Tangled Fates: BTOB Sungjae ✔

Chapter 1

Chapter 1, Before

I didn't really believe in love at first sight. I thought you have to get to know that person first before you say it's love. But when I met him, I think it was something close to that.

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With my trembling hand, I hang up the telephone after calling the police. If they come at the right time, or better yetㅡearly, they could save me. If they come even just a second late, I don't know if I'll be able to see the world tomorrow ever again.

I tried my best to run back to the basement although I was limping. He will come for me at half past ten and he will reek of strong alcohol, and he will beat me up until I'm bloody enough.

I am scared of him.

And he is my father.

I sat in the corner of the cold basement where I usually stay. Tears were quietly streaming down my face. I hugged myself for some warmth but I only ended up wincing for touching my own bruises. Unhealed woundsㅡdried blood.

He never let me out of this basement ever since my mother passed away from committing suicide. I cried a lot and the world felt so unfair because she was my only hope. I guess she couldn't handle my father being abusive too.

He didn't hurt me when my mother was alive. My mother would always get hit instead of me. She was my protector. One night, she sneaked into my room and told me we have to go.

I didn't know where we were going and why she was saying that. I was seventeen and I stayed at home for ten years of my life. I have very little idea of what's happening outside the worldㅡoutside my room.

But I do know something: my father is evil.

"Where are we going, mom?" I asked.

"To a better place, sweetie. No matter what happens, I always love you. I will do anything to protect you."

"Is there something wrong, mom?"

"If anything goes wrong, remember this number, 112. It's the police. They will protect you."

"Momㅡ"

"We have to go, Mari."

She grabbed my hand and we walked soundlessly towards the door, but my father was already there. He was so angry and he slapped my mom as soon as he got close enough to her.

"Where do you think you are going!"

"Please, please just let us leave."

"How dare you!"

And he hurt her again, and I ran to my room crying and my heart was aching.

The next day, while my father was out, I went to my mom's room and there was blood. A huge amount of blood, flowing on the lime green tiled floor.

And my mom was there in bed. I thought she was sleepingㅡbut her wrist was slit and that's where the blood is coming from.

I let out a sob as I felt my heart aching again. There are many times I dream about that scene I've witnessed in my sleepㅡbut there are more times I daydream about it. It hunted me like a ghost ever since and I don't know how to get rid of it.

The police will help me. Mom said that. But I called them so many timesㅡand they never came.

Until him.

His name is Yook Sungjae.

He's new to the police force and nobody was interested in this case. They think it's a prank call because I called so many times and every time they came, my father would tell them he's alone, that he doesn't have a daughter. They would check the house but they won't find me unless they find the way to the basement.