CHAPTER - 17

Present time :-

Taehyung arrived home to a horrifying sight—his father beating his mother again with a stick. Mrs. Kim was crying, begging him to stop. Rage surged through Tae as he shouted:

Taehyung - DAD!

Mr. Kim, still mid-swing, froze and slowly turned, a creepy smile spreading across his face as he saw his son standing behind him.

Mr. Kim - Taehyung… my brilliant son. How are you?

Taehyung - Stop beating my mom.

Mr. Kim - Oh… you want me to stop beating this bit—

Taehyung (shouting) - MR. KIM!

Mr. Kim clenched his fist, then laughed madly.

Mr. Kim - Taehyung, my dear son… why are you always like this to your father, huh? Don’t you remember the punishment I gave you the last time? Want me to remind you again?

A chill ran down Tae’s spine. He stepped back in fear—but froze when his mother groaned from behind.

Mrs. Kim - D-Don’t you dare lay your finger on my son!

Mr. Kim - What did you just say?

Surprisingly, Mrs. Kim yelled back, her voice strong and unyielding

Mrs. Kim - I SAID, DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH MY TAETAE EVER AGAIN—or else I won’t think twice before cutting you to pieces!

It was the first time she had raised her voice at him. Both Tae and his father froze.

Mr. Kim - You’ll cut me? BITCH—I’M YOUR HUSBAND!

Mrs. Kim (voice trembling with hurt) - You were my husband… but not anymore.

The words hit Tae and his father like a physical blow.

Mr. Kim - What… what do you mean?

Mrs. Kim walked to her room and returned with legal papers, handing them to her husband.

Mr. Kim (confused and shocked) - What the hell is this?

Mrs. Kim - These are our divorce papers. I’ve already signed them.

Mr. Kim could barely speak, and Tae was similarly speechless. Finally, Mr. Kim stammered:

Mr. Kim - Y-You… you’re leaving your husband?

Tears streamed down Mrs. Kim’s face as she spoke, her voice raw:

Mrs. Kim - I tried… I tried so hard, Kim. I tried to save our marriage, but nothing worked. I’m tired… so tired of waiting for my husband to come back to me.

Mr. Kim - I’m right here! Who else are you waiting for? Can’t you see I’m standing in front of you?

Mrs. Kim - No. You’re not the one I married. You’re not the one I fell in love with.

She chuckled bitterly, her words cutting like knives:

Mrs. Kim - My husband… he used to love me. He promised to keep me like his most precious treasure. He said he’d never make me shed a single tear of sorrow. But the person I loved… was not an animal like you, Mr. Kim Ji Woo. I was foolish to think you’d realize your mistakes. But a beast like you would never, ever regret anything. No… I was selfish. I was so selfish that, for my stupid love, I let my son suffer. I let you… a monster… beat my child. And I never protected my baby from you.

Her gaze softened as it landed on Tae.

Mrs. Kim - Taetae… I know I’m the worst mom, but don’t worry. I won’t let him touch you anymore. I promise I’ll be the best mom from now on. Just… give me one last chance, Tae. Please. One last chance.

She sank to the floor, sobbing. Tae, crying silently, ran to her and hugged her tightly.

Taehyung - No, Mom… you’re the best mom. I love you the most.

Mr. Kim’s fury flared at the sight, but he knew better than to lay a finger on Tae—Mrs. Kim would slice him into pieces, and Tae himself was more than capable of hurting him. Seething, he stomped away, leaving mother and son in each other’s embrace.

After a while, they pulled back, wiping their tears.

Mrs. Kim - I’m sorry, Tae… forgive me, please.

Taehyung - It’s okay, Mom. I’m so happy you finally spoke up for us.

Mrs. Kim - I should have done it a long time ago.

Tae - It’s okay, Mom. Finally… we’re free.

Mrs. Kim chuckled softly, brushing his hair back.

Mrs. Kim - Yes, baby. Don’t worry… I won’t let him hurt my baby bear ever again.