BOOK 1: The Heir Series; Choi Seungcheol

47: RETICENCE

{Listening to Don't Wanna Cry Acoustic Version or Piano Version will pull you into this chapter.}

A deafening silence covered the two of them and it seems like no one wants to break it. Seungcheol was keeping a tight lid on his mouth to keep silent while she kept hers closed because she was afraid to ask.

Yet she needs a clear explanation. She needs answers.

Despite the nervousness and fear inside her, Taerin strengthen herself. She's having doubts on standing in front of Seungcheol.

"Cheol." She called in a whisper while trying to catch his eyes. "Is it true?" She asked as her voice shake.

Her eyes scanned his face, seeking for something that would deny what was running inside her mind, something to ease her doubts but she can't see anything. All she could see was guilt.

Guilt.

Why? Why is he guilty? Because it's true?

She harshly pulled Seungcheol's shirt because of his killing silence. She couldn't stand anymore silence from him.

"Dammit, Choi Seungcheol! Just these once . . . give me an answer." She struggled to let every word out. She would plead if she has to, just to get the answers from him.

She saw how Seungcheol's jaw clenched as if it's too hard for him to look at her, to tell her the answers she wants to hear from him until he slowly turned to her. His eyes that were sad and full of regret searched her face. Then she remembered . . . she saw that look before.

The night he came home drunk. That night when everything started to change. That was the night he looked at her with the same eyes – like he need to ask her forgiveness about something.

"You knew . . ." She whispered to himself as the things that happened to them these past few days flashed right through her eyes. He became distant because he knew. He knew. And yet he kept silent about it and chose to own the truth – which only drew him away from her.

She slowly let go of his shirt and she felt like her knees got weak all by itself. Something was gripping her chest so tight, making her feel breathless. She knew she was losing this battle because his silence only meant one thing.

Her father committed a crime against the man that she loves.

The man she respected, adored, and loved. The man she looked up to. The man she buried years ago – was a traitor. That was the truth and that's what she can see in Seungcheol's eyes.

She looked down. She can't look at the sin her father has committed. She couldn't hate her father even though she knew about the truth.

Even if it was her father that made Seungcheol's family's life miserable. Even if it's because of her father that he almost lost his Mom. Even if it's because of her father that she lost Choi Seungcheol before and even if her father was the reason that she was hurt before.