─── chapter twenty-five.
❛ THE END ❜

Eun-Ji arrived at the scene where a transit mixer had crashed into Jae-Jun's car. She looked on, her gaze empty, and approached his car to see the driver's door left open.

The next day, Yeon-Jin sat across from her ex-husband with the divorce papers in front of her. Her face was devoid of emotion as she signed, threw the pen down, and slid the papers toward Do-Yeong and his lawyer. Dressed in a tan prison uniform, she looked hollow, as if all fight had left her. Do-Yeong's lawyer collected the papers, packed them into his briefcase, and left the room, leaving Yeon-Jin and Do-Yeong alone.

Without a word, Do-Yeong rose from his seat. "Be sure to get a good lawyer," he advised with cold formality. "I've always believed you should spare no expenses when it comes to legal issues."

Just as he was about to leave, Yeon-Jin's voice stopped him. "You can be so cruel, honey."

"How could you come serve these in person?"

He sighed, more annoyed than sympathetic, and turned back to her. "Where are you going?" she asked in a tone as hollow as her gaze. "Don't worry. I won't follow."

"The UK. Ye-Sol likes soccer after all."

"And Joo-Won would like to dance," she replied, confusion flickering across her face at the mention of Joo-Won, Eun-Ji's daughter. "Joo-Won... Jeon Joo-Won?"

"Yes," he said simply. "Eun-Ji and her daughter are coming with me."

"So, you're taking Eun-Ji's daughter away?"

"No," he replied calmly. "Eun-Ji and her daughter are coming with me."

The woman simply nodded, her mind drifting back to thoughts of her own daughter.

A glimmer of longing crossed her face. "If I write, will you give my letters to Ye-Sol?"

Do-Yeong paused, weighing the impact of such a request on their daughter. "Take care of yourself," he finally replied, and walked out.

Later that day, Eun-Ji was finishing up the last of her packing with Joo-Won when she called I-Seul, who had been in Joo-Won's life since birth. The knock on the door brought I-Seul, who looked confused.

"Ms. Seong, is something wrong? You asked to see me."

"I-Seul, I appreciate everything you've done for Joo-Won and me," Eun-Ji began, her tone regretful. "But I'm going to have to let you go. We're leaving to start fresh—with Do-Yeong, Ye-Sol, and Joo-Won."

I-Seul's face softened with understanding. She gave Eun-Ji a sad smile before pulling her into a hug, which Eun-Ji returned.

Returning to the earlier events, Eun-Ji watched as Jae-Jun, bruised and bloodied, stumbled around in a disoriented haze, a large bag of cement powder in his grasp. A smirk crossed her face at the sight of his weakness. As he struggled to rub the cement from his eyes, she heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Do-Yeong, equally surprised to find her there. She put a finger to her lips to signal silence.

"Who's there?" Jae-Jun's voice wavered, sensing a presence. "Where am I?" Jae-Jun yelled, panic tainting his voice. He strained to focus but was met with silence, heightening his frustration. "Who the hell are you? Answer me, you son of a bitch!" His voice faltered as desperation crept in. "I'm sorry, please..."

The apology caught Eun-Ji's attention, though it rang hollow. This time, she would make him beg. She stepped closer, her heels echoing on the cement. "Darling, are you really sorry?"

Jae-Jun's head whipped toward her voice, a flicker of recognition in his expression. "Eu-Eun-Ji?" he stammered, fear cracking his words. "Wha—what's happening?"

She leaned in, her voice cold and unwavering. "Are you truly sorry? This time, for real?"

He nodded desperately, clinging to her words. "Then say it to me," she demanded, her tone drenched in the resentment that had simmered for years.

"I'm sorry... I'm so, so sorry, Eun-Ji." He whimpered, his voice unraveling. "Please, help me."

Eun-Ji narrowed her eyes. "Are you sorry for the pain you caused others? For the torment?"

Jae-Jun's voice cracked with pain as he pleaded, "My eyes hurt... I need a doctor." When he heard nothing, he muttered in despair, "Eun-Ji... Did she send you to kill me?"

Eun-Ji stayed silent, savoring the shift in power, watching as his desperation grew. Suddenly, he heard new footsteps, heavier, unhurried. "Who's there?" he yelled, anger blending with his fear. "Why are you doing this to me?"

Before Eun-Ji could react, Do-Yeong stepped forward, pushing Jae-Jun toward the edge. He tripped, plunging into the liquid cement below. Eun-Ji joined Do-Yeong at the ledge, watching as Jae-Jun flailed, each desperate struggle pulling him further down. His scream faded as he sank, leaving only ripples on the surface.

"Finally," Eun-Ji murmured, feeling the weight lift from her shoulders. She knew her daughter would never again suffer from her father's actions.

Years later, at the airport, Do-Yeong, Eun-Ji, and their children looked like any other family. Do-Yeong held Ye-Sol's hand, carrying their passports and luggage. Eun-Ji cradled a sleeping Joo-Won, their other bags in her free hand. Their gazes met, and they shared a soft, contented smile, a silent acknowledgment of all they'd overcome.

They had confessed their feelings to each other earlier, and together, they'd explained their relationship to the girls. Both Ye-Sol and Joo-Won welcomed it with warmth, finding comfort and joy in the family they had now.

Ye-Sol skipped happily by her father's side, clutching her pink bunny plushie. She was relieved to feel safe, and Joo-Won, cradled in her mother's arms, felt secure, finding in Do-Yeong a father figure who truly cared.

In that moment, they were a family—a family filled with love, safety, and a shared sense of freedom they had all waited so long to feel.

© 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗜𝗦𝗭𝗡  //  𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯