WHAT HAPPENED TO US ? | KTH FF

CHAPTER 22

Mr. Jeon's voice boomed a warm greeting as Seungcheol and Y/N entered the Jeon mansion. "Seungcheol, my son! And Y/N, my darling girl!"

They settled into the living room, but Y/N remained silent. No greeting, no embrace for her father. Mr. Jeon knew the road to forgiveness wouldn't be easy, but he wouldn't give up hope.

He was a cardiac patient now, undergoing private treatment within the mansion's walls. Y/N and Seungcheol were kept in the dark.

Suddenly, a shrill voice shattered the tranquility. It was Mrs. Jeon, barking orders at the maids in the kitchen. Y/N flinched, a shiver running down her spine. Fear welled up within her, prompting her to clutch Seungcheol's hand tightly. He responded instantly, pulling her into a comforting side hug.

Oblivious to his daughter's distress, Mr. Jeon excused himself and headed towards the source of the commotion.

Kitchen

"What on earth is going on?" Mr. Jeon boomed, his voice laced with concern. "Why are you treating them this way?"

Mrs. Jeon turned, her face contorted in a mask of feigned outrage. "These useless maids! They burned the special dish I ordered for Y/N, her favorite!"

Mr. Jeon's initial surprise at his wife's sudden show of concern for Y/N quickly faded. He gently placed a hand on her shoulders, his touch a silent plea for her to calm down.

"It's alright," he reassured, his gaze softening as he looked at the frightened cooks and maids. He nodded at them, conveying his understanding and offering them permission to remake the dish. Ignored, the maids continued to cower under Mrs. Jeon's withering glare.

Mr. and Mrs. Jeon emerged from the kitchen, Mrs. Jeon's lips curling into a triumphant smirk as she spotted Y/N's trembling form. Every step Y/N took fueled her growing anxiety.

As Mrs. Jeon approached, Y/N squeezed Seungcheol's hand even tighter. Did the woman appear more like a loving stepmother or a menacing witch? Seungcheol, utterly confused by Y/N's behavior throughout the day - the outburst at the hospital, Taehyung's unexpected presence, her panic and disregard for his presence around her ex - struggled to understand the turmoil simmering beneath the surface.

"Oh, Y/N," Mrs. Jeon cooed, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness. "I've missed you so much!"

She lunged forward, engulfing Y/N in a suffocating hug. Y/N winced as Mrs. Jeon yanked her hair, a cruel attempt to force a reciprocating embrace. Tears welled up in Y/N's eyes, a choked sob escaping her lips. Her every instinct screamed at her to escape, but she remained frozen, desperately trying to hide the storm of emotions brewing within.

Mrs. Jeon released Y/N from the suffocating embrace and reached out to gently stroke her cheek. Y/N's eyes remained tightly shut, throbbing from the pain inflicted by the yanked hair.

"What's wrong, dear?" Mrs. Jeon cooed, feigning concern. "You look so emotionally drained."

Seungcheol's head snapped up at that remark. He awkwardly interjected, "N-no, Mom, she's fine, right Y/N?"

He reached out and offered her a reassuring tap on the arm. Y/N met his gaze, finding solace in the warmth of his hazel eyes that reflected his genuineness, respect, and unwavering support. With a small nod, she turned back to her mother, forcing a polite reply without a stutter, "I missed you too, Mom. Dad."

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Meanwhile, at the Kim Residence

Mr. Kim's eyes lit up as his wife entered the living room. "There's my wife back! Welcome, dear!"