Truth Behind The Glasses | Exo D.o.

Chapter 12

Thank you, amazing readers!

Your support has meant everything. I'm so grateful to have shared this journey with you-this story wouldn't be the same without you.

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Sitting in the dimly lit room, I couldn't stop thinking about Kyungsoo. Is he an ally or my enemy? I asked myself over and over. He had always been so level-headed, always on the right side of things. But seeing him at Lim Corp, of all places, raised too many questions. Why was he there? He wasn't involved in corporate affairs-his world was intelligence and security. Could it be that he was working with my stepmother? Or was he trying to stop her, too?

Jinah and my aunt sat next to me, both staring at the laptop screen as we waited for the data we downloaded to decrypt. The silence between us was thick with tension. My heart raced. If Kyungsoo was involved, what did that mean for me? Could I trust him? Did he know I was still alive, or was he in the dark like everyone else? There was no way to know until we found out what was really going on at Lim Corp.

Finally, the file opened, and we all leaned in. My stomach dropped the moment I saw the contents.

It was worse than we'd feared.

My stepmother, Kim Minsoo, was planning to take over the entire company. Every division, every asset-everything my family had built would be rebranded in her name. She was erasing all traces of my father's legacy, destroying everything he stood for. And with me presumed dead or missing, there was no one left to stop her. The board of directors was already being swayed, manipulated into thinking this was the right move for the future of the company.

Jinah cursed under her breath, and my aunt's face went pale. "She's not just taking the company-she's erasing the family."

I stared at the screen, my heart pounding with rage and disbelief. My stepmother wasn't just taking control; she was erasing my entire family's history. It was personal.

As we sat in stunned silence, my mind wandered back to Kyungsoo. If he was involved in this... what did that mean for him? Was he helping her, or was he here for another reason altogether? The thought haunted me.

I needed answers.

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The night air was cool as I walked back from campus, my thoughts still tangled in the mess of everything we had uncovered. My stepmother's plans haunted me, the reality of her taking over Lim Corp and wiping out my family's legacy playing over and over in my mind. It felt suffocating, like the weight of the world was pressing down on my shoulders. I needed to clear my head, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the anxiety.

That's when I stumbled upon a small, cozy coffee shop on the corner of the street. It wasn't too crowded, and for some reason, the warm light spilling through the windows drew me in. I pushed open the door, and the soft chime of the bell overhead felt oddly comforting.

I wasn't in the mood for coffee, though. Instead, I ordered five cups of sparkling water, one after the other, hoping the bubbles would wash away the stress. It was a ridiculous choice, but anything to stop thinking about my stepmother's plans.

I sat down at a corner table, resting my head on the surface, the cold wood cooling my flushed face. I'm only nineteen, I thought to myself. Too young to drink away my problems, too old to pretend they don't exist. My life had been turned upside down, and it felt like there was no escape. The sparkling water didn't help, but at least I didn't feel so alone in that small shop.

I lost track of time, my eyes half-closed as I tried to forget the disaster waiting for me back home. Then, after a few minutes, I sensed someone sit down next to me, their presence pulling me out of my haze. At first, I didn't bother to look up. I was too exhausted, too wrapped up in my thoughts. But when the person cleared their throat softly, I glanced up, my vision still slightly blurry from the evening's mental exhaustion.

It was Kyungsoo.

My heart skipped a beat as I blinked, trying to make sure it was really him. He looked at me with those familiar, calm eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. "Drinking sparkling water to forget your problems?" he teased gently, leaning back in his chair.

I blushed instantly, caught off guard by his sudden appearance and his teasing tone. "I-uh-it's not as bad as it looks," I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper. My cheeks grew even warmer, and I tried to sit up straighter, but my head felt heavier than I expected.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Five cups, huh? You must have a lot on your mind."

I couldn't help but laugh at that, a soft, nervous giggle escaping my lips. "You have no idea."

There was a comfortable silence between us for a few moments, and in that time, I let myself relax just a little. There was something calming about being around Kyungsoo, like he grounded me, even when everything else felt like it was spinning out of control.

He noticed my eyelids starting to droop and leaned forward slightly. "You're exhausted, Kiara. Let me help you get home."

I was about to protest, but before I could even form the words, he stood up and gently pulled me to my feet. I swayed slightly, the sparkling water (and my overwhelming stress) making me a little lightheaded. Before I knew it, Kyungsoo had crouched down in front of me, his back turned.

"Get on," he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

I blinked at him, my heart fluttering in confusion and surprise. "What?"

"A piggyback ride. Come on, you look like you're about to pass out."

I hesitated for a moment, but his tone was so soft and sincere that I couldn't refuse. With a shy smile, I carefully climbed onto his back, wrapping my arms around his neck as he lifted me with ease. I could feel the warmth of his body through his jacket, and suddenly, I felt so much safer than I had in days. My head rested against his shoulder, my cheeks still warm from blushing, and my eyes grew heavier by the second.

We walked through the quiet streets, his footsteps steady and comforting. I didn't say anything; neither did he. But the silence between us was filled with something unspoken-a sense of calm that I hadn't felt in a long time.

Before long, my eyes started to close completely, and the world became a blur. The last thing I remembered was the soft sound of Kyungsoo's breathing, steady and rhythmic, as he carried me home.

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