─── chapter nineteen.
❛ THINGS COMING TO LIGHT ❜

Do-Yeong was preparing to leave the house, phone pressed to his ear as he walked through the living room. "I've requested a temporary restraining order against Mr. Jeon Jae-Jun," his lawyer informed him.

"We'll proceed as quickly as we can."

Do-Yeong's gaze flicked to his wife, Yeon-Jin, standing near the entrance with a guarded expression. He ignored her, replying to his lawyer, "Good work. I'm heading to a site, I'll see you in the office tomorrow."

As he hung up, Yeon-Jin's voice cut through the silence, sharp and questioning. "Why did you send Ye-Sol to your mother's?"

He pulled his coat from the couch, keeping his tone calm. "I have my reasons. We'll talk later." He began to move toward the door, but Yeon-Jin stepped in his path, her eyes narrowing.

"I had to hear it from the driver—" she paused, catching sight of his bruised lip. "What happened?"

"A fight." She asked worriedly. "I don't think we should talk now, because I don't have anything nice to say to you," His voice holding a cold edge.

"So I can't even ask why my daughter left school early?" she pressed, her tone laced with irritation. "Why are you acting so superior?"

"I'd rather have an argument. I'd rather you be mean," she said, her voice getting louder.

Do-Yeong sighed, setting his coat back on the couch as he met her glare. "Fine. Let's talk."

"I'm not sure where to start, but this is as good a place as any."

He took a slow breath, his voice laced with restrained anger. "My wife's lover showed up at my daughter's school—pretending to be her father."

Yeon-Jin's expression faltered, her eyes widening. She seemed at a loss for words.

"Want to argue now?" he asked, leaning in as her gaze dropped to the floor. He lowered his head to meet her eyes again. "You're wondering if I know who is Ye-Sol's father."

"I know everything. All your secrets." His voice was shaky, trying to hold back the anger and pain he felt. "You have no idea how much I'm holding back. Even after all of this, the only thing you truly care about is yourself."

"Ye-Sol is suffering..." He voiced, his tone shaky, but also held some anger when he spoke. "And you want to argue with me?"

Yeon-Jin's voice softened, a hint of desperation breaking through. "At least...I tried to protect us. I with these secrets."

"Protect us?" He let out a bitter laugh. "What were you trying to protect? Our marriage, your career, Ye-Sol, or your lover?" His voice dripped with disdain. "You couldn't protect any of it."

With that, he snatched his coat, stepping closer to her as he leaned in. "Let me make this very clear," he whispered fiercely. "Ye-Sol is mine...even if you're not." And with that, he turned and walked out, the door shutting firmly behind him.

Yeon-Jin stood frozen, her eyes filling with tears before she crumpled, sobbing as she sank to the floor.

The next evening, Eun-Ji let herself into Jae-Jun's house, having received a message from him to come by and discuss something important. She made her way to the bathroom as instructed, but when she opened the door, she froze, immediately shutting it again. Inside, Jae-Jun and Hye-Jeong were tangled together in the tub. She recoiled, a shiver of disgust running through her.

"Well, that's something I'll be adding to my nightmares," she muttered, steeling herself before stepping back in with a blank expression. "Jae-Jun, we need to talk about Joo-Won."

Jae-Jun met her stare, his gaze hardening as he leaned back. Hye-Jeong looked on with mild surprise, asking, "What now?"

"If you're not going to be there as her father, just give up your rights," Eun-Ji said, her tone direct and unyielding. Jae-Jun's face twisted with anger.

"You're not taking Joo-Won from me," he spat back, his voice filled with venom. "Plus...Hye-Jeong here will be playing mother to her too."

Eun-Ji's eyes narrowed, her fury barely restrained. "This gold-digging parasite?" She pointed at Hye-Jeong, whose face flushed with offense. As Hye-Jeong started to speak, Eun-Ji cut her off sharply.

"Don't even try to talk to me," she snapped, turning to Hye-Jeong with a smirk. "Do you really think he'll treat you any better than he treated me or Yeon-Jin? He'll leave you when you need him the most."

Her words hit home, and Hye-Jeong looked momentarily uncertain.

Turning her attention back to Jae-Jun, she eyed the bruises on his face with a cold satisfaction. "I have enough proof to show you're an unfit parent and a danger to her safety," she continued, a smug smile crossing her face.

She held up a file, containing the papers for him to relinquish his rights. "These will be here when you're ready to admit the truth. And your daughter knows everything—about what you did to me, to others."

Eun-Ji dropped the file on his bathroom counter and turned to leave, her heels echoing sharply as she strode out. She didn't look back, slamming the door as she left.

Once in her car, she leaned back with a sigh of relief, muttering to herself, "Dirty asshole. Whatever's coming for you, Jeon Jae-Jun, you deserve every bit of it, and I won't feel sorry for any of it."

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