Love Candidate - Soul Ties - Chapter 35

Jiyoung's POV

The light breeze gusted subtly over the empty beach as I sat before the flickering romantic candlelight with a slight smile, quietly admiring the dark navy sea before me. The golden yolky sun had just disappeared at the far horizon, leaving the sky with a deep purple tint. I could see the distant twinkling ship lights from the shore as the vessels rested over the depth of the coastline. The sky was oddly clear tonight, so I could see a few bright stars gleaming beside the full moon above me. Thud. Thud. I glanced away from the crashing waves to find Seokjin strolling towards our outdoor dining table in his causal shorts and plain white T-shirt with a wool cardigan in his hands.

"Let's go for a walk on the beach," Seokjin suggested, placing the cardigan over my shoulders to cover my thin strap dress. I smiled and got up to stroll down the concrete stairs with Seokjin until my toes sunk into the warm beach sand. We didn't go far since it was dark, so Seokjin and I sat on the beach beside our leisure villa to admire the calm tides.

"This is healing," I sighed, turning to stare at Seokjin as he held my hand over his lap.

"Join my corporation," Seojin urged, finally looking me in the eyes. Seokjin took a vacation break and insisted on spending quality time together after we made up. We left the busy state to explore the coastal regions instead. It rained all day yesterday after we arrived at our reserved accommodation, so we couldn't do much but stay inside to dodge the tropical storm. The weather finally settled today, so we arranged dinner outside our one-floor villa since we wanted to admire the scenery. I usually don't enjoy fancy dinner dates- but the soothing atmosphere was what I needed most to comfort my restlessness.

"Me? I'm not competent for the role in the corporation. You know I didn't even earn a bachelor's degree," I muttered, slightly shaking my head to refuse his offer.

"You don't have to acquire a university qualification to prove your competency. You know that? You're my biggest shareholder, so I need you at the board meeting. It's your right to be involved with the organization," Seokjin shook his head. I turned to smile at Seokjin's concerned expression, carefully adjusting my position to rest my head on his lap after I rested my body on the beach. Seokjin glanced down at me and gently caressed my cheek as he sat over me.

"I know I don't need a degree, but many people at the corporation have worked hard for their positions. It isn't suitable for me to benefit from nepotism. You can use my fund however you see fit because I know you can manage it. I can't handle the investment money because I'm clueless, so do me a favor and treat my fund as your own. You don't have to bring me the business proposals or fund documents. If you want to use it, then use it. You don't have to ask me for permission," I replied, reaching upward to pat his firm cheek as he played with my loose hair.

"What if I run off with your money? How can you trust me so easily? I've got billions in my hands," Seokjin teased. I scoffed and turned sideways to face the ocean before us.

"The fund was never really mine anyways. It's the product of my father's labor, and I think appa would entrust it with you too. He had faith in you from the beginning," I shrugged. Appa invested his remaining crisis fund in Seokjin's startup corporation instead of investing it in eomma's business. I'm sure appa would transfer all his ownership to Seokjin if he could. But it wasn't permitted. Not unless Seokjin becomes our family, and that was through marriage. Appa had my future planned out. A successful man and a secure life with him.

"Hey. Your inheritance is all yours. You deserve it! Stop being so foolish and claim what's yours! Your father would be disappointed to know his daughter is trying to donate his hard-earned money!" Seokjin funnily scolded my stubbornness. I laughed at his reaction and sat up to glare at him.

"I'm convinced you're his favorite person! He gave you all his money instead of using it to save his own family. If it's anyone, it's you! You're the person most entitled to his will!" I joked, cutely leaning against Seokjin's shoulder to tease him.

"You're making me the bad person! I'm not greedy! I never claimed his shares, even after he passed! I prepared all the documents for you! I never took advantage of your father's fund and remained faithful to his daughter!" Seokjin complained. I chuckled and leaned forward to kiss his lips. He gently ran his finger through my hair to dust off the sand, slightly tilting his head to fit his lips over mine.

"Let's get married then?" I whispered, pulling away to smile at Seokjin with a keen expression.

"Yah! I told you to wait! Stop asking me to marry you!" Seokjin frowned. I bit my lips and smiled at his irritated frown. Seokjin hates it when I ask him to marry me because my boldness is wounding his pride, but I can't help but taunt him with it.

"I've waited long enough! How long should I wait? Until I die!? I'm convinced you don't even want to marry me!" I fired him a pretentious glare and quickly got onto my feet with pouty lips.

"I told you I'll marry you after I sort out everything at the corporation first! Yah!? Where are you going? Come back!" Seokjin shouted when I suddenly lifted my dress and jogged away from him in my bare feet.

"I'll search for another spouse!" I chuckled and raced back to our villa until Seokjin caught up with me after he sprinted across the beach. I shrieked in surprise when he grabbed my wrist and tugged me against his sturdy body to hold me in place.

"I won't let any man replace me," Seokjin smirked at my flustered face as he held me in his firm embrace.

"What if I prove you wrong?" I raised my eyebrow to counter his cockiness.

"You can try," Seokjin scoffed, leaning forward to kiss me. I giggled at his steamy breath, slowly encircling my arms around his neck to close the space between our bodies as he held onto my waist. We headed back inside the villa after the brief makeout session on the beach to spend our time in the hot tub that was prepared for us.

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I kept my relationship with Seokjin private. Even his corporation isn't aware of my existence because Seokjin had documented my fund under an anonymous authority. He never introduced me to any of his investor friends or board of directors. Only Secretary Yoo and his family were aware of our relationship. Of course, it was my personal request to keep our relationship hidden from the public. Why?

My reputation isn't as glorious as Seokjin's. My dirty history back in Korea can never be erased, and it might put Seokjin in a difficult position if people found out about my real identity. I'm not hiding from the world, but I don't want to be reminded of the aching memories either. Reporters and journalists might publish unnecessary articles that will put Seokjin's corporation in an adverse situation. My stepfather was a scandalous man himself, and everyone knows I ghosted my mafia groom back in Korea. For these reasons, I firmly convinced Seokjin to conceal our relationship so he wouldn't face destructive criticism. 

Seokjin didn't like the idea. He never agreed with my resolutions because he wanted me to take pride in myself. He's been convincing me to join his corporation- but it was never something to consider because I knew I was incapable of handling such matters. The executives and board of directors would question his leadership if he allowed his lover to take over the corporation. Plus. I wanted to live in peace. I love my new lifestyle. Baking with middle age mothers. Making new friends with the foreign community. Cooking at our warm apartment. Going on private dates. I have been living my best life... ever since I recovered from my illness.

"Oh?" I muttered when something fell out of Seokjin's coat in our closet room. I stopped drying my hair with the towel, then glanced down to find a small velvet jewel box at the base of the wardrobe and slowly crouched down to pick it up. I glanced at the bathroom door curiously since Seokjin was still showering inside and averted my eyes back to the box.

"He planned on proposing?" I muttered, slightly smiling when I opened the box to find a diamond ring inside the box. I stared at the sparkly jewel with a weak smile until I heard Seokjin turning off the shower, so I quickly placed the box into his coat's pocket and closed the glass door. I walked toward my side of the closet to pull on a formal dress just as Seokjin strolled into the closet room with a loose towel around his waist. He quietly got dressed on the other side of the room as I dried my hair before the mirror. Seokjin peeked at me from behind and inched toward the closet. I pretended not to notice his sneaky behavior through the reflection and gently dabbed the liquid skincare on my face to moisturize my face.

"Huh? Where did it go?" Seokjin muttered. I paused and glanced at Seokjin as he rummaged through his coat's pocket with his broad back turned on me.

"Did you misplace something?" I asked. Seokjin immediately glanced at me with a nervous look and shook his head.

"No- Nothing. I'm just looking for my cuff links," Seokjin calmly dodged my suspicion with a shrug.

"I placed it all in the drawer. Why would you search for it in the wardrobe?" I chuckled with my eyes fixed on my reflection as I brushed my hair into a neat bun. Seokjin didn't respond and kept digging through his coat's pocket with a slight frown.

"I swear I placed it-" Seokjin mumbled under his breath, so I got up from the vanity table and turned to face him after I finished grooming myself.

"You'll be late," I announced, calmly turning to put on my nude heels with a weak smile as Seokjin panicked beside his wardrobe. He furiously scratched his head and turned to stare at his row of clothes in confusion. I straightened my body, turned to grab Seokjin's red tie, and walked up to him.

"Did you rearrange my clothes?" Seokjin questioned, turning to face me unsurely.

"No? Why would I? You're always so organized," I asked, carefully slipping the tie around his shirt's collar. Seokjin grimaced at my clueless response and turned to glare at his coat in confusion. He's frustrated.

"Are you sure?" Seokjin impatiently turned to stare at me again with a suspicious frown. I patted his neat shirt and took a step back to examine his anxious face. He's an orderly man... so it's impossible for him to misplace his things.

"Are you searching for this?" I asked, lifting my left hand to show him the ring on my left ring finger. His eyed widened in disbelief at the sight of it.

"Give it back! Yah!-"

"Ahah! No!" I shrieked when he suddenly grabbed my wrist. Seokjin tried to yank the ring off my hand, but I twisted my body away to resist him and tried to walk off when Seokjin firmly encircled his arm around my waist to hold me back. I whined in disbelief as Seokjin wrestled with me until the ring slipped off my finger. 

"You're not supposed to find it!" Seokjin whined, releasing me from his embrace, firmly clenching the ring in his palm with a sweaty forehead. I pouted when he shoved the ring back into his pocket.

"Whatever! I'm not attending the event with you!" I snapped, turning away to kick off my heels. How can he snatch the ring right off my finger?! I'm hurt.

"Are you mad? I told I'll propose-"

"Do whatever you want!" I fired him a sharp glare. Seokjin's jaw dropped at my tantrum, taken aback by my fierce response. He quickly circled the drawers to reach me, but I shoved him away and slumped down on the chaise lounge with my arms folded.

"Jiyoung- I didn't mean to upset you-"

"I won't listen to your excuses anymore! Go away!" I raised my voice, stubbornly pressing my hand over my ears to shut out his voice, and lowered my face to pant in anger. He keeps telling me to wait! Why is he taking forever to put a ring on my finger?! It didn't take Taehyung that long to do it!

"Listen- I'm sorry-"

"Don't touch me!" I snapped, hastily shoving Seokjin away from me again, but he didn't listen and crouched before me as I sat on the chaise lounge with an upset expression. He gently placed his warm palm on my burning cheek, so I snapped my face away to avoid his comforting touch. Seokjin sighed at my hasty behavior and gently rubbed my left shin to calm me.

"I was going to propose to you at the corporation party today. Can't you wait a little longer? We'll be engaged by the end of the day," Seokjin weakly smiled. I fired him a sharp glare in response as he knelt before me with a tender smile.

"I told you I don't like the attention! Why do we have to do it in public?!" I complained. I repeatedly told him I didn't want to be noticed! Especially not at a venue full of people!

"I wanted to make you feel special-"

"You don't need to propose to me in public for me to feel special," I pouted while staring at Seokjin. He gently took my hand in his to examine my fuming face with a troubled look.

"I really can't beat you, can I?" Seokjin scoffed, lightly shaking his head.

"It's either you make up your mind now, or I'll never marry you even if you propose to me at the event," I darkened my face. Seokjin lifted his face to meet my eyes with a defeated look. I know he's upset and disappointed, but he needs to understand that I'm also feeling the same way.

"You want me to propose to you in our closet room?" Seokjin asked, nodding at the messy wardrobe. I gulped and glanced back at him.

"I'm serious," I frowned. Did he think I was joking? I'm not.

"Okay. Okay. I'll let you win because I love you. Lee Jiyoung. Will you marry me?" Seokjin chuckled, bending his knee to the ground, retrieving the ring from his pocket to raise it before me. I pursed my lips as I sat on a chaise lounge, looming over Seokjin as he knelt before me with a weak smile.

"I hate you," I muttered, slowly placing out my left hand for him.

"Answer me," Seokjin insisted. I blinked at the ring and glanced at Seokjin's stern stare again. Although I was mad at him... I could help but feel an intense churn in my chest, so I leaned forward to kiss him first without answering. Seokjin closed his eyes as I stroked his face, gently grazing my lips over his until the tension within my chest subsided. Slowly, I pulled away to purse my lips at his mesmerizing handsome face. Seokjin opened his eyes to await my response.

"Yes, let's get married, my beloved husband," I weakly smiled. Seokjin bit his lips at my cheesy answer and slipped the ring onto my finger. I excitedly lifted my hand to stare at the ring before turning to hug Seokjin with a bright grin.

"Aigo~ I can't believe you forced me to ask for your hand in marriage in this situation. I'm not even properly dressed. I even booked a special performance for you at the event. Ah~ I'm disappointed," Seokjin chuckled while patting my back to comfort me. I chuckled at his complaints and tightened my arm around him.

"This is enough. I'm serious," I grinned, pulling away to cup Seokjin's face. Seokjin chuckled when I pressed my lips over his again to express my contentment. He remained crouching on the floor as we kissed until I felt him encircling his arms around my waist to pull me closer.

"I messed up your makeup," Seokjin laughed, pulling away to rub the lipstick smudge from my face as I kept my arms around his neck with a bright smile.

"You should look at your own reflection," I giggled at the lipstick stain over his lips.

"Well. Since we're a mess... then why don't we go all the way?" Seokjin smirked while massaging my hips.

"You sure? We'll be late for the event," I laughed, nodding at the clock.

"At least we have a reasonable excuse to be late. Get up-"

"AH! HAHAHA!" I screamed when Seokjin slipped his arm under my legs and lifted me off the lounge. He carried me out of the closet and tossed me onto our bed. I quickly sat up with a flustered face as Seokjin sexily undid each of his buttons to reveal his hard-built body. Seokjin unbuckled his belt and slowly crawled over the mattress to hover over me. I smiled at his sexiness and grabbed his face to deepen our kiss as Seokjin adjusted his position between my legs. He gently rested me on the pillow as I held his lower hips. And we had a quickie before the event. Secretary Yoo was furious because of our late arrival- but we were too delighted to even acknowledge the disproving look Secretary Yoo darted us at the entrance.

It was my first time being revealed at the corporation as Seokjin's lover, so there was a lot of attention from the employees working under him. Although I specifically asked Seokjin to keep my identity hidden, the executives already knew I was the biggest shareholder in the corporation. I hated the attention because of the pressure. People expect me to be as capable as Seokjin. It was really uncomfortable when people tried to speak about business matters with me. But thankfully, Seokjin did all of the talking for me.

_______________________

My life became less dramatic in the states with Seokjin after we settled. My days were very ordinary, and there wasn't anything new until... Seokjin accidentally got me pregnant just a year and a half after my cancer recovery.

"What did you do? You said you pulled out," I asked, worriedly eyeing the positive pregnancy kit on the bed as Seokjin anxiously stood with his hand pressed over his lips.

"Jiyoung, I always used a condom with you- I don't know how I did it, but- I swear I even pulled out before ejaculating," Seokjin calmly shook his head. I lowered my face to press my hand against my face in distress. It's my third time getting pregnant, but I'm still in the recovery stage... so I'm afraid it'll affect our child's health. We were both anxious about my pregnancy because it was unplanned. To make it worse, my doctor specifically recommended delaying family planning since I'm still receiving treatments.

I was very stressed by the unexpected incident, but Seokjin was even more anxious. He seems guilty for being reckless with me during our intercourse. It didn't make sense. I know Seokjin was always careful with me. Seokjin eventually took me to the hospital to receive proper consultation before making our decision... and we found out I was already two months pregnant. The doctor stated there was a high chance of me delivering a frail infant due to the chemicals they used to treat my illness. But the doctor also made it clear I might not get pregnant again if I decided to abort our child. I already had two miscarriages. And every miscarriage I had... lowered my fertility which means... I might not be able to have children anymore.

"Do you want to keep the child?" I asked while sitting on the couch. Seokjin didn't answer me as he placed the dishes away. I sighed and glanced down at my belly until Seokjin finished cleaning the kitchen. He strolled into the living room with a mug of warm water for me. I accepted it.

"I'll do whatever is best for you," Seokjin sighed, gently taking my hand in his. I placed the mug away and sadly turned to examine his worn-out face. It wasn't his fault. I should've been careful as well.

"It was unplanned. I don't know. I'm afraid it might affect your career since-"

"My career? Why would having a baby with you affect my career?" Seokjin frowned at my statement. I guiltily eyed his uneasy gaze as he gently rubbed my knuckles to comfort me.

"I'm already weak, so I won't be able to take care of myself when I'm pregnant. You'll have to leave work early and you'll be busy raising our child. You said you wanted to focus on expanding your corporation," I softly explained. Seokjin leaned back on the couch while he sat facing me and gently ran his fingers through my loose hair.

"Is that your concern?" Seokjin weakly smiled while examing my face.

"I'll get an abortion if you're not ready to be a father," I nodded at him. I feel guilty. He's been stressed out ever since I got pregnant. I'm afraid I'll distract him.

"Who told you I wasn't ready to be a father?" Seokjin raised his eyebrow, gently caressing my cheek as we sat facing each other in the cozy living room.

"I know you're very stressed-"

"Jiyoung-ah. The reason I was so anxious is because of your health. Every time we had sex- I knew there was a possibility of impregnating you, so I've always been prepared to be a father. I was and I am always ready to be the father of your children. I always dreamt of raising our own family with you. It was me who was careless, and therefore, I will take full responsibility for our baby. I really don't want us to lose our child. You've already had a miscarriage twice. I'm afraid if you fail to bear a child- again... we won't be able to have our own children," Seokjin tenderly rubbed my cheek with his thumb as we spoke.

"So what do you want to do?" I gulped the hot lump in my throat.

"I want you to keep our baby. It was our choice to have sex, so I'll be accountable for your health and our baby. I am capable of raising our child, and my career is not a concern, so don't let it bother you. But I need your consent as well. If you're not ready to have a child... then I won't push you. I shouldn't have been reckless. Even if I'm financially stable- it doesn't mean I can put a baby inside you whenever I want to. I love you, and your decision will always be my priority. I'm sorry for causing you all this trouble. Jiyoung. It's your choice, and whatever it is... I'll respect it," Seokjin firmly squeezed my hands to reassure me.

"I don't quite understand," I frowned at him with a weak smile. His words warmed my heart, but I couldn't fully process whatever he was trying to say.

"Men think they can get a woman pregnant whenever they desire. Why else did I always use a condom with you? I know having sex means we're consenting to reproduction, but I don't want to get you pregnant when you're not ready either. My few minutes of pleasure will induce a lifetime consequence on your health and body. You'll have to deal with tough pregnancy for nine months, and you'll be raising our children for the rest of your life. Your body will change, and you'll have to endure with it for a lifetime. All this suffering for what? For the man's pleasure.  My pleasure. Women have a lot more to lose when it comes to pleasure, and that's why I always made sure to avoid putting you in an unforeseen situation like this. I know I'm wealthy. I might be rich and successful- this automatically guarantees I can raise our child with ease. I might be financially stable, but it doesn't mean I have the right to cum inside you without your permission. I might think I'm capable of supporting you and our child, but it all has to be done with your approval. And I'm terribly sorry for putting you through this ordeal. I know it's my fault, and I will take full responsibility. Okay?" Seokjin took a deep breath as he carefully clarified his thoughts to me. I weakly smiled at his teary expression until I felt my chest contracting with an intense urge to embrace him.

"Let's keep our child," I smiled with my eyes locked with his.

"Are you sure? Don't you need time-"

"I want to have your baby," I nodded at him. I'd be crazy if I didn't want to have this man's child. Seokjin pursed his lips to scan my warm expression before leaning forward to draw me into his arms. I gripped tightly onto his shirt as she patted my head to comfort me.

"Okay. Let's keep our baby then," Seokjin chuckled, pulling away to kiss my forehead. I closed my eyes and smiled at his gentle stroke over my face.

Seokjin kept his wordl. I kept our baby with his support.

Physically, I was a bit weak, so the hospital had to supply me with energy supplements to keep me and my baby healthy. The pregnancy wasn't as bad as I presumed. I had frequent morning sickness and would experience crazy mood swings, but I had a lot of support from my mother friends. They gave me helpful pregnancy advices and even gifted me tons of maternity materials to help me overcome it.

Seokjin rescheduled his work hours to be home two hours earlier every day. He never worked overtime and always came home to be with me when I needed him. Although the pregnancy was unpleasant- there were many moments of joyful sparks as well.

My body began to change the bigger my belly grew. Bright red stretch marks began to form over my once youthful skin. My healthy hair began to fall out again. My breasts were so swollen it felt like it was being pumped. My gums would bleed sometimes. I was prone to peeing my pants whenever I laughed or sneezed too hard. My face would swell every so often. I'd experience crazy mood swings and whimper over the littlest things. My food cravings were abnormal as well. Pregnancy was a burden, but I managed to pull through it with Seokjin by my side.

I gave birth to our healthy baby girl in early spring, and it was a natural birth, so Seokjin was there with me in the labor room when I was screaming my lungs out. Seokjin stayed calm despite witnessing my unpleasant condition. There were snots, tears, sweat, urine, and even poop while I was in labor, but he didn't seem disgusted and held me tightly.

Seokjin burst out crying when the nurse finally handed him our daughter to cradle in his arms. I was in a lot of pain, but I started chuckling when Seokjin began sobbing like a baby. He kept apologizing to me for putting me through so much but wouldn't stop hugging our child against his tear-soaked cheeks. I had a pretty good rest after delivering our daughter. My friends and Secretary Yoo's family came to visit us the next day. Fortunately, our baby girl was a very calm child. She didn't cry as often as an average baby. She was very easy to handle, so Seokjin and I weren't as exhausted with our first child.

Seokjin finally arranged our marriage after our daughter turned one year old, and we finally got married at a small venue. We only invited our inner circles to celebrate and finally registered our marriage. Of course. Seokjin insisted on splurging on a massive event to celebrate our marriage, but I was too exhausted. I couldn't care less. I convinced him we didn't need a luxurious wedding ceremony to achieve happiness. Naturally, he didn't like the idea but eventually agreed to my request.

We don't have to prove to anyone that we're happy and in love with each other. As long as we're contented, our love will bloom and flourish endlessly.

Although my pregnancy chances were low... Seokjin managed to get me pregnant again. But this time. It was panned. I agreed to bear him another child after our daughter turned 2 years old, and we delivered Beom during our second year of marriage. Beom... was a fierce baby. Just like a tiger. He'd scream and cry all night, so I was very frustrated at some points, but Seokjin was never discouraged. He'd comfort Beom and entertain his son so I could get proper rest. Beom loved to spend time with his father. He calms down pretty quickly whenever Seokjin held him.

Our life didn't peak like it used to with two kids. We were a very warm and happy family. So perfect- it felt like a fairytale. We both had forgotten about our past in Korea... because we were too busy building a new life with our family. I became a stay-at-home mom to look after our kids while Seokjin went to work. Taking care of my kids became my new hobby, so I was pretty much home with my kids until Seokjin returned. He'd help me cook and sometimes do the chores so I could rest in the living room. He'd take the kids out to the park so I could sleep peacefully at our penthouse.

I never really thought about Korea or the people there until Jungkook contacted me. He's getting married to Hyeri, and I was invited to his wedding. I actually thought about my past in Korea, for the first time... after receiving the news. It only felt like a blurry nightmare to me now... since I'm satisfied with my life, so I didn't feel as pressured about returning. Seokjin booked our family a flight to Seoul a week before the wedding and for the first time... I thought about Taehyung.

It was the snow that reminded me of him. The winter prince. How is he doing? Is he married now? Does he have a family as I do? I was curious about his well-being. Seokjin kept our whereabouts hidden, so I doubt anyone could find us. Not even Taehyung. I had cut off all connections with everyone in Korea except for Jungkook and my mother.

Seokjin reserved a royal suite for our family, and our kids were excited about their vacation. Our Haru would sprint back and forth to collect authentic Korean snacks. She'd attempt to speak broken Korean with strangers since she rarely had to chance to practice it with foreigners. Beom, however, was a little timid in the unfamiliar environment. The child would cling to his father's neck and would sleep most of the time because he wasn't as interested in the strange city.

"Hwang Jiyoung?" A strangely familiar voice of a woman called as I was about to order my drinks at the cafe counter. My head unconsciously turned toward the direction to find a woman my age staring at me in her expensive fox fur coat and Berkin hanging from her arm. My head was entirely blank as I racked my brain for her existence. I know her. But I can't seem to remember- Oh. Yuna. The woman scanned my outfit with a slight smile before averting her seductive pretty eyes back to my taken-aback reaction. I gulped and turned to look at the awkward staff waiting for me for my order before glancing back at Yuna.

A moment later.

"I didn't expect to see you in Korea," Yuna smiled, carefully sipping her warm coffee from the cup as we sat facing each other at the corner of the cafe.

"I'm attending a friend's wedding. We'll be leaving right after the wedding," I responded, gripping tightly onto the milkshake. No one's supposed to know our whereabouts.

"We? So it's true. You ran away with the heir. Kim Seokjin, that coward," Yuna scoffed, carefully placing her mug down with a slight smirk.

"Coward?" I unsurely narrowed my eyes at her blunt remark.

"Running away from his responsibilities without a single statement. Is he not a coward?" Yuna sharply stared at me from across the table with her arms folded.

"He didn't run. He broke free from his mother's grip. Seokjin always desired to live freely," I shrugged.

"He could've least made a statement before he left. The corporation was a mess. Taehyung was thrown into the chaos his brothers stirred!" Yuna snapped at me. I blinked at her sudden outburst and studied her irritated glare with a composed face.

"Taehyung and Namjoon wanted to succeed the Kim's-"

"Kim Namjoon wanted it. Not Taehyung. Taehyung never wanted anything from his parents, yet still- he had to endure the consequences of his Namjoon's greed," Yuna immediately interrupted me. I frowned at her as I struggled to process her words.

"I'm not here to argue with you. Whatever resentment you have with Seokjin and me- I think it's only appropriate if you elaborate on the situation before lashing out at me," I shook my head. I don't know what happened in Korea after we left. How does she expect me to understand? Yuna clenched her jaw, slumping back on her chair to take a deep breath as I quietly studied her tensed body.

"Namjoon wanted the Kim's assets, so he took over the corporation after Seokjin fled," Yuna nodded at me.

"Seokjin agreed to hand over the corporation to Namjoon. The brothers discussed the transfer before Seokjin left Korea. The heir left the corporation in the hands of his step-brother," I shook my head at her. Namjoon knew Seokjin was leaving Korea but stayed quiet because the heir agreed to trade his position with him. 

"Except Namjoon wanted more. He only sustained the corporation for two years after Seokjin left. The asshole resigned to run as a nationwide president instead with the wealth of his family. He used the money to fund his presidential campaign. Taehyung was forced by his father to take over, so the mafia became my responsibility," Yuna shrugged. Namjoon resigned? He's running for president? Did he return to Korea to secure the Kim's assets to prepare himself for a greater intent? He never intended on being the heir of the Kim's family? He wanted more?

"You must be comfortable as the mafia leader. After all, it's what you desired. You wanted Taehyung, and you got him. You wanted money, so you became the mafia boss," I questioned. Is she bragging about her success to me?

"Oh. I made it. I should be happy, right? The man I love is my husband, and I have a significant influence over the dark side. One should be proud of themselves. But I'm not," Yuna fired me a resentful look.

"Why not? Are you not satisfied?" I asked unsurely.

"Because of you," Yuna replied shortly. I blinked and stared at her with an uneasy frown.

"If I'm a threat to your relationship or position in the mafia- I can guarantee you I came with good intentions. I'll leave as soon as the wedding is over. I won't see anyone during my stay here. Not even my mother," I muttered. She's frightened of my presence.

"I'm not threatened by a weak person like you. I'm divorcing Taehyung," Yuna shook her head, sighing heavily with her arms folded over her chest. I pursed my lips at her unexpected retreat. 

"Why?" I asked. Why is she divorcing him if it was her plan to live off his wealth?

"I thought I could drown my sorrow in materialistic things with his unlimited credit card digits. But it wasn't enough to fill my pathetic emptiness. I wanted more from him. Love. He did give me love. Temporarily but I soon realized- it wasn't genuine. It's hard to be with a broken man. I know I'm better than you in many aspects but in his eyes... I'm nothing compared to you. It sucks to rely on male validation, even if I know my worth. He won't let anyone remind him of you, but I can see it. He's still grieving. Our relationship didn't make any progress at all. Somehow- even as husband and wife- it feels like I'm only his toy to relieve his horny dick whenever he's stressed. The pleasure is to die for, but it's not enough to maintain a relationship," Yuna sighed. I sat quietly and studied her discouraged expression. She really thought she had it all... only to realize she was still locked outside his heart.

"I'm sorry," I muttered. Maybe I should've offered Taehyung a proper closure before departing. Jiyoung-ah. If you ran back to him that day after hearing his whimper... you'd be trapped here... with him. You knew that. You're not accountable for his broken heart after everything you've been through.

"I don't resent you. You did leave a deep scar on Taehyung, and it's natural for a person to dwell on the past. But the reason I divorced him is because of someone else. The filthy rumor about him is true, and that was a harsh blow in my face. You and I. We were fooled by him," Yuna muttered, looking up at me with a disgusted expression.

"I don't quite understand-"

"His mother. His stepmother," Yuna clenched her jaw with teary eyes. My heart thumped against my ribs at the presence of her name, so I gripped my fist and glanced out the window as flashes of unpleasant memories filled my head.

"You're aware," I nodded, turning back to look at Yuna's tired expression.

"I applaud you for running away from Taehyung, thinking I could seize the opportunity to be by his side- only to be fooled by him. I found out... three years after our marriage that he's been sleeping with the old hag when I'm not around. It disgusts me. I confronted him, and he got very upset. I even screamed, saying he doesn't deserve to be loved by you after doing foul shit with his stepmother behind your back. He almost killed me that night. Broke my ribs, and I earned a bruised face from his violent outburst- but it felt good to finally confront him like that. I demanded to divorce him after I recovered from the injuries, but the mother fucker wouldn't agree because he wanted me to overlook the mafia," Yuna gritted. I sighed heavily after hearing her words. He didn't change. After all the tears he shed and the promises he made... he never changed.

He went right back to his stepmother. I could've been trapped in Yuna's position if I surrendered to him. My chest clenched uneasily at the thought of being trapped in a three-people marriage. I wouldn't mind conflicting with a mistress but with his stepmother. Anyone would go mad over a such profane relationship.

"I hope you win the court case with your divorce," I sighed, easing my tensed shoulders at the sight of Yuna's regretful expression. I left the cafe after an accidental encounter with a person from my past... even after praying not to meet anyone. I thought I'd be anxious, but it wasn't as scary as I thought it was. Maybe it's the guilt that's consuming me?

No. I shouldn't be sorry for my actions.

______________________

"The psychiatric hospital?" I asked, briefly halting by the clear suite window with a startled look as I fed Beom his milk. Seokjin was too busy arranging our luggage in the living room while Haru giggled at the cartoon on the television screen.

"She lost her mind after I abandoned her," Seokjin nodded as he carefully stacked our children's clothes on the couch to sort the mismatched pieces. Although he was composed, I could sense his guilt within the room. He must be blaming himself for leaving behind his responsibilities and family.

"I heard she was still sleeping with your brother even after he got married," I muttered, glancing down at my half-asleep son in my arms.

"She's still my mother, and he's still my step-brother regardless of their inappropriate relationship," Seokjin shrugged. I gulped the lump in my throat and turned back to the foggy afternoon view with a dim expression. There are memories I can't seem to forget. Why is it that I have to recall only the painful ones when there were so many good memories?

"You should visit her then," I spoke in a sore tone. Seokjin halted and looked up at me with an anxious look, but I avoided him and took Beom to bed. I kept my mind occupied to ward off the uneasiness until I put the kids to sleep. Seokjin didn't try to speak with me either.

"I won't visit her. I promised we're only here for Jungkook's wedding, so we'll leave immediately after the event," Seokjin muttered when he found me strolling into the living room. I glanced up to find Seokjin perching on the couch with his hands clasped together but I didn't respond and carefully folded Haru's baby blanket on the opposite couch.

"I won't stop you if you wish to visit your family. This is the closest you've been to the home," I sighed. He knows I don't want to face anyone here, but it isn't right for me to stop him. Just because I can't stand seeing my family- it doesn't mean he should be ignorant of his own.

"I might've grown up with my family, but I'm always home now. You're my comfort, Jiyoung-ah," Seokjin frowned at me. I took a deep breath after placing the blanket to the side before turning to face Seokjin with an apologetic look.

"I didn't mean to use your mother's affair with my ex-lover against you earlier. I mean- I did bring it up on purpose- to stop you from yearning for them- it wasn't right. I'm sorry," I awkwardly stuttered as I stood before Seokjin. He sat quietly on the couch to watch my timid expression and finally stood up to embrace me in his strong arms. Seokjin gently tugged my head forward to hold me tightly against him.

"I know you are still hurt by their betrayals. And I'm partially accountable for the scars my family left on you, so don't be sorry. You have every right to be upset," Seokjin whispered as he tightly hugged me against his warm body. I exhaled deeply and snuggled my face against his broad shoulder as he gently stroked my hair.

"Let's visit her. She makes me uncomfortable, but I won't let it bother me," I smiled, pulling away to stare at Seokjin's dim expression. He chuckled softly at my bright beam, so I hugged his waist and tip-toed to give him a soft peck on his lips. I refuse to be the victim in a world full of predators, or I'll never break free from their monstrous grip.

______________________

We agreed to visit Seokjin's mother at the hospital a day before Jungkook's wedding, and I felt quite optimistic until... I stumbled into the last person I wanted to meet. My mind completely went blank once I saw his familiar gaze. His intense eyes were the first thing I recognized, and suddenly I lost control of myself. Kim Taehyung stood staring at me in bewilderment as my daughter clung to me in the hallway. I was too stunned to mutter a single word. Seokjin immediately froze in his place when he found his younger brother standing before us with a resentful expression.

"What are you doing here?" Taehyung gritted. His sharp eyes, burning past me... the hatred... directed at his older brother. Haru unsurely gripped my coat as she glanced back and forth between the towering adults. Seokjin took a few steps forward, carefully placing Beom in my arms with his eyes trained on Taehyung, who was dangerously glaring at his older brother.

"I'm here to visit mother- Argh!" Seokjin calmly tried to explain when Taehyung suddenly threw a wild punch. I unconsciously gripped Haru with my free arm while cradling Beom in my arm when the fight broke out between the brothers. Seokjin didn't get a chance to speak when his brother angrily launched at him after tumbling into the wall.

"How dare you show up here after what you did to us!" Taehyung roared, furiously clenching Seokjin's collar.

"Can you please calm down!?" Seokjin snapped, thrusting Taehyung back in frustration but he didn't back away. Instead. Taehyung regained his balance and tried to sprint forward again when Haru suddenly yanked her small arm out of my tight grip.

"DON'T HURT APPA!" Haru screeched, dashing across the hall to block Taehyung's massive body with her tiny body in tears. Taehyung halted in disbelief to prevent himself from running over the little girl. Seokjin immediately tried to grab our daughter- but Hajin was determined to stop the fight. She hastily pushed Seokjin away and turned back to glare at Taehyung, who was fuming over her.

"Bad ahjusshi! Why did you hit another person?! Don't you have any manners!?" Haru snapped, fiercely folding her arms over her chest with her head tilted upward as Taehyung towered over her. He was almost three times taller than the child. Taehyung held intense eye contact with Haru and eventually averted his deadly gaze to Seokjin's bruised face.

"Follow me outside, or I'll beat you up in front of them!" Taehyung demanded, angrily stomping off with his fists clenched. Beom whimpered in tears when he noticed his father's swollen face, so I tightly hugged our son to comfort him. Should I interfere? I can't let Seokjin walk out after him.

"We should call the police!" Haru gasped, furiously glaring at Taehyung's back. Seokjin rubbed his nose bridge in frustration and slowly crouched down to face his daughter with a weak smile.

"He's my brother. Your uncle," Seokjin explained. Hajin blinked at her father with a baffled looked.

"Why did he hit you? I'd never hurt my brother!" Haru gasped as she examined her father's bruises with an intense frown.

"There was a little misunderstanding between us. Don't worry about appa. Alright?" Seokjin cheerfully ruffled Haru's hair and stood up to face me with a bitter expression.

"He won't stop if you follow him," I gulped. I know he wants to sort out the issues with his brother, but Taehyung isn't ready to face him. He will throw punches and spit hurtful words instead of speaking with his senses.

"I'll take care of myself. Why don't you distract the kids? I'll call you once I calm him down," Seokjin reassured, placing his hands on his hips with an uptight look. I sighed and glanced at Haru again. The child was biting her lower lips anxiously. She's restless.

Seokjin left the building afterward, so I took the kids to the children's playroom. I'm worried about Seokjin. What if Taehyung kills him? Seokjin is physically strong, but he is too selfless. He'll never raise his hand to hurt his family, even if they intend to kill him. I was staring soullessly at my kids as they played with the toys in the room when someone slumped heavily in front of me with his arms crossed. I blinked out of my thoughts to focus my gaze on the person, only to find Taehyung glaring at me. What is he doing here? I blinked again and turned to look at the empty playroom. Where is Seokjin? Is he dead?

"Your husband is seeing his mother. You don't have to look for him," Taehyung dimmed his eyes at my startled reaction. I scanned Taehyung's unharmed face with a nervous expression. Seokjin didn't strike his brother. Not once.

"What are you- Haru!" I gasped in shock.

"Argh!" Taehyung grunted when Haru suddenly threw a lego block at Taehyung's head. I tried to stop her, but before I could grab her- The feisty child suddenly grabbed a handful of Taehyung's hair and started yanking him back and forth.

"You bad man! How can you hurt my appa! He's your brother! Bad ajusshi!" Haru screeched as she pulled Taehyung's hair in her small grip. My eyes grew wide open in shock as Taehyung struggled to push my daughter off him.

"Haru! Stop it! You're hurting him!" I snapped, reaching out to grab her small hand, but she refused to release him. Taehyung groaned in pain as Haru snarled at him like a fierce monkey.

"Yah! Let go of me!" Taehyung shrieked in pain, repeatedly tapping my daughter's hand to make her release him.

"He didn't seem to care when he hurt appa!" Haru argued with me. I gasped in shock when she finally lost her grip, so I grabbed her tiny body and immediately drew her away from Taehyung, who was sitting on the cushioned floor with his striking messy hair in disbelief.

"You really got your temper from your mother!" Taehyung spat, firing Haru an irritated glare while rubbing his throbbing scalp.

"Moh? My temper!?" I snapped before I could stop myself. Taehyung averted his startled eyes to me. I immediately closed my mouth and turned back to Haru, who was struggling to free herself from my grip.

A moment later.

Haru and Taehyung eventually calmed down, but they were still uptight. Haru wouldn't drop her glare, so Taehyung held intense eye contact with her in the hushed room. Beom, on the other hand, didn't seem to care about the tension and kept himself busy with the toy cars he found on the shelves.

"She looks awfully like you," Taehyung muttered, keeping his cold eyes on Haru. I patted my daughter's back to comfort her, so she crossed her arms and sighed in frustration... still glaring at Taehyung.

"Are you really going to argue with a child?" I bitterly stared at Taehyung's childish behavior.

"She attacked me first! If it's anyone's fault, it's you!" He snapped, firing me a sharp glare. I gripped my hands at his statement- but took a deep breath to neutralize unstable emotions. He didn't change. Even his immature attitude is still the same.

"I'm sorry, alright?" I sighed, surrendering to his bitterness.

"Sorry? Tsk. That simply?" Taehyung finally averted his gaze from Haru to meet my eyes with one eyebrow raised.

"I shouldn't be apologetic, but I'm still expressing it. If you want to bring up the past, then I shouldn't be sorry at all," I shook my head. Taehyung clenched his jaw at my words before glancing away to break the tension between us.

"Seokjin agreed to let me speak to you while he talks to mother. I heard you had leukemia before you left Korea," Taehyung nodded, calmly glancing back at me with a guilty expression.

"Oh. I tried to tell you before I left-"

"I could've taken care of you," Taehyung replied without letting me finish my sentence.

"You don't have to feel sorry about my well-being. Leaving you was my decision, and I don't regret it," I sighed. Taehyung narrowed his eyes at me with his arms crossed. He's offended.

"I can't believe you married my brother. I wouldn't have minded another man but Kim Seokjin? You really chose him over me," Taehyung scoffed, glancing at Beom, who was too busy stacking his building blocks.

"Should I have chosen you after everything we put each other through? You know there was no path for us to walk on together," I sighed. He's not even remorseful. Why should I feel sorry for him?

"Oh. I was hurt, so I pushed you away even after you came back to me-"

"I never went back to you to ask for forgiveness. I visited you to settle our matters. There was nothing left between us since the day I left you at the aisle," I cut him short. Taehyung tried not to express his distress, but his constant gulps were too obvious. He gripped his hands and glanced away again to recollect himself.

"How is it so easy for you to birth my brother two beautiful children when you bore two of my children first? Hah. We really weren't destined to be together," Taehyung chuckled while shaking his head in disbelief. I gripped my fists when he wouldn't stop laughing with his head hung low.

"I never forgot about our children. I live every day of my life... yearning for them," I replied. Taehyung suddenly stopped laughing and looked up at me in tears.

"I'm glad you always thought about our children. At least... it was the only memories that reminded you of me," Taehyung exhaled. Did I entirely dismiss Taehyung from my life after I ended our relationship? No. He was always with me. Our memories. It remained with me, but there was nothing more or less to it. Nothing but faded glimpses of us. I didn't know how to respond to Taehyung, so we sat staring at each other in silence until the playroom door opened, and Seokjin appeared with a gloomy face. Taehyung broke his melancholy gaze from mine and glanced at his older brother.

"What are you guys doing here? I thought you said you were leaving?" Seokjin questioned his younger brother's presence.

"I wanted to speak with Jiyoung. Your daughter is pretty aggressive. Like her mother," Taehyung nodded at Haru, who still glaring at Taehyung. Seokjin glanced at me and back at Taehyung before sitting on the floor with us to face Taehyung.

"I hope you guys resolved your buried conflict," Seokjin sighed, glancing at Beom, who was now scribbling on a color book with a blue crayon.

"I concluded my divorce with Yuna because I was optimistic about Jiyoung's return. But my only choice is to back down now," Taehyung glanced at our kids with an annoyed look.

"You can't possibly still be in love with Jiyoung after the separation?" Seokjin scoffed, raising his thick eyebrows at Taehyung.

"You're right. I'm probably in love with the memories. Not the person," Taehyung exhaled, shifting his darkened eyes to mine. I gulped and glanced down at Haru as she sat on my lap.

"We don't intend on staying long after Jungkook's wedding, so please let us go," Seokjin sighed. Taehyung scoffed again and leaned his arms back on the floor to stare at us with his tongue pressed against his inner mouth.

"You'll still leave after witnessing eomma's condition?" Taehyung dully questioned his older brother.

"She didn't remember me even if she was murmuring my name," Seokjin shrugged. It must have been heartbreaking for Seokjin to visit her.

"So you're going to abandon her here? Like you did a few years ago? Ah. That's right. You have your very own lovely family now," Taehyung nodded at Beom with an envious look.

"I'll hire a personal caretaker so she can move back home, and I'll visit more often," Seokjin suggested, but Taehyung seemed unimpressed.

"Look. I get you may be startled by my relationship with eomma-"

"I have nothing to express regarding your affairs. Please refrain from mentioning your relationship in front of us. Jiyoung was the ex-lover, and I am the older brother you betrayed with eomma. Please be mindful when we're being generous with you," Seokjin fired Taehyung an intimidating glare, causing Taehyung to gulp at his brother's stern expression.

"I'll let you leave the country under one condition," Taehyung exhaled.

"I'm not asking you for permission-"

"Let me visit you guys in the states. It's suffocating here in Korea so let me in whenever I need a break," Taehyung sighed, giving up on resisting his older brother. Pity. I pitied his lonely soul even though I had nothing left for him. It must've been difficult for him to deal with the aftermath of our disappearance. Still. Even if I pitied him, I couldn't spare my sympathy to forgive him. 

"I'll always welcome you," Seokjin frowned. Taehyung blinked with a startled look after hearing his brother's words. Seokjin sadly eyed Taehyung, who was a bit uneasy with his brother's warm reminder. Seokjin's younger brother sat quietly with us in the warm room without blinking as he thought about the situation. Taehyung gulped and glanced at me, so I weakly smiled at him.

.

He has a place in both of our hearts...

Seokjin and I are willing to welcome Kim Taehyung whenever he has no one else to rely on.

The unbreakable soul ties between us three... never died.

The end.

_____________________________

Hello everyone! Y'all probably forgot about my existence already XD ahahah I'm so sorry for being away for so long! I wanted to take a short hiatus before my finals to prepare for it but I was even busier after my finals! I had an event to organize and I was also preparing for my trip to Korea.

Yes! I definitely had a lot of fun in Korea during my stay there! I even visited Hybe Insight but sadly photographs were forbidden in most areas! The experience there was like a daydream to me! You can check the pics I uploaded on my Instagram ahah! T_T Anyways I got really busy after I returned from the trip and I finally entered my junior year in uni so I'll probably be busy with school but I'll try my best to stay active here! I miss you guys!

Finally! Thank you for supporting Love Candidate! It's a very short and small project so I'm sorry if I disappointed you guys T_T I didn't have the mentality to kick-start a bigger project yet but I didn't want to give up story writing either. Thank you very much for completing this story (If you're still here XD)

I love you guys! <3