IS IT TIME FOR ME TO GIVE UP?

38: Hidden

Jisoo's Pov:

Jennie's father's anger echoed through the office of her daughter, seeping through the closed door of her office. I stood there, doing what Jennie wants as she doesn't want me to interfere. My heart ached seeing her like that, she still managed to look tough in front of her father til the end. Eventually, the sound of her father's retreating footsteps finally gave me the cue to enter so i quickly ran towards where she is.

"Jennie," I murmured softly, finding her crumpled on the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks. Without hesitation, I enveloped her in a comforting embrace, feeling her body tremble against mine. She clung to me desperately, seeking solace in my presence. I didn't notice that i was also crying.

After what felt like an eternity, Jennie pulled away, her voice strained as she tried to compose herself. "Unnie, I-I'm okay now," she whispered, though her red-rimmed eyes and quivering lips told a different story. "Lisa and I argued earlier... she needs you now." Her vulnerability pierced through me, a stark contrast to her usual composed demeanor.

"I'm here, Jennie," I reassured her gently, my heart aching for the pain she was enduring. I remained by her side, offering a silent anchor for her turbulent emotions. She cried softly, the weight of everything she was holding back finally spilling over. I handed her a glass of water once the tears subsided, a small gesture to bring her back to the present moment.

As Jennie turned her attention to the paperwork strewn across her desk, I noticed the overwhelming pile of documents. "It was Lisa's, right?" I asked softly, recognizing Jennie's habit of taking on too much.

Jennie looked up, her expression a mixture of getting exposed and surprised  "I saw Lisa's secretary bringing these in earlier," I explained gently.

"She seems exhausted every day, so I thought I'd help out." Jennie's shoulders relaxed slightly, while explaining herself.

Then I broached carefully about the food that Lisa's secretary always giving her. "And the food?" I inquired, my concern evident in my voice. Her initial horror gave way to relief as I reassured her, "Don't worry, I won't tell her." A flicker of a smile crossed her lips, a brief respite from the turmoil surrounding us.

I wanted desperately to ask about the earlier confrontation with her father, but Jennie preemptively shut down. "I-It's nothing," she insisted, attempting to slip her sunglasses back on, Her hands accidentally touched the wound on her lips causing her to wince in pain.

Handing her a tissue to dab where blood had appeared, I couldn't shake the image of her bruised face and tear-streaked cheeks. "Unnie, don't tell anyone what you saw," she pleaded, gripping my arm gently. Anger churned within me, directed towards her father for causing such pain to his own daughter.

"What happened, Jennie? Why..." I struggled to find the right words, my mind reeling from everything I had witnessed and heard.

"N-Nothi..." she began, but I cut her off this time, sensing she would evade the topic once more.

"Why do you keep pushing us away when you need someone to talk to?" I asked gently, urging her to open up.

I understood that while Jennie appeared strong like Lisa, there were profound differences in how they handled their vulnerabilities. Jennie bore her burdens alone, silently enduring the pain that no one else seemed aware of.

"Lisa needs you all more than I," Jennie admitted, her voice wavering. "She needs your comfort when I hurt her, your jokes to ease the sting of my hurtful words." Tears welled up again, each one heavy with unspoken emotions and regrets. I could sense there was so much on her mind, so much she needed to share but struggled to articulate.

"Jennie, please help me understand," I implored, my own confusion and frustration mounting. "All of this has left me utterly bewildered."

"Unnie, I never meant for things to go this far," Jennie confessed, anguish etched on her face. "I only wanted to protect Lisa and her dad from my father. That's why I opposed our marriage. But when I learned she agreed to it, I... I lost control. I tried to stop her, to make her reconsider... but she wouldn't."

Her voice broke as she struggled to explain the depth of her turmoil. "And my father's scheme..." she continued, her words heavy with dread. "He knew Mr. Manoban held a significant share in the company compared to him. I overheard him on a call, plotting to take over the entire company, including Mr. Manoban's share. The day after, Mr. Manoban came to our house with Lisa. She seemed to already know what my father was up to. Mr. Manoban discussed our marriage, and when my father's face lit up... I knew he would use it for his own agenda. And now... now everything is spiraling out of control."

Jennie paused to wipe her tears, struggling to regain composure. "I don't know what to do, Unnie. I don't know how to stop my own father," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've done everything to make Lisa hate me, to push her away... but I never thought it would come to this. I'm... I'm such a fool."

I listened, my heart breaking for Jennie's torment and the tangled mess of emotions she was grappling with. "I'm sorry, Unnie," she sobbed, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. "I'm sorry for hurting Lisa, for everything... I'm tired of being a pawn in my father's games, of being a terrible wife to Lisa."

Jennie, typically known for her strength and commanding presence, now seemed like the most vulnerable version of herself. She admitted to deliberate actions aimed at driving Lisa away, actions that left me torn between sympathy and frustration over what could have been prevented had she confided in us.

"What about Kai, Jennie?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me despite the gravity of the situation.

Jennie lifted her head, meeting my gaze with a mix of sadness and resignation. "Kai? I... I liked him, I admit. But I never loved him," she confessed, her voice tinged with regret.

"Then why involve yourself with him?" I pressed gently, needing to understand the extent of Jennie's actions.

"I wanted to use him," she admitted bluntly, her tone laced with bitterness. "I saw him as a means to an end, a way to make Lisa reconsider our marriage. I use him to hurt her so she would leave me."

"Jennie, why didn't you tell me any of this?" I asked, feeling a surge of empathy mingled with frustration at her solitary struggle.

"Unnie, I needed you to be there for Lisa," Jennie replied earnestly, her eyes pleading for understanding. "All of you."

"But Lisa was ready to end your marriage," I pointed out, searching for clarity amidst the chaos of emotions.

"I know," Jennie admitted quietly, her gaze dropping as she shook her head with a faint smile tinged with sadness.

"Are you willing to accept what she's asking for?" I questioned gently, fearing her answer yet hoping for a resolution.

Jennie's response was immediate and resolute. She shook her head, her expression betraying a stubborn determination. "No," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Then let me support you in making things right this time, Jennie," I offered, my voice steady despite the uncertainty. "As long as there's hope, I won't give up on you."

Her courage flickered in her eyes, a glimmer of determination amidst the despair. "Unnie, stay with Lisa... I can handle myself," she insisted weakly, her smile faltering.

"You've been alone in this for too long," I said gently, placing a comforting hand on hers. "But you're not alone anymore. Lean on me whenever you need to. This isn't about starting over—it's about starting anew, finding a path that brings light to everyone involved."

Jennie nodded silently, her gratitude evident in her eyes despite the weight of the challenges ahead. We sat there together, enveloped in a shared understanding that despite the turmoil and mistakes, there was still hope for redemption and healing.