IN THE PRESENCE OF YOUR ABSENCE

CHAPTER 19

Y/N stared at him, her confusion deepening. "What are you really trying to say, Jimin?"

Jimin took a deep breath, the weight of his words pressing heavily on his chest. He knew this moment was crucial, and he couldn't afford to hesitate any longer. He looked deep into Y/N's eyes, searching for the right moment to drop the bombshell.

"Y/N," he began, his voice steady but laced with emotion. "I need to tell you something important—something I should have told you a long time ago."

Y/N's brows knitted in concern. "What is it, Jimin? You're scaring me."

He felt the sting of tears threatening to surface, but he swallowed hard, forcing himself to remain composed. "I found out who killed our dad."

The words hung in the air like a storm cloud, and Y/N's face paled. "Who was it???" she asked, her voice trembling.

"It was Mr. Jeon," Jimin said, anger boiling beneath the surface. "He orchestrated the whole thing because he saw Dad as a threat to his power."

Y/N shook her head in disbelief. "No... it can't be. Jungkook's father?" Her voice was barely a whisper as she processed the shocking revelation.

Y/N's voice trembled as she processed Jimin's words. The shock on her face was palpable, and she felt a wave of confusion crash over her.

Y/N's voice trembled with a mix of shock and accusation, her heart racing as the implications of Jimin's words sank in. "Don't tell me you're behind Jungkook's death? You killed him, right? You made it look like a suicide when it was actually a murder?"

Jimin internally shocked about Y/n getting to know truth but he couldn't let her find out that..

"No, it was a suicide. Mr. Jeon pressured Jungkook relentlessly, forcing him to take over the family empire, even though Jungkook had no interest in the mafia life. He subjected him to constant mental harassment, convinced that you were the reason Jungkook was resisting the call to join him. In their twisted logic, they believed that if they could eliminate you, they could break him. All of this took a heavy toll on Jungkook's mental health, pushing him into a dark place where he felt he had no escape but to end his life."

Y/N's heart sank as she processed Jimin's words. The truth was painful, twisting her insides with a mixture of disbelief and despair. "So you're saying Jungkook's death was because of me? That I drove him to this?" Her voice was barely a whisper, choked with emotion.

Jimin shook his head quickly, panic rising within him. "No, Y/N! That's not what I meant! You didn't do anything wrong. It's just... Mr. Jeon had this twisted idea that you were the reason Jungkook wouldn't join the mafia. He thought if he could control Jungkook, he could control you too."

Y/N's expression hardened, her fists clenching at her sides. "So they harassed him, made his life hell, and now I'm supposed to feel guilty for loving him?" The tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

As they spoke, a sudden knock echoed through Jimin's cabin. The door swung open, revealing none other than Mr. Jungwoon, the man who had made a deal with Jimin. His presence filled the room with an unsettling tension, and both siblings fell silent, the weight of the previous conversation hanging heavily in the air.

"Mr. Jungwoon?" Jimin questioned, glancing towards him with a mix of surprise and caution, while Y/N rose from her seat, her gaze fixed on the newcomer.

"Hello, Mr. Park. I apologize for the sudden appearance," Jungwoon said smoothly, a professional smile on his face. "I just came in to check if everything is going well with the project or if you need any assistance."

As Y/N looked at Jungwoon, an unexpected wave of familiarity washed over her. There was something about his presence that reminded her of Jungkook—a comforting aura that made her feel at ease, despite the tense atmosphere. Although his facial features were distinct, the way he carried himself, the kindness in his eyes, felt eerily similar to Jungkook's. She blinked, momentarily caught in the nostalgia that his presence stirred within her.

Jimin turned to Jungwoon and gestured towards a glass of water on his desk. "Would you like some water?" he asked, his voice cordial.

"That would be great, thank you," Jungwoon replied, accepting the glass. As he took a sip, Y/N found herself still examining him, trying to piece together the similarities.

Suddenly, she leaned closer, almost involuntarily whispering, "Jungkook." The name slipped from her lips like a breath, filled with longing and confusion.

In an instant, Jungwoon choked on his water, sputtering slightly as he glanced at her, wide-eyed. "What did you say?" he asked, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

Y/N's heart raced, realizing what she had done. "Oh, I—um, I just thought you looked familiar," she stammered, her cheeks flushing as she tried to recover from the moment.

Jimin raised an eyebrow, sensing the tension in the room. "Y/N, are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Y/N nodded, her gaze darting between Jimin and Jungwoon. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... a weird coincidence, I guess." She forced a smile, but the weight of Jungkook's memory hung heavily in the air.

Jimin took a sip of his own water, trying to diffuse the tension. "So, Mr. Jungwoon, how is the project coming along?"

"It's progressing well. I just wanted to make sure everything is on track," Jungwoon replied, his voice steadying. "If there are any issues, please let me know."

Y/N couldn't shake the feeling that there was something deeper behind Jungwoon's presence, a connection that was just out of reach. She decided to push through her discomfort. "Are you from around here?" she asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

"Yeah, I grew up in the area. My family has been here for generations," Jungwoon said, his expression softening as he spoke. "What about you?"

"I'm actually visiting from Korea," Y/N replied, forcing herself to focus on the conversation. "I'm here for a short while, just taking a break."

Jungwoon nodded, his eyes curious. "Korea, huh? I've always wanted to visit. I hear it's beautiful."

Jimin leaned back in his chair, observing the interaction. "It really is. Y/N knows all the best spots," he said with a hint of pride.

Y/N smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. "I'd be happy to share some recommendations. You should definitely check out the street food."

Jungwoon grinned, and for a moment, the atmosphere lightened. "I'll take you up on that. Maybe I'll plan a trip soon."

Just then, the weight of their earlier conversation crept back in, a reminder of the grief that still lingered. Y/N's smile faltered for a moment before she quickly masked it with another one.

"Anyway, I should probably get going," she said, standing up and smoothing her dress. "It was nice to meet you, Mr. Jungwoon."

Jungwoon looked at her with a hint of curiosity. "Likewise, Y/N. I hope we can talk again."

As she turned to leave, Jimin caught her arm gently. "You okay?" he whispered, concern etched on his face.

Y/N nodded, her heart heavy but determined. "Yeah, just a lot to process."

"Let's grab lunch together. I'll treat you," Jimin offered, and she smiled gratefully.

As they stepped out of the office, Y/N couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity with Jungwoon. The moment felt like a fragile thread connecting her to Jungkook, and she wondered if it was just a coincidence or something deeper at play.