I wasn't sure how much time had passed while I was unconscious from my panic attack. When I regained consciousness and opened my eyes, I found myself on the sofa with Jimin gently supporting my head on his lap. Esther was seated in the lone armchair across from me, with Soon-Bok and Seokjin sitting beside Eomma Park on the sofa next to us.

"Welcome back, Squish." Esther sent me a soft smile as she caught my eye. "You okay?"

With careful movements, I shifted my position to sit up, relying on Jimin's support to guide me to an upright position. His long arms brought me into his embrace, offering me a sense of security after my vulnerable moment. He rested his head on my shoulder, peppering my neck and shoulder with the occasional loving kiss to reassure me.

"How long?" I asked. I wanted to say more but my parched mouth wouldn't allow me to. Jimin told me that I'd been passed out only a few minutes as my eyes tracked my sister's movements. I watched as she stood and walked into the kitchen. When she came back and handed me a glass of water, her warm smile reassured me that she wasn't upset about me accidentally revealing our secret to two more people.

"Is anyone going to answer our questions now?" Seokjin asked, his voice harsher than I'd ever heard it.

My throat constricted at the accusatory tone in his voice and the tears that had dried up found new life. The way Jimin's growl rumbled through the room was like a distant thunderstorm rolling in, promising both relief and turmoil.

"Shit. I'm sorry, Nell. I didn't mean it to come out that way. Please forgive me." The cadence of Seokjin's voice, once again wrapped around me like a familiar blanket. His heartfelt apology spoke volumes about his character and integrity.

I nodded and sent Seokjin a soft smile. I could tell the elder Seed Bearer had lashed out in fear and confusion rather than anger. If I put myself in his and Soon-Bok's shoes, I had no idea what I'd be thinking if I saw two of me. From the insights gathered from the books in the palace library and conversations with Jimin and his mother, multiple births had never been seen in the Greater Kingdom of Korea. I'd managed to find one reference written by the Oracle, where he wrote about the virus responsible for creating Seed Bearers. He noted that it was engineered to prevent the formation of multiple embryos by altering the sperm of Seed Bearers. It explained why Jimin, his mother and the doctor all freaked out when they learned about the twins Esther was carrying.

"I know you don't pass out from an attack like that unless something really fucking bad happened, Squish. Are you feeling okay to talk or do you want me to tell them?" Esther asked as she came to sit on the other side of me. My nerves were still too frazzled to begin to even think about what I would say to the couple sitting in front of us. So, I grasped her hand like it was the only thing keeping me grounded and whispered out that I wanted her to speak for us both. "Okay. I'm not going to ask what happened today with everyone here, but I expect you to tell me when we're alone."

I squeezed her hand again. I nodded to confirm that I would tell her when we were alone. I had no intention of disclosing to Jimin, Soon-Bok, or Seokjin the identities of the two women assigned to attack me, as I couldn't risk the possibility of the women retaliating against me. That being said, I'd already decided to share all the details of the incident with Esther. I needed to make sure that she knew who to be wary of when she was impersonating me.

"Before I tell them anything, I need to know if those two played a part in your panic attack." Esther glanced at our two visitors, who were regarding us with puzzled expressions while my sister spoke to me in our native language. To Seokjin and Soon-Bok, it must have seemed utterly alien. I suspected they had never before encountered someone conversing in a different tongue in their presence. "Squish, I know you are good friends with Soon-Bok but how much do you want them to know? On a scale of partial porky pie to 100% truth, how much do we tell them?"

I had no idea how to answer those two questions. I had only known both Soon-Bok and Seokjin for less than a year. Although I was aware of their characters, I couldn't say for certain if they could be fully trusted with our secret. By telling them, we might be endangering the lives of Esther, myself, and the babies.

I turned to Jimin, hoping to find answers in his eyes. Despite not understanding English, he seemed to grasp instinctively what Esther had asked. To my surprise, he began to explain everything to the silver-haired Seed Bearer and his assigned female. He shared about my fertility challenges and Esther's role as our surrogate, and also how the two of us came from another universe. With each secret Jimin revealed it felt like a double-edged sword. His words lifted a burden off me, yet it seemed another nail was driven into a coffin meant for both Esther and me.

"Jimin, there was no need to concoct such an elaborate lie if you were unwilling to tell us the truth," Seokjin stated dismissively, rising from his seat.

I didn't think my heart could break any more than it had today. However, watching the eldest Seed Bearer help his pregnant girlfriend to her feet caused the last fragment to shatter.

"Seokjin, it's not a lie, I promise you," Eomma Park assured him, coming to our defence. "Please give them a chance to prove it to you—the same way they did for me."

Had Jimin, Esther, or I attempted to persuade Seokjin to listen to us, it would have been futile. Yet, because she was Jimin's mother and someone of good moral standing, I believe that's why the other Seed Bearer reconsidered. I felt relieved when he settled back in his seat, nodding to show that he was open to letting us demonstrate our trustworthiness. This gesture was like a door opening, allowing us the opportunity to show our sincerity and reliability. This moment was pivotal in our quest to gain his and Soon-Bok's trust. It was a turning point—Esther and I would either be seen as friends or foes marked for death.

"I'll give you guys space to talk," Jimin's mother announced. She came over to me and as she hugged me, Eomma Park whispered, "Good luck, my sweet girl. Breakfast tomorrow in the palace's sunroom, okay?" I nodded, aware that the awkward conversation about today's events would be discussed tomorrow. Esther hugged the older woman and told her that she would look after me.

When Eomma Park left, the room fell into silence as Jimin pulled Seokjin into one of the bedrooms. Soon-Bok was caressing her belly as she looked over at Esther and me. I couldn't detect any animosity in her eyes, but there was some scepticism and a little fear there.

From down the hall, the sound of wood scraping against the floor echoed as two men shifted the large armoire. Under normal circumstances, I would have lent a hand, but my trembling state rendered me useless today. To keep the secret of the two parallel universes from curious eyes, Jimin and I had made a hidden compartment in an unused spare bedroom. We thought about putting the bag in Esther's or our room but decided not to since we couldn't tell if someone had messed with it. Hidden beneath the armoire and concealed by a section of floorboards designed to be removed, was a custom-built storage box. On Esther's advice from the crime shows she loved in her early 20s, we took care to cushion the wardrobe's feet with thick wool pads. This would prevent telltale scratches from frequent movement and also made shifting the bulky piece easier.

Some might have thought that Esther and I were paranoid because of the lengths we had gone to in hiding the duffle bag. But it was our lives on the line if anyone found out about the books on BTS, the silicone baby bumps, and the devices inside. In case anyone found our hideout, we had a booby trap. A small circle of paper was placed between removable floorboards and the rest of the floor. To anyone else, it would have looked like the floor hadn't been swept under the armoire. But, if the paper was missing, it would signal to Jimin, Esther, and me that someone had been snooping.

Once the two Seed Bearers came back into the living room, Esther and I began to present our 'evidence'. We showed the BTS paraphernalia and merch, along with photos on the tablets. Our guests' faces were a blend of utter astonishment and a touch of disbelief. Both of them whispered to themselves about how strange everything sounded. But neither could dispute the truth of what they were seeing. The hardest part for Seokjin and Soon-Bok to comprehend was the fact that all the Seed Bearer groups were idols, too. I giggled when Soon-Bok pouted when she was told that we didn't know anything about her—it was impossible to know her life if she wasn't famous.

It took a little bit of convincing for Seokjin to accept that he was 1/7th of the biggest musical group in the world. The Seed Bearer believed he lacked singing talent and that we were pranking him.

I tapped away on the screen of one of the tablets, filling the room with the soft melodic notes of Epiphany. Tears welled in my eyes as I listened to the lyrics that had been a source of comfort for me. When I looked over at the silver-haired man, his eyes were also glistening. Esther grabbed hold of the tablet and from her scrolling, I could tell she was finding another song. I was proven correct when It's Definitely You came on. She explained that it was a duet between Jin and V for the TV series that the younger had acted in. Her words amazed both Seed Bearers.

"Taehyung is an actor in your universe?" Jimin asked, his feet were tapping along to the beat of the song as his fingers danced on my thigh at the same tempo. In all the times that we had talked about BTS and the members, I had forgotten to tell my boyfriend about his soulmate's other job.

I nodded and answered, "Actually, you could say all seven of you are actors since you act in your music videos." I giggled as Seokjin's eyes widened.

"Seokjin, you were studying to be an actor at university," Esther said. Then, she began to tell everyone how he had been scouted for his looks when he had stepped off a bus.

"Good to know I'm handsome there, too," he teased, puffing up his shoulders with pride. "And you think I'm joking when I call myself the most handsome Seed Bearer, Jagi."

"Seokjin, it's nice to see you are the same in both universes," I teased, biting my lip to hide the smile that wanted to come out.

"Yeah, he is," Esther agreed with me. She laughed and proceeded to tell the others about Jin's self-coined nickname. As soon as Seokjin heard that he called himself 'Worldwide Handsome', he demanded that we call him that, too.

"Nope, not happening, Yeobo," Soon-Bok said, grabbing hold of her boyfriend's hand. "Your head is too big as it is... Plus, if you start calling yourself that, then you will have to explain where the nickname came from." I watched my friend manoeuvre herself to stand from the sofa she had been resting on, the action looked awkward because of her large belly. She came and walked over to Esther and me, extending both of her hands for us both to hold. "Nell, Esther, I speak on behalf of both Seokjin and me when I vow that we will both keep your secrets."

Seokjin came over to join us and he reached for Jimin's hand. "You three are not alone in this anymore. Soon-Bok and I will be here to help whenever you need us. We can be a shoulder to lean on or someone to talk to. If—and I'm hoping this never happens—if anyone figures out Esther is here, we will help protect you both."

୧‿︵‿๑︵‿୨💜୧‿︵‿୨💜୧‿︵๑‿︵‿୨

"What do you call this again?" Soon-Bok asked as she grabbed another slice of pizza from the plates in the middle of the table.

"It's pizza, a dish from Italy. It's very popular where we're from," Esther explained between bites. "Nell may be the finest baker in our family, yet I reign supreme as the unrivalled queen of making pizza and hamburgers."

It was lucky that Esther had already decided we would have pizza for dinner tonight and had made the dough earlier this morning. With the pregnancy, she had been craving a lot of carb-heavy foods. Over the past few months, we'd introduced Jimin to a few international dishes. We were lucky that Korean cuisine largely shares the same ingredients, requiring only a few minor adjustments.

"It's so good," Seokjin remarked before shovelling another slice into his mouth. "If Jungkook tries this, I don't think he will ever leave here. Hoseok and Taehyung, too." Esther and I laughed, already aware of how all the BTS members love pizza.

"So, Baby, when will you tell us what happened today?" Jimin inquired gently as we settled into the lounge room post-dinner. His hand intertwined with mine and gave a reassuring squeeze. Yet, despite the comfort his touch brought, I found myself trembling, haunted by the recollection of the harsh words those two women had hurled at me.

I swallowed hard, the anxiety-induced sensation of something lodged in my throat was unmistakable. Moistening my lips, I began to bite my lower lip. I yearned to steer the conversation away from myself, yet the intent gazes of the four individuals before me made it clear that was not an option.

I swallowed hard, the sensation of something lodged in my throat was unmistakable. Moistening my lips, I began to bite my lower lip. I yearned to steer the conversation away from myself, yet the intent gazes of the four individuals before me made it clear that was not an option.

Jimin's gaze held a mix of love and concern. Esther, oblivious to the events, seemed poised to charge out of the cottage. Metaphorical pitchfork in hand, she was ready to confront the witches responsible for my anguish. Concern, sorrow, and bewilderment were evident on both Seokjin and Soon-Bok's faces. Hints of displeasure and anger coloured their emotions, stirring fears that they might blame me for bringing this onto myself. In my heart, I knew they wouldn't think that—the voices in my head suggested otherwise, though.

"I... The... I..."

Struggling to find the right words to explain the situation without disclosing who had done this to me, I found solace in Esther's gentle voice as she guided me through the turmoil. "Hey, it's okay, Squish. Why don't you take us back and start with what happened beforehand?"

Nodding, I began describing how I was seated and conversing with some of the Seed Bearers and their females in the formal lounge, while Jimin was on the other side of the room with Yoongi and Jungkook. I told them that I had headed into the bathroom and the conversation I'd heard while there. As my mind sent me images of what happened, my heart rate skyrocketed, and I began to shake. The tears that had been threatening to fall ended up cascading over my lower eyelid.

"You're doing so good, Sweetheart," Jimin whispered as he brought me to sit between his legs. His arms wrapped around me, providing me with the knowledge that he wasn't going anywhere. I was so lost in my thoughts that I scarcely realized how closely I was pressed against his chest—almost as if we were merging into one.

"So, whatever happened to you took place in the bathroom?" Seokjin's voice was so gentle, almost the same tone you'd talk to an injured animal with. I guessed that's what I was—an injured creature that had been the victim of a brutal attack.

"Y-yes," I whispered so softly that even I almost missed it. Explaining to the others about what I had overheard was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life. Amidst tears that wouldn't cease, the sensation of an elephant pressing down on my heart, and my uncontrollable sobs, I managed to relay almost verbatim the conversation I had overheard between the two women. Although I altered certain details to keep the women's identities hidden, I managed to convey the essence of the situation. My humiliation, torment and anxiety were laid out for everyone, which made me feel more powerless and vulnerable than I was earlier. It was as though a spotlight had been cruelly cast upon my insecurities, magnifying them to a point where they seemed insurmountable. In that moment, I found myself grappling with a crushing weight of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me entirely.

I felt Jimin's tears cascading down my neck and shoulder, and as my gaze swept across the room, I noticed the other three were in tears as well. The two Seed Bearers and Soon-Bok were visibly moved by my experiences, while my sister's tears stemmed from her fury over the words spoken about me.

Esther's fists clenched tightly, revealing the depth of her frustration. "What else happened, Squish? I know from the look on your face there's more you aren't saying." It was evident she was grappling to make sense of the situation.

"I thought I was keeping myself hidden but then a loud knock came from the door." I whimpered as I remembered what happened after that. "They said something about me being able to come out because they knew I was in there. I was such an idiot to do what they asked. I got what I deserved... I should have stayed in the toilet."

Articulating the words I had overheard from the toilet cubicle was challenging, but repeating what was said directly to me was even more harrowing and devastating. I had to take many breaks to try and pull all the broken pieces back together. After what felt like an eternity reliving my ordeal, I'd caught everyone up on what had happened to me.

Seokjin inquired whether I knew who was responsible for this. I shook my head, saying that I suspected it might have been some of the staff. I regretted involving innocent people. My top priority was to protect myself and Esther. Both Soon-Bok and my boyfriend were sobbing at what I'd told them. My sister looked like she was on the warpath, ready to seek vengeance on the two who had caused all this.

"I know you're holding something back, Squish." I nodded at my sister's statement, thankful in a way that she could read me so well. We might not have 'twin magic', but that didn't mean we couldn't read each other like a book. "It wasn't staff that said all this, was it?"

I shook my head. "Bubbles, I'll tell you who they were when we're alone, okay?" It was Esther's turn to nod. I could sense her understanding that I had concealed the identities for a reason. I let out a sigh of relief as she started to soothe our expectant friend, while Seokjin paced back and forth in the room.