His POV

Seeing your wound brought back memories of a similar scar from three years ago. My heart ached as I watched you walk away, burdened by something unspoken. I wanted to reach out, but Dad's appearance stopped me. You were heading in the same direction, and a sense of dread filled me.

Needing answers, I pulled Noah aside and whispered urgently, "Ask her how she got hurt."

Noah approached you carefully and asked with concern, "How did you get hurt?"

Without hesitation, you replied, "I hit myself against the door," and quickly retreated to your room. The excuse was all too familiar.

I went back to my room, grabbed a tube of ointment, and headed towards your room. The chaos inside stopped me-your once tidy space was now a mess, reflecting your inner turmoil.

I handed the ointment to Noah and asked him to give it to you without mentioning me. He nodded and went in. From the doorway, I heard him ask, "Did someone slap you? Your right cheek looks more red than the left one."

You paused, then snapped, "Aren't you asking too many questions?"

Noah, trying to stay calm, asked, "Why are you taking it out on me?"

"I'm just irritated," you replied. "There's only a week left. I don't know what to do to convince Jungkook. Has he really stopped loving me?"

Your words cut deep. Your face showed not anger but deep sadness. I couldn't bear to see you like this, so I left, feeling overwhelmed.

As the wedding day approached, everything seemed to blur. The morning light revealed the aisle and altar just as you had dreamed. The sight was painful.

You sat alone, staring at the altar, tears in your eyes. Beside you was a suitcase, a painful reminder of what was coming.

I approached, my voice shaking. "You're leaving?"

"Yes," you replied, forcing a smile. "My work here is done."

"You should stay until the wedding," I said, hoping for more time.

"I'm sorry, but I can't. I'll be wandering today and then heading back to my old house. I wanted to say goodbye before leaving."

"Oh," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. "I wish you could stay."

"I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye. Jungkook, have a happy life," you said softly, turning away.

I watched you walk away, feeling like my heart was being torn apart. The finality was overwhelming, and I couldn't stop you. It seemed fate had its own plans.

Her POV

As I stepped out, I saw Emma standing before me, her face full of concern.

"You're leaving?" she asked, her voice sad and worried.

"Yes," I replied, feeling the weight of my decision.

"Do you really have to go? Can't you tell him the truth?" she pleaded, searching my face for hope.

"I can't. I don't want him to hate his father. Thank you for keeping my secret," I said, my voice breaking.

"Please, don't hate me," Emma whispered, filled with regret.

"I could never hate you. Just love him and make him happy. He deserves that," I said, my heart heavy with unspoken words.

Emma looked down, guilt clouding her face. "I feel so guilty."

"You have nothing to feel guilty about," I reassured her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I wish you all the happiness I couldn't have."

"And I wish the same for you," Emma responded softly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

We parted ways-she turned back towards the house while I continued down the path. As I walked away, I bumped into your father, his presence looming like a dark shadow.

"You won," I said, trying to mask my anger, though my voice trembled slightly.

"I always win," he replied, his tone dripping with arrogance and a smug smile playing on his lips.

"Why did you do this to us? Couldn't you see how much we love each other?" I demanded, my voice rising with a mix of anger and desperation.

"I know you love him, but he deserves someone better," he said dismissively, waving his hand as if brushing away an insignificant matter.

"And I could say the same about you. He deserves a better father than you," I retorted, feeling a surge of anger rise within me, my hands clenching into fists.

His expression hardened, and he raised his hand, ready to strike. I caught his wrist firmly, my grip strong and unyielding. "Not again," I said, my voice steady and resolute.

I turned and walked away. Each step felt like a mile, the path stretching endlessly before me. I made my way to my old house, where the memories of our time together rushed back-moments of laughter, joy, and simple happiness.

I placed my suitcase down and stepped outside. Every step was a reminder of what we had lost. Approaching the wedding venue, the place where we were supposed to start our life together, my heart ached with what could have been.

Overwhelmed, I fell to my knees, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face. I pleaded with the heavens, begging for a chance to be with you. But perhaps our destinies were forever separate, and the weight of that realization crushed me.

His POV

As I watched you leave, a tear traced down my cheek, the salty drop a testament to my heartbreak. It felt as if my heart was being ripped from my chest, each beat a painful reminder of your absence. I struggled to breathe, my chest tight with sorrow.

I ran to my room, desperate to find the watch you had given me, a symbol of our love. But it was gone. I searched everywhere, questioning the staff, but no one had seen it.

I instructed everyone to search the house, my frustration mounting with each passing second. Dad walked in, a smirk on his face. "What's happening here?" he asked.

"They're looking for something important to me," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though anger simmered under the surface.

"It must be that girl. She probably took something before leaving," he said with contempt, his words like poison.

"She would never do that," I countered sharply. "Stop making excuses."

Dad's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. "She's only after money."

"Enough," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "I won't listen to another word against her."

I left and decided to check the CCTV footage, hoping to find a clue. As I watched, my heart sank. There was Dad, raising his hand against you, the image searing into my mind.

"Is that my dad hitting her?" I yelled in shock, my voice echoing in the empty room.

"It's not the first time," Emma's voice came from behind me, soft but firm. "He slapped her a week ago."

"What are you saying?" I asked, my mind reeling.

"Her wound was from your Dad. He forced her to leave you both times," she explained, her words heavy with truth.

The realization hit me like a tidal wave, crashing over me with relentless force. I found a box labeled "2019" and remembered that night when you tried to reach me. Dad had been blocking the door.

I retrieved the DVD labeled with that date, inserting it into the laptop. The footage of you pleading with Dad, only to be turned away, shattered me. Tears I had held back for years flowed freely, each drop a release of pent-up sorrow. "Will you ever forgive me?" I whispered to the empty room, my voice breaking.

I emerged from the security room, determined to find you. Dad confronted me. "Where are you going?" he demanded, his voice harsh.

"I'm going to find her," I replied, my resolve unwavering.

"Why? Do you still love her?" Dad's voice dripped with disdain, his eyes cold.

"What if I do?" I asked defiantly, meeting his gaze.

"You can't. She's only after money," he insisted, his tone venomous.

"Stop lying," I said with resolve. "I know what you did."

Dad was speechless, his face pale. I declared, "If I can't find her or if she's gone, I will never forgive you."

I rushed to your old house, but the door was locked. I searched everywhere with a photograph of you, showing it to anyone who would look, but you were nowhere to be found.

I returned to the old house, sitting dejectedly in front of the locked door. "Have I lost you forever?" I wondered aloud, my voice trembling with despair.

Just then, I heard a familiar voice. "Jungkook, what are you doing here?"

A smile broke through my tears as I looked up and saw you standing there, your presence a beacon of hope. I spread my arms. "I really need a hug."

You ran to me, and we embraced tightly, tears mingling as we held each other, the world around us fading away.

"Why didn't you tell me the truth?" I asked, my voice choked with emotion, my eyes searching yours for answers.

"I didn't want you to hate your father," you explained softly, your gaze dropping to the ground.

"So you were okay with me hating you?" I questioned, my voice trembling with the weight of the revelation.

"Not at all, but I didn't want you to hate him, despite everything," you said, your voice breaking, tears welling up in your eyes.

I hugged you again, savoring the moment, feeling the warmth of your embrace. "Why are you so good?" I whispered, my heart aching with love and sorrow.

"You love me again," you said with a bittersweet smile, your eyes reflecting a mix of hope and sadness.

"When did I stop?" I asked, my heart full, my voice barely a whisper.

We held each other for what felt like an eternity until you spoke again, your voice serious. "Jungkook."

"It's 'Kookie' for you," I said gently, trying to lighten the mood.

"Jungkook, listen," you said, your tone somber, your eyes pleading.

"What's wrong? Is it because you can't forgive me? Please, forgive me," I begged, my voice breaking.

"It's not about forgiveness," you said softly, your eyes filled with sorrow.

"Then why? I love you, and I can't live without you," I said, desperation creeping into my voice.

"I love you too, but we can't be together," you said, tears brimming in your eyes.

"Why not?" I asked, feeling the ground shift beneath me, my world crumbling.

"Because if we're together, Emma's family will suffer a huge loss. The contracts they secured because of our engagement will be at risk," you explained, your voice firm but pained.

"I'll handle it. Don't worry about it," I said, trying to reassure you, my heart pounding.

"I have to consider it, Jungkook. Her father begged me to let you marry Emma. The contracts and his company's future are at stake," you said firmly. "Sometimes, we have to make the right choice, even if it means sacrificing our own happiness."

"But I love you. You love me too," I protested, my voice breaking, tears streaming down my face.

"I know," you said, tears brimming in your eyes. "But not all lovers are destined to be together. Sometimes, doing the right thing means letting go."

"Please, just one last hug," I begged, my voice trembling.

"No," you said softly but resolutely. "If I hug you, I won't be able to leave. Please, Jungkook, go now."

With that, you turned and walked back into the house, leaving me standing outside, broken and devastated. I stood there for what felt like an eternity, my heart aching with the loss of you.

I returned home, my heart heavy with the weight of our last conversation. Emma was waiting for me, her face marked by worry.

"Jungkook, here's your watch. We found it," she said, handing me the timepiece.

"Thanks," I said, accepting it with a nod. "Did you find out anything about her?"

Emma's eyes were filled with sorrow. "She left because if you two got back together, it would have been a huge blow to her family's business. I knew about it, but I wanted you to be with her, despite everything."

"Why did you tell me the truth?" I asked, confusion and gratitude mixing in my voice.

"Because she loves you, and you deserve to be with the love of your life," Emma said softly.

"Thank you, Emma. I'll be with the love of my life," I said with resolve, heading back to my room.

Once inside, I pulled out my phone, my hands trembling with urgency, and called Noah. "Noah, arrange a press conference," I instructed, my voice filled with determination.

"Right now?" he asked, clearly surprised by the sudden request.

"Yes, right now," I confirmed, my tone leaving no room for hesitation.

"Okay," he said, and we ended the call.

As I lay on my bed, the watch you had given me clutched tightly in my hand, I felt a wave of memories wash over me. The laughter, the joy, the love we shared-it all replayed in my mind like a vivid, bittersweet movie. It felt as though no time had passed since we first met, yet it also seemed like a lifetime ago.

I remembered the first day we met, the spark of connection that ignited between us. Every shared laugh, every tear, every moment of joy and sorrow came flooding back. Each memory was a double-edged sword, bringing both comfort and torment. I was consumed by the realization of what I had lost and the choices that had been made for us, choices that had torn us apart.

But despite the pain, one thing remained crystal clear: I could never forget you. The thought of you was etched into my very soul, and I knew I would fight to be with you, no matter what obstacles lay ahead. The love we shared was worth every struggle, every sacrifice. And with that resolve, I prepared to face whatever challenges awaited, determined to reclaim the happiness we once had.

The press conference was set up quickly. The room buzzed with reporters and cameras, all eager to hear what I had to say. I stood at the podium, my heart pounding in my chest.

TO BE CONTINUED...