37.

38.

39.

40.

Jungkook was missing his dad a bit too much today—his soothing voice, comforting scent, warm smile, everything about him. His wolf was finally cracking under all the pressure and feeling so lost. He didn't remember the last time he felt this way.

Even when they had nothing, they were happy. They had each other. Even when the roof leaked or the heating system failed during the peak of winter, they had each other.

Tears burned his eyes. "I miss you, dad," his voice cracked. "I don't know what to do without you. I have no one. Why did you have to leave me alone?"

The omega scrolled through his dad's phone. His father had a habit of recording videos for him whenever he was awake. Since he worked a lot, his dad would leave him a little something for him for when he came back at night to the hospital and his dad would be sleeping under medication.

Perhaps he could watch the old videos and pretend everything was well. He wiped his cheeks with his t-shirt sleeve and entered the gallery.

He perked when he noticed the new videos. He hadn't been able to look at his phone since the funeral with everything going around him. Jungkook swiftly played the one he recognised as the most recent video his dad had recorded before he went into surgery.

His heart squeezed painfully when his father's weak smile lit the screen.

"Jungkook-ah, my little star, this might be the last video I record in this lifetime." His smile didn't reach his eyes that held pain. "I'm agonizing over the fact that I've been hiding this from you for quite some time. You're working too hard, and I didn't want you to lose hope."

His weak voice filled the small one-bedroom home he lived in. Jungkook heard the soft wheeze and noticed how his dad struggled to breathe. How did he not notice this sooner? Maybe he always did but didn't want to acknowledge that his father was withering away.

"I tried my best to fight this losing battle, but I don't think I can keep going anymore. I'm exhausted, my son. It's time for me to go to your mother." His father took another deep breath and wiped his eyes.

"Something is burdening me these days. I'm worried about you. Our landlord met me and told me that our area was being redeveloped, and we would have to leave our homes. The little money they're offering as compensation won't be enough to get us a new place. I've been trying for weeks. I wanted you to have a roof over your head before I die. So I could sign as your guardian and secure this place for you. I'm sorry I failed you again."

"Dad," Jungkook whispered, a sob bubbling in his throat. His father has been troubled because of him. What else was bothering him?

"I've been sleepless for the past few nights because I worry about you a lot. I'm scared for your future. What would you do once I pass? How would you live without an alpha by your side? I'm sure I raised a capable son, but this world is no safe place for an omega without an alpha. I know you have borrowed money from a few people. What would you do if you can't pay them on time? They're dangerous and ruthless. I'm seeing you struggle to juggle everything in your hands. You should be focusing on your studies and enjoying your college life, but instead, you're stuck with me." His father stopped talking. "I don't want you to be helpless once I'm gone. So I have come to a decision."

Jungkook sucked in a sharp breath.

"Mr. Park owes us a favor. I never told you how your mother died because I didn't want you to grow up with bitter feelings for someone you didn't know because of her choice. She saved Mr. Park's son, and I asked him to protect mine in return."

Jungkook covered his mouth, sobbing softly.

"I didn't want to accept his money or any other favor. That'd belittle your mom's sacrifice, but I really don't have a choice. I don't want to leave you like this. When I leave this world, I wanted an assurance that my only son would have someone he could rely on. I want you to have a roof over your head and live your life peacefully. Mr. Park agreed to be your guardian. I'll close my eyes peacefully, knowing you will be taken care of. He promised me he will take care of your accommodation and education. I'm at peace knowing you won't be left homeless."

Jungkook wiped his cheeks. His dad had thought too far. Though he didn't know how to take this, he understood he was in no position to refuse Mr. Park's kindness or generosity.

On the screen, a serene expression crossed his father's face. He gazed into the screen with a smile. "I trust him to keep his word." He took a deep breath. "As for Mr. Park's proposal, I'll leave that to you."

His dad was silent for a moment. There was that look in his eyes when he wanted Jungkook to really do something but didn't want to force him into it. Jungkook knew he was gathering his thoughts to persuade him.

"As a father, it was my dream to see you marrying a capable alpha someday," he said. "Jimin seems to be a good alpha." His father grinned, sending a weak wink his way. "And a handsome one, too. But yeah, what would I know about your dream alpha?" He waved a hand. "I saw a photo of him and thought you would look good together. Mr. Park promised me that Jimin was honorable and had a good heart. I would be happy if you chose someone to share your life with. I don't know if it's my last-minute desperation or the deep understanding that your life would be stable if you married him that makes me ask you my next question."

His dad was silent once again, eyes staring into the screen.

"Let this wretched life end with me and your mom. I don't want my son to live every month, wondering how he would make ends meet. I don't want you to cut down on your meal and pretend you weren't hungry enough for another bowl of rice. I don't want you to pretend you dislike meat and snack on those chicken feet anymore. I don't want you to sleep with an umbrella because it leaks when it rains. I don't want you to shiver in the cold and share body warmth on cold winter nights."

Jungkook's lips trembled, and the tears blurred his vision.

"I don't want you to sew the tears in your clothes and wear those worn-out shoes that hurt your feet because you stand all day. I don't want you to give yourself a self-haircut because your dad couldn't afford to take you to a saloon. I don't want you to spend your heats in an unsafe, cramped heat motel. I want you to stop struggling just because you were born to me and be selfish for once. Be selfish for me, little star. You have a decent life ahead. A life where you won't go on an empty stomach. A life, where your children won't suffer like you did. A life where you can live a better life and give a better future to your children."

Jungkook sobbed. His father's last words pierced through his heart. Every hardship he lived through flashed before his eyes.

"Will you consider it, my little star? Please give Jimin a chance before you say yes or no. Don't be lonely and waste your days by working too much. Whatever you choose to do in life, please be happy. I'll be watching over you from the stars. I love you, Jungkook. Please be selfish. That's the only way for your survival."

The video ended, and Jungkook curled into a ball, his body shaking with violent sobs as he pressed the play button again, letting it play in the background as he broke down in the empty home that would soon be taken away from him.

41.

***

Hope you're enjoying this read. Finally, cleared all backlog at work and have everything somewhat under control. Fingers crossed that things go as planned and life doesn't throw another wrench and throw me off the grid. See you later when I have more.