secret pain | baekyeon (on-going)

Chapter 26

The murmured conversations of the elderly women at the park sowed seeds of suspicion in Baekhyun's mind. As he navigated the roads back to Seoul, these doubts grew, entwining his thoughts and tightening their grip with each passing moment.

Could there be elements to the narrative he wasn't aware of?

One unexpected reprieve came in the form of an unforeseen pause in his otherwise relentless schedule. A scheduling clash involving the drama's lead actress meant he had a rare day off. But rather than being a source of relaxation, it granted him more hours to grapple with the discordant stories that loomed large, potentially shaking the very foundation of his understanding.

Noting Baekhyun's visibly perturbed state but unaware of the turmoil within, his manager attempted to provide solace. "Baekhyun, you seem distant today. Try to get some rest, and we can catch up tomorrow."

Yet, with the night deepening, sleep remained elusive for Baekhyun. His thoughts whirlwinded, striving to connect the dots. The casual chitchat of those women, their mention of details he had never known, persisted in echoing in his ears. Were their words mere baseless gossip or did they contain strands of truth? If there was even a sliver of reality in their discussions, then what implications did it hold for everything he thought he knew about his connection with Taeyeon?

Descending from the steps of his upscale apartment building, Baekhyun deliberately waited a few moments. He allowed the car's taillights to fade into the distance before he redirected his path. Tonight, he craved the solace that only clarity could bring. A tumultuous mind yearned for peace, and that peace lay behind answers he hoped to find.

Arriving at Taeyeon's house, Baekhyun's fingers moved with familiar ease over the digital keypad. Numerous visits had granted him the privilege of knowing the secure access code. There had been many nights when she'd been away, and she'd wanted him to be able to enter without hassle.

Walking through the door, he half-expected a greeting from Taeyeon. Perhaps she would have heard the sound of the intercom or the subtle creak of the hinges. But as he made his way deeper into her apartment, it wasn't her voice that greeted him. Instead, the undeniable innocence of a child's voice filled the air, amplified by the phone's speaker.

"It's okay, mommy. Oh, and guess what? I remembered our secret. Every time I talked about you to Uncle Baekhyun, I called you my aunt!" Liam's voice echoed with a tinge of pride.

From the living area, a soft, melodic chuckle floated back. "You're such a smart boy, Liam."

Baekhyun's heart raced, a cocktail of emotions surging through him. Betrayal, pain, confusion. Had Taeyeon been leading him on a dance of deception all this while?

All this time, Kim Taeyeon... you were playing with me.

Taking a deep breath, Baekhyun tried to steady himself, his chest heaving as he exhaled sharply. "Quite the parenting, Kim Taeyeon. Teaching your own child to lie." he sneered, his voice dripping with a biting sarcasm.

Emerging from the shadowy hallway, his form became more visible. His facial features twisted in a cocktail of rage, disbelief, and deep-seated pain. The look in his eyes was one Taeyeon had never seen before.

Caught off guard, Taeyeon swiftly ended her call, her hands shaking slightly. She met his burning gaze, struggling to find the right words to say. "Baekhyun, I can explain..."

"You taught him to lie. You made that innocent child bear the burden of your secrets. Is this the upbringing you envisioned for him?" he countered, his voice laced with a bitterness she had never heard from him before.

She took a step forward, pleading, "Please, let me explain. It's not what you think..."

His laughter, cold and mocking, cut through her words. "Is this why you broke up with me seven years ago? Is that it?! Is it because you were bearing the guy's child? The guy you were cheating on me with?!" Baekhyun bursted, "FUCK TAEYEON!"