Ruby(Red 2) JC [Revised]

23: Gonna Win You Back

"Sir, we got some parts of the skeleton. I contacted some of the forensic doctors, and they finally sent the report of the test."

Hwan handed an envelope to Seungcheol, who quickly tore it open and scanned the contents. He looked up at Hwan, his expression grave.

"Everything in that diary was true. That is Park Joowon's body. She did murder him."

"And I got the handwriting checked too. It's indeed Ms. Park's writing," Hwan confirmed.

Seungcheol sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "Where is she now?"

"At her mother's place. She hasn't gone out since the day you two broke up," Hwan stated.

Seungcheol nodded, a mix of emotions crossing his face. "We need to bring her in. This can't be ignored."

Hwan hesitated for a moment. "Do you want me to handle it, sir?"

"No," Seungcheol said firmly. "I'll do it myself. This is something I need to face head-on."

As he gathered his things, Seungcheol couldn't help but reflect on the twists his life had taken since meeting Aerin. Now, it was up to him to seek the truth and confront the woman he once loved.

                                         _

"Aerin, calm down," Nicole said with a sigh. It had been a few days since Seungcheol's driver had dropped her off late at night. Aerin had come to her in tears, explaining how Seungcheol had discovered everything about her past and broken up with her, which had been, of course, pretty obvious. Since then, she had been spiraling. She wasn't eating properly and barely sleeping. Her eyes had huge dark circles, and her body was covered in cuts and wounds from self-harm. She could die any day if this continued.

"NO, I WON'T!" Aerin screamed at the top of her lungs.

"I know it's because of Yoon Jeonghan. If I get my hands on him, I'll murder him."

"Aerin, you can't do that," Nicole pleaded.

"I can, Mom. If he's crazy, I AM CRAZIER!"

"But Aerin, baby, listen to me. You have your own life, right? Focus on that. Enough of this revenge game."

"What life, Mom? My life has always been about revenge against Jeonghan. After that, Seungcheol was my only life. How can I survive without him?"

"Baby, you can't get everything by force. You have to accept reality. Please, sweetie, try to understand me."

"What reality, Mom? Years of hard work were finally paying off, and now Jeonghan is ruining everything. He can't just take Seungcheol away from me! Seungcheol is mine and forever will be."

"You can't interfere in Seungcheol's feelings anymore. It's his choice. Why would he stay with you after knowing you used him for revenge?"

Aerin shot her mother a death stare and grabbed her by the throat, while Nicole struggled to break free from her daughter's strong grip.

"I may have approached him with a different motive, but I love him now. And Aerin Nicole Park gets what she wants, in any way possible."

She released her grip, leaving Nicole gasping for air. Aerin took her phone and dialed a number. The other person picked up after two rings.

"They'll be at Mingyu's wedding, right?"

The other person confirmed her suspicion.

"Good! I want you to help me. If I can't have Seungcheol, no one can. Yoon Jeonghan, I'm going to do what I should have done years ago."