PAPER HEARTS - Ryeji (English ver)

Chapter 11

—She didn't take it well,— Mino said with a sigh. —You knew Ryujin would be there, you shouldn't have gone and faced her like that.—

—I saw the opportunity and took it,— he replied, still staring at the ceiling of his apartment. —I wanted to see with my own eyes that she was okay.—

—Yes, now you want to see everything,— Mino said, slightly annoyed. —You know she hates you, Beomgyu.— The man shrugged.

—She doesn't hate me; she hates that I didn't prevent the death of our son,— Beomgyu answered, nervously running his thumb along the glass in his hand. —Does she think it doesn't hurt me too?— Mino shrugged. —She thinks she's the only one with the right to suffer.—

—You weren't much of a support when my nephew died,— Mino replied, and Beomgyu looked at him sharply, causing a small twinge in his head. —You went out every night to drink yourself unconscious at any bar. You left Ryujin alone during those times, so don't play the victim now.—

—Of course, everyone's on Ryujin's side because she was the mother,— he laughed bitterly. —I was the father, Mino. I adored my son; I loved Ryujin.— He sighed, pained and regretful. —I've never stopped loving her.—

—I wish I could say the same for her,— Mino replied. —But you and I know that's no longer the case.— Beomgyu shook his head, smiling slightly.

—Don't mention my ex,— he said, remembering what he'd read on a sign. —She always said that when we argued. She'd tell Niki that Dad was Mom's ex.— He laughed, making Mino chuckle at the distant yet close memory. —I miss them. I miss them so much,— he said before taking another sip of his drink.

—Ryujin and you are still caught up in the memory of Niki,— Mino said, concerned. —Cousin, you need to stop drinking and move on. They're about to fire you again.—

—I'm close,— Beomgyu said confidently. —I'm close to finding the person who took my son and my wife. You'll see, Mino. The end of my son's life only started a countdown.—

—Beomgyu...— Mino warned, worried.

—I'll return the favor,— Beomgyu replied sarcastically before downing the rest of his drink in one gulp. —That person took my whole life, and I'll take theirs.— Mino just shook his head, wondering how to help his cousin and his friend, both filled with so much resentment in their hearts.

—Yes, I've received the case information,— Ryujin said, her eyes fixed on her computer screen. —Thank you, Mr. Jinwoo,— she said before hanging up and placing her phone on the desk.

—What's it about?— Yeji asked from the other side of the desk.

—A subtle killer,— Ryujin replied, focused on reading the case. —He breaks into the homes of single or divorced women.— She made a face. —So many dead women, and none of them are me.— She sighed.

—I'm grateful for that, very grateful,— Yeji said sincerely, extending the cardboard cup of coffee in her hands to her. Ryujin looked at her with a small smile as she noticed the cup.

—Thank you,— she whispered, taking the coffee and placing it on the desk. —He's a nocturnal killer. He rapes his victims and then suffocates them. He's smart.—

—Why?— Yeji asked, paying close attention.

—I'm sure he's the same killer as the one who murdered the two women found in the forest outside the city,— Ryujin said confidently. —Yes, of course. He misled the police into thinking there were two different killers.— Yeji was impressed; Ryujin was incredibly analytical.