031: PROLOGUE TO SHATTERED LIVES

"They say that unhappiness always comes after the wave of happiness. I didn't believe in such, until I saw them. . . ."

- Eun-bi pov

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

031: PROLOGUE TO SHATTERED LIVES

Eun-bi pov:

Two weeks of peace.

All the cases have been moving peacefully.

And it is because it's moving peacefully that I'm worried.

Logan assured me they won't be getting out any time soon.

I moved back to mom and dad's place for a while.

Mom's been busy as the chairwoman, and dad's been busy as the new president of the pharmaceutix.

While I've been busy getting dragged to fashion shows by Seok-kyung.

'I think Seok-kyung will take fashion designs instead of music in college while Seok-hoon is showing interest in law.'

They've been asking me if I'm proceeding with music. I silence myself when Seok-kyung asks me questions about our college life since I'm already enrolled in a college. To be exact, I'm enrolled in Standford University.

"Eun-byeol ah. . ."

"Eun-byeol. . . ."

I snapped from my trance and faced Seok-kyung, who looked at me as if I were a different person.

"Is something wrong?"

She asks worriedly.

I shook my head.

"I guess I'm still feeling our suspension . . . ." I joked.

Our suspension became a mini vacation for us.

Instead of actually showing remorse for the brawl, we've been shopping, going to concerts, and fashion shows. It never even crossed my mind that we're being suspended.

The other kids are busy, though. Both Min-hyuk and Jenny have been supporting their parents through the trial. I haven't been speaking to Jenny. I don't think it's the right thing to do as well.

I've been following their trials closely. Ma-ri and Min-hyuk's parents have a lighter case so they can be released earlier than expected. Oh Yoon-hee will be spending a long time in prison. By the time Joo Dan-tae is released from jail, both Seok-hoon and Seok-kyung will be adults, so they no longer need Joo Dan-tae as a legal guardian.

As I remember grandpa, I kept glaring at nothing by impulse.

'I will make sure you rot in jail, Oh Yoon-hee!'

I was deep in thoughts when I felt Seok-hoon's embrace from behind. He snaked his hands around me and placed his chin on my shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

I smiled at him as he placed a kiss on my cheek.

I leaned on his head and closed my eyes, "Just sleepy. . ."

. . . 

Seok-hoon pov:

She slept the entire time on the way.

"This is why I told you not to bother her too much during our suspension. She was still healing then."

I reprimanded my sister, who looked really guilty about what happened.

"She said she was fine. And we regularly visit the hospital too. . ."

"Shh!" I hushed my sister and placed her correctly in my embrace.

She moved slightly, putting her arm around me and leaning more to my body.

I caress her cheeks and smile when she smiles in her sleep.

I carried her when we arrived at Hera.

"Are you sending her to Mrs. Cheon or to her flat?"

"At her flat."

When we arrived at her floor, Seok-kyung assisted me in opening her door. I put her on her bed, tucking her carefully before closing her door as I leave.

"She's too stressed these days. With the case and school, and you pull her to every show and concert during our suspension break."

"I only thought it would take her mind off all the bad things."

"I know. . . I know that, but . . . ."

"Is she hiding something else again?"

"Let's just let her rest."

. . . 

Su-ryeon pov:

"Yes, I'll head there after I'm done here."

I smiled at the phone as the door from the other side opened.

Yoon-hee and I looked at each other. She ran to her seat, looking at me with begging eyes.

"Unnie! Unnie! I'm innocent! This is all . . . fake!"

"Please save me!"

I looked at her pitifully as I breathed deeply.

"Unnie! You know I can never do that?"

"Please save me!! I need to get out of here!"

"My daughter needs me! please!!"

"There's evidence against you. Yoon-hee ahh. . . You should. . . just confess!"

"Su-ryeon shii. . ."

Her eyes changed from looking pitiful to being defiant in an instant.

"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG!!! I HAVE NOTHING TO ADMIT!!!!"

I watch her leave in anger, banging the door open.

"WE'RE DONE HERE!!"

I sighed deeply.

"She's changed. . . Is this an effect of Joo Dan-tae on her?"

'I should never have allowed her to stay close to that demon too much!'

I answered my ringing phone as I stood.

"Yes, I just finished."

"I'm visiting Joo Dan-tae next."

"There's no need to join me. I just want to see him one last time!"

I turned my phone off and hardened my gaze as I walked to the room where Joo Dan-tae await.

'This will be the last time we'll be seeing each other, Joo Dan-tae!'

. . .

Eun-bi pov:

It's been a week of complete bliss for all of us.

Jenny and Min-hyuk are still anxious about their parents, but I've hired the best lawyers there are for them.

Su-ryeon and Logan also permitted it.

They want to move on from the pain, they said.

Right now, we're all preparing for a family dinner among us all. Su-ryeon and mom are arguing about the food that should be placed for dinner.

Dad and Logan are enjoying a conversation near the window.

The kids are playing indoor golf while waiting for dinner.

'I can't wish for any more happiness than this.'

'I think it's about time for me to reveal the truth as well.'

'I have faith in them! I am sure they won't betray me and put my sister in trouble. Even if someone does end up becoming Judas, I can't really blame them.'

A hand slid to my waist and hugged me from behind.

"Hoon-ahh. . ."

"Let's go somewhere else. . . ." He whispered into my ear before taking off me and taking my hand, pulling me somewhere else.

I looked over at our companions, and I don't think anyone noticed us.

I smiled over our hands as we headed somewhere else.

. . .

We entered the garden.

The same garden that the bastard used to seduce mom and Yoon-hee.

"Are you uncomfortable?"

I smiled at him when he noticed my sour expression.

'It's not like I can tell him this is where Seol-ah caught my mom and his dad making out and where Min-hyuk caught him making out with Yoon-hee.'

I shook my head, placed my hand on his cheeks, and caressed them.

"I'm very happy!"

The two of us snuggled on the sofa and enjoyed the tranquil view of the flowers and butterflies.

"I like this."

"Me too. . ."

"When I grow up, I'll build you a better penthouse."

I hugged him tighter as I leaned on him.

"I'm actually not fond of buildings."

He turned to me and faced me.

"You're not?"

"I'm more fond of houses. When we were younger, Eun-byeol and I wanted a treehouse behind our home and a garden where we can enjoy picnics whenever we want."

"I am more fond of those than buildings."

"Ahh. . . I didn't know that. Why did you buy a place here then?"

"I really didn't want to, but it was originally my plan to live with my sister, but our plans changed, and knowing her, she wouldn't want to be apart from our parents so I bought a place here."

"Hmm. . . . then. . . I will build you one."

"Hmmm. . . . ?"

"A house."

"A big mansion with a garden and treehouse."

"You will. . . ."

"Yeah. . . I'll build us a mansion where all our family can stay together for a very long time."

I hugged him tighter as I closed my eyes in his embrace.

I feel secure talking about our future with him.

I feel like it will happen, and we will be together forever in that future.

"Why will you build a mansion for me? Why? how are you so sure we'll be together in the future?"

I actually just wanted to tease him, but he faced me, looking so serious.

He palmed both my cheeks and made me look at him.

"Because I'm planning on becoming your husband, and nothing in this world can stop me from becoming that."

Our gaze and smile reflected each other's happiness and excitement.

"You better remember those words Joo Seok-hoon! If I get clingy later on and you want to break up, I'll break your legs if I have to!"

"I will never let you go! Understand??"

We hugged each other again.

"You're the one who should be prepared! I don't ever plan on letting you go! NEVER!"

"I think you need to let for of each other, though."

We both turned to the door and saw Min-hyuk and Seok-kyung with arms crossed on their chests, smirking at us.

"Our mom's calling us! It's dinner time."

I smiled at them as we both let go of each other and held hands as we headed back to the penthouse.

. . .

Su-ryeon pov:

The kids enter the room with smiles.

"YAH! You!! Just because you're dating my daughter! You think you can do whatever you want now!!"

Yoon-chul pointed at their hands, walking to them and separating them, shielding his daughter.

"You kids better not do anything you shouldn't! If you do anything to my daughter! I will kill you, understand, brat!"

"Yah! Yah! Leave the kids alone! Seok-hoon is more responsible than you think!"

Logan defended Seok-hoon as the kids only laughed at their banter.

"Enough with that! Let's eat."

I clapped my hands as I called all of them to dinner.

Seo-jin prepared a plate for Yoon-chul as both of them exchanged smiles.

Logan helped me sit while Seok-hoon helped Seok-kyung and Eun-bi.

"Thank you, Logan."

I can't be any happier than this.

. . .

Seok-hoon pov:

I sliced the beef into thin slices before placing it onto Eun-bi's plate.

"No fair! Slice mine too!"

We all laughed at Seok-kyung's pouting.

"Yes! Yes! I'll slice one for the madam too!" I joked as I sliced a piece for her.

The laughter in this place made this penthouse a real home.

I always felt uncomfortable in this place, but now, it really feels like a home.

With my family and friends smiling and laughing, I only wished this would last forever. My friends keep playing with their food while my girl sits beside me, eating while our other hand links to each other.

"Isn't it hard to eat with only one hand?" Min-hyuk noticed it and teased us with it.

"Yah!! I told you no touching!"

'We've already touched a lot of times already, though?'

'I shouldn't tell him that. . .'

"Don't scold the kids! Our daughter knows what she's doing!"

I smirked as Seo-jin scolded her husband.

'I really shouldn't tell them anything. . . Mr. Ha will bury me alive, and Mrs. Cheon will be the one to dig it for him.'

"My! My! What a beautiful scene!"

We all quieted as if an angel had passed by.

We turned in the direction of the voice and saw Joo Dan-tae and the others standing not so far away from us.

"Joo Dan-tae!!"

The chill in mom's voice, a drop in the temperature, and the tightened grip of Eun-bi.

'SH*T!!!!'

"Eomma!!"

"Eomma!!"

Jenny and Min-hyuk ran to their mothers while the rest of us stared at all of them.

"Oh Yoon-hee!"

Eun-bi glared at Yoon-hee, who was standing beside Joo Dan-tae.

'How the hell did they get out?!'

. . .

Logan pov:

I placed Su-ryeon behind me when Joo Dan-tae walked toward us.

With Min-hyuk's parents and Ma-ri busy with their children, Dan-tae walked to the table while we glared at each step he took toward us.

"The dinner looks delicious."

He grabbed a nearby fork and forked the meat on Eun-bi's plate. He raised it in front of Eun-bi before putting it inside his mouth.

"What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean by that? This is my house! I should be asking these people instead. . . ."

He pointed at Eun-bi and the others with the fork.

Eun-bi's body jumped as Dan-tae's fork pointed at her while looking at her as if she were an insect.

Seok-hoon was quick to his feet. He pulled Eun-bi away from Joo Dan-tae and placed her beside Ha Yoon-chul, who also protected his wife. He placed himself in front of Eun-bi, shielding her using his arms.

"This is also my house! I can invite whoever I want!"

Su-ryeon glared at Dan-tae as he looked at her with cold eyes.

He placed his hand on a glass and drank from it. After drinking from the glass, he turned his gaze to Su-ryeon.

My hand immediately pulled her to my side when Dan-tae suddenly threw the glass toward her. I shielded her with my body as the glass crashed to the ground when it fell.

"Ahh!"

One of the kids shrieked.

Yoon-chul put his family on his back, protectively shielding them away, while I place Su-ryeon near me.

"How dare you enjoy a meal after putting your husband in jail! Who do you think you are!"

"LEAVE!!" I faced him with a glare.

"This is my house!! You are the ones that should leave!"

"He's right!"

We all turned to Eun-bi, who spoke.

"This is his house, so we should all leave!"

She faced Dan-tae and then turned to us.

"Besides, I don't think we'll be able to enjoy dinner now anyway. We should just order out! Any dinner would be better than dining in a place where murderers exist."

She turned to Yoon-hee, who only proudly looked at her.

'Where does she get the balls to look at her and not feel guilty?'

"How dare a child like you interrupt an adult conversation!"

Seok-hoon placed himself in front of her, glaring at his dad.

Yoon-chul walked toward them and placed both kids behind him.

"Don't ever come near my child!"

Dan-tae grabbed his collar, and Yoon-chul did the same.

"Not my child!!"

"Come here. . ." Seo-jin took Eun-bi's hand and placed her beside her, hugging her protectively.

"Eun-byeol is right. You're tired anyway, so we'll leave!"

Su-ryeon's glare turned to the others as she grabbed her phone.

"There's enough dinner for everyone. Enjoy!"

Dan-tae pushed Yoon-chul away and grabbed Seok-kyung's hand, gripping it tightly.

"Where are you taking my kids! Who said you can take them from me!!"

"Seok-hoon! Seok-kyung! Come back here!!"

"Ahh. . ."

I grabbed Dan-tae's hand from Seok-kyung and punched him, leaving him on the floor with bleeding lips.

"Don't ever touch the children again!"

"YAH!! Who the hell are you!!! Why are you. . . ."

Yoon-chul kicked him while he was down.

"It's none of your business who he is!"

We all turned to the others, glaring at them as we left.

Su-ryeon immediately took her kids away while Yoon-chul protectively guided his family out of the penthouse.

"ARRGGGHHHH!!! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!!!"

. . .

Seok-hoon pov:

We came down here to Eun-bi's pad.

I've been looking over at Eun-bi, but I don't see anything odd with her.

After getting stabbed, her parents insist she gets counseling. I also think it's a good idea. She doesn't look too shaken by the events that happened to her, but I'm still worried for her.

'I thought we're finally free!'

"How did they get out so fast!!!"

Logan shouted in English on his phone.

Mom helped me in comforting Seok-kyung as we helped her calm down.

"Logan, calm down! For now, let's book them a room in the hotel. They're not safe here!"

"Seo-jin shii, stay at a hotel for now!"

"Yes, that would be for the best."

"You guys stay with me, okay?"

I nodded at mom as Seok-Kyung slowly calmed down.

"I have a few clothes of the twins in my closet . . ."

Eun-bi started to move.

All of us looked at her, concerned for her well-being.

"I'll pack them before we go there."

. . .

Eun-bi pov:

We checked in at the hotel where Logan's staying.

After I was sure I was alone in my room, I slumped on the floor, feeling the tremble in my hands.

'I didn't think my body would react this way?'

I thought I would be fine, but . . . my body tells me either way.

I was about to take a shower when my phone rang.

'Seo-jun?'

On the phone:

EB: Seo-jun? Where are you? Do you know how worried we are?

Other: Hi! This is the last caller ID, so we called this number. Do you perhaps know this guy?

EB: Who is this?

Other: Ahh. . . This is Kim Jun-oh. I'm a bartender at Mystic Bar. This guy over here has been drinking at our bar for days.

EB: Where is that?

I took my coat and my wallet and key before running out.

EB: I'm coming now, so please keep an eye on him.

Other: ahh. . . yes.

End of phone call. . . .

I rode the car, driving off to where Seo-jun was.

'Wait for me! Han Seo-jun!'

. . . 

When I arrived at the bar, huffing, Seo-jun lay on a private room sofa.

The bartender who is looking after him turns to me.

"Ahh. . . are you. . ."

"I am his friend. The one on the phone."

"Ahh. . yes. . . ." He walked toward me, giving me his phone to me.

"This. . . I'm sorry for opening it without permission, but I promise, I only checked the last contact. . . ."

My eyes which were focused on Seo-jun turned to the bartender.

"Thank you!" I fished out the cash in my wallet and gave it to him.

"Can you help me one more time? I don't think I can carry him on my own to the car, please?"

"Ahh. . . yes. . . I'll help him up."

"Seo-jun ahh. . . jun-ahh. . ." I tried waking him up, but it was no use.

He's dead drunk.

"Ah. . . Let me help you with him. . ."

We both took Seo-jun side by side till we reached my car.

"Thank you for this. . ."

I smiled once more before handing him more cash.

"Ahh. . . I can't take too much. . ."

"Consider it a tip. Good night, Mr. Kim."

I smiled at the bartender and took off without letting him return the cash to me.

. . .

I brought him to the hospital.

'Alcohol intoxication, huh!'

I frowned, remembering the first time Seo-jun called me after so many years.

I found him in New Orleans, half dead from drinking and doing drugs. I had a hard time with the law back then.

It's good that it's only alcohol intoxication now, but either way, I booked him a private room.

It's not like I can take him to the hotel with the way he is now.

I stayed with him as he slept on the bed.

'I should call mom and dad.'

"Eun-bi. . ."

I turned to him before I could make a call.

"Seo-jun. . . are you okay?"

"Eomma, appa, and my siblings. . . . He kil. . . . killed them all. . ."

My eyes soften at his words.

I held his hands and hugged him tight as he cried.

"Why?"

"Why. . . . . ?"

"ARGGHHHH!!!" He cried over and over again as I comforted him in his pain.

"Shhh. . . . it's gonna be okay!"

"It's gonna be fine!"

"I'll kill him!! I'll definitely kill him with my own hands!!"

"I SWEAR!!! I WILL MAKE HIM PAY FOR EVERY BLOOD HE TOOK FROM ME!!!"

"Shhh. . . . shhh. . . ."

. . . 

He fell asleep deeply after crying buckets.

I was fixing his things in his bag when I noticed something inside.

I dropped the photos I took from his bag and ran to the restroom, vomiting everything I could.

"What. . . ."

"Eun-bi. . . ."

The door opened wide, and I saw Su-ryeon's worried look.

"We heard from your parents. . . . They wanted to come, but there's an emergency to Cheong-ah, so we came instead. . ."

"How is Seo-jun?"

I vomited again, remembering the photos.

"Are you okay?"

She sat on the floor, helping me as I continued to vomit.

"I'll call the doctor. . ."

"NO!!" I stopped Logan as I swallowed the impending vomit in my throat.

"Are you okay?"

Su-ryeon helped me up as we headed inside.

I took the photos from the ground and sat on the sofa.

"What. . . ."

I took it from Su-ryeon's hands, but it seemed she already saw it. . .

Her shocked face as she saw the dead photos of a man, woman, and children, their bodies ripped apart and the ground pooling with blood.

"Whose. . ."

Su-ryeon snatched the photos from my hands.

They both stared at the photos while their expressions turned dark at the sight of it.

"Where. . . who?"

I turned to look at Seo-jun, and like a telepathic message, we understood each other.

"Joo Dan-tae?"

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TO BE CONTINUED