Wonwoo's Protection

48. The Trial

The trial began and Taha just breezed through evidence after evidence pointing to how Sumi was consistently adding poison once Inha's mother fell sick. He said that being her assistant made Sumi take over the Kang household once Inha's mother Park Yerin’s health deteriorated. He also called for a witness to testify against Sumi, the housemaid who used to serve the Kangs.

Inha took a sharp breath upon seeing the lady who was once their maid. She faintly remembered the kind Ahjumma who Taha and his team tracked down to testify in the trial.

“Witness, Did you see the defendant adding something to the plaintiff’s late wife's drinks?” The judge asked. The Ahjumma nodded her head and said, “I even asked her what she was adding to our lady's drinks and she used to say that it was herbal medicine to relieve her pain”.

“How long have you worked for the plaintiff's family?” The judge asked the lady and she replied, “For 10 years your honor. I was fired after I came between the young lady when she was getting branded with the curling iron. Soon after, I was told that the rest of the staff were also fired after me and that new staff were hired.”

“Do you have any more witnesses?” The judge asked. “Allow me to call the defendant’s daughter Lee Suya,” said Taha. Inha looked to the side to see Suya enter the witness stand. She looked very different, mature even unlike the Suya she knows. Inha didn't even notice until then that Suya was present. Lee Suya? she was confused by now. Then her eyes followed an elderly couple who were sitting on the other side. They looked really dignified and smart and they bowed slightly upon meeting her eyes and Inha followed suit. Inha's father noticed her confusion and placed a hand upon hers.

“It's a long story. I'll tell you later” he whispered regarding how Suya ended up in the US. He was supposed to meet Inha after her MT, but as so many things happened after, the father and daughter didn't really have time to sit and talk.

Upon questioning, Suya admitted to Sumi’s constant abuse of Inha. She admitted to Sumi using curling iron and cigarettes on Inha’s body consistent with the pictures Taha was showing as evidence. She also said that she regrets being influenced by Sumi and to have partaken in terrorizing Inha along with her.

“I regret being born to her” she said finally, her voice cracking up.

“You may go” the judge said and Suya made her way back to the elderly couple. The lady hugged her and the man patted her back.

Then Taha began his closing statement. “The defendant in question had tricked the plaintiff to make him believe that the child she was carrying was his, hence forcing him to take responsibility for something he did not commit. This ended up detrimental to not only the plaintiff's mental health but also to his daughter who suffered abuse under the defendant's hands. She was also the mastermind behind the death of the plaintiff's wife who was already ailing. The poison that was given consistently made her health deteriorate further and eventually pass away. That will be all your honor”

The judge then called for a recess and everybody rose to take a break. Wonwoo immediately went near Inha who looked somewhat exhausted after sitting through the whole trial. To listen to how her family was ruined by a greedy woman was too much for her to bear.

“Wonwoo, take me outside. Appa, I’ll be back” she said and Wonwoo immediately started wheeling her out of the courtroom. He then took her outside. “Wait. I'll go get something to drink” he said. She was quietly sitting when the elderly couple appeared after a while. It seemed as if they were quite hesitant to approach her but nevertheless they did. Suya stood a bit further, looking perplexed when the couple approached her.

“May I have a word with you my dear?” The lady asked and Inha nodded her head.

“My name is Dr. Ji Juyeon and this is my husband Dr. Lee Jangsik. We are surgeons living in the US” she said and continued, “Suya is my husband’s daughter” she said and Inha smiled at her. “I guessed. Nice to meet you Dr. Ji and Dr. Lee” she said politely. By this time Wonwoo was back with a cold drink which he gave to Inha and he also greeted the couple.

“Well I don't know where to start but I feel like I should explain myself about the whole situation concerning Suya.” The man said. “I actually didn't know I had a daughter until your father approached us and sent Suya to us,” he said. “It was just a one-night stand with that woman when I came to Korea on a student exchange program. I didn't know I made her pregnant.”

“What is your point sir?” Wonwoo asked impatiently but he was chided by Inha. “Wonwoo, let him talk”

The doctor then continued, “When I came to know about your situation I felt very guilty. She wouldn't have approached your family if only I hadn't met her ….”

“Doctor,” Inha interjected. “She would have just found other ways to ruin our family. So I don't think you are at fault here. In fact it is nobody’s fault except for that woman” she said and that made the man nod his head.

“You are very understanding, dear. I am sorry on behalf of Suya for having gone through so much in your childhood and even now in your adulthood. If there is anything we could do, please let us know. I happen to specialize in orthopedic rehab so if you need anything…”

“Thank you doctor but I think I can take care of myself” she said smiling. “Although I'll make a note of what you said” she said and the doctor seemed to accept what she was trying to say. “Also I thank you for accepting Suya. Even if it looks like she and I are not related by blood, we still grew up together. So I hope you will take care of her.”

“When Suya came to us we readily accepted her. We tried so hard to have children but I couldn't conceive. I now consider Suya as a gift I received from God. So you don't have to worry because I'll try to be a good mother to her” the lady said.

Gift. Mother. The words rang aloud in Inha’s mind and she felt a pang of pain in her heart. She suddenly felt angry at the universe. She just couldn't understand how someone who made her suffer ended up with a better life. While she was glad that Suya won't be misguided anymore, this was still too much for her to comprehend. It was not fair for the girl who lost her mother due to someone’s greed. She was on the verge of breaking down. So she clutched the sides of the wheelchair in an attempt to steady herself and Wonwoo took notice of that.

“I am glad to hear that doctor. Now if you'll excuse us” she addressed them as calmly as she could. “Oppa, can we go back inside?” she asked Wonwoo and he turned her around when Suya ran over to them.

“Eonni”

Inha froze, unable to believe her ears. She just couldn't accept the fact that someone who terrorized her was now calling her Eonni.

“I am sorry.”

“I don't want your apologies Suya. Just be good to your parents. Be happy that you now have a mother who'll guide you properly” she said, her voice cold as ice. She then signaled Wonwoo to take her back inside. He wheeled her in while her heart raged a war against her beliefs. She was not someone who was petty, but today she gave herself the permission to be petty and ruthless and unforgiving. Maybe in the future she would forgive Suya, but not today.

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A/N
Hi guys! How are you all.? I hope you are satisfied with the trial scene which will continue in the next chapter also!

Anyway, pls don't forget to vote and comment on this chapter! Also now that the story is coming to an end in a few more chapters, I decided to take questions which I'll answer once I finish the story. So drop them in the comments. You can ask me anything really regarding the story and I'll try to answer earnestly!

Thank you for reading so far.
TC.
Love,
Aara.