Chapter 2

Flashback — 8 Years Ago

The heavy rain poured down over the city of Seoul the night everything changed.

Eighteen-year-old Taehyung and Jungkook sat side by side in the sterile hospital corridor, drenched, silent, and trembling. The world around them had gone quiet, except for the constant beep of machines and the echo of rushing nurses.

Their parents were gone. Just like that. A single car accident had shattered everything.

But what broke them even more was the sight of little Y/N—barely ten, sobbing in her oversized hoodie, clinging to Jungkook’s arm like her life depended on it. Her face was stained with tears and confusion. She kept asking, “Where’s mommy? Where’s dad?” But there were no answers left to give.

From that moment, something inside both boys shifted. They weren’t kids anymore.

Jungkook was the first to speak that night. “We have to protect her now.”

Taehyung didn't answer, just clenched his fists. I won’t let her go through what we did. Never.

Years Later

Life after that was never easy. While people around them gave fake sympathies, their relatives only cared about inheritance. Fake smiles, betrayals, backstabbing… It hardened them. Especially Taehyung, who saw firsthand how vulnerable kindness could be.

He watched Y/N grow—sweet, trusting, fragile. Just like her mother had been.

Taehyung became stricter with her not because he didn’t love her, but because he did—too much. He feared the world would eat her alive if she didn’t learn to be careful. Every scolding, every harsh tone was his twisted way of protecting her from the same pain they’d endured.

Jungkook, on the other hand, found it harder to hide his softness toward Y/N. She reminded him of warmth in a cold world, and while he tried to maintain a firm exterior, he’d often melt around her—always covering for her mistakes, always shielding her from Taehyung's icy glares.

But what neither of them would admit, even to themselves, was that somewhere along the way… their protectiveness started turning into something more.

And that scared them.

Especially Taehyung, who couldn’t afford to be weak. Not again.

She deserves someone better, he would tell himself.

But every time he saw her pout or cry, it chipped away at the walls he built.

Back in the present, as the car moved through the morning traffic, Taehyung glanced at Y/N through the rearview mirror.

She sat quietly, looking out the window, unaware of the silent storm inside her brothers’ hearts.

At the University — Morning Classes

Taehyung and Jungkook were names that carried weight across the entire university. The mere sound of their footsteps down the hall was enough to silence even the noisiest groups of students. Sharp suits, sharper eyes, and no tolerance for nonsense—they were known as the cold, untouchable professors.

No one knew about Y/N being their stepsister. It was a carefully kept secret—one the brothers insisted on. They wanted to keep their family life protected, and perhaps deep down, didn't want anyone looking at Y/N differently. She was already clumsy and playful; being related to the two most feared professors on campus would only make her a target.

Y/N walked into her class, smiling as she spotted her best friend.

"Kate!" she waved, skipping over.

Kate beamed. "Y/N! You're late again. Professor Jungkook will kill you!"

Y/N groaned dramatically. "I know... He woke me up himself! But I just—ugh—I still wanted five more minutes."

As they chatted, another presence made its way toward them—Lia.

Bee queen of the department. Always immaculately dressed, overly confident, and always lurking around Professor Kim Taehyung.

"Oh look," Lia smirked, flipping her hair, "Y/N, late again? Honestly, how are you not expelled yet?" Her eyes gleamed with superiority.

Y/N forced a smile, not wanting to start anything. "Morning, Lia."

Lia's gaze flickered toward the front of the class. "Anyway... I heard Professor Taehyung is checking assignments today. Can't wait to see him. That man in a suit is... wow. He should walk a runway instead of teaching."

Kate rolled her eyes, but Y/N stayed quiet. If only she knew, she thought.

Just then, the classroom door swung open.

Every student shot up in an instant.

Jungkook walked in with a cold expression, dark eyes scanning the room. His presence demanded respect without a word. Not a single student dared to breathe too loud.

His gaze swept the room, pausing when it landed on Y/N.

She was seated awkwardly, flipping through her textbook in panic, bottom lip jutting out in a pout.

Jungkook kept his face neutral, but his heart softened instantly. This cute little kiddo, he thought, almost chuckling—but caught himself.

Clearing his throat, he placed his laptop on the desk.

"Sit," he said, voice sharp and commanding.

The students immediately obeyed, and the lecture began.

Despite his strict tone, Jungkook's eyes often flickered back to Y/N, making sure she was keeping up—even though he pretended not to notice when she yawned or scribbled in her notes messily.

Outside, a group of students were already whispering about Professor Kim's upcoming lecture, while others discussed rumors about Taehyung's cold rejections and how he "never even looks at girls" no matter how much attention they throw at him.

What they didn't know... was that the only girl he noticed every day wasn't even on their radar.

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