Jimin sat in front of the older woman, completely still. He didn't know what to say as he sat perched on the couch. He wondered when Taehyung's mother would start speaking. She just sat there, her eyes fixed on his swollen tummy, her mouth twisted in disgust. After an unbelievably long time, she drew in a deep breath.

"How far along are you?"

Jimin gulped, he wasn't expecting her to ask such a question but he answered anyway.

"Five months"

Mrs Kim nodded her head. "How did you and my son meet?"

Jimin's palms were sweating, eyes darting from left to right.

"We met at the University. He almost ran into me with his car..."

She raised her hand to stop him. "I don't care to know the details"

Jimin bit his lips pressing his palms together. More silence followed and now, it was becoming unbearable.

"Do you know who Taehyung is? Do you know the kind of family that he comes from"

She was finally getting to the root of her problem. Jimin nodded his head.

"Yes..."

"And still, you..."

She shook her head, taking a deep breath as if to calm her nerves before she gave Jimin a piercing look.

"Did you do this on purpose knowing who he is?"

Jimin shook his head. "No. This was a mistake. I didn't intend for any of this to happen"

Mrs Kim clicked her tongue. "Alright let's say I believe you. But the thing is, it doesn't matter. I came here because I heard strange rumors about a certain boy being pregnant for my son"

She scoffed. "Imagine the disgrace. I had to do a little digging and now here I am sitting in front of a herring who is carrying a child for my son"

She shook her head and laughed "I never thought I would see the day when it happens to me. Who would have thought karma would catch up with my family in such a cruel way"

She sounded bitter and Jimin could tell there was something more to this situation that he had thought.

"What do you mean?"

"It's none of your business darling" Mrs Kim replied coldly and Jimin stiffened. She took a deep breath, eyeing him purposely from top to bottom.

"I'm sure you can tell that I'm not here for a courtesy visit so I'm going to be direct with you"

She gathered her breath and continued.

"Taehyung will soon be getting married to a worthy woman...a woman whose family has the connections ours need. Currently, things aren't going so well with the business. That is why I cannot  afford to let anything  jeopardize what I have planned for so long"

"I have discussed with my husband and we both decided that if indeed the rumors of my son getting a herring pregnant was true, we will propose a deal"

"What deal?" Jimin asked.

"We are ready to give you the sum of twenty billion won if you give up every right of your child as soon as you give birth"

"What?"

Mrs Kim smiled. "Why? This is a good deal. You're young. I'm sure you hate the embarassment this pregnancy is causing you. It's probably destroying your life as we speak. I heard the reason you dropped out was due to the shame it brought you. Take the deal. You'll be able to get yourself back on track. Finish school and have a good life for yourself"

Jimin shook his head"I know this child was a mistake. I didn't want it. I never planned for it but it's still a part of me. You can't expect me to just give him up so easily"

Mrs Kim smiled. "Him! So it's a boy"

Jimin nodded. "I found out recently after my ultrasound"

Mrs Kim's smile was wide. Her eyes glittered. "That's perfect. A heir!"

Jimin could see how having a male child could excite the woman considering Taehyung was an only child. She resumed her frown but the air around her became lighter.

"Consider the offer. Twenty billion won is a lot of money. Give us the child and you can go ahead with your life unless you have some sort of feelings left for my son and want to disrupt his wedding plans"

Jimin quickly shook his head. "No... I don't. Taehyung and I are over. What happened between us already ended. The only thing left binding us together is this child"

Mrs Kim nodded. "Good and I really hope it stays that way"

She took another deep breath. "I also have another proposition. To avoid tongues wagging, I want to be able to keep you under my watch which is why I want you to come live with us until you have given birth and weaned the child. After that, you'll leave"

Jimin was stupefied. "You want me to live with you? With your family, with Taehyung"

"It's not forever. I need to keep you where I can watch over you just in case you decide to change your mind and run away with that baby you're carrying"

"I do not care about you but that child is important to me, to my family. It's Important to our legacy but it's conception is rather embarrassing to be told to the public which is why we will cover it up so no one will know he was actually birthed by a herring"

Jimin tried hard to hold back the tears. Hearing this woman continuously stab at his identity over and over again caused his heart to break. In consequence, he had no right to this child even though he was the one who would go through the pain of bringing him to this world. It was a harsh reality, a really painful one but that was unfortunately how this world operated. Jimin thought over her proposition in his head. He was in current need of money because of his mother. If he agreed to Mrs Kim's demands, he would be able to pay for his mother's treatments. Despite the cold blood between them, he couldn't afford to let her die, she was his only family. He had to do whatever it took to save her. Perhaps giving up this child would be the best. He wouldn't have to go through the embarassment of having a herring for a mother and he could go on with his life as though nothing happened. No one would know about him once he is in Kim Taehyung's parents home. He would be safe from prying eyes and have everything he needs. However, one thing bothered him the most. Meeting him again. How would he react if they saw each other again. Would he be chill about it? Whatever, he would deal with that later. For now, he was going to give Mrs Kim an answer.

"Yes...I will give up the child but you must pay me the money as promised"

Mrs Kim smiled. "Good choice. I can see you're a smart one. Send me your account. I will wire you the money first thing in the morning.  You should discuss with your mother soon because I'll be picking you up on Saturday"

"My mother is hospitalized. She won't be able to give me permission"

A look of concern crossed Mrs Kim's eyes. "What's wrong with her?"

Jimin didn't need the woman's sympathy so he gave her a straight answer. "She's just sick"

"Oh I see... my regards. I'm sure she must have been as dissapointed as I was when she found out about the pregnancy"

Jimin didn't reply and Mrs Kim grinned.

"It's written all over you. I'm right"

After she had gotten the account number, she stood up and straightened her clothes. "I'll be leaving now. I hope you keep your word"

She started to leave but Jimin spoke in a low voice, stopping her immediately.

"Your son. Does he know you came to see me?"

"No! He doesn't know. He has no idea his father and I are aware of the shame he has committed. We've kept it from him on  purpose so that he doesn't ruin our plans"

"He doesn't know I'll be coming to live with you?"

Mrs Kim shook her head. "He will know on the day you arrive"

Jimin gulped.

"Take care of that child. Your whole existence depends on it"

With that said, she left the house leaving Jimin to weigh the consequences of her words. No doubt she had threatened him, indirectly telling him that the baby was the only reason he was still standing. Jimin felt goosebumps all over him. He hurriedly packed him mother's essentials and returned to the hospital. His mother was still unconscious when he arrived. Yoongi could already tell something was wrong when he saw him enter the ward. He asked him and Jimin recounted what happened to him.

Yoongi was stunned.

"So you're going to give up your son and live with Kim Taehyung and his parents? Do you realize how crazy that sounds?"

"But I don't have a choice. His mother offered a lot of money. How else can I pay for my mom's treatment? I just had to do it"

Yoongi shook his head observing him with sad eyes.

"But you do know you're willingly entering the Lion's den. Things will be tough for you. You're going to suffer a lot Jimin. It might even be worse than living in hell"

Jimin shivered sniffing as he nodded his head. "I know that Yoongi. I know that" he whispered as tears fell down his face.

Thanks for reading. I'll upload the next chapter as soon as I can.. Have a lovely day.