You can find the early access chapter in ScrollStack. The link provided in bio.

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"Why are you telling me this?" I ask, suspicion weighing my voice.

Father's grip on my hand tightens. "Because you need to know this, to protect yourself, to bring Kung Min in line. And because I trust you not to harm my grandson just to get Kung Min's attention."

His words catch me off guard, striking a nerve I hadn't realized was raw. I swallow, pushing down the rush of emotions trying to surface.

"There's more." He pauses to take a labored breath, his complexion slightly improving. "Kung Min has been skimming profits from our legitimate businesses."

My eyes widen in shock. "Skimming? For what?"

"For an offshore account," Father says, his gaze steady but sad. "For the boy and Isabella. I've known... but I turned a blind eye."

The implications crash into me. "If the others found out..."

Father nods, his expression grim. "It would turn them against him. Destroy everything he's built."

I let the gravity of his words sink in, my mind racing through the possible consequences. "Why now? Why tell me all this?"

His gaze is filled with regret and a fierce resolve. "Because I can't let him keep up this feud against you, Y/N. I want to make things right—with you, with the family. I want you and Kung Min to have a sibling bond, but he needs to face the truth to make that possible."

His words hang between us as I struggle to respond, torn between years of resentment and the unexpected vulnerability of this moment. "I don't know what to say."

He squeezes my hand, his grip lacking the strength it once had, making my heart ache. "You don't have to say anything. Just use this information wisely. Protect yourself, and maybe... find it in your heart to forgive an old man's mistakes."

I sit in silence, trying to process his words. Just then, the door opens, and a nurse steps inside, signaling the end of our visit.

As I stand to leave, Father calls out, "Y/N?"

I turn back to him.

"Remember," he says, his voice weak but full of urgency. "Family is everything. No matter what."

I nod, unable to find words, and exit the room. Jungkook is waiting outside, his stance alert, like he's ready to step in if there's any sign of trouble. "Are you okay?" he asks, concern lacing his voice.

I shrug, still reeling from the revelations. "I don't know, but we have a lot to talk about."

Jungkook's expression shifts, serious and focused. "We'll talk when we get back to Seoul."

As we leave the hospital in Busan, I glance back one last time at Father's door before it closes, leaving me with a heart full of conflicting emotions and a mind buzzing with dangerous secrets.

Jungkook's hand finds its place on my lower back, steadying me as we walk out of the lobby and into the waiting car. As soon as the car door closes, I lean into him, the weight of my newfound knowledge bearing down on me.

The drive back to Seoul is tense, my mind racing as I try to process everything. Jungkook's silent presence is comforting, and I focus on my breathing, trying to calm the turmoil within me.

Once we arrive in Seoul, Jungkook dismisses the driver and guides me to his office in our penthouse. Closing the door, he turns to face me. "What did your father tell you?"

"Kung Min has a secret family in Busan—a woman named Isabella and a five-year-old son, Tony," I say, the words spilling out as I try to grasp the magnitude of it all.

Jungkook's eyebrows shoot up, and he leans forward, clearly intrigued. "That's... unexpected. And very useful."

"There's more. Kung Min has been skimming profits from the legitimate businesses to support them. Father's known about it but turned a blind eye."

A glint of interest sparks in Jungkook's eyes, a predator sensing an opportunity. "This could change everything. If the others found out..."

"It would ruin him," I say quietly. "Father gave me this information to protect myself. To use against Kung Min if I need to, but he's hoping we can find a way to still be family." My tone betrays my own doubts about that possibility.

Jungkook starts pacing the room, clearly strategizing. "We need to verify this information. If it's true, we need to act swiftly."

I nod. "What's the plan?"

He stops pacing, meeting my eyes with a calculating look. "We'll send a discreet team to Busan. They'll keep an eye on Isabella and Tony to confirm their connection to Kung Min."

I nod, feeling a new surge of purpose, even as the weight of what lies ahead lingers heavily in the air.

"Only if we have to," I add, my voice carrying a subtle hint of warning.

Sometimes, I wonder if I sound intimidating when I talk to him like this—if I'm as scary as people sometimes say. But Jungkook barely flinches, his expression unreadable, cool as ever.

Maybe it's these pregnancy hormones making me both fearless and moody, giving me the audacity to stand up to him, even if he is, technically, a mafia boss.

But it's funny, isn't it? They say a husband should always be just a little scared of his wife.

And here I am, pregnant and ready to face off against this towering, ruthless man.

But if Jungkook has any sense of fear, he hides it well.

A small smirk tugs at the corner of his lips, and he just watches me with that damn cool confidence that only makes me want to shake him sometimes.