Present Day
22-Years-Old

It was three days later, and Aera was officially moved into her new apartment. To her surprise, Yoongi had indeed helped her with her furniture, though he acted highly annoyed the whole time. After he left her apartment, she no longer heard anything from him. She would still try to text him every once in awhile, but he would not respond.

Aera looked around her living room and sighed. The TV had been Yoongi's so she was stuck in silence with nothing but her tortured thoughts.

She did have one positive thing she was looking forward to. In just a few more days time, she would be in the courtroom, hopefully being approved to foster Jungkook. She was ecstatic for that, despite everything else in her life falling apart. But then she began to worry that if she wasn't approved, she'd fall apart all over again.

For the umpteenth time, she decided to text Yoongi.

Aera Hey. I'm just sitting here with my thoughts and wanted to let you know that I miss you.

Of course there was no reply, no matter how long Aera waited.

Aera I hope someday you can let me know what happened between us and what I apparently did wrong. I want to apologize to you, because I never meant to hurt you.

Aera wasn't sure she'd even actually hurt Yoongi, but she'd do and say anything to get him to reply at this point.

-

Yoongi looked down at his phone and sighed. Aera was texting him again. He wondered why she even bothered.

"You should just delete her from your contacts," Sunhee spoke up from behind him where she was reading over his shoulder.

Because she couldn't see his face, Yoongi allowed his eyes to widen. Delete Aera? He wasn't sure why, but he wasn't sure he was ready to do that yet. It seemed extreme. Not that he hadn't made the situation with her extreme already.

"Yoongs," Sunhee said from behind him as his finger hovered over Aera's contact. "Delete her."

"I..."

"Why are you hesitating? She's officially out of your life. It's done. Just delete her."

With something of a heavy heart, Yoongi did as he was told. He was, for some reason, grateful Sunhee hadn't ordered him to block Aera. He wasn't sure if he could truly bring himself to do that.

Sunhee came around the couch and smiled sweetly at Yoongi as she sat down beside him. "I'm proud of you," she said, and Yoongi couldn't help but preen a bit. "This is a good thing, Yoongs. I promise."

Yoongi nodded a bit hesitantly, but he told himself she was right. Aera had been driving him crazy for the past couple of weeks. Now he didn't have to worry about it anymore. And now he could concentrate fully on Sunhee and their relationship, with no interruptions.

"I have to work tonight," Sunhee told him. "But we can have some fun when I get home."

Yoongi grinned. "I'd like that."

Sunhee placed a hand on his cheek as she leaned forward and kissed him. "We're finally alone. Doesn't it feel good?"

Yoongi swallowed hard, but nodded. Sunhee smiled.

"I'll be back before you know it," she said as she stood. She then headed to the door and left, leaving Yoongi alone with his thoughts.

And he wasn't sure he wanted to delve too far into them, so he turned on the TV and quickly played some movie that he didn't pay much attention to. But at least the noise drowned everything else out.

-

Four days later, Aera waited nervously in the courtroom. She had learned that Jungkook's mother was supposed to be making an appearance that day, hopefully to relinquish her parental rights. If she did, the court would then decide if Aera would be able to foster the boy.

After what felt like forever, the courtroom doors suddenly opened and Aera heard the click of heels on the floor.

She turned and her eyes widened. Sunhee was walking toward the front of the courtroom. Aera's mouth dropped open in silent shock.

Sunhee had almost made it to the table in front of the judge when she noticed Aera. She paused, staring for a moment.

"Ms. Park."

The judge was ready to start the proceedings, but Sunhee couldn't help but taunt Aera. She ignored the judge.

"You want to foster my son?"

Aera swallowed thickly. Words were escaping her so she merely nodded.

Sunhee smirked. She looked into Aera's wide eyes.

"You leave Yoongi alone for good, and you can have the brat."

Aera felt tears beginning to sting the backs of her eyes. She didn't want to give up either her best friend or the little boy she'd fallen for.

"Ms. Park!"

Sunhee continued to ignore the judge as her eyes bored into Aera's. Finally, Aera took in a shaky breath. Her heart broke as she whispered, "Okay."

Sunhee smirked again; a devious and evil smirk. She turned toward the judge just as he began to admonish her one last time. She put on a bright smile.

"I apologize, your honor," she offered as she situated herself at the table. The judge did not look amused, but continued regardless.

"I understand that you are here to relinquish your parental rights to your son, Jungkook. Is that correct?"

"Yes, your honor."

"You had turned him over to your sister and brother-in-law, who are no longer permitted to care for him. Did you have hope that he would go anywhere else in particular?"

Sunhee seemed to consider this. Finally she replied, "I would like him to go to the persons - or person - most capable of taking care of him."

The judge nodded. "While you technically do not get a say in where he goes once your rights are terminated, we will take your opinion into consideration."

Sunhee nodded, but said nothing further.

"We have a woman who would like to foster the child. She was the one who supported him while he was suffering from abuse and neglect in his last household, and then reported it. I am inclined to let the child stay with her. Ms. Seong, if you will approach the bench, please."

Aera nervously stood and made her way to the front of the courtroom. "Hello, your honor," she said quietly.

"I will look into your background, Ms. Seong, and we will follow up as to whether or not you may foster this child."

"Thank you, your honor."

"Please return in two day's time, and we will have an answer for you."

"Yes, your honor."

"Alright, now that that has been taken care of, Ms. Park Sunhee, I hereby relieve you of your parental rights to Park Jungkook."

Sunhee nodded, then glanced at Aera, who was watching her closely. Soon, the court was adjourned and Aera turned to walk toward the doors of the courtroom. Sunhee grabbed her arm, however, and stopped her.

"Thank god I got you out of the apartment," she said smugly. "Now I don't have to worry about seeing the kid."

Aera met her eyes. "He's such a sweet little boy. I can't believe you don't want him."

Sunhee shrugged. "I wasn't able to do whatever I wanted to do with him around. My sister and brother-in-law were tired of having him around, too, so you're really doing all of us a favor here. Not to mention you leaving Yoongs alone once and for all. Now he's all mine."

Aera couldn't help but flinch slightly when Sunhee said Yoongs. Is this why Yoongi didn't want Aera to call him that anymore? Had he passed that privilege on to Sunhee instead?

Almost as if she could read Aera's thoughts, Sunhee grinned wickedly as her eyes bored into Aera's. Eventually she let go of Aera's arm. "And now the brat's all yours," she said with a laugh. Then she turned and left the courtroom, leaving Aera stunned and heartbroken in her wake.