Jackson stood in the doctors lounge fixing his hair, his foot tapping impatiently as his eyes flickered to the door constantly checking to see when she would come back. He sighed, his eyes flashing to his phone, message after message pouring in from Youngji as he mentally rolled his eyes. Their relationship had been on the rocks, they would fight, have sex and repeat the pattern. He was tired of it in all honesty. He could smell the perfume of another on her body and sheets, he saw the pants of another chucked in the corner, he saw the condom that hadn't  been disposed of properly and he wondered in those instances what Irene felt, If it hurt her to know he was with another. His eyes  shut as he thought about it. She looked good, better than she did before he had left, happier. And he was glad. He glad that she found happiness amongst the constant suffering she endured, he just knew he couldn't be the one to make her happy. He heard the door open, the sound of heels following gaining towards him. "Hey are you okay?" He heard her soft angelic voice, his heart shuddering at the mere sound of her voice. His eyes opened, smiling up at her. "Yeah let's go." "Wait." She said, halting his attempts to escape past her. She held a tie in her hand. "It's one of those events." He laughed slightly nodding. He took off his blazer, lifting his collars, as she took a hesitant step forward his eyes casting down to watch her hands but choosing to focus on her instead. She looked beautiful, in a body con black evening dress that left her shoulder blades on display, with a large slit that exposed her toned legs, her hair straight falling mid back as it covered the crystal earrings that sparkled when the light caught it. Her lips were coated in a pink nude colour and her eyes were emphasised with eye liner and mascara.

She worked diligently in tying the tie, her eye brows furrowed in concentration as she did. Two minutes passed and she successfully tied the knot, flattening down his collars, her hands somewhat resting on his chest as she did. She moved back quickly, passing a small smile his way. "Let's go." She vocalised as she grabbed her purse off the table, she waited for him at the door, her arms crossing over her chest as she walked. They heard wolf whistles as they turned to Wendy accompanied by Mark. "You guys look great." Wendy said. Irene tucked a lock of hair behind her ear with a smile. Irene looked at Wendy smirking. "Should the whistles be directed at you?" She laughed as Wendy blushed. "I'm your best friend, I know you like the back of my hand. Also your really obvious." Mark laughed high fiving Irene as Wendy rolled her eyes. "Hey your supposed to be my best friend." "She has known me for years as well Wends." Mark said wrapping an arm around Irene. "Fine I'll just take Jack then." Irene looked at her. "He'a already taken." "What by you?" "No." She said softly. She smiled up at Wendy masking the crack in her facade. "Have fun on your date no funny business and Mark..." she turned to him. "I'm not ready to be a aunt just yet...don't get her pregnant." She laughed "YAHH IRENE!" Wendy screeched, half the hospital turning to watch. Irene laughed grabbing Jackson's hand unconsciously, running away. Jackson turned to see Wendy's now red face, his own laughter no longer being suppressed as he let his wife lead him away. She continued to laugh as her hand left his, her face tension free for the first time in awhile. She smiled calming down, looking at him, smiling. "Let's go." She continued to walk, his eyes catching the posters and banners that had her face on it. "Woah, Irene..." she stopped "What." He pointed at the banners. "Oh yeah I forgot to mention that I do tv programs and other health related events outside the hospital." His eyes widened. "You forgot?" She heard the bitterness in his tone, wincing slightly. "It's not important." She said the elevator doors opening. "How is it not?" She looked at him. "It's not important to you." She rephrased. "Your my-" he was cut off with another individual joining them. Irene bowed "Sir." She addressed, as Jackson bowed too. He nodded back at them. "Where are you going looking so beautiful Ms Bae." Jackson froze, had she not changed her name? "Family event." She said. "Too bad I would have taken you on a date." Irene looked in shock, her eyes flashing to Jackson seeing the look that he was desperately trying to mask. "Sir?" She questioned still shocked herself. "That position should have gone to you. Let's meet to discuss it again, your better looking than Tiffany, I suppose that's why they called you doctor Bae beauty." Her eyes widened. "There's no need sir, I'm happy with my current position." The elevator pinged again. "We will discuss it over dinner on Friday Ms Bae see you then." He left before she could begin to oppose, her eyes casting to Jackson who suddenly became aloof with her. "Jack-" he walked straight out, as she watched. She followed at a distance, her feet rubbing up against the inside of her shoe, her eyes trailing after his form. "Hurry up." He called, "We are going to be late because of you." He watched as she flinched at his tone, his eyes watching as she waddled slightly, kicking himself for not realising she was struggling, he made attempts to walk with her but she began speed walking away reaching the car before him.

They sat in the car, in complete silence, the journey continued in silence as Irene made sure to keep her gaze out of her window. "Why didn't you tell me?" He finally said, her gaze remaining turned. "We talk almost every day Irene, yet you never once mentioned it." She finally  looked at him. "I didn't think you cared." She said back noting the way his grip on the steering wheel tightened. He remained silent. And so did she, the two seemingly turning away from the other as she gulped back the sudden feeling emitted from her heart. She sighed, as she looked down at her phone, waiting for this horrible journey to end.

They arrived moments later, Jackson moving to open her door, only for her to do it herself. She climbed out no longer meeting his gaze. He sighed offering her his arms that he knew under different circumstances she would have rejected. He felt her hand hold his bicep as they moved along the red carpet that had been set up. They walked in irene immediately ditching his arm as his mother and father ran to embrace her. She laughed, his face opening slightly as he huffed. "So did you forget you have a son?" He questioned back as his parents hugged him, he watched as Irene spoke to his brother and sister-in-law the light returning to her features as she causally held the wine glass to her lips. "Tita Irene!" They heard, watching as Amy ran to Irene who picked her up with ease. Amy giggled giving Irene a big kiss on the cheek, that caused her to laugh. "How's my baby?" She questioned "good. I missed you." "You saw me the other day." Irene said laughing, Amy wrapped her arms around Irene's neck resting her head against her shoulder as the others laughed with her. Jackson watched the two, his heart beating as he did. She was perfect with kids. Her face glowing as she interacted with his niece. "Amy..." he called. "Jacko!" She screeched as Irene put her down, "Hey baby." He said squeezing her cheeks as she hugged him. "Did you miss me?" Amy smiled up at him. "Yes but not really, Tita Irene has been here, she's amazing she's helped me with everything whilst you have been away." She said as Jackson looked up to see her laughing with his Dad. "Yeah she is amazing." He said. Amy giggled as his sister-in-law called Amy over. Jackson came out of his crouched position as he watched her begin to organise certain things. He walked up to her. "Hey..." he called as she turned to him. "Thanks for being there for Amy...for my entire family." He said. "I didn't do it for you." She said, turning. "Irene!" They heard, she picked up the box, her shoulder brushing against his as she left. He turned watching her, his heart clenching in pain at the simple phrase that seemed to be like a dagger to his heart. He leaned back slightly, feeling a hand on his shoulder. He smiled at his mother who followed him gaze. "She's been amazing...she's been more than a daughter-in-law, she's been a daughter." She said watching as Irene helped his Dad greet some incoming guests. "She's been there for me after long shifts, cooking, cleaning and talking. She's listened to your father talk and helped with army stuff. She's helped your brother and me with the business..." she looked around. "This new success is because of her." Jackson's eyes flashed to his mothers. "But I saw the pain in her eyes Jackson. We all did. We don't know what happened between the two of you, she never said one word against you in the past two months, but whatever it is, she doesn't deserve to be hurt. She's a gem of a person, you'll see that tonight when you see how she handles everything." His mother offered him one more smile before being called over by his Dad. Irene caught his eye, her own softening for a second, his parents watching the exchange in silence with small smiles on their faces. He walked up to her, just as she became bombarded with family friends and business partners. He watched as she smiled talking to them all with such an ease he had never seen. He noted the way she had remembered small subtle details about each individual that stood in front of them, that made them feel special, she laughed at the right time, she asked intellectual questions that made the conversations flow, she was amazing. His hand rested on her waist, his eyes watching her as she seemed oblivious to it. He had always hated these events, but with her it felt different. His father was right, maybe she was the best fit, Youngji would never last two minutes, and watching Irene...watching his wife, he felt a sense of pride that he had never felt before. They continued to move around the guests, her English perfect when it came to international clients resulting in deal after deal, that his brother and sister-in-law had been waiting for. And he knew that these people were investing in his wife. She turned over to the next, him casually sipping on his wine as he conversed with someone else in Chinese. His eyes widening as she joined the conversation moments later "您的业​​务交易如何? (How is the business transaction coming along?") they continued their conversation, Jackson standing amazed as he watched her. She told him she only knew the basics yet here she was next to him, talking fluently in his mother tongue. He watched her, his hand moving back to her waist as he did. She seemed to subconsciously lean in as she continued, but such a small gesture managed to bring a bright smile to his face, a British client joining their huddle moments later. He looked at Jackson. "You are one lucky man." He said as Irene looked down blushing. Jackson smiled. "I know." He said kissing her forehead. Her eyes widened as she quickly recovered faking a smile. She excused herself moments later his eyes following her as she walked to the where the other ladies now stood. He continued talking with others, his gaze fixed on her. He felt a punch in the arm. "Your whipped son." One of his uncles said laughing as Jackson smiled, Irene turning to catch the look as his uncle wrapped an arm around him. "Feel better now that you got attention from your wife?" Jackson looked down at his shoes as they laughed at him.

Minutes later they were called to the centre of the floor for the traditional waltz, Jackson held his hand out for her as they stood in front of each other. They stood in position the soft music playing delicately in the background. He spun her around. "Thank you." He said. Watching as she chose to stare past his shoulder. "You've been amazing...I don't deserve you." He said finally. He watched as she took a sharp intake of breath. He continued to twirl her to the beat until she was safely back in his arms. "I'm sorry." He whispered finally. "It's fine." She said, biting her lip, his eyes watching. He looked at her his heart thumping as the music continued to play, his hand wrapping around her waist pulling her closer, his lips meeting hers as they heard cheers around them. She kissed back, her arms wrapping around his neck, her ring glistening with the light. She foolishly gave in, her heart jumping into the drivers seat as they continued. They parted moments later, his forehead resting against hers. No words said. The regret only visible to each other. He continued to sway her to the beat, the music changing as she was twirled away, landing in someone else's arms, his own now occupied with another. He watched as she attempted to smile at her new partner, her heart aching to be back in his. She spoke with her partner politely, Jackson's eyes casting down, widening to see Youngji. "Hey babe." She said. He attempted to push her back, looking around at the attention he had seemingly grabbed. His eyes casting back to Irene's who caught the look in his eyes. And she knew, she knew this was her husbands mistress. She paused her movements everyone watching the couple, "Yah isn't that Jackson's ex girlfriend." "Yeah it is." She heard one say. "He shouldn't have allowed her here, I tell you men no longer consider the feelings of their wife's." "Look at her, pity, she looks upset." She heard another say. She looked at her in-laws who watched her in concern, she took steps away from her partner before turning away. She rushed past the gossiping ladies, heading straight out as he made desperate attempts to get Youngji away from him. He called out for Irene, but it turned deaf to her ears as she ran. Finally managing to get away, he ran past his family who looked at him in horror. "Irene." He called his feet picking up momentum.

She leaned against the car, her body shuddering from the cold, her heart breaking as she suppressed her sobs choking on them. Suddenly she was slammed against the car, her eyes widening to see Jin, her fears reawakening in the matter minutes. "Hello again beautiful." He said. He watched her, "Gosh you look more beautiful." She stood frozen, her mind going into complete frenzy. "That date will be rescheduled for this week...I'll be in touch." He said winking at her, he moved closer, leaning in only for her to turn away. He chuckled. "I'll get that kiss don't worry baby." He said walking away. She crouched down shaking, wrapping her arms around her form as she did. Jackson's eyes finally caught sight of her, his feet rushing forward. "Irene." He called, watching her head lift up in defeat, the look of fear startling him. "He's back." She said. His eyes widened as he surveyed the area. "Irene..." he whispered softly as he moved to help her stand. She shrugged of his hand. "Give me the keys." She said monotonously. "Irene-." "Keys." She cut in. He watched as she stretched her hand out. He looked at her. "Irene..." he attempted again putting the keys in her hand. She opened the door in a swift movement climbing in. She locked the door, as he tried to open it before starting the engine in moments and driving off. He chased after the car trying to get through to her as she left. His eyes watering at the way he was destroying everything.

He took his phone out calling Jinyoung. "Jin's here." He said cutting the call before Jinyoung could respond. His eyes watering more as he watched the car disappear from his sights.

TBC

Authors note:
Hey hope you like this one a lot happened in this one chapter lol. Let know what your thoughts are about this update. I look forward to hearing back. Lots of love and best wishes to you all. Stay safe x