"You're nothing but a Step Cousin to me" - Riel

Author's P.O.V

In-Yeop's mind raced as he grappled with the possibility that Inho might be his child. The timing aligned—five years ago, when he and Riel had parted ways, she was eighteen. But could it really be true? He needed answers.

Suppressing his emotions, In-Yeop watched as Inho chattered with the others. The boy was adorable, with eyes that mirrored Riel's. Yet, In-Yeop couldn't allow himself to hope. He'd been burned before, and the scars still lingered.

As the room buzzed with introductions, Inho, oblivious to the turmoil within In-Yeop, continued playing with the other kids. In-Yeop approached him, heart pounding.

"Inho-ya," In-Yeop began, "where is your father?"

Inho stared at him blankly and spoke, "It's none of your business," in a cold tone. His words cut through In-Yeop like a knife. Was this rejection or mere defiance?

—Time Skip—
—Night—

In-Yeop saw Riel alone, her silhouette illuminated by the moonlight. He couldn't ignore the gnawing ache in his chest any longer. He pulled her into his bedroom, pinning her against the door and locking it.

Riel's gaze met his. She looked different now—stronger, more resilient. But her eyes held secrets, and he wondered what else she hadn't told him.

"Riel," he said, his voice low. "We need to talk."

She glanced at him; her expression guarded. "About what?"

"Inho." The word hung heavy between them.

"Is he...?" In-Yeop hesitated, unable to voice the question that haunted him.

"What about Inho?" Riel frowned. Her defensiveness was palpable.

"Who is Inho's father?" In-Yeop finally asked, desperation coloring his tone.

"It's none of your business," Riel replied in a cold tone, avoiding eye contact with In-Yeop. The pain in her eyes was unmistakable.

'Like mother, like son,' In-Yeop thought bitterly. The secrets they both harbored threatened to tear them apart.

The room felt heavy with unspoken truths, emotions swirling like a tempest. Riel's heart raced, torn between love and pain. She had built walls around her past, but In-Yeop's presence threatened to breach them.

"Are you going to tell me or not?" In-Yeop's voice grated, irritation lacing his words.

"Nope!" Riel's defiance was a fragile shield. She couldn't afford to reveal the truth, not now.

In-Yeop scoffed, "Is Inho adopted?"

"No," Riel replied firmly, her gaze unwavering. "He's my own blood."

In-Yeop's next words hung in the air, a lifeline cast into the abyss. "Look, we can solve everything that happened in the past and come back together." His voice cracked. "I... I still love you."

Riel gulped hard, her resolve crumbling. Tears blurred her vision. "You're Nothing but a Step Cousin to Me," she whispered, avoiding eye contact.

"Don't lie to me!" In-Yeop's anger erupted, shattering the fragile peace. Riel flinched, shutting her eyes tightly as tears betrayed her.

In-Yeop's eyes softened. "I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

"Why're you doing this to me?!" Riel's sob echoed in the room as she slid down, her heart torn between love and self-preservation.

In-Yeop's internal struggle is a tempest of conflicting emotions. The revelation that Inho might be his son has shattered the carefully constructed walls around his heart. Hope and fear battle within him—the hope of rekindling love with Riel, and the fear of reopening old wounds. 

His past scars, etched by betrayal and loss, resurface. In-Yeop grapples with vulnerability, torn between longing for answers and shielding himself from further pain. The ache to know the truth wars with the fear of rejection. His heart, once scarred, now dares to hope—but at what cost?

"Pearl," In-Yeop kneels in front of her as tears started to flow down his cheeks. "I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. It's just that... sometimes, love feels like a puzzle where missing one piece can make everything seem incomplete. I thought I was protecting you, keeping you away from the chaos of my life. But I was wrong. I was the missing piece, and without me, your world was incomplete. I see that now. Please, give me a chance to be the man you deserve, to be the piece that completes our picture. I promise, I'll spend every day making it up to you, if you'll let me."

Riel's eyes searched In-Yeop's, looking for the sincerity that once made her feel like the only person in the world. "How can I trust you again?" she whispered, the weight of her broken heart making each word a struggle.

In-Yeop reached out, gently wiping away her tears. "I know trust isn't given; it's earned. And I'm ready to earn it back, step by step," he said, his voice steady despite the pain in his eyes. "I'll wait for you, for as long as it takes, and I'll be here, always. Because you, Riel, you're my home. And I've been lost without you."

The room fell silent, save for the soft patter of rain against the window—a symphony to their moment of truth. In that silence, Riel felt the walls she'd built around her heart begin to crumble, brick by brick, as hope cautiously whispered through the cracks.

A tear slipped down Riel's cheek, a silent testament to the war within. Could she dare to hope again? Could she let down the walls that safeguarded her soul? In-Yeop's plea was sincere, a balm to the scars of their past. And in that moment, she knew forgiveness was not just a gift to him, but a healing for herself as well.

Riel took a deep breath, the air heavy with the scent of rain and the lingering traces of In-Yeop's cologne. It was a fragrance that spoke of memories, of moments so tender they could shatter with a touch. She looked at him, really looked, seeing not just the boy who broke her heart, but the man who held the pieces in his hands, offering them back to her with hope shining in his eyes.

Riel's gaze held In-Yeop's for a long, silent moment. "Forgiveness isn't something that can be rushed," she said, her voice firm. "It's not a door you can just open again with a single key. It's more like... a garden. It needs time to grow back, to heal after it's been trampled."

In-Yeop nodded, the understanding clear in his eyes. "I know," he replied. "And I'm not asking for immediate forgiveness. I'm just asking for a chance to help that garden grow again. To be the one who tends to it, who protects it. I'll wait, Riel. I'll wait as long as it takes."

Riel's heart fluttered, a hesitant hope taking root. She didn't move closer, nor did she pull away. "Then wait," she said quietly. "And maybe... just maybe, with time, we'll see what grows."

-...-...-...-...-...-...-...-...-...-...-...-...-

To Be Continued
Published Date - 09.06.2024.
Word Count - 1.1k

*Sighs* At last, Act One is complete! Isn't it amazing how quickly time passes? As for Act Two, I'm eyeing a mid-July release—though it's really up to me, isn't it? 😉

Now, I'm eager to hear from you. Drop a comment below with your honest thoughts about my book so far. If I receive more than three comments, I'll consider releasing Act Two sooner! 

Also, a massive thank you for the 1k+ reads and 145+ votes! Your support fills me with joy and gratitude. Sending you all my love and a *flying kiss*! 💖

- Author Eun
- Love Ya!