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☽✧ ＣＨＯＩ ＳＡＮ ✧☾
As I drove toward my parents' house, a knot of guilt and apprehension tightened in my stomach. I had promised Wooyoung that there would be no confrontations, a promise I fully intended to keep. Yet, beneath the calm exterior, a persistent simmer of unresolved emotions was threatening to boil over. The article—falsely announcing a reconciliation and imminent marriage to my ex-fiancé—had stirred up a storm within me, and I knew that if I didn't address it, my own mental peace would continue to suffer. The last thing I wanted was for my inner turmoil to affect Wooyoung, who deserved nothing but tranquility and happiness.
My father had made a grave mistake by releasing such information to the press. Perhaps he thought he was helping, attempting to steer me back towards what he mistakenly perceived as a more suitable match. But his judgment was misplaced. I had no lingering feelings towards my ex, and any feelings my ex might have been harboring were his own to resolve. My heart and future were unequivocally committed to Woongyoung, and I was determined to make this unequivocally clear.
The sight of my parents' immaculate home, with its pristine gardens and the majestic facade, always gave off an air of tranquility, a stark contrast to the turmoil churning inside me. As I drove through the gates, my resolve hardened; however, spotting Joon-Hyuk's car parked in the driveway ignited a fresh wave of fury within me. It felt like a blatant provocation, a physical manifestation of the unwanted entanglements I was here to sever. There was no turning back now, not when the situation had escalated to this point.
After parking the car, I turned off the engine and slammed the door with more force than necessary, my emotions teetering on the edge. I strode toward the house, my steps heavy with determination and anger. As I entered, the cool interior did little to soothe my heated thoughts.
My mother was waiting just inside, her expression one of resignation mixed with a hint of worry. She approached me immediately, her presence always a comforting force, even in the midst of chaos. "Your son has arrived—be prepared," she announced, her voice carrying through the halls. She kissed my cheek gently, a gesture of support that I desperately needed at that moment.
"I warned him not to do anything stupid, but your father chases money," she added quietly, her words confirming my fears that financial incentives might have influenced my father's actions. This revelation added a layer of disappointment and betrayal to the already complex emotional landscape I was navigating.
"Where is he? And Joon-Hyuk?" I asked, my voice steady despite the anger bubbling underneath. I needed to confront them both, to clear the air and assert my stance unequivocally.
"He's in his study, and Joon-Hyuk... well, he's around. Probably expecting you," she replied, her tone suggesting she neither approved of Joon-Hyuk's presence nor the situation at hand.
Nodding, I made my way toward my father's study, my mother's brief touch on my arm a silent plea for calm. As I walked, I tried to gather my thoughts, to prepare what I needed to say. This was more than just about correcting a false narrative; it was about setting boundaries and asserting my right to choose my own path.
