To the end

14

His legacy

(Reupload because I forgot to add last part)

Kim looked down at Venice and Leia h, their confused expressions tugging at his heart. He knew they didn’t understand yet, but it was time for them to know the truth, the part of Vegas that they’d never gotten the chance to see. "I can't leave Vegas' children," he said softly, his voice thick with emotion.

"Vegas' children?" Venice echoed, a puzzled frown crossing his face. "What does that mean, Papa?"

Leiah glanced between Kim and Venice, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Yeah, what are you talking about?"

Kim sighed, running a hand through his hair as he looked around at the orphanage kids, laughing and eating their lunch. He knelt down in front of Venice and Leiah, his voice low but steady. "These kids... they were saved by Vegas, from my family. They’re here because of him."

"Huh?" Leiah said, her brows furrowing.

Kim smiled softly at their confusion, his gaze distant as he remembered the past. "I’ll tell you everything, but first, let’s let them eat their food."

The children at the orphanage were gathered around the lunch tables, and Kim took a moment to serve them, ensuring they all had enough to eat. His hands worked mechanically, his mind lost in memories of Vegas. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing for the man who had once been so full of life, so driven by a need to protect the innocent.

As the orphanage kids ate, Kim returned to Venice and Leiah, who were sitting quietly, still waiting for an explanation. He sat down beside them, his expression serious but kind.

"These kids," he began, "they have no one else. They were in danger because of our family—because of things that I wish you never had to know about. But Vegas, your dad... he made sure they were safe. He took them in, protected them, made sure they had a place where they could be cared for."

Venice’s eyes widened in surprise. "Dad did that?"

Leiah’s mouth hung open slightly. "Why didn’t we know?"

Kim smiled sadly. "Because your dad didn’t do it for recognition. He did it because it was the right thing to do. These kids... they’re part of his legacy. And that’s why, on his birthday, I come here. To remind myself—and to remind you—of who your dad was."

Venice and Leiah were silent, processing the weight of Kim’s words. The world they’d known suddenly felt bigger, more complicated, but they could sense the depth of love in their father’s actions, even if they couldn’t fully understand it yet.

Kim looked at them both, his heart heavy but proud. "One day, I hope you’ll see how important it is to remember him, not just for what he was to us, but for what he did for others."

The children nodded slowly, still digesting the revelation as they watched Kim, their father, in a new light.

As the orphanage kids continued their lunch, Kim remained seated beside Venice and Leiah, the weight of the moment settling between them. He gently placed his hands on their shoulders, his gaze soft yet firm. "I know this isn’t easy to understand, but your father was more than just the man you remember. He had his struggles, but he also had a heart that cared for those who needed him most."

Venice shifted uncomfortably. "But why didn’t we ever come here before?"

Kim sighed. "Because... things weren’t always easy between me and your dad. I tried to protect you from some of the darker sides of our world, but now I realize... you deserve to know who your father really was."

Leiah looked up at Kim, her small voice hesitant. "Is that why we’re here today? To remember him?"

Kim nodded. "Yes. This is where I come every year on his birthday. It’s how I feel close to him, and now I want you to be part of that."

Venice frowned slightly, still trying to wrap his mind around the idea of these children being part of Vegas' legacy. "So, these kids... they're kind of like our family, too?"

"In a way, yes," Kim said, his voice steady. "They were saved by your dad, and that’s something I want you both to remember. He wasn’t perfect, but he tried to do the right thing. And that’s what’s important."

The kids were quiet for a while, staring at the orphanage children as they laughed and played. Kim could see the wheels turning in their minds, the realization that their father was more than just a memory—he was a man who had shaped the lives of others.

After a while, Kim stood up and extended his hand to them. "Come on, let’s go say hello to some of the kids. They’d love to meet you."

Venice and Leiah hesitated, exchanging glances before slowly nodding. They took Kim’s hands, and together, they walked toward the group of children. Kim’s heart felt heavy, but also lighter in a way. He knew that today was the first step in helping his kids understand the full story of their father, and that was a step he had long been afraid to take.

As they mingled with the orphanage kids, Kim smiled for the first time that day, knowing that even though Vegas was gone, his presence still lingered, not just in Kim’s heart but in the lives of those he had saved.

After returning home, Leiah tugged on Kim’s shirt as they stepped through the door. “Papa, am I one of those kids? The ones you said Dad saved?”

Kim froze for a moment, the question catching him off guard. He looked down at Leiah, unsure of how to respond. She was too young to understand the full truth, and the weight of her past was one he had shielded her from.

Leiah’s birth wasn’t like the others. Her mother had been a victim—just 15, violated by the underground guards who worked under Kim's family. She’d been pregnant with Leiah, and her life had been at risk if she tried to abort the pregnancy. Vegas had intervened, rescuing her from the nightmare of child trafficking. But Leiah’s mother hadn’t survived the childbirth, leaving her behind. After months, Kim and Vegas decided to adopt Leiah from the orphanage, but they had never explained it to her.

Kim knelt in front of Leiah, his heart heavy. “You are a part of this family, Leiah. You’re here because your father and I wanted you with us. Your dad… he saved you, just like he did with those other kids.”

Leiah looked up at him, her wide eyes filled with curiosity. “Did Dad love me too?”

Kim smiled sadly, pulling her into a tight hug. “He loved you more than anything, sweetheart. That’s why he made sure you were safe.”

Leiah nodded against his chest, holding on tightly. “I love you, Papa.”

Kim swallowed hard, his throat tightening. “I love you too, Leiah. Always.”

As they headed inside, Kim knew there would be a time when Leiah would need to know everything, but for now, he would protect her, just as Vegas had intended.