JI HAE : Kim Jae Hyung. Jae Ra-ssi is his birth mother, isn't she?

Mr.KIM : Ji hae! Someone might hear you. I had asked you to erase that truth from your memory. Jae hyung is.. your son.

Ji Hae had her eyes water at his harsh tone of speech and the uncalled responsibility being weighed over her shoulders.

Unable to look straight into his eyes anymore, she decided to leave. However, while trying to supress her tears as she retrieved, Mr.Kim's words freezed her steps for a moment.

Mr.KIM : It will be less painful for Taehyung that he doesn't unpeel the unnecessary truths. Don't be too reckless and ruin what we have created. That'll be the best for you both. And I promise they will never meet again.

The curve of warm tears slowly escaped her eyes as she quickly wiped it away.

Mr.KIM : (-calm respectful tone-) You must be tired. Go upstairs and rest.

With his final words, Mr.Kim left the study first and proceeded to his room.

In the dark murky room with the moonlight falling inside through the window, Mr.Kim could be seen seated on his side of the master bed. A deep grim with slowly creeping culpability, lined through his facial wrinkles and creases.

Although the transgression, after taking the offer from Jae Ra's uncle, would give him occasional attacks of anxiety. Mr.Kim, would name it an age related situation and had been dodging it off all these years.

The emotions of fear and perturb now, seemingly began to dominate over his sense of stability and conviction. His conscience, although faintly but visibly, started to conflict with his thoughts. He was slowly losing his commands over his actions and words.

Just the rewind of a while ago, he seemed to be extremely against of what he had delivered to Ji Hae. But, he could neither stop himself nor complain against it.

It was never an overnight event, his thinking and thought process were teased a change long ago. He has taken a long ride to reach this hour of confusion and unsettlement.

The disguised regret had done its job and was gradually plaguing over- beyond Mr.Kim's conscious knowledge.

The one lie that started it all.

.

.

Taehyung's Dad, with his revised set of false truth, deceived Mr.Jeong and Ji Hae four years ago. Into believing that, Jae Ra had passed away after giving birth to his grandson.

Ji Hae, almost baffled and unable to comprehend the news, empathized with the weeks old baby- held in Mr.Kim's embrace.

With careful manipulation and deception, he further convinced Ji Hae that only a remarriage can help his son cope with the harsh and sudden death of his wife. And his grandson would have the precious presence of a mother.

JI HAE : But there's no way, Oppa would agree with this.

Mr.KIM : I know. But isn't this solely for his betterment? He wouldn't be able to see that now, only we can . So, we have to go a little ahead and make him marry you even if we have to lie a little. Taehyung needs an emotional solidity right now. Someone to rely on. And I can only see it happening with you.

JI HAE : But lying still is...

Mr.KIM : I agree. Maybe we could just give him time and then he might actually consider a wedlock someday in future. But, there's no certainty in that. He is stubborn and wouldn't hesistate to live alone for the rest of his life.

Ji Hae's inclined feelings for Taehyung ached her heart, seeing the great possibility in Mr.Kim's words.

Mr.KIM : That is why, this baby has come to help us. To give us a perfect opportunity to carry him into a marriage, hassle free.

JI HAE : (-confused-) Ye? He didn't meet his son yet?

Mr.KIM : He didn't. I have been taking care of this baby in secret.

Slowly tuning in to Mr.Kim's words, Ji Hae could vaguely see through his scheme that was not very clear until then.

JI HAE : Uncle Kim. What lie do you actually want me to act upon?

Without the least hesitation after a moment or two, Mr.Kim proposed his master plan.

Mr.KIM : That you have birthed this little boy and Taehyung is the father.

Ji Hae, with pure shock, looked at her own father- who was surprisingly calm and contained.

JI HAE : Dad?

Mr.JEONG : I was sure caught off guard like you, too. But, come to think about it. It is not as bizarre as it sounds. Taehyung is the best son in law I would want for you. And I have known Mr.Kim since a long time. Wouldn't be any better becoming a family with the Kims.

Ji Hae, unexpectedly, was pacified with her father's convincing words. Her inner desire and the perpetual feelings, seemed to help getting her on board.

Mr.JEONG : Your one lie can make a lot of difference.

After a long and deep contemplation of every little detail of information she had received, Ji Hae finally showed her assent to the overture.

JI HAE : But, why would he buy my words?

Mr.KIM : (-with a relief-) Leave that to this father-in-law of yours. Welcome to the family, Ji Hae-ya. (-smiles-)

.

.

Using that one drunken night of Taehyung after his major dispute with Jae Ra. Mr.Kim, successfully blemished the meticulously planned scenario into Taehyung's new reality.

What Ji Hae thought as an opportunity to fill in the gaps and replace Jae Ra from his life, turned out to be her delusion in the end.

Although she was directly under running water in her washroom, taking a shower. Yet, no perception of wetness was received against her skin.
It was like, the sheets of lies over the years have wrapped her in a thick layer. Beneath that, Ji Hae was now near to suffocation.

Her entire figure was now crawled to a side on her bed. After the shower, her expressions grew more forlorn and bland. Eyes had no tears, body had no movements. She was left with an ailing heart and a crumpled soul.

The earlier named curse now turned into a blessing to her. Taehyung's coldness towards her, lessened the guilts to a tiny amount- she believed.

It seemed like a blink worth of time, the dawn came up brightening her room. Forhead creased at a bad headache after the sleepless night, she winced while sitting up on her bed.

A knock of breakfast at the door distracting her, Ji Hae feebly walked up to answer it.

MAID : (-smiles-) Good morning, ma'am. Madam Kim asked me to bring your serving upstairs.

Receiving a small nod from Ji Hae, the maid lady walked inside the room to set the table with her food. It was quite a routine Mrs.Kim would always ask the workers to follow, whenever Ji Hae wouldn't present herself downstairs by the usual dining time. It was not to mean an exclusion of her but to provide the best convenience.

Shackled from forcing her son to treat her better, Taehyung's mother would always look out for Ji Hae to make sure she was in comfort.

MAID : Please let me know if you need something.

JI HAE : (-weak voice-) I am fine just leave if you are done. (-cold voice-)

MAID : (-politely-) Ye, I am sorry to bother you. (-bowing-) Enjoy your breakfast. (-walks out of the room-)

Already sensing her mood, the worker obliged readily to all her orders, not to infuriate her more.

Ji Hae calmly closed the door and turned her sight to the neatly set table.
The care everyone in the house bothered only for her. Ji Hae could finally see it through, now that she dropped the blind fold of expectations.

Mind not coordinated well enough, she walked towards the table at once and began to smash the dishes. In a sense, to toss away all the goodness from anyone and abandon any care that she felt undeserving.

Shattering everything to the floor, Ji Hae could feel her senses veining back to her. Looking around the mess, she regained her perception of self consciousness that she thought was lost last night.

Meanwhile, the older couple almost done with their breakfast, were alarmed at the sounds from the first floor. The maid from the stairs retrieved her path towards Ji Hae's room with the old couple following right after.

Taehyung who had just begun his breakfast moments ago, was watching the hurried actions upstairs. Instants apart, with the release of nervous freeze, he resumed eating once he witnessed his parents getting an access inside her room.

While the housekeepers rushed to handle the broken crockery, Mrs.Kim approached Ji Hae in concern. She gently caressed the latter's back to comfort as she softly tried to talk her out.

Mrs.KIM : Honey, what's the matter? (-brushing her hair-) You look so pale too.

Ji Hae couldn't even sound a little whimper as she tried her hardest to gulp in the tears. She was helpless and had no one to rely or share her pain with.

Mrs. KIM : Do you need something else to eat?

Taehyung's father, somewhat aware of Ji Hae's shoes, felt the need to talk to her. But in the absense of Mrs.Kim, and therefore came up with something.

Mr.KIM : I think, porridge would be better for her right now. And you make the best ones.

Mrs. KIM : Ah, you're right. (-to Ji Hae-) I am making you some abalone porridge. Your favourite ones. Okay?

The daughter in law, in no position to deny her, couldn't quite respond. Taehyung's mother didn't mind it and proceeded to leave.

Mr.KIM : I will just talk to her for awhile and follow you.

Mrs.KIM : Right. She is more comfortable with you. Also, be gentle with your voice.

With Mrs.Kim's leave, Taehyung's father turned back to Ji Hae who was rooted to her place.

Mr.KIM : I realize you are having a hard time accepting everything. But..

Ji Hae neither looked up at him nor made any response to his words.

Mr.KIM : It is hard for everyone in different ways. That's how life is. Rather than running away from your tough hours, we should take responsibility for our decisions and let it keep going the way it is.

Ji Hae felt so stuffed with hurt and resent that she could barely feel any other emotion then.

She realized, the one lie that was once thought harmless, held the enough potential to destroy one's insides and create the greatest damage. And so does any form of evil.

JI HAE : How can I leave it, the way it is? (-sniffles-) How.. how can I ever look at Jaehyung and not feel like a sinner? His own mother is..

She hiccuped, unable to complete her sentence as a few more irresistible streams of tears followed.

Mr.KIM : She might be alive. But, not her memories.

JI HAE : (-snaps at him-) . . .

_________

Sorry that this chapter didn't centre the main characters that much.

We shall soon be back to the drama. :)

Also, I will try to update every Sunday from the next week.