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The wet eyelashes flickered open, and a pair of sneakers touched the rugged ground. A sense of space surrounded him, although some areas were still illuminated. After surveying his surroundings, he realized that he was in the same location, but it appeared inhabited rather than deserted.

Gazing into the emptiness ahead, he yearned for the presence of the young woman. The fact that they belonged to different generations left him with a deep and profound sense of emptiness. His breath quivered as he fought back the impending eruption of emotions, forcing his eyes shut once again.

Despite returning to where they were meant to be, a torrential rain continued to pour within his soul. Thunder resonated later, as the man recalled every word he had spoken. His jaw and temples tightened, and with a forceful motion, he threw the man to the ground, where he landed with a thud. Scanning the area for a source of water, he discovered a pail filled with water and proceeded to pour it onto the man.

As the man on the ground regained consciousness, he spat out profanities and groaned as he rolled onto his back. The metal pail clattered on the ground after being discarded. "Can't you be more careful? You hit me hard in the head, f-cking..." he started, but was abruptly interrupted.

"Cut the crap," Seokjin interjected.

"Cut the crap? I was just saying..." the man attempted to continue.

Seokjin took a decisive step forward and struck Taehyung in the face. Then, he grabbed his collar and unleashed a series of punches, venting his anger. He was about to deliver another blow when a laughter erupted, growing louder and echoing through the air, causing him to freeze with a trembling fist suspended mid-air.

"You got me, Seokjin," Taehyung remarked in a cocky tone as the echo subsided. His head drooped backward before he lifted it again, revealing bruises on his cheek and around his eyes, and blood on his lower lip. Despite this, he wore a smirk on his face and emitted a feeble chuckle.

Taehyung prevented Seokjin from further pummeling him by saying, "Don't you think it's too late for such a reaction?" His trembling fist gradually relaxed. "If I were you, I would have let go and... die."

"Enough of your bullsh.t!" Seokjin gritted his teeth and pulled Taehyung closer. "You killed my fiancée. You abused her. You unleashed your filthy lust upon her–"

"Come on, learn to have some fun!"

"–how dare you tell Hye-ryeong that you love her after all you've done?"

The younger brother let out a sarcastic laugh. "I love her, Kim Seokjin."

"Don't utter the word 'love'–"

"Whose fault was it that I never knew what true love felt like? No matter how hard I tried, it never felt right. I grew up without understanding the true expression of love."

A moment of stillness hung in the air. Seokjin's fist slowly lowered as he responded, "You can't blame our father for this."

"Sure, it's easy for you to say. You're the one receiving all the attention, Seokjin. While I barely get a glance and have to endure all his cruel remarks, you bask in his love. It's always your name I hear. 'Why can't you be like Seokjin?' 'You're nothing like Seokjin.' 'Seokjin does this better.' Seokjin this, Seokjin that! I'm tired of hearing your name. And you can't blame me for wanting to ruin your 'oh-so-perfect' life." He turned his head to the side, licked his lips, and spat blood on the floor.

"You shouldn't have involved Choi Hye-ryeong in all of this."

Taehyung chuckled menacingly. "Seokjin, Seokjin," he called, shaking his head. He struggled to rise to his feet and pushed away Seokjin's hand. "One of my plans was to ruin your life through Hye-ryeong. The moment I kidnapped her and got to know her, I understood why you fell for her. I couldn't help but relish in your misery, keeping her for myself. You can't deny it. A woman like her can captivate anyone with a single touch. I love her."

Seokjin's thoughts were filled with lies, lies, and more lies. "But you killed her!"

A wild smile stretched across Taehyung's face, and his laughter resonated throughout the factory. Gradually, the laughter faded, replaced by a whimper. He bent down, slowly squatting, and held his head. "It was an accident. It was an accident!" In an instant, his eyes locked onto Seokjin's, and he rushed toward him, gripping his forearm tightly with both hands. With a fragile voice, he cried out, "Hyung, it was an accident. She escaped, and I went after her. And then... it happened."

Seokjin watched his half-brother trembling in front of him, sensing that something was amiss. He heard Taehyung muttering Hye-ryeong's name repeatedly.

Suddenly, a shout reached their ears. They turned their heads to see security guards and police officers rushing toward them. Seokjin, innocent of any wrongdoing, remained motionless and surrendered to the police. Meanwhile, Taehyung fled, prompting the officers to give chase.

Initially, they were charged with trespassing. However, that would change one day...

**********

[Fingers were frantically typing on the typewriter]
You seem distracted when others ask you outside.
I assume you're uncomfortable,
So I had to bring you to this junk.
There's no other room.
Anyways, you're aware of your charges, aren't you?
Why fight in that place of all places?

[Taehyung stared into space, not uttering a word]

[Detective Min noticed that Taehyung had been unusually quiet. That explained why other detectives had given up interrogating him. He peered up from his typewriter with an eyebrow raised before knocking a finger on the table.]
Mister Kim Taehyung.
You are aware of your charge, aren't you?
You trespass –

Three years ago...
I kidnapped a girl.
A girl who's supposed to be a threat to my brother's perfect reputation
[He paused, eyes trembling.]
All I want is the same kind of attention that he receives.

[Detective Min's eyebrows knitted together. He made a glance at the glass that separated him from his colleagues and then, returned his view to the man in front of him.]
Three years ago?

[Taehyung averted his eyes from the detective.]
How is love supposed to be expressed, detective?
[He paused, staring weakly at the brow-furrowing detective.]
Choi Hye-ryeong. I love her.

'He killed my fiancée...'

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『 year 2024 』

Free from viruses and tight protocols, they were still not exempt from wearing masks due to the unhealthy air. As summer arrived, bringing with it a scorching heat wave, everyone was encouraged to stay hydrated.

For the past two years, she had been part of the family, but she was only seen as a beloved granddaughter-in-law by Wonho's grandparents (despite being scolded once for making kimchi the wrong way).

When Hari and Wonho were at the restaurant, Hye-ryeong and Seokjin would often spend time together. If they weren't busy with farming in the backyard, they would go to Seokjin's office, where he would teach her the fundamentals of running the business. His plan was to hand over the company to Shin Wonho when he passed away, and Hye-ryeong had been chosen as his partner.

It felt awkward for her to address Seokjin as "grandpa," and he understood her concerns. So, he suggested that she call him by his name at work but continue to refer to him as "grandpa" outside the workplace. Hye-ryeong had no choice but to accept his advice and comply.

There were times when she acted as his assistant, and Hye-ryeong had no complaints. As long as she received her pay, she was fine with helping the old man. Her book sales were gradually increasing, but they weren't enough to support her financially.

One day, without any specific tasks to accomplish, Hye-ryeong decided to visit her husband at the restaurant and then drop by her grandfather-in-law's office. She brought along shark fin soup and red bean porridge, which Hari had requested for his lunch.

After stepping out of the elevator, she passed by some staff members who bowed and greeted her, to which she responded in kind. However, her attention was suddenly drawn to a large framed newspaper in the hallway. How had she not noticed it before? Could it have been there, and she carelessly missed it?

There were three newspapers from 1966 displayed in the frame. One of the headlines read, "Kim Seokjin: The New CEO of Kim's Enterprise Renames Restaurants." It dawned on her that the other newspaper most likely featured Kim Taehyung, as it read "Former Enterprise CEO Down from His Position." The third newspaper stated, "Former Enterprise CEO Charged with Murder."

In the black and white photo, a man with a jacket on his head was seen ducking, although his remorseful expression was still visible. Two policemen escorted him on either side.

Hye-ryeong believed that hiding his face was futile, especially if the media disclosed the fact that a new CEO was taking over the enterprise. Eventually, people would find out.

The contents of the newspapers revealed that Taehyung had been arrested. It had always intrigued her, wondering about his well-being, and now she had her answer. Yet, an unknown fire ignited inside her, an unsettling and burning feeling.

"Choi Hye-ryeong!" A deep, weak voice echoed through the hallway, startling her. She quickly turned towards the source. "I didn't call for you, did I?"

Slightly flustered by the sudden appearance of the elderly man, she took a deep breath before responding, "No, you didn't."

"What are you doing here?" Seokjin asked.

Hye-ryeong snapped her fingers and cleared her throat. "I brought shark fin soup and red bean porridge. Aren't these your orders, sir?"

"Aigoo, your grandma should have informed me that you were delivering them," Seokjin chuckled. "Now, come." He turned around, and Hye-ryeong walked beside him.

They sat in the guest area of Seokjin's office. The room was quiet, devoid of the usual sounds of phone calls, papers flipping, beeping machines, or clicking keyboards.

"Where's your assistant?" Hye-ryeong inquired.

Seokjin emitted a deep hum as he took out a silver spoon and a pair of chopsticks from their case. "He just left. His wife is giving birth."

"Really?" Hye-ryeong exclaimed with a delightful expression, and Seokjin nodded. However, her expression slowly turned somber as she asked, "Then why didn't you call me?"

Seokjin swallowed a spoonful of porridge and groaned. His face contorted in discomfort as he replied, "I've already taught you all the basics you need to know, so you don't need to come to the office as often." After gulping down his soup, he added, "I realized it's quite annoying to have someone I see almost every day in the office."

Hye-ryeong released an exasperated breath. "Hah!"

The older man laughed at her response. Hye-ryeong quietly observed as Seokjin finished his meal. She kept watching until the food was halfway consumed. His sigh interrupted her gaze, and then came the question that startled her. "What is it that you want to know?"

Hye-ryeong blinked multiple times, taken aback by the question. She replied, "How did you know I wanted to ask something?"

"You've been staring at me as if you wanted a hundred won," Seokjin calmly stated, holding back his laughter.

The woman pursed her lips before saying, "So my stare is that obvious, huh?"

Wrinkles formed at the corner of his eyes as he drank his water. His chuckle subsided, and he looked at his granddaughter-in-law. Leaning back in his leather chair, he said, "I assume you want to know how Taehyung is doing."

"No, it's about the newspapers," Hye-ryeong clarified.

"What about the newspapers?"

"Don't you think it's unnecessary to display them there?"

Seokjin smiled mischievously. "To me, it's necessary."

"Why?"

"Why do you think I do that? Take a guess."

Hye-ryeong tightly sealed her lips as she pondered the question. The long pause elicited a chuckle from Seokjin.

"It's not the newspapers you want to talk about. I can tell Taehyung is on your mind," the old man stated.

Hye-ryeong nibbled her lips, aware that she wasn't skilled at deception. "I thought you would fall for it."

"Young lady, you shouldn't play games with an old man like me," Seokjin chuckled. "I'm smarter than you think!"

She smiled, acknowledging that his boast wasn't unfounded. Gathering her courage and trying her best not to sound awkward, she asked, "How is Taehyung?"

Seokjin displayed a bitter smile. "He's in the hospital."

Hye-ryeong furrowed her eyebrows at the unexpected news. "How is that possible?"

**********

Initially, when Wonho heard that she planned to visit Seokjin's younger brother, he adamantly refused to let her go. However, after a few minutes of persuasion, he agreed to accompany them.

Hye-ryeong learned from Seokjin that Taehyung had a photo of his ex-fiancée with him. Nobody knew how he had managed to keep it, but they assumed he had

hidden it somewhere before being incarcerated.

Wonho recounted the time he visited Taehyung on Seokjin's behalf to bring him the food he had been craving. Taehyung wasn't feeling well that day, so Wonho helped feed him. But when Taehyung saw the sepia-toned photo of someone who resembled Hye-ryeong, the first words out of Wonho's mouth were, "How do you have my girlfriend's photo?"

Chaos ensued. Taehyung yelled, claiming that the woman in the photo was his and no one else's. He created a ruckus, hurling insults and curses until the nurses rushed to the ward to calm him down. When nothing else worked, they had no choice but to administer medication to pacify him.

Wonho and Hye-ryeong argued during the car ride to the hospital...

"How can you allow her to go there after what happened?" Wonho asked, shaking his head and resting his arm on the car door while his other arm gripped the steering wheel.

Seokjin sat in the backseat, eyes closed, releasing a quiet sigh.

"You don't need to worry! Grandpa will be there with me," Hye-ryeong assured.

"And what if Taehyung harms grandpa? His mind is unstable, and he shouldn't even be out of jail."

Hye-ryeong let out a soft sigh and said, "Enough already."

"Don't you know he has a history of criminal activities? He has committed murder. Maybe that's what drove him insane."

"That's enough!" Hye-ryeong shouted, glaring at him. It startled Seokjin, but he kept his eyes shut, releasing another sigh. "He is someone I know too. I'm just going to visit. The nurses can help us if something happens." She shifted her gaze to the window beside her and muttered, "You don't need to convince me or stop me. I'm not foolish."

Wonho shook his head again. "I just don't understand you."

While Wonho maintained his sour expression, Hye-ryeong exuded a sense of disappointment.

The silence gave Seokjin the impression that peace had finally settled. A petty argument between a young and immature couple was not his cup of tea...

**********

The quiet hallway echoed with the slow click of her heeled boots. As she walked further, the overpowering smell of alcohol numbed her senses. The coldness of the hospital and the rain outside added to her unease.

Seokjin halted in front of a large rectangular window, and as she joined him, she saw an elderly man sitting on the bed. Loneliness emanated from him, and his disheveled salt and pepper hair suggested he had recently risen from his slumber.

Wonho's tardiness earned him a disapproving glare from her. He had failed to inform the nurses about the upcoming event. While Wonho's overprotectiveness could be both irritating and amusing, she was relieved that he didn't notice her glare. Finally, her husband stood behind her.

Seokjin placed a hand on his back, his cane pointing upwards. After gazing out of the window for a few moments, he jerked his chin in a direction and uttered, "that's him."

Hye-ryeong shifted her gaze towards the patient in the ward. She hesitated to inquire about his condition, but it was evident that his mind and brain were not in a good state. Although it seemed harsh to summarize it that way, asking Seokjin would only deepen her sympathy for the old man. She didn't discriminate based on age, but sympathy needed justification, and Kim Taehyung didn't deserve it.

"Can I see him?" Hye-ryeong asked.

"Are you out of your mind?" Wonho whispered forcefully.

Annoyance crossed Hye-ryeong's face, and she made a dismissive sound. Seokjin appeared to be on her side as he raised his cane and gave his grandson a hard smack on his backside. Wonho yelped in surprise.

In a harsh tone, Seokjin berated him, "Why on earth did you speak to the staff just now, you buffoon?"

Hye-ryeong snorted, satisfied with Wonho's chastisement. As a nurse approached them, she took it as a cue to enter the ward. Handing her sling bag to her husband, she took a deep breath and collected the bag containing food from him, stating, "I'll give it to him."

Wonho stiffened, holding his breath. In a high-pitched voice, he exclaimed, "You're crazy."

"You married a feisty woman, babe," Hye-ryeong remarked. She patted her husband's broad back before grasping the door handle and stepping inside.

Her footsteps and the floor created sticky sounds as she moved forward. The clanging of a spoon accompanied her, catching the attention of the elderly man. The room carried the scent of old books and chocolate milk, even though none of those items were visible.

The ward was spacious, with a single bed, a sofa, a rectangular wheeled table, jigsaw puzzles of different images, a stool, and a humidifier. A bedside table stood on the right, opposite the door, adorned with a framed photo of Seokjin's former fiancée. Hye-ryeong stared at the sepia-toned image for a while, feeling an unsettling sensation in her soul. She averted her gaze and surveyed the room once more.

The sparsely furnished space felt empty and lonely. There was a window across from the bed, draped with white curtains, offering a view of the gloomy, gray sky and passing clouds.

As she was about to greet Taehyung, his deep, low voice startled her. "We meet again."

She couldn't deny that she was taken aback. At that moment, she agreed with her husband's assessment. Hye-ryeong's determination to visit him had initially driven her, but as she found herself standing in his presence, nervousness and a hint of fear crept in. Unsure of how to respond, she took a step forward, placing the bento bag on the table. Taehyung remained silent, causing her to glance at her husband and Seokjin for guidance, but they offered no advice. Taking their silence as a positive sign, she heard Taehyung let out a short laugh, triggering memories of their past encounters in 2015, leaving her doubtful of his intentions.

Attempting to regain her composure, Hye-ryeong managed to say, "I brought your food."

There was still no response from him, and she turned her attention to the barrier between them and her husband and Seokjin. Wondering if she was doing the right thing, she decided to press on. Taehyung spoke again, his voice filling the spacious ward, "It's been a long time."

Hye-ryeong gulped, feeling the weight of the situation. "Yeah," she replied, her voice slightly shaky.

The elderly man, frail with greying hair, turned to face her, raising an eyebrow and smirking. Despite his fragility, there was still a sense of arrogance about him. Although her timidity remained, she felt provoked and wished there was a word combining both emotions in her book.

Keeping her distance, she mustered the courage to ask, "How are you?"

His smirk widened, his wrinkled chin and cheeks forming a grin. "You remember me?"

Her breath caught for a moment, but she exhaled deeply, meeting his gaze. "Obviously. Otherwise, I wouldn't have entered this ward the moment I knew you were hospitalized."

Taehyung continued to smirk, irking her further. "Choi Hye-ryeong," he said, "You still speak too much when you get nervous." After a brief pause, he added, "the sixties' Hye-ryeong or the millennial Hye-ryeong. My love and my soul. My time and my mind. They never change." He snickered.

Feeling uneasy, Hye-ryeong asked, "Since when?"

"Since when what?"

"Since when are you like this?"

"Don't remember since when. Ask someone," he replied, digging his spoon into the kimchi fried rice. "Who made this? It tastes like shit! My brother made it better!"

Hearing him acknowledge his brother's cooking skills amused her, considering he had previously denied Seokjin as his brother. "His wife," she replied.

"Oh, he's married again?" Taehyung asked, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at her. "A loyal man can't stay loyal, huh?"

Hye-ryeong couldn't hold back her frustration. "The loyal man could've stayed loyal if it wasn't because of your foolishness," she spat. "He has done a good job of moving on. Hye-ryeong wouldn't want Seokjin to waste his life grieving."

Putting down his spoon, Taehyung rested his hands on the table. "What do you want, my dear Hye-ryeong?"

Hye-ryeong kept quiet, her gaze fixed on him with a hint of murderous intent. Wondering if he realized he hadn't moved on from the past Hye-ryeong, she wished she could brag and applaud Seokjin for moving on better than Taehyung. But such actions were only suitable for a kindergarten teacher, and it was clear that a villain like Taehyung couldn't be convinced by such gestures.

"It must have satisfied you to see I'm in a condition where I'm incapable of capturing you and keeping you to myself," Taehyung remarked.

"You still have an unhealthy obsession with Hye-ryeong."

"Correction! Two Hye-ryeongs. Don't forget," he pointed his spoon at her, "you."

"That's what made you insane."

Taehyung let out a loud, dark chuckle. "I'm insane because I love Choi Hye-ryeong."

"It wasn't love if you abused," Hye-ryeong hissed.

Taking a sip of water, he smirked. "All millennials have no respect for the elderly now."

"Respect is only given to those who deserve it," she retorted.

"Oh, so I don't deserve it?"

Her jaws clenched. "Never!"

Taehyung laughed maniacally, and Hye-ryeong rolled her eyes. Glancing at her husband, she could see his uneasiness. She smiled at him, silently assuring him that she was okay.

Returning her attention to Taehyung, she declared, "I don't want to waste much time, by the way." Slowly getting closer to him, she leaned forward, looking him in the eyes. "You've got what you deserved."

Taehyung laughed again. "You can wait for me."

Hye-ryeong pulled back and arrogantly stared at him. "I don't wait for an old hag."

"I can always find the stopwatch and find you," he said, cockily.

She let out a quick breath. "You're no longer in your twenties. By the time you leave this hospital, I doubt you'll have it in your hands."

"How snobby of you. I like it!" Taehyung laughed once more.

Hye-ryeong scoffed in disdain. Turning on her heels, she headed for the door. Just before she could push down the handle, the elderly man asked, "Are you coming back?"

She glanced over her shoulder, thinking about how their Hye-ryeong had never returned. Taehyung didn't deserve a second chance. "No. Never," she declared.

**********

After helping his wife wash the dishes, Wonho inquired, "What did you tell Taehyung?"

She placed the last plate on the drying rack and turned to face him. "Nothing interesting."

"But that conversation seemed lengthy."

"Yeah, I know, right?" Hye-ryeong walked over to the refrigerator and retrieved a jug of cold water. Pouring the water into a cup, she took a drink. Thinking her husband deserved to know a little, she continued, "I only told him he got what he deserves."

Wonho's eyebrows raised. "That sounds like he did something to you."

Hye-ryeong giggled. "It was nothing. I learned a small story from your grandfather's past, and my visit had something to do with it. It's better not to dwell on it or ask your grandfather about it," she advised.

"Of course, I won't ask Grandpa about it," he assured her.

"But, babe, Taehyung doesn't seem like someone who would cause chaos."

Wonho shrugged. "His memories, or his brain, I should say, have a switch. He acts normal when he wants to."

"I see," she replied.

A moment of silence followed as they both focused on their phones. However, when Wonho's phone rang loudly, Hye-ryeong looked up from her screen. Wonho clicked the home button and stood up from his

seat. "I'm going out with Namjoon and Hyungwon," he informed her.

"Oh, okay."

He walked over to her and planted a long, loud kiss on her temple. "The boys might not want me to come home early, so don't wait up for me, alright, baby?"

Hye-ryeong chuckled. "Alright."

As Wonho disappeared towards the entrance and put on his sneakers, Hye-ryeong let out a relieved breath. She was glad that Wonho could easily get distracted; otherwise, their conversation would have been even longer.

– FIN –

[ author : I'm sorry if it's bad :"D ]