FACE-OFF | PJM

Chapter 61

Just then, the doorbell rang. Krystal rushed to the door and pressed the intercom button urgently. "Help, help me call the police!" she pleaded.

Taemin stormed over, snatching the intercom from her. He glared at Krystal and checked the CCTV monitor, only to see it was a security guard at the gate. He was momentarily dumbfounded.

"Mr. Lee, what happened?" the security guard inquired.

Taemin quickly regained his composure. "It's okay. That's my wife. We're just having a little argument," he replied, trying to downplay the situation.

"Please help me call the police, please!" Krystal's desperate pleas echoed through the intercom.

Taemin, feeling cornered, attempted to downplay the situation. "She's just exaggerating," he told the security guard.

Hearing Taemin's words, the security guard seemed to believe him. "Mr. Lee, can you please open the door? I have something to say to you."

Trusting the security guard's request, Taemin unlocked the door and swung it open. However, to his shock, three people rushed inside.

Taehyung and Krystal's parents.

"Mom, Dad!" Krystal exclaimed in surprise. Weren't they supposed to be traveling? How had they arrived here so suddenly?

"Krystal!" Her mother rushed forward and embraced her tightly.

"Lee Taemin, you are a bastard!" Her father, typically composed, was now furious. He even brandished a stick, approaching Taemin with anger. Seeing this, the security guard intervened, attempting to prevent any violence. "Sir, please don't do this. I think you're going to do something you'll regret!"

"I've come to find my daughter," Krystal's father declared, pointing an accusatory finger at Taemin. "This bastard has been imprisoning my daughter."

"My daughter!" Her mother clung to Krystal, determined to take her away from this situation. "Let's not waste any more time talking to him. Let's go."

The three of them quickly ushered Krystal away from Taemin's grasp. Taemin, outnumbered and outmaneuvered, couldn't prevent them from taking Krystal home, especially with Taehyung's bodyguards ensuring their safe departure.

Taemin contemplated the situation carefully. He was concerned that any physical altercation might harm Krystal, especially given her current condition. It was crucial to avoid causing her unnecessary stress, which could be detrimental to the baby's well-being. Therefore, he remained composed and positioned himself by the door, quietly observing their departure.

As Krystal and her parents left, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Inside the car, her mother anxiously asked, "Are you okay?"

Krystal shook her head and reassured her parents, "I'm okay. But Mom, Dad, why did you come back so early?"

Her mother explained, "Originally, we wanted to surprise you, so we took an early morning flight and arrived home around seven. But when we found you weren't here and your phone was off, we got worried. Taehyung also couldn't reach you and became concerned. We feared something might have happened to you. If not for Taemin, who else could it be?"

Krystal inquired, "So you came here to find me?"

Her father replied, "Yes, Taehyung had several Manobal company bodyguards with him. He was determined to bring you home."

Her mother's eyes welled up with tears as she added, "You should have told us what happened. You didn't even mention that you're pregnant. You..." Her mother's voice broke, and her heart ached for her daughter.

Her mother remembered the day two months ago when she came home and slept for an entire day. They had thought she was unwell, never suspecting that she had been raped by Taemin.

"Mom, Dad, I'm so sorry..." Krystal began.

Her father interrupted, "What are you sorry for? You've been through something terrible." He sighed, continuing, "Taehyungie told us everything on our way to find you. If this hadn't happened, would you have kept it a secret forever?"

Krystal confessed honestly, "I was planning to have an abortion. You guys were never supposed to find out."

Her father sighed again, "But now Taemin knows about it."

Krystal was resolute, "I want to have the abortion tomorrow. I can't wait any longer."

"Taehyungie had told us about your current condition. You need to follow the doctor's advice. We won't force you to keep the baby," her father assured her. He didn't want his daughter to give birth to Taemin's child, but he also didn't want her to be harmed.

Her mother added, "Let's go see the doctor tomorrow. If it's possible, we can schedule the operation as soon as possible."

When they arrived home, her father contemplated the situation and then said, "Krystal, pack your things and go stay at Taehyung's house. I'm worried that Taemin might do something if you stay here. Taehyung can protect you."

Taehyung wanted to suggest the same thing but was surprised that Krystal's father beat him to it. He spoke up, saying, "Krystal..."

Krystal shook her head resolutely. "I don't want to."

"Krystal," her father inquired, "why not?"

"I want to stay at home," Krystal said firmly, sitting down on the sofa.

Her mother urged her, "Krystal, please don't be stubborn. It's safer to stay at Taehyung's house. Lee Taemin is unstable; he might do anything to take you. Please, listen to us."

"Mom, I've made up my mind. I'll be careful," Krystal insisted.

Her mother sighed in frustration, and her father sat down heavily on the sofa. Taehyung finally spoke up, "Uncle, Auntie, just let her stay here. I'll arrange for someone to watch over her. Everything will be okay."

"Alright," her father conceded with a sigh, "but..."

Taehyung interrupted, "I need to get to work now. Call me if anything happens."

In truth, Taehyung knew that Krystal wouldn't go to his house because she didn't want to burden him. He wasn't afraid of Taemin, but he cared deeply for Krystal's well-being and didn't want her to be stressed by the situation.

Krystal nodded and said, "Let me walk you out."

She accompanied him to the door and added, "Drive safely."

Taehyung hesitated for a moment, then held onto her hand. "Has Taemin done anything to you, Krystal? Please don't lie to me."

Krystal looked at their intertwined hands and shook her head. "No, don't worry. He knows I'm pregnant, so he won't do anything."

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A/N: Do you ship Krystal x Taehyung?