Chapter 23: (Aaira's pov)
28 July, 2025.

I was sitting at the kitchen table, savoring the warmth of the freshly baked cookies and the joy radiating from Azura. Her giggles filled the room, she was still telling me her stories, I was just laughing.

Ian suddenly said,

Ian: Let me cook the meal.

I just nodded. Obviously, I didn't even work unless I was in front of Hwasa noona in the 1800s. Ian rolled up his sleeves. He started gathering ingredients from the pantry and the cupboard which provides cool waves like a hill station, I don't remember what they called it, maybe the refrigerator or something.

Ian: How about some tteokbokki? It's a famous Korean dish. Do you know how to make it?

Aaira: No, I don't know how to make it. But my mother used to cook it for me.

Ian: Should I teach you, then ?

Aaira: Can you ?

Ian smiled and began explaining the recipe as he worked. Azura kept talking, her excitement infectious.

Ian: First, we need to make the sauce. I use gochujang, which is a Korean chili paste. It's got a nice kick to it. We also need gochugaru, Korean chili flakes, for some extra heat. Then, we'll add some soy sauce, sugar, and minced garlic.

He measured out the ingredients with precision, mixing them in a bowl. The rich, spicy aroma began to fill the kitchen.

Azura: Daddy, I help?

Ian: Of course, sweetheart. You can help me stir the sauce.

Azura stood on a stool next to Ian, carefully stirring the mixture under his watchful eye. Ian continued.

Ian: Next, we need rice cakes. They're called tteok. We'll soak them in water for a bit to soften them up.

He placed the rice cakes in a bowl of warm water and then moved on to preparing the other ingredients.

Ian: We'll also need some fish cakes. They add a nice texture and flavor to the dish. I like to cut them into bite-sized pieces.

Azura: Fish cakes! I love!

Ian chuckled and continued chopping the fish cakes.

Ian: We'll also add some green onions and cabbage. They give the tteokbokki a nice crunch and freshness.

As Ian chopped the vegetables, he glanced over at me.

Ian: Now, we need to boil some water in a large pan. Once it's boiling, we'll add the rice cakes and let them cook until they're soft and chewy.

Azura: I watch, Daddy?

Ian: Sure, Azura. Just be careful, it's hot.

Aaira: You shouldn't let the child around heat, it's dangerous.

He hissed suddenly, then he slowly nod and place her beside me on the chair.

Ian: Azura, watch from here.

Azura watched intently as Ian added the rice cakes to the boiling water. He then added the fish cakes and vegetables, stirring them gently.

Ian: Now, we add the sauce. This is where all the flavor comes from.

He poured the spicy sauce into the pan, mixing it thoroughly with the other ingredients. The vibrant red color of the sauce coated everything.

Ian: We'll let this simmer for a few minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together. The rice cakes will absorb the sauce, becoming even more delicious.

Azura: It smells so good!

Ian: It does, doesn't it?

He smiled at Azura, then turned to me. I just stayed silent.

Ian: Tteokbokki is a comfort food for many Koreans. It's spicy, savory, and slightly sweet. Perfect for a rainy day or when you need a little pick-me-up.

As the tteokbokki simmered, Ian set the table, placing bowls and chopsticks for each of us. Azura bounced in her seat, eagerly awaiting the meal.

Ian: And now, the final touch-sesame seeds and a drizzle of sesame oil.

He sprinkled sesame seeds over the dish and added a light drizzle of sesame oil, enhancing the aroma even further.

Ian: It's ready. Let's eat.

He served the tteokbokki into bowls, the steam rising and filling the air with its tantalizing scent. I picked up my chopsticks, feeling a mix of curiosity.

Aaira: This looks amazing, Thank you.

Ian: You're welcome, Aaira. I hope you like it.

We all dug in, the spicy, savory flavors bursting in my mouth with each bite. The rice cakes were soft and chewy, the fish cakes tender, and the vegetables added a refreshing crunch.

Azura: Yummy!

Ian: I'm glad you like it, Azura. How about you, Aaira?

Aaira: It's delicious. Just like my Mother's.

Ian's smile widened, clearly pleased with my response. As we finished our meal, Ian spoke.

Ian: I'm glad you enjoyed it, Azura, Aaira.

I just nodded my head, he was being so nice to me, I fear if Jungkook finds this out, he might harm Ian, but there was no hope that he was coming back here to take me, I was here all by myself, I i want to go back.

Azura: Can we make cookies again tomorrow, Daddy?

Ian chuckled.

Ian: We'll see, sweetheart. L

I smiled, Suddenly, the main door creaked open. Ian's face instantly shifted from a relaxed smile to a mask of shock and concern. Before he could react, Azura jumped up from her seat and dashed towards the door.

Azura: Grand dadda, Grand mumma! Aaira here!

Her little voice echoed through the house as she ran to greet the newcomers. I felt a surge of panic. No one else should see me here. Ian's eyes met mine, a silent plea for calm, but my heart raced uncontrollably.

A middle-aged couple appeared at the door, their faces lighting up at the sight of Azura. They scooped her up in a hug, laughing at her excitement. But as they followed her into the kitchen, their expressions changed. The warmth in their eyes vanished, replaced by a look of cold disbelief.

Ian's Father: I'm sorry but...

Ian's Mother: Ian, who is this?

Her voice was stern. Ian quickly stepped forward, positioning himself between me and the couple.

Ian: Dad, Mom, this is Aaira. She's my friend.

His mother's eyes narrowed as she looked me up and down. Her gaze was piercing.

Ian's Mother: Ian, we need to talk. Now.

Ian glanced back at me, his expression torn. He turned to his parents, lowering his voice.

Ian: Can we discuss this later? Azura is here, and it's not the time-

Ian's Father: Now, Ian.

I felt like an intruder, unwanted and out of place. Ian sighed, nodding reluctantly. He gestured for me to follow him out of the kitchen.

Ian: Aaira, why don't you go to the living room for a bit? I'll be right there.

I nodded, not trusting my voice to speak. I rose from my seat, avoiding the couple's eyes, and walked towards the living room.

Ian's Father: Wait !

I stopped at my pace.

Ian's Father: Let Azura go.

I quickly set her down on the ground, as she looked at her grandfather with disbelief in her eyes.

Ian's Father: Azura, Go to your room.

I turned to face him, but my eyes were still downwards.

Ian: Dad, what do you want ?

Ian's Father: Aren't you Y/n?

My body froze as soon as he called me Y/n. What did he mean? They couldn't know the old couple, could they? I started to shiver, and Ian quickly stepped in front of me.

Ian: No, she's Aaira!

His father glanced at me, then back at Ian.

Ian's Father: Are you insane? She's not Aaira, obviously!

He shouted, he was looking at me with disgust all over his face.

Ian's Father: She told you some story of your greatest ancestor and you let her in? Are you that gullible?

What does he mean ? He's disgusted of me for saying my real identity, and he still called me the greatest ancestor? What was wrong with his father ?

Ian's Father: She's Y/n! My friend's daughter! He's been searching for her for the last two days.

Tears streamed down my face as I shook my head. I'm not Y/n, no. I can't go there I've escaped from there, I can't go back, no.

Aaira: No, I don't want to go back there. Please, don't make me go back.

Ian's mother looked at me with disgust, her eyes narrowing. So, they're actually from my lineage after all. I should have known. The disgust on their faces mirrored my family's reactions to strangers in their house.

Ian: Dad, Mom, I don't care who she was or what her story is. She's staying here, with us. She's been through enough. And that's my final decision!

Ian's Father: You don't understand, Ian. She's been missing, and her family is worried sick. We can't just keep her here.

Ian's Mother: And what about us, Ian? Do you think we can just ignore the fact that she's deceived you?

Ian turned to me.

Ian: Aaira, please, tell them the truth. Let them understand what you've been through.

I took a deep breath.

Aaira: My name is Aaira, Jeon Aaira.

As soon as I said it, his parent's disgust for me intestified. They exchanged weird glances with each other, I know they wouldn't trust me, they doesn't even have my picture in their house.

Aaira: I was forced to take on the identity of Y/n by that old couple who thought I was their deceased daughter. They did terrible things to me. I escaped, and Ian helped me.

Ian's Father: That's a pretty wild story, but it doesn't change the fact that you need to go back to your family.

Ian: No, Dad. She's not going anywhere. Not until we sort this out.

Ian's mother shook her head, as she tried to pull Ian away from the room, but he didn't even budge.

Ian's Mother: Ian, this isn't your decision to make. We need to contact her family and let them handle it.

Ian: And what if they're the ones who hurt her? We can't just send her back into danger.

Ian's Mother: You know how dangerous this could be for all of us.

Ian: She's been through hell, Mom. I couldn't just leave her out there.

Ian's Father: This isn't safe. For you, for Azura, or for any of us. We need to think about the repercussions.

Ian: Please stop !

Ian's Father: We'll contact her family, and we'll see what they have to say.

Ian turned to me.

Azura was still peeking from a corner, Her hairs handing in their air, her mouth slightly open, covered with her small palm.

Ian's Father: Azura, go to your room.

Azura looked up at her grandfather with wide eyes, then back at me. Reluctantly, she nodded and headed towards her room.

Ian's Mother: We need to call her family, Ian. Now.

Ian sighed, his shoulders sagging.

Ian: Fine. But if they show any sign of being the ones who hurt her, we're not letting her go.

His parents exchanged a glance, then nodded.

Ian's Father: Agreed.

Ian: Aaira, stay here. I'll handle this.

As he walked out of the room, I sank into the couch, my heart pounding. As Ian and his parents left the room to make the call, I sat on the ground, my heart racing with fear. I didn't understand how they were going to summon someone; phones didn't exist in my time.

The pain in my chest intensified, and I instinctively pulled out the blood pipe from my hand, causing tears to stream down my face. I curled up on the floor, trembling with dread. Azura, sensing my distress, came over and climbed onto my lap. She gently wiped away my tears with her tiny hands, her voice soft and soothing.

Azura: Okay, Aaira. Don't cry.

But I couldn't stop crying. The memories of the old couple and the horrors they had subjected me to flooded my mind. I held Azura close. Two agonizing hours passed, Azura has already slept in my embrace, suddenly, the old couple finally arrived.

The door opened, and they entered, their faces full of concern and fake care. The old woman rushed forward towards me, her arms outstretched.

Old Woman: Oh, dear Y/n! We've been so worried about you!

Her voice was sugary sweet, but I recoiled instinctively. The old man followed behind, his expression similarly masked with false warmth. I hate them so much, how could they pretend to be so sweet after what they did?

Old Man: Y/n, my child, we've searched everywhere for you.

I stared at them, my body tense with fear. Azura clung to me, sensing my unease. The old woman reached out to touch my shoulder, but I flinched away.

Aaira: Don't touch me!

My voice came out as a harsh whisper, laced with fear and anger. Ian's parents watched the scene unfold. Ian returned to the room, his face pale with worry.

Ian: Aaira, Your family here ?

Aaira: No! They're not my family! They're liars!

The old woman's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly composed herself.

Old Woman: Y/n, dear, please come with us. Your parents are waiting. We didn't even eat a single ounce of meal without you, my daughter.

Aaira: No! I won't go back with you! You're not my parents!

Ian's Father: Y/n, listen to them. They're here to take care of you.

Aaira: No! They're here to hurt me again! I won't let you take me back!

Ian stepped forward, placing himself between me and the old couple. He slightly pushed them away, as he came and set to my level on the floor.

Ian: Aaira, calm down. Let's talk about this calmly.

But I couldn't calm down. The fear and trauma were too overwhelming. I clutched Azura tightly, my whole body shaking. I kept refusing with my head, as no.

Aaira: Ian, please don't let them take me. Please!

Ian looked torn, caught between his desire to protect me and his sense of duty to resolve the situation peacefully. His parents exchanged worried glances, unsure of what to do next.

Ian's Mother: Maybe we should call the police.

Old Man: No, please! We can handle this ourselves. Y/n, come with us, please.

Aaira: Yes, Please call the police.

Old Man: It's a family matter, we'll solve it just like this.

Ian: Why are you scared of the police then, let the ghe police come ?

Old Man: Y/n is mentally ill, you should talk to her psychiatrist, he would tell you, She acts differently towards new people, and tell them She's Aaira, when she's clearly not.

Aaira: It's a lie, Ian. He's a Liar, She's a liar !

The old man's voice was pleading now, but I shook my head vigorously. Ian's mother quickly pulled Azura from my laps, as soon as she heard the old man blabber shit about me.

Ian's Father: We need to resolve this peacefully. Ian, talk to her. Help her understand.

He was the only person I trusted in this moment of chaos, at least he should trust me, when no one else is.

Ian: What if she's actually Aaira ?

Old Woman: She's not Aaira!

Ian's Mother: Now, I'm understanding the situation.

Aaira: No! You don't understand what they did to me! How they tortured me!

Old Woman: Y/n, we would never hurt you. We love you.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my trembling voice.

Aaira: Ian, I can't stay here. They'll take me back to that place.

Ian's expression softened with empathy.

Ian's Father: Y/n, listen to them. They're here to take care of you.

Aaira: Jungkook!

The old woman pulled me from my arm towards the gate, Azura stood in shock, tears welling up in her eyes as she watched me being dragged away.

Azura: No! Aaira!

No one paid attention, no one said anything. I struggled against the old couple's grip.

Aaira: Jungkook, please! Save me! Don't let them take me back!

But my cries fell on deaf ears. The old woman tightened her grip on my wrist, her voice sharp with accusations.

Old Woman: See how she's acting? She's manipulating you all with her lies!

Ian hesitated, before he could walk towards me. His mother stepped forward.

Ian's Mother: Ian, Let them take her.

Ian glanced at me.

Ian: Aaira, I'm sorry.

Tears streamed down my face as I realized Ian wouldn't stand up for me. I had no one left to turn to.

Aaira: No, Ian! Please...

But my protests were in vain. The old couple pulled me out of the house, their grip unyielding. Azura ran after us, crying uncontrollably.

Azura: Aaira! Come back!

Old Man: You'll come with us quietly now, Y/n. There's no use fighting.

I stumbled along, my legs weak with fear and exhaustion. The old woman kept muttering under her breath about my deceitful nature, painting me as a villain in their twisted narrative.

Old Woman: Such a shameless liar... pretending to be someone you're not...

We reached their car parked outside. I hesitated, planting my feet firmly on the ground. But the old man yanked me forward, his grip bruising my arm.

Old Man: Get in the car, Aaira. We're going home.

I looked back one last time at the house where Ian and Azura stood watching, tears staining her faces. My heart shattered into a million pieces. I wanted to scream for help, to beg Ian to save me, but no words came out.

Aaira: Jungkook... please...

The old woman shoved me into the car, and they slammed the door shut. I sat there, numb with despair, as they drove away from Ian's house, The journey was silent except for the occasional mutterings of the old woman, I felt utterly alone, betrayed by everyone around me.

After what seemed like an eternity, we arrived at their house. It loomed before me like a prison, filled with memories of pain and suffering. They led me inside, their grip still tight on my arm.

Old Woman: Welcome home, Aaira. Your family has been waiting for you.

Aaira: Jungkook... please find me...

As the old woman gripped my hand, her nails digging into my skin, she dragged me back into the same dark basement where my blood still stained the floor. The air was thick with the scent of mold and decay, a stark contrast to the fresh air of freedom I had briefly tasted.

She shoved me towards a rickety chair and forced me to sit. My heart pounded in my chest as I glanced around the familiar, dreaded surroundings.

The old woman returned with a glass of milk, She held it out to me, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness.

Old Woman: Here, dear. You must be thirsty after your ordeal.

I hesitated, my hands trembling. But with a firm grip, she forced the glass into my hands. The milk sloshed over the rim, spilling onto my lap. I stared at it, my mind racing with fear. What could be in that glass? Was it poisoned, drugged?

Old Woman: Drink it, Aaira. It will help calm your nerves.

Her tone brooked no argument. I lifted the glass to my lips and took a hesitant sip. The milk tasted bitter, tinged with something metallic. A chill ran down my spine as I realized what she had done. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I couldn't fight it. My senses dulled, and my limbs grew heavy.

I collapsed to the floor, the world spinning around me. Darkness crept in at the edges of my vision as I slipped into unconsciousness, trapped once again in the clutches of those who had tormented me.

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"Why does the hope of escape always feel just out of reach? Was my freedom ever real, or just an illusion I created to survive?"

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