The Innocent: A Sequel to Hwarang: The Saga of the Sooks Book #3

Chapter 18: Merciless

Jung Sook had just arrived at home and was putting her groceries away when a knock sounded on her door. A few seconds later, she was opening it. She was instantly confronted by Soo Ho's handsome face. Her eyes drifted shut in distress. She lacked the energy to fence with him today. Figuratively speaking.

But she didn't have to say anything. Not yet anyway. Before she could even open her mouth, he began to speak. The tone of his voice was what surprised her most. He was speaking in such a low, quiet timbre that she could barely hear him. Not at all customary for Soo Ho.

"I don't understand," he whispered, his expression stricken, a deep appeal in his eyes as he stared down at her. "You told me that I was your best friend. And then you fled from me. You've been fleeing from me ever since." He took a deep breath. "What did I do wrong? I just...want to be with you."

No one had ever spoken those words to her.

Her eyes flew open. Vulnerability shining from them.

Soo Ho recognized it and leaned towards her. Breathing the same air that she was. He was reveling in her closeness.

Until he noticed that she was trembling.

"Jung Sook?" he murmured almost silently.

She closed her eyes. Trying to steady her nerves. But she only quaked all the more. Now she could hear his breath.

He was making her terribly nervous. He was too close.

The echoes were clanging in her mind's eye.

She could feel the violent shove of his hands, pinning her down on the bed. And hear the frustration in his ragged breathing. Before she felt the sharp slap of his palm against her cheek. She was completely at his mercy.

And he had no mercy.

That became abundantly clear when he tossed her to the floor and his foot caught on her ribs. And pain exploded throughout her torso.

She grunted as she experienced that searing pain again. Her eyes flew open.

But the inner turmoil was still playing out in her heart.

And Soo Ho saw the terror in her gaze. And...horror?

"Jung Sook," he spoke more sharply this time. "What ever is wrong?"

She drew away from him. "Please...leave," she mumbled, turning away from him as she attempted to shut the door in his face.

But he reached for her, his hand coming to rest lightly on her forearm. He watched as she flinched yet again.

And cold dread crept up his spine. For in that instant, the pieces suddenly fell together. Perfectly.

He recalled the numerous times that he'd reached for Jung Sook. And she had flinched away from him. Then, he again saw the young girl in the marketplace wincing – in like manner – before her angry father as he raised his hand to strike her. And Jung Sook had been quick to come to that child's rescue.

And Soo Ho knew. That someone had done the same thing to his precious Jung Sook. He had suspected it yesterday, but now he knew.

Then he remembered how he had tried to console her over her father's death. And she had admitted that she didn't require his condolences. Had not one man but two abused his precious Jung Sook?

"What did he do to you?"

She stilled. But she didn't respond. A few silent seconds stretched between them.

Soo Ho could have sworn that he heard her heart beating. That he felt it too. Racing away with them both. Pounding like the hooves of a wild horse fleeing from a predator.

When she didn't answer him, he finally spoke for her.

"Your father. He hit you, didn't he? And...your husband? Did he...hit you too?"

His voice was the gentlest of whispers.

Her eyes slid shut. He had found her out. He'd guessed it yesterday, but she'd managed to put him off. But here he was. Persisting in ferreting out both of her two worst secrets.

How had he discovered the truth?

No one had ever guessed the horrors that her husband had unleashed upon her weak body. Not even her mother had recognized the signs.

Yet here was this boy. Full of good humor. And immaturity. And an odd sort of innocence.

Yet he had guessed her horrible secret.

But she couldn't admit to it. That would be opening herself to a world of pain. She could never again allow herself to become that vulnerable to a man.

She was now convinced that Soo Ho deserved more than she could give him. More than she could be for him. He was a passionate man. He thrived on a girl's devotion and attraction to him. He deserved a pretty girl. One who was willing to return his kisses with fervor.

Instead of a cold widow. Hiding from men. And their unwelcome advances.

Soo Ho deserved so much more than a woman who couldn't even attract her own husband.

One of these days, Soo Ho would realize just how unappealing she truly was. And then he would disappear from her life. It would be so much easier to just put some distance between them now. To convince him that she didn't find him appealing in the least.

So she kept her back turned to him. "Just go, Soo Ho."

She pushed against the door and headed for her kitchen. Soo Ho in hot pursuit. But she was unaware. She heard the door latch behind her and assumed that he had left. She stepped into her kitchen and stopped. Then she burst into tears.