Worlds Apart - Taekook - Book 2

Chapter 227 - What To Think?

Han-Shik was overcome with the usual feelings of guilt and regret that his mother always seemed to provoke. He'd refused to call Kyong at first but then she'd started to cry and once again he was guilted into doing as he was told.

"I know Jungkook must be home from their honeymoon. I just want to know that he's well. Just because he wants nothing to do with me, doesn't mean I stop being a mother." She sniffed, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "Was that really too much to ask?"

"I know and that's why I called him for you. Now you know that Jungkook is okay. I haven't seen my brothers in months and the last time I saw Jungkook was at Ki-Joon's birthday."

"Han-Shik, can you think of someone other than yourself? My own two sons can't even speak to me. I've lost them to their spouses and I wasn't going to make the same mistake with you. That's why I chose Emi. She is a good girl who has respect for her elders. She understands me and wants to be a part of this family. She won't poison you like Jara did to Kyong and she won't fake a car accident to guilt you into running to her."

Han-Shik frowns. "You think Taehyung faked the accident?" It's something that had never occurred to him. Surely Jungkook would've known? Surely Jungkook wouldn't have gone back to him? He's married to him now and Han-Shik knows how hot-headed his little brother could be so it's hard to believe that he'd have married someone who faked a car accident.

Nuri's slender fingers twist one of the large rubies set in gold, adorning her ear lobe. "It was convenient... he was losing Jungkook who had made his choice to come to me after hearing Taehyung's lies and suddenly he's in a car accident? Jungkook played into his hands and went running. Taehyung must've known that he would. My youngest is a sensitive, emotional boy and would've blamed himself."

"But he'd have realised that Taehyung was lying when he got to the hospital?"

"You don't think that Taehyung could pay a doctor? Even the media reported that he wasn't seriously hurt and they usually dramatise everything. When you have the money and power that Kim Taehyung and his family has, you can do anything. You only have to look at how we lost the development contract and that business with Serendipity. We couldn't prove anything but we know that Taehyung was involved. We also lost business right here, in Busan because of him. We know that he orchestrated it and Ryan will get revenge, he's had people on the case for a while now."

Han-Shik thinks for a moment, "I thought you wanted to patch things up with Kyong and Jungkook? If you go after Taehyung, I doubt that will win any favours with them."

"Everything can be spun to suit the narrative, Han-Shik. Ryan also has power and money and it would be a shame if something happened to the Kims or Purple Aura and I was there to comfort Jungkook. Kim Taehyung isn't the only one who has the money to cover his tracks, Ryan can cover his, too."

"I'd rather not know what your plans are. Keep me out of it."

"You will be included if we need you to be! You are already involved, Han-Shik. I am the only one who can get you a relationship with your brothers so don't cross me."

Han-Shik felt his blood boiling. He was so tempted to tell her that he is building a relationship on his own, he didn't need her. He had to trust that Kyong and Jungkook were being truthful with him because he suspected that no one else was. He didn't really know if he could trust Emi and he still felt a little bit guarded around her, just in case. He knew that she was communicating with Jara but that didn't mean she was trustworthy. There was always the risk and the chance that she was working for his mother, no matter how much he wanted to believe otherwise. So far, Emi hadn't given him a reason to distrust him but he knew that if she was working under the control of his mother, he might never know until it was too late. Now he was forced into more insecurity about Ryan. Was his Step-Father playing him? Was this all a part of the plan to take down Taehyung? If revenge on the Kims was the end goal, was Nuri in on the whole thing?