The Price Of Redemption

27.

2018:

"Mom, do you think Dad will like this?" Haerin asked, her voice soft but filled with hope as she gestured toward the living room decorations she and Jennie had lovingly arranged. The room glowed with a warm neon pink light, and the floor was scattered with pink and white balloons. Some balloons were taped to the walls, while a huge "Happy Birthday Kang Taehyung" was painted in black on a free wall, surrounded by a collage of family photos featuring her father. The whole room felt like a joyful celebration, bursting with love and effort.

Jennie, who had been busy blowing up more balloons, paused and looked at her daughter. She smiled, pulling Haerin into a tender hug. "He'll love this, darling," Jennie assured her, though in her heart, she wasn't entirely sure. Jennie's thoughts mirrored Haerin's question as she pulled away, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. It was past midnight, and the house felt oddly quiet. Normally, they would be asleep by now, as Taehyung often came home very late. But tonight was special. Tonight, they had decided to wait, to stay up late and celebrate his birthday as a family.

Moments later, the sound of the front door unlocking echoed through the house. Haerin and Jennie jumped up in excitement, their hands gripping the party poppers they'd prepared for the moment. When Taehyung finally stepped into the living room, they shouted in unison, "Happy Birthday!" Their faces lit up with excitement, but their smiles quickly faded as they noticed the deep frown etched on Taehyung's face. Without a word or a glance, he walked past them, heading upstairs in silence.

Confused, Haerin looked at her mother for reassurance, but Jennie was staring at the staircase with a blank, almost pained expression. "Mom?" Haerin whispered, her voice barely audible.

Jennie snapped out of her daze and wrapped an arm around her daughter, her smile fragile. "It must've been a tiring day at the office," she said softly, though the hollowness in her voice was hard to ignore.

Haerin nodded but stayed quiet, her thoughts spinning as her mother started talking about the cake they'd baked earlier, trying to keep the mood light. But Haerin couldn't shake the thought, the quiet question that lingered in her heart: "But why always...?"

2024:

Haerin stood by the edge of Hanni's bed, tucking the blanket snugly around the sleeping girl. She gently stroked Hanni's hair one last time, a soft smile tugging at her lips before she quietly left the room.

As she descended into the lounge, she sank into the couch, exhausted from the day's events. The room was dimly lit by the fading daylight, casting long shadows across the walls. Minji, her best friend, sat beside her, focused on her gaming device. Without looking up, Minji said casually, "Someone came by earlier, asking for you."

Haerin, who had been absentmindedly staring at the ceiling, turned to her friend, furrowing her brow. "Who?" she asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"They didn't leave a name," Minji replied, ending her game session and turning her attention to Haerin.

Haerin frowned, trying to think. "Who could they be?" she wondered aloud.

Minji paused, recalling the visitor. "It was a man, probably in his 40s. He looked... suspicious, fully covered in black."

Haerin's confusion deepened. "I have no idea, man," she said, shaking her head as she tried to piece it together.

"Oh! But I did notice something," Minji said, her eyes lighting up as she remembered. "Even though he was covered up, his neck was exposed. He had a tattoo—a letter 'J.' on his neck."

Haerin's eyes narrowed as she tried to recall where she had seen that before. The letter 'J.' tugged at a distant memory, and suddenly, it hit her.

Flashback:

"You know, we should get couple tattoos," Haerin had said with a wide grin, as she and Dani sat on the beach, the setting sun casting golden light on the water.

Dani chuckled at the suggestion. "Maybe one day," she replied with a soft smile. Haerin pouted and laid back on the sand, spreading her arms and legs out like a starfish.

Dani laughed, lying down beside her, resting her head on her elbow. "Though, I've been wanting one for a long time," she admitted. "My dad had one—on his neck. It was his initial."

Haerin looked over at her. "What was it?" she asked, curious.

"J." Dani replied, pointing to a spot just above her collarbone. Haerin's gaze lingered on Dani's neck for more then just a while.

"Haerin?" Dani called softly, laughing as she pulled Haerin from her daydream.

Embarrassed, Haerin cleared her throat, and they both burst into laughter, Dani clinging to her arm as they smiled at the sky above them.

Flashback ends.

Haerin shot up from the couch, her heart racing. "No... it can't be. He died a long time ago," she muttered, pacing back and forth, her thoughts spiraling. "And even if he were alive, why would he come looking for me?" Her voice was filled with disbelief as Minji looked at her, confused.

"Wait... what did Jihye say at the church? What questions?" Haerin sat down, pressing her hands to her head in frustration, the pieces not quite fitting together.

Across town, in a quiet dinner setting, Dani sat at the table with her mother, Rose, who was playfully pouting. "You don't visit often enough. I'm getting bored," Rose said, her voice light but with a hint of sadness.

Dani chuckled, reaching across the table to squeeze her mother's hand. "I'll visit more often, I promise," she said, her usual bright smile softening her mother's frown.

Rose looked into her daughter's eyes, fighting the emotions welling up inside. "That's a promise, right?" she said, her voice cracking slightly.

Dani nodded, and Rose finally smiled, standing up to embrace her daughter warmly. "Let's finish dinner first, and then we can watch a K-drama together!" Rose exclaimed, her excitement contagious.

Dani watched her mother with love and amusement. They spent the rest of the evening laughing and talking, catching up on life while watching a romantic comedy. But after a couple of episodes, Dani began to feel drowsy. Glancing at the clock, she realized it was past midnight—too late to head back to the Kang residence. She decided to stay the night, leaning over to press a kiss to her mother's forehead before heading upstairs.

Her childhood bedroom welcomed her with warmth and nostalgia. It was nothing like the cold, vast space at the Kang house, where the walls felt as distant as the people who lived there.

As Dani closed the door behind her, a warm smile lingered on her lips. But that smile quickly vanished when she turned around to find something—or rather, someone—breaking in through her window...

*THIS CHAPTER WAS AWFULLY SHORT :)