Ecstacy of Love (vsoo)

33. You are suspicious of my father. .

Edited

The palanquin halted in front of the Park Mansion, its two occupants stepping out in silence before walking into the building. As they passed a few maids, Chaeyoung noticed how unusually quiet Jisoo seemed, her face drawn with sadness and concern. Chaeyoung wanted to ask her so many things, but she knew now wasn't the time. Her unnie needed space to calm down first. Chaeyoung understood that Jisoo had her reasons for keeping her identity hidden, but for now, she would offer her support in silence.

"Chaeyoung, where have you been?" her stepbrother, Chanyeol, asked as he approached them. Both women paused, unsure of how to respond. Chaeyoung remained silent, feeling the weight of his gaze.

"I asked you something," Chanyeol pressed, his eyes narrowing. "Is something going on? Are you hiding something?"

Chaeyoung looked down, unsure of how to explain, while Jisoo remained unusually quiet. "Nothing," Chaeyoung replied softly, avoiding his eyes. "We just went to the market. Nothing happened. Truly, oppa."

She gently pulled Jisoo with her, and they continued walking past him. Jisoo didn't respond, her body stiff and distant. Chanyeol watched them walk away, clenching his fist in frustration, but as a gentleman, he composed himself, offering a fake smile to the passing maids.

"I thought I was the only one good at fooling others," he muttered to himself with a sly smirk before walking away.

Chaeyoung and Jisoo exchanged glances-one with questions she desperately wanted answers to, and the other lost in her own world, feeling disconnected from everyone, especially from Taehyung. The weight of her promise to stay out of his life still lingered heavily on her heart.

"Chaeyoung..." Jisoo spoke softly, breaking the silence.

"You don't have to apologize or explain yourself if you're not ready. I understand," Chaeyoung said, her voice gentle as she carefully loosened the jade hairpin from her bun, letting her silky blonde hair cascade down her back.

Jisoo stood still for a moment, her gaze locked on Chaeyoung, whose face reflected the quiet trust and understanding that Jisoo desperately needed. With tears falling, Jisoo pulled Chaeyoung into a tight hug, her emotions spilling out as she let herself break down for a moment.

"I'm sorry for keeping so much from you. I didn't have any other choice," Jisoo whispered through her sobs.

Chaeyoung gently patted her back, trying to calm her. Her own eyes became misty as she recalled her own painful past. She had lost someone she cared about deeply, someone who reminded her of him...sweet, bubbly, and full of life. Chaeyoung had lost him and his family in a tragic fire, and she had never once dared to hope he might still be alive. The grief was something she had locked away, but now, she could see how much Jisoo was hurting.

"I believe you, unnie, and I'll always support you," Chaeyoung said softly, her voice filled with conviction. "I know what it feels like to lose someone you love. I lost my dearest friend when I was a child... He was so much like Taehyung... sweet, bubbly... it's hard to even think about it."

Jisoo pulled away from the hug, meeting Chaeyoung's concerned eyes, and for the first time, she spoke openly.

"Chaeyoung... I've been thinking. I believe Minister Park is involved in something... something darker than we know."

Chaeyoung's face immediately froze in shock. "You're suspecting my father?" she asked, her voice a mix of surprise and disbelief.

Jisoo nodded slightly, hesitating before she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small object. "I found this from Sehun." She showed Chaeyoung the seal of the Park family-a seal only belonging to those connected to her family.