"What do you mean by going to your house? How do you think your family will react? What will they say about me coming along?" He seemed unsure. "They'll be thrilled, I promise," he insisted. I let out a deep breath, feeling a mix of curiosity and doubt. "Isn't there any other way?" I asked, hoping for an alternative. He simply shook his head and urged, "Please, let me take you there." His eyes were filled with sincerity, as if this was a long-held dream about to come true.

I hesitated but eventually nodded, and he carefully backed the car out of my driveway. After about twenty-five minutes, we arrived at his house, and I was completely taken aback by the sight of his mansion. It was enormous, far larger than any house I had ever seen, even in movies. It looked almost like something out of a story, like a hideout for a secret organization. He honked the horn, and a guard opened the gate, allowing us to enter. I was still trying to process everything when Jungkook glanced at me and noticed my shock. He chuckled softly and opened my door. "I knew you'd react like this," he said with a grin. I rolled my eyes, replying, "Of course! This is what you left me for, right?" Jungkook sighed and stepped aside, inviting me in, but I stood frozen, unsure of what to do next.

"Hey, Jungkook! What took you so long—Heejin?" I was taken aback when I heard my name spoken by someone else. It was Jungkook's mother, and the way she recognized me felt really strange. I managed to smile as she approached me, her warm presence making me feel a bit more at ease. She gently touched my arm and took my hands in hers, stroking them softly. "You're finally here. I’m truly sorry for your loss, dear," she said with genuine concern. I smiled sadly in response, and when she wrapped her arms around me in a comforting hug, I felt a wave of emotion. After a moment, she broke the hug, and we walked inside, with Jungkook trailing behind us.

Once we entered the house, I noticed the television was on, and "Coco Melon" was playing, which made it clear that there were kids around. In the kitchen, I spotted a woman in her thirties who was busy preparing something that looked like milk for a baby. "Sit down, Heejin," she called out, and as she said my name, she turned to look at me. She wiped her hands on her shirt and approached me, giving me a curious look. "Lee Heejin?" she asked with a puzzled smile. I stood up again to greet her, but I couldn’t shake off the guilt I felt for the things I had said to Jungkook earlier. It was hard to face everyone knowing how I had acted, and I hoped they could understand my feelings.

Everyone in the house was familiar with me, and I mean everyone. As soon as I walked in, someone exclaimed, "Oh dear, sit down! Let me get you some water." I tried to tell her that I was fine, but she was already on her way to the kitchen. A little girl, probably around six or seven years old, stared at me curiously as she walked by, her eyes scanning me from head to toe. She then approached the lady in the kitchen and asked, "Mom, who is this aunty?"

The lady in the kitchen smiled and replied, "She's Heejin, Cha Young." The little girl gasped in surprise, clearly excited. "Heejin unnie is here? In my house?" It was surprising that she even knew my name. I sighed and looked around, only to catch Jungkook's mother smiling at me. I had only seen her in pictures before, so I recognized her right away. Jungkook had mentioned that he had a sister, so I wondered if the lady in the kitchen was indeed his sister.

"You might be curious about how everyone seems to know your name, right?" I smiled and nodded in agreement. It felt a bit strange to think that after my vacation, I returned to find that everyone was already familiar with me. She laughed lightly and said, "Well, you might see it that way. This is your first visit to our home, but you've been part of our family from the very start." I gave an awkward smile, feeling a mix of surprise and warmth at her words. Just then, Cha Young chimed in, asking her mom, "So, now that Heejin unnie is here, does that mean Jungkook uncle will marry her?" Somi looked a bit puzzled but chose to nod, not wanting to hurt her daughter's feelings. My gaze shifted to Jungkook, who was already looking at me, and I noticed a spark of happiness in his eyes.

His expression, however, also revealed a sense of sadness and loneliness, as if he were silently communicating that his life felt incomplete without me. "Jungkook, you should go and change," his mother called out, causing him to flinch slightly. He nodded but gave me one last look before he left the room. I turned back to his mother, and we continued our conversation about random topics. Just then, Jungkook's sister joined me on the sofa, bringing a glass of juice and some freshly cut fruits. Her kindness made me smile, and she settled in beside me, asking, "So, Heejin, how's your life going?" I replied with a simple, "Good," and she returned my smile.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself!" she exclaimed. "I'm Somi, Jungkook's older sister, and the other half of the two kids in our family, married to a handsome man, hehe." She extended her hand, and I shook it with a grin. "Lee Heejin. Nice to meet you, Somi." She laughed and said, "I already know you! No need for introductions. You can call me unnie since I'm Jungkook's sister, which makes us sisters too!" I nodded, feeling a sense of belonging as we chatted. Just as we were getting comfortable, a man suddenly appeared between us, interrupting our conversation.

" Somi, I asked you to iron my shirt—... Lee Heejin". I let out another sigh, feeling the weight of yet another awkward situation. Why does it always have to be me in these moments? "You're Lee Heejin, right?" A friendly voice broke through my thoughts, and I looked up to see a guy smiling at me. I returned the smile and nodded. "Hi, I'm Aaren, Jungkook's brother-in-law." I stood up and gave a polite bow, which he mirrored with respect. As I settled back into my seat, I noticed Jungkook's mother beaming at me, which made me feel a bit more at ease. We chatted for a bit, and she asked me where I was from and where I lived. I hesitated to mention my mother because I still needed time to process everything myself. It felt like my entire life had been built on lies, and I struggled to hold back tears, feeling overwhelmed by the emotions swirling inside me.

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"Dinner is served!" I heard Somi shout from the kitchen, her voice echoing through the house. I was busy helping Mrs. Jeon fold some clothes while we chatted about our day. Jungkook still hadn’t come out of his room, and it had been about two hours since I arrived at their home. Surprisingly, everyone treated me like I belonged there, not like a stranger at all. I had also grown closer to Cha Young, who seemed to know me better than even Jungkook did. As I was folding the last piece of clothing, I suddenly felt a gentle hand on my back. I turned to see Somi smiling at me. "Come on, Heejin. Let’s eat first. What do you think?" I nodded eagerly and followed her to the dining room.

The dining table was filled with everyone taking their seats, except for the spot next to Jungkook, which was empty. "Come, Heejin. Make yourself at home," she said, and I felt my heart race as I sat beside him. It had been seven years since I last saw him, and I couldn’t help but notice how much he had changed. He looked more muscular, and his right arm was covered in tattoos, which surprisingly suited him well. I wondered how I had never noticed them before, but then again, he always wore formal office clothes. Somi began piling food onto my plate, and I gladly accepted it, feeling my stomach rumble with hunger. However, the atmosphere felt a bit tense, as everyone seemed to be watching me, waiting for me to take my first bite. It reminded me of a new bride nervously sharing her first meal with her in-laws. Finally, I took a bite, and the delicious flavors exploded in my mouth.

FLASHBACK :

"Jungkook, what are you up to in the kitchen?" I couldn't help but giggle as I wrapped my arms around him from behind. "Today is our first date at my place, sweetheart. What do you think I'm whipping up?" he replied with a playful tone. I leaned in a little to catch a glimpse of what he was doing, and I saw him expertly mixing the chicken with all sorts of ingredients. "You're making fried chicken!" I exclaimed. He laughed again, clearly amused. "You cheated ! But that's alright; you’re spot on." I tightened my embrace around him, feeling excited. It was Valentine’s Day, and he had invited me over to his apartment. My mom had given me the green light to go since she had met him before and trusted him. She knew he was a good guy who wouldn’t just toy with my feelings.

I was dressed in a lovely beige frock, and my hair flowed freely, making me feel quite elegant. Jungkook looked like a true gentleman too, with his silky hair slightly falling over his forehead as he focused on his cooking. After about an hour, we finally sat down at the table, and I was genuinely surprised by how delicious the chicken smelled. It was as if it had come straight from a fancy restaurant! My stomach rumbled in anticipation as I leaned in closer to see what else he had prepared. Alongside the chicken, he had baked some corn, which made the meal even more appealing. He served me a plate and insisted that I take the first bite. His eyes were glued to me as I took a taste, and I couldn’t help but let out a delighted chirp.

"Wahh... Jungkook, this is incredible! It’s a masterpiece! You have to promise me that whenever I come over, you’ll cook this for me!" I pleaded, putting my hands together in front of him like I was begging. He chuckled softly and took my hands in his, kissing them gently. "You don’t need to beg, princess. I’ll make this for you every day if you want," he assured me with a warm smile. I laughed and moved closer to him, feeling a rush of happiness. In that moment, we shared a sweet kiss, sealing the joy of our special day together.

FLASHBACK ENDS

I took a bite of the delicious food and glanced over at him, only to find him already looking back at me. "Guess who made it, Heejin," Somi, his sister, chimed in with a playful tone. My gaze remained fixed on Jungkook as I replied, "Your brother cooked it, Somi." A small smile crept onto Jungkook's face, and he quickly looked away, which made everyone around us chuckle. Both Jungkook and I exchanged glances, signaling for everyone to start the dinner. "Oh, honey, please pass me some of that chicken! I just love the way he cooks it," Somi's husband said eagerly. Somi laughed as she served him, while I quietly focused on my meal. I had thought Jungkook was holed up in his room, but it turned out he had been busy in the kitchen preparing this feast. After finishing the fried chicken, Somi handed me a bowl of soup. "Drink this; it’ll warm you up since it’s raining outside," she said with a smile. I accepted it gratefully, realizing I hadn’t eaten much in the past few days due to my sadness. I had been feeling so low that I almost wanted to disappear, but I sensed that Uncle Daehyun had noticed my struggle.

"Mr. Daehyun mentioned that you were not eating enough. You need to take in more food," I heard a soft whisper near me. That was probably why Jungkook had taken the time to cook for us. "Heejin, you know Jungkook usually doesn’t even glance at the kitchen when he comes home from work. Today, he made that fried chicken because he remembered you liked it," his mother added, and I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. I looked down, wishing I could just vanish from the moment. The weight of my earlier words pressed heavily on my heart, making me want to hide away. I noticed Jungkook stealing glances at me throughout the meal, checking to see if I was eating. It was clear he cared, and that made me feel even worse about how I had been acting.

After everyone finished their meal, I began to assist Somi in tidying up the dining area. She carried the dirty dishes to the kitchen while I grabbed a broom to sweep the floor. Just as I was getting into it, someone unexpectedly snatched the broom from my hands. It was Jungkook, and he took hold of my wrist, pulling me along behind him. He paused right in front of my room and said, "This is your space; take care of yourself ." Then he walked away, leaving me a bit stunned by what had just happened. "I still need to say goodbye to everyone" . Jungkook turned back and said, "Then go ahead and do that, but don’t stay up too late. Tomorrow is going to be a long day." I nodded in agreement and made my way out, while Jungkook let out a sigh and headed to his own room.

After a while, I stepped into the room, noticing that the heavy rain had stopped, but a light drizzle still lingered in the air. Sleep was elusive as I tossed and turned, unable to find a comfortable position. My gaze drifted to the window, where I caught a glimpse of the balcony outside. Feeling a sudden urge, I went out and was greeted by the cool breeze that brushed against my warm skin, sending shivers down my spine. Goosebumps appeared as I took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air. I let out a sigh and settled onto one of the benches, closing the door behind me. With my eyes shut, I tried to find some calmness in the moment. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that I felt a sense of peace here, a feeling of safety that I desperately needed. Without realizing it, a tear rolled down my cheek as I reflected on my struggles with love. It felt like everyone around me was only interested in betrayal.

I took a deep breath, trying to push those heavy thoughts away when suddenly my phone rang. It was Aunt Mary calling, and I answered it, feeling a bit confused. "Hi dear! Did you move? Where are you? I want to see you," she said, her voice filled with concern. I put the phone on speaker and rested it on my belly while I leaned back, closing my eyes. "Aunt Mary, I’ve left Busan," I replied, and I could hear her surprise on the other end. "But why?" she asked. I sighed deeply, feeling the weight of my words. "How could I stay there after what my mother did? She took her own life and betrayed my father. She never really loved me." I could hear her sigh in response, and I stood up, moving closer to the railing to take in the view below. "You know, the second person I trusted also let me down. Kai cheated on me too." There was a gasp from Aunt Mary. "How? Why?" she asked, clearly shocked. I chuckled bitterly, "He thought I didn’t deserve love. He was with another girl at a bar, and when she approached him in the park, she said their night together was amazing. Do you think I’m foolish enough to give him another chance?" All I could hear from her was a soft, disapproving sound, and I knew she was just as stunned as I felt.

"Please, just take a deep breath and relax. There's no need to feel down right now. You really need to look at the world around you and find your courage," she said gently. "If I could be there with you, I would wrap you in a warm hug and help you feel better. But since we’re apart, just remember to reach out to me whenever you're feeling low." I nodded in response, realizing it was time to end the call. "Alright, Aunt. I have some things to take care of, but I promise I’ll call you tomorrow." She nodded back, and we both hung up. I let out a sigh as I gazed out at the view before me, taking a deep breath to gather my thoughts before deciding to leave.

As I turned around, I was surprised to see him standing on the other side of the balcony, Jeon Jungkook. He was holding his phone, but his eyes were fixed on me. "How did you manage to get through all of this by yourself?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice. I couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Why would I share my feelings with someone who betrayed me for the first time?" We locked eyes in a silent challenge. "You will tell me everything. I'm coming over," he insisted. I shook my head firmly. "I really don’t want to talk about it." In a panic, I dashed back into my room when I saw him climbing over to my balcony. I quickly closed the glass door and locked my room, my heart racing. I could see him through the glass, still pleading to come in, but I just shook my head and pulled the curtains shut, trying to block out the world outside.

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TOMMOROW MORNING

Everyone was gathered around the dining table, creating a cozy atmosphere filled with chatter and laughter. Heejin found herself sitting next to Mrs. Jeon, while Jungkook was positioned directly across from her. Somi and Aaren occupied one side of the table, and Chayoung sat on the opposite side with Jungkook. Throughout the meal, Heejin didn’t glance at Jungkook even once, which didn’t go unnoticed by Mrs. Jeon. She turned to Jungkook and suggested, “When you leave, why don’t you take Heejin with you? You can go to the office together, okay?” Jungkook nodded in agreement, but Heejin quickly interjected, “Umm... Aunty, it’s really okay. You’ve already done so much for me. Plus, the employees might think poorly of me. You understand, right?” Mrs. Jeon’s expression softened, and although she looked a bit disappointed, she replied, “That’s fine, dear. Just remember, you’re new in Busan, so if you ever need help, don’t hesitate to come to me.”

Heejin nodded appreciatively and stood up to grab her bag, saying, “Alright then, I should get going.” As she prepared to leave, Somi stood up to give her a warm hug, squeezing her so tightly that Heejin almost gasped for air. Chayoung joined in, wrapping her arms around Heejin’s legs. “Promise me you’ll come back again,” Chayoung pleaded. Heejin smiled gently and replied, “I can’t promise, but I’ll definitely try, okay?” Chayoung’s face fell a little, and she said, “I wish you could stay here forever. That way, whenever I visit, I could see you.” Heejin shook her head playfully, saying, “Don’t wish for that! Just hope that Aunty Heejin gets her own place so I can invite you to live with me.” Chayoung beamed at the thought, and Heejin shared a warm hug with Mrs. Jeon before it was time to say goodbye to Jungkook. With a polite bow, she expressed, “Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Jeon,” and then she left, feeling a mix of emotions as she stepped out into the world beyond.

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I arrived at the office to find my desk being tidied up, and a steaming cup of coffee waiting for me. "Hey, Heejin! I know how much you love coffee, so I got this for you," said Yi Yura, who has been such a wonderful friend since I started working here. I couldn't help but smile as I settled into my chair. "Why are you doing this for me?" I asked, a bit puzzled. She looked at me with a confused expression and replied, "Why? Don't you like it?" I quickly clarified, "It's not that! I'm just not used to this kind of treatment. You really don’t have to go out of your way for me." She just smiled back and said, "You're my manager, so I want to do nice things for you, whether you want it or not." I felt a warmth in my heart at her words. Then, I glanced over at his office and caught him peeking at me. I quickly looked away, blinking a few times, but when I looked back, he was still watching. Suddenly, it all clicked in my mind—it was his idea to have my favorite coffee ready, to clean my desk, and everything else. I let out a sigh.

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It was nearly lunchtime, but Jaehyun was nowhere to be found. For the past few days, I had noticed that he had been consistently late to the office. I had also started my own investigation into the killer, but I only shared my findings with Jaehyun's uncle. Ever since that incident, Jaehyun had been acting really strange, and it left me feeling puzzled. I wasn't sure how to approach him about his odd behavior. While I was lost in my thoughts, Jungkook suddenly appeared in front of me. He knocked on my door, and as I looked up, he asked, "May I come in?" I quickly stood up and replied, "Yes, sir. You don’t need to ask." He cleared his throat and walked in, taking a seat in the chair across from me. "I have something important to discuss with you right now," he said, and I nodded, curious about what it could be. "I need some hair samples from your father. If you could help me arrange that," he continued. Suddenly, it clicked in my mind why he was asking for it.

"I think I can arrange them," I said, and he nodded in agreement. "Alright, just make sure to give them to me tomorrow." I acknowledged his request with a nod, but then an uncomfortable silence fell between us. Suddenly, he pulled something out of his pocket, and my heart raced when I recognized my father's bracelet in his grasp. "This was found in his office," he said, and I noticed some bloodstains on it. My hands clenched into fists, but my feelings shifted when he extended his hand toward me, offering the bracelet. I couldn't help but notice that he was still wearing the silver bracelet I had given him. Was he really still wearing it after everything that happened? I let out a quiet scoff and took the bracelet from him. "I think I should leave now," I said, nodding as he turned to walk away.

I found myself lost in thoughts about Uncle Jaehyun once more. It was hard to believe that Uncle Daehyun had left the office just as I began to dig into my dad's case. Three weeks had passed, and I felt like I was stuck in the same place, making no headway at all. It was frustrating to see everyone around me acting as if everything was perfectly fine. They would smile and bow, but deep down, I could sense that they were ignoring the seriousness of the situation. Uncle Daehyun was not the type to disappear without a solid reason, and that made me uneasy. I couldn't shake the thought that maybe he was somehow connected to something terrible, like a murder. But that idea felt too far-fetched, and I struggled to make sense of it all.

The unease from his sudden absence weighed heavily on my mind. As night fell, I remembered a piece of paper I had seen in my father's room. It could hold the key to understanding everything that was happening. Without wasting another moment, I grabbed my keys and hurried outside, my heart racing with anticipation. Perhaps that paper contained the truth I had been searching for. When I reached the parking lot, my eyes fell on my car, but just as I was about to approach it, disaster struck. A loud crash echoed through the air, and I turned to see a massive truck barreling toward me, completely out of control.

The shock of the moment left me speechless, my hands instinctively covering my mouth as I struggled to comprehend what had just happened. My heart raced, and I felt like I couldn't catch my breath. The world around me blurred, and bright lights flashed in my eyes, making everything feel surreal. Just when I thought I was about to be hit, I felt a sudden force push me to the side. In that split second, I heard a voice calling my name, "LEE HEEJIN." It was the last thing I remembered before everything went dark. I felt a strong arm wrap around me, and the familiar scent of the person who saved me filled my senses before I lost consciousness.

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I woke up to find a group of people hovering over me, their expressions filled with concern, as if they thought I was lifeless rather than just fainted. With a sudden jolt, I realized I was back in Jungkook's house. His mother was there, looking worried, while his sister was asking how I was feeling. I felt completely blank, unable to find the right words to respond. The shock of the situation hit me hard, and I was overwhelmed with a sense of trauma. All I wanted was some time alone to gather my thoughts. "Why did you bring me here?" I managed to ask, my voice shaky. Jungkook's mother gently stroked my cheek and explained, "You fainted, dear. Jungkook was so worried about you. He's in his room." I nodded, still feeling disoriented, and tried to get up.

As I stood, I insisted, "I'm perfectly fine. I need to go home, please let me." But she stopped me, her concern evident. "How can I let you go? You're not well; you need to rest." Tears began to well up in my eyes as I pleaded, "Please, I can't stay here. If I have chosen to fight, I will, even if everyone is against me." In that moment, she wrapped her arms around me, crying softly. "I'm with you, Heejin. Jungkook is with you. We all are with you." I was taken aback by her words. How could someone I barely knew, especially my ex-boyfriend's mother, feel such a strong emotional connection to me? I hugged her back, feeling a mix of gratitude and confusion, before saying my goodbyes and stepping out of the room.

When I emerged, I found Jungkook blocking my path. He was wearing a sleeveless white shirt, and his tattoos were clearly visible. I bowed my head slightly and said, "Thank you for helping me, sir. I should take my leave now." Just as I was about to walk past him, he grabbed my arm gently. "Don't go. It's not safe for you outside." I looked into his eyes and saw tears streaming down his face. "Even inside isn't safe for me," I replied, feeling a mix of frustration and sadness. He pleaded, "I won't cross your path. I won't even look at you, Heejin... Please don't leave. I beg you." I couldn't help but scoff at his words. "you said the same when we were in relation jeon, but what happened, you left me. You promised that you will not leave no matter what ".

He suddenly let go of my arm in a state of disbelief, and a tear rolled down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away with my hand and stepped out of the house, feeling a mix of sadness and confusion. I called for a cab and climbed in, eager to get back home. As I glanced back, I saw him standing by the main gate, still watching me with a look of longing, as if he was silently pleading for me to stay. But I knew in my heart that I couldn't.

When I finally arrived home, I hurried straight to my room, my mind racing with thoughts. "Please, Uncle Daehyun, don’t let me down. I really hope that paper is still in that drawer," I whispered desperately, feeling the weight of my emotions. I dashed to the dressing table and yanked open the drawer where I had kept the important paper, only to find it completely empty. A wave of frustration washed over me, and I let out a scoff. "Why did it have to be you, Uncle Daehyun? I trusted you completely," I thought, feeling betrayed and alone.

─── ⋆⋅TO BE CONTINUED ⋅⋆ ──

SNEAK PEAK

"someone special is coming tommorow. Guess who?". Employees were talking to one another. "Obviously who could it be?". "You mean Min Haneul is coming". Another employee said. "It means our gifts are coming as well". "I really wish Mr. Jeon and Ms. Min gets married. They suits  each other". I felt a wave of jealousy rushed over me as I heard it.

✯¸.•´*¨'*•✿ ✿•*'¨*'•.¸✯

"Heejin outside is not safe for you my dear. You should stay near us if you wanna be safe". Heejin simply shrugged off her shoulders. "It's not possible aunty. I have choosen to fight and I'll fight till my last breath". Mrs jeon sighed. "Get married to jungkook. I promise he will keep you happy. I promise". Heejin was purely shocked after hearing this.

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