Memory || KTH ✔

CHAPTER 23 : One lie

JI HAE : Kim Jae Hyung. Jae Ra-ssi is his birth mother, isn't she?

Mr.KIM : Ji hae! Someone might hear you. I had asked you to erase that truth from your memory. Jae hyung is.. your son.

Ji Hae had her eyes water at his harsh tone of speech and the uncalled responsibility being weighed over her shoulders.

Unable to look straight into his eyes anymore, she decided to leave. However, while trying to supress her tears as she retrieved, Mr.Kim's words freezed her steps for a moment.

Mr.KIM : It will be less painful for Taehyung that he doesn't unpeel the unnecessary truths. Don't be too reckless and ruin what we have created. That'll be the best for you both. And I promise they will never meet again.

The curve of warm tears slowly escaped her eyes as she quickly wiped it away.

Mr.KIM : (-calm respectful tone-) You must be tired. Go upstairs and rest.

With his final words, Mr.Kim left the study first and proceeded to his room.

In the dark murky room with the moonlight falling inside through the window, Mr.Kim could be seen seated on his side of the master bed. A deep grim with slowly creeping culpability, lined through his facial wrinkles and creases.

Although the transgression, after taking the offer from Jae Ra's uncle, would give him occasional attacks of anxiety. Mr.Kim, would name it an age related situation and had been dodging it off all these years.

The emotions of fear and perturb now, seemingly began to dominate over his sense of stability and conviction. His conscience, although faintly but visibly, started to conflict with his thoughts. He was slowly losing his commands over his actions and words.

Just the rewind of a while ago, he seemed to be extremely against of what he had delivered to Ji Hae. But, he could neither stop himself nor complain against it.

It was never an overnight event, his thinking and thought process were teased a change long ago. He has taken a long ride to reach this hour of confusion and unsettlement.

The disguised regret had done its job and was gradually plaguing over- beyond Mr.Kim's conscious knowledge.

The one lie that started it all.

.

.

Taehyung's Dad, with his revised set of false truth, deceived Mr.Jeong and Ji Hae four years ago. Into believing that, Jae Ra had passed away after giving birth to his grandson.

Ji Hae, almost baffled and unable to comprehend the news, empathized with the weeks old baby- held in Mr.Kim's embrace.

With careful manipulation and deception, he further convinced Ji Hae that only a remarriage can help his son cope with the harsh and sudden death of his wife. And his grandson would have the precious presence of a mother.

JI HAE : But there's no way, Oppa would agree with this.

Mr.KIM : I know. But isn't this solely for his betterment? He wouldn't be able to see that now, only we can . So, we have to go a little ahead and make him marry you even if we have to lie a little. Taehyung needs an emotional solidity right now. Someone to rely on. And I can only see it happening with you.