BLOSSOMED | SEOKSOO FF

PART 32

Over the next few months, Seokmin's transformation was nothing short of remarkable. He began to shed the layers of guilt and anger that had once defined him, allowing glimpses of the bright, cheerful person he used to be to shine through. His sessions with Dr. Wonwoo became more reflective than defensive, and his friendship with Mingyu grew into a bond of trust and camaraderie.

Mingyu often stayed with Seokmin beyond their official sessions, sharing jokes, stories, and even playing games to help him unwind. For the first time in a while, Seokmin laughed freely, the sound no longer tinged with bitterness or malice.

One afternoon, while they were sitting on a bench in the hospital garden, Seokmin turned to Mingyu, his expression unusually serious.

"I’ve been thinking a lot," Seokmin began, his voice steady.

Mingyu raised an eyebrow, curious. "About what?"

"About what I’ve done," Seokmin said, meeting Mingyu’s gaze. "I can’t just move on, pretending none of it happened. People are dead because of me. Lives were ruined because of me. If I’m truly going to grow, I have to take responsibility for that."

Mingyu frowned slightly, his easygoing demeanor replaced by concern. "What are you trying to say, Seokmin?"

"I want to confess," Seokmin said firmly. "To everything. To the stalking, the control, the murders. All of it. I want to go to court and admit what I’ve done."

Mingyu was silent for a moment, processing Seokmin’s words. "You know what that means, right? If you confess, you’ll likely face prison time. Maybe even worse."

Seokmin nodded, his resolve unshaken. "I know. But I can’t live with myself if I don’t. I’ve spent too long hiding from the truth, trying to justify what I did. It’s time I faced it."

Mingyu sighed, leaning back against the bench. "This isn’t a decision to take lightly, Seokmin. You’ve made so much progress—are you sure you’re ready for this?"

"I have to be," Seokmin said. "I want to make amends, Mingyu. And the only way to do that is by taking responsibility. I need to prove to myself—and to Jisoo—that I’m not the same person I used to be."

Mingyu studied him for a long moment, then gave a small nod. "If this is what you really want, I’ll support you. But we’re going to need to talk to Dr. Wonwoo and the legal team. This isn’t something you can do alone."

Seokmin smiled faintly, a mix of gratitude and determination in his expression. "Thank you, Mingyu. For everything."

When they brought the matter to Dr. Wonwoo, he listened carefully, his usual calm demeanor unchanged.

"It’s a bold decision," Wonwoo said after a moment. "But it’s also a sign of how far you’ve come. If you’re truly ready to face the consequences of your actions, I’ll do everything I can to help you through the process."

They also consulted with Jun, the detective, who agreed to assist in building a comprehensive report on Seokmin’s past crimes. "If he’s going to confess, we need to make sure the truth is clear and accurate," Jun said.

The team worked tirelessly to prepare, and Seokmin remained steadfast in his decision. He spent hours recounting every detail of his actions, no matter how painful or incriminating, determined to leave no stone unturned.