Last time, she had gotten a 67. She was trying, honestly. But how was she supposed to study when the kids at school ripped her books and called her "mafia garbage"?

“Yes, hyung,” she whispered.

“Speak louder,” Suga snapped, sipping his coffee.

“Yes, hyung,” she said, louder this time, voice trembling just slightly.

No one noticed.

After breakfast, the black car pulled up to take her to school. The driver, Mr. Han, gave her a small smile in the rearview mirror. “Good morning, Miss Y/N.”

She nodded. He was the only one who greeted her anymore.

On the way to school, she looked out the window, watching the world blur past. Couples walking, mothers holding their children’s hands, boys riding bikes and laughing.

She clutched her backpack tighter.

She used to be happy once. She used to wear pigtails and dance around the kitchen. Her brothers used to chase her through the hallways, J-Hope pretending to be a zombie, Jin bribing her with candy to eat broccoli. Namjoon reading bedtime stories in his deep voice. Taehyung braiding her hair. Jimin singing her lullabies. Jungkook teaching her how to draw bunnies.

But now?

They were busy being legends. Mafia kings. CEOs. Protectors of an empire.

And Y/N?

Just a quiet ghost, trailing behind them.

As the car stopped outside her school, she took a deep breath. The huge gate loomed in front of her. A place no less cruel than her home.

She stepped out, plastering a fake smile on her face. The mask she had learned to wear far too early.

“I’ll try my best today,” she whispered to herself. “Maybe they’ll notice.”

But deep down, a part of her already knew—today would be just like the others. And maybe worse.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***