XXXVIII

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Massachusettes General Hospital

In the dimly lit hospital room, the soft beep of machines filled the air as Frederick Son, a once-respected entrepreneur, lay on his deathbed. Beside him stood his daughter, Katarina, her eyes clouded with confusion and sorrow. As Frederick mustered the strength for his final confession, the weight of years of deception and guilt bore heavily on his weary soul.

The father's voice quivered as he revealed the long-kept secret. With tears in his eyes, he confessed why he had hidden his daughter's true identity for almost three years. The room filled with a heavy silence as he asked for forgiveness, his words trembling with emotion. It was a moment of raw honesty and vulnerability, a culmination of a lifetime of regrets and burdens carried in silence.

In a shaky voice, he explained the reasons behind his actions, the fears and insecurities that had led him to conceal the truth from his beloved daughter. He spoke of the sacrifices he had made, the choices that had weighed heavily on his conscience. Katarina listened, her heart heavy with a mix of confusion and anger, as she finally understood the snippets of past she's been having.

All of you! How can you do that to me? For the past three years you made look stupid!

Hey! Calm down!

CALM DOWN?!! How can I?

You! Ungrateful brat! We did it to protect you! He's still somewhere, waiting for his chance to kill you!

Yeon, let your sister. It's fine. She have the right to be mad. Mr. Son said in his weak voice.

It's not their fault. It is me who decided. Forgive me, my daughter.

As the Mr. Son's strength waned, he made a final wish, a plea from the depths of his soul. He expressed his desire for his daughter to inherit their family company, to carry on his legacy with integrity and grace.

Katarina! I love you, baby. Take good care of your mom. She's waiting for you. You- you need to protect her as how you protected your friends from me. I know you can do it even I'm not by your side anymore.

A sense of closure and reconciliation, as Chaeyoung held her father's hand and with tear's in her eyes, feeling the weight of his words and the magnitude of his love.

Daddy? I'm sorry. I love you too. I'm so sorry. I-I didn't know. I'll try my best. I-

Mr. Son pat Chaeyoung's hand. As he took his last breath, a sense of peace descended upon the room.

I- I'm gonna miss you.

--
Seoul, South Korea

The members gathered anxiously, their worry palpable in the air. It had been weeks since they had last heard from Chaeyoung, and the silence weighed heavily on their hearts. Questions raced through their minds, each more troubling than the last. Had something happened to her? Why had she suddenly gone silent without a word of explanation?

Mina eminisced about their last meeting, trying to recall any signs of distress or unease in Chaeyoung's demeanor. The memory was a blur of laughter and shared moments, making the current situation all the more perplexing. Where could she be? Why had she chosen to cut off all contact without a warning?

As the days weeks turned into months, their concern grew into a deep-seated fear. They reached out to mutual acquaintances, hoping for any tidbit of information that could shed light on the mystery of their missing friend. Each lead turned into a dead end, leaving them with more questions than answers.

Despite the uncertainty, the members  banded together, determined to unravel the enigma and find their lost companion. They scoured social media, retraced their steps from the last meeting, and even considered hiring a private investigator.

And then, just when they were on the brink of despair, a message arrived to Mina. It was from Chaeyoung, not explaining her sudden disappearance but assuring to meet them someday.

Mina, wait for me.

Relief washed over the group especially Mina, followed by a flood of questions.

--
One year passed...

Tears welled up in Mina's eyes as she clutched Chaeyoung's favorite jacket, seeking solace in the familiar scent that lingered on the fabric. Memories flooded her mind - the laughter they shared the last time they had their lunch in Budapest and the love that bound them together. Now, all she had were fragments of the past, again shattered by the sudden void left by Chaeyoung's disappearance.

Mina it's okay. As long as she's okay and not dead.  You can definitely wait for her.

--

Twice was diligently rehearsing for their upcoming 8th-anniversary celebration at their company building. The members, clad in dazzling costumes, practiced their synchronized dance moves with precision and enthusiasm, their voices harmonizing beautifully in the air. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation as they prepared for the special event.

Any news? Tzuyu asked her Unnie.

No. Nothing. Mina answered.

I bet she's busy with their company. I heard that she's already the acting CEO of Son Group. That's a big responsibility for her. Jihyo butts in.

As the day of the anniversary celebration drew near, a sense of nostalgia and pride enveloped the members. They reflected on their journey together, from their humble beginnings to their rise to stardom. Each member cherished the bond they had formed over the years, supporting and uplifting each other through thick and thin.

Can you believe it, we already been doing great for eight fucking years! Jeongyeon excitedly uttered.

I wished Chaeyoung is here with us. Dahyun commented.

On the last day of the practice, as the members gathered at their company building, a sudden commotion caught their attention. To their surprise, a familiar face emerged from the crowd - it was their former member, their friend, Chaeyoung, who's holding a cake with her tiny hands.

I'm back. Happy Anniversary!! Chaeyoung said smiling widely to her friends.

The members were taken aback but welcomed her with open arms, overcome with emotions at the unexpected reunion.

Tears of joy flowed freely as Chaeyoung expressed her heartfelt apologies for leaving the group and her gratitude for the unforgettable memories they had shared. The group embraced her warmly, realizing that their bond was unbreakable, transcending time and distance.

Chaeyoung tightly hugged Mina.

I'm sorry. It took me so long but Mina,baby,  I'm back. Chaeyoung whispered.
--

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