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technologyculturedneo · 1 year ago

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SOS: Poison In My Mind (Pt 2)

Continue off from: SOS: Poison In My Mind (Pt 1)

“We met in the worst circumstance possible, but yet, even if we had to meet in different circumstances, I’d still fall for you.”

SUMMARY. While Jeno and Renjun put their pasts behind them and look onwards disowning their brothers, Donghyuck and Mark try to do things the right way, but find themselves in hot waters with the law. They all want to move on, but it seems as though fate has other plans.

PAIRING(s). Delinquent!Mark, Felony!Haechan, Boyfriend!Jeno, Brother!Renjun; Policeman!Jaemin, Jisung; Husband!Chenle, Boyfriend!Jaehyun X OC Dae, Yezi (original character)

GENRE. Angst. Longshot. Slow burn. Crime. Strangers to lovers. Smut (non-consensual/consensual). Family.

WARNINGS. Drugs abuse (Alcohol, smoking, marijuana, cocaine, heroin). Sexual content (consensual, child abuse, pedophile). Slow burn.

Areum doesn’t come to school on Friday as well as on Saturday. Donghyuck is partially worried that something bad might’ve happened to her, and so when he gathers up enough courage to inform his mother of his concern, she tells him that her Areum's mother called in sick to say she wasn’t feeling well.

Donghyuck can’t say much as Areum doesn’t show up again on the next week. He can only hope that she’s okay, and it begins burning inside of him of what he should do, because at this point he so desperately wanted to tell someone about what the Uncle has been doing to the girl. If he told anyone at the school, they’d surely not believe him because it was a personal and family matter and didn’t involve him.

Aside from worrying about Areum, he also began worrying about Mark. Mark hadn’t gone back to his old ways, but he picked up on a suspicious habit of always stalking Jeno and his alleged girlfriend. According to Mark, he saw Dae, the rich girl (the girl whose house they broke into) and Jeno give each other kisses and immediately knew that they had something going on. It had Donghyuck curious, but at the same time fearful of what his friend was going to do. So sitting down one afternoon together in the park, they’re both eating some bread while watching people pass by. Donghyuck takes the opportunity to address his friend.

“How’s your stalking journey?”

Mar sighs. “Wild.”

Waiting for Mark to explain, Donghyuck doesn’t say anything. Yet upon the silence intensifying he turns his head to Mark. “Wild how?” Mark looks like he’s in deep thought as he’s eating on his bread. He shrugs his shoulders. “Come on man, you’ve been at it for some days now. Following them and updating me on their life. How did things get wild?”

Mark blinks and looks to Donghyuck. “He’s got your eyes.”

Donghyuck tries to decipher the words, but they make no sense. “He’s got…my eyes?”

“You know,” Mark chews on his last bread before sitting up properly and turning back to his people watching. “He doesn’t drink anymore, doesn’t zone out like a drone, and now he makes decisions for himself. Whereas in the past he always depended on me. I don’t know man,” Mark brings his knees forward to wrap his arms around them. “Seeing my brother looking perfect while being with her makes me feel….”

“Like a fuck up,” Donghyuck leans his back against the tree trying to understand Mark.

“Nah, seeing you makes me feel like a fuck up. I should’ve stayed in prison. This life is not for me.” Mark snorts out a little laugh. “But seeing my brother makes me feel like this life is for him.”

“Mark don’t be like that,”

“I don’t belong out here, I mean, what’s the point of freedom and living like shit? Or going day by day eating bread?”

Donghyuck pats Mark’s back. “Mark I’m sure there’s purpose in your life if you look past your mistakes,”

Mark sighs before closing his eyes and turning his head to the side to get some sleep. He was going through the stages of grief and he hated it. First it was denial of what his life had come down to. And then it was anger that he couldn’t do anything else with his life. And then he began bargaining with whether or not he deserved to be free or not. Before the depression sunk in that even if he were to be locked up it wouldn’t do anything to him. And finally he accepted that his life was really shit and that he had no will in him.

So the next morning comes, and of course Donghyuck is already gone to his work, leaving Mark to wonder around back to Jeno’s apartment and watch from afar how his brother and ‘girlfriend’ leave their apartment together and go for their daily stroll. He follows them being several feet behind until they land up in a secluded park. As he’s sitting down on a bench and watching them work out together with smiles on their faces.

Jeno this time is in control of their activities and does stretches here and there. It makes Mark smile seeing his brother looking so free, happy and sober without a care in the world. Jeno looks especially happy when she smiles at him and plants kisses on his temple. Whatever they’re doing and talking about makes Mark feel like he needed to protect his brother from anything destroying and disturbing their peace.

So as they’re done working out and begin to head back home, Mark follows behind them ensuring they get back safe. Time flies by with the sun beginning to set, and it’s not until Jeno leaves the house and takes the red car with him does Mark feel that he should head on back to the park where he and Donghyuck rested. But upon seeing Dae leave the house moments later, he cautiously follows her. It seems like she was just taking an evening walk without Jeno. However, it’s alarming because Mark notes that as he’s following Dae, another guy also seems to follow her.

She’s not aware, but Mark is. Upon seeing the hooded frame of the person following and getting closer to her, Mark quickens his pace making sure that this person isn’t seeking to hurt her. And just like Mark predicted the man immediately grabs a hold of Dae and drags her into the alleyway. Mark is quick in running in and stepping in. Dae tries screaming but it doesn’t sound too loud, as the assailant has a knife to her throat. She puts up a fight, alarming the guy to be sharp when trying to get her to stop moving. Dae doesn’t stop, using the self-defense lessons Jeno taught her.

But still Dae is in frantic heaps of fear when wondering how long will she need to do this for. This guy is bigger than her and buffer then her. When seeing another man appear she screams. "Help!”

“Hey! Let her go!" Mark not needing to be told twice sharply steps in and lands a crossed punch on the other man's cheek- Dae is free of his hold and moves away from the man seeing the stranger gripping onto the person who held her captive.

Getting a look at his face, the stranger who helped her she gasps. But he glares at her. “Run!” And with that she begins running as fast as she can. She doesn't look back, doesn't try to see the face of the man who helped her. She hears a loud scream but adrenaline takes over her and all she does is run back to her home. As soon as she gets home, she's quick to call the apartment security to alarm them of what happened. No sooner than later, she hears the sirens and breathes out normally.

Hopefully the person who stepped in didn’t get hurt badly and that the security got there on time. She just can’t believe that it was him…Mark.

S2: EP16 -20

[Dae's residence. 2 weeks later]

"How can we be out of milk so quickly? I bought 4 whole packs," Dae sighs, closing the fridge when remembering Jeno's excessive intake on his milk and egg yolk mixture. She walks to the pad stationed on the kitchen counter. A 'to do' grocery shopping list. Not just any tea, but green tea with herbal and ginger spice. Herbal medicine is the best medicine. After boiling water and making fresh green tea she heads up the stairs to her shared bedroom.

"Baby you awake? Bae?" she calls getting in the room taking careful steps making sure to not step over the tissue boxes on the floor. She sits on the edge of the bed while placing the tray on his bedside folding her arms when Jeno shifts around pulling the blankets over his head like a child.

"I'm still sleeping," He mumbles out.

"You're such a baby," Dae says nudging his side resorting to tickling him knowing he has a very hard yet soft body when it comes to tickles.

Jeno erupts out an unexpected laugh before groaning out while still chortling painfully under the blanket whenever she pokes his side. He reflexes instantly by coming out the blanket getting a hold of her hands- causing her to stop with an amused face. He tiredly smiles with his eyes slightly open. He yawns and with the early morning stress he has, he gently brings her on top of him adjusting her position over him as she straddles him. Dae giggles running her hands over his hair, neck and shoulders. Jeno turns his head to the side seeing the light pigmented tea.

"No milk?" His cheeks puff out yawning out a little. He dives in for a morning kiss but Dae moves backwards shaking her head. "Don't I get morning kiss?" He asks mixed with a little cough.

Dae laughs. "Morning kisses with you lead to more than just kisses. And, you've got a cold coming on. So no. Plus you finished all the milk with your home made power protein drink," she gets off him sitting crisscrossed as he sits up getting comfortable by the dashboard. She holds onto his hand while he ruffles his hair with his other hand.

"I just wanted a kiss," he grumbles. "No milk, no kiss, is this what life has come down too?"

Dae rolls her eyes, patting his cheek. "How'd you sleep? You were coughing a lot last night," she informs. He shakes his head parting his hair from his eyes.

He picks up the mug and brings it close to his lips. "Hot," he mummers and puts it back down. "Something was clogging up my throat at night," he explains. "Must've been yesterday's photoshoot,"

"Were you shooting outside?" Dae questions placing the mug back on the plate.

"Mhm," He nods his head wrapping his arms around her waist. "The location of the houses your dad built were far, set in windy places. But this hasn't happened to me before," he says trying to kiss her again.

"There's a first time for everything," She blocks his attempt at another kiss with a playful smile and gets off the bed. She kisses his forehead bringing up the blanket over his shoulder. "Keep warm baby, I'll be back a bit later."

"You off to work?"

"No," She shakes her head playfully winking. "I called in sick. I'm gonna go down to the pharmacy and get some syrup. While I'm at it I'll buy some groceries too. Please stay put, don't go anywhere. I'll be back soon." she smiles at him. Covering his tea, he uses his hand to bring her back to him where places his lips over her lips. She finally gives in and he moans into the kiss.

She chuckles in between the kiss, "Do you want me to get sick?" She whispers.

Jeno laughs and lets her go, "Sick with my love of course,"

“Get some rest.”

With that the front door shuts, indicating that she’s left the house to run some errands. Unlike her words for Jeno to get some rest, Jeno gets off the bed and begins getting ready for the day. Originally today was supposed to be his day off and Dae was supposed to be at work. So it’s a bit unraveling for Jeno that she didn’t go to work – reason being, because on most day offs, once a month he’d have an appointment with Officer Na Jaemin. He didn’t like keeping things from Dae, but when it came to matters concerning his verdict checkup, or even issues concerning his brother Mark, he preferred for Dae not to know anything. That part of their relationship was still a bit of a touchy subject. He hopes she won't be around for when Officer Na Jaemin comes around. No sooner than later, as soon as he's done changing and goes to his little study room to edit the photo's he took yesterday- there's a knock on the front door.

Wiping his nose with some tissue, he goes over to the front door unlocking it. "Officer, where the hell have you been? I've been waiting since yesterday?" Jeno welcomes with open arms.

"Jeno," Officer Na greets with a polite smile getting into the hug. Never in a million years would he think that he'd become well acquainted with a former convict. As Jeno went to county jail- Jaemin from time to time came for round up checkups. Within those days of keeping up with him, he ‘sort of’ started getting to know the boy better. "A police never gets a day off, you should know that by now," Jaemin jokes taking a seat on the couch with Jeno following. "Especially with Jisung as my partner."

Jeno chortles. "Aren’t you and Jisung getting along?"

Jaemin nods his head. "I don't even know what getting along means at this point. But we're close enough. He asked me to watch his frog."

"Frog?" Jeno is taken aback before laughing out slightly.

"Anyway," Jaemin leans forward picking up the sweet wrapper on the table. "Is there a reason why you wanted me to come here instead of our usual morning spot?"

"Dae's coming back any time soon, and she wanted me to stay put,"

"Mmm the Miss," Jaemin wiggles his eyebrows with a naughty smirk- before Jeno hits his side. "She's one lucky woman, is all I'm saying. Any who, I thought you called me over here because of your brother. I’ve got some news on him. Do you know what the doctor said?"

Jeno turns serious and shakes his head. "His legs are fucked up pretty badly, so now he’s on a wheelchair. They need me to watch over him as his brother. I mean with the way the doctor said it, I had to agree to look after him. Problem is, I haven’t even told Dae about it. She freaked out the first time he came over. In her head, she can never forget what Mark did to her when he was alone with her.”

“I can only imagine.” Jaemin sighs out. “Has he come over before his injury?”

“No. Not even a call, nothing out of the ordinary. I asked Dae to start taking up most of the house errands just to avoid Mark coming by and she’s around. He traumatized the shit out of her, so I can’t let her see him again.”

“I was supposed to come yesterday to inform you of his release but you were occupied. Unfortunately, they’re going to discharge him in half an hour. As his parole officer I have to bring him to the comforts of a relative that will look after him. That’d be you. I’m glad you agreed.”

“Even though I agreed, Officer Na, you have to understand me when I say I can’t take him in. Can’t he just go to Donghyuck or something?”

“I know what you’re saying, I can even understand why you don’t want him in your life again,” Jaemin says. “But they’re letting him go in an hour and he needs a place to stay. He and Donghyuck been living out in the streets like homeless people ever since they got out of prison. Taking him to Donghyuck would be like abandoning him. I doubt Donghyuck would even want to take care of him. He’s on a wheelchair and he can’t take care of himself. Come on man, the worst he could do is roll over your toes. I believe he can’t hurt you or Dae in the state he’s in. If you like, I’ll come by and do regular check-ups.” Jaemin gives all his best commitments. “I’ll even talk to Dae if you need me too.”

“Roles have reversed since we saw her family. Her dad wanted me to quote on quote man up for his daughter if I want to continue seeing her," Jeno mumbles. “I’ve taken up a lot of the responsibilities. I pay house rent, I’m working so many shifts, provide a lot more for us and I’m trying my best to keep her safe. I want to keep her safe at all costs. Mark being here is a gamble that I’m not willing to take,”

"Still can't believe you're with her," Jaemin laughs a little, trying to shift the topic away from Mark just for a bit. Just until he can get Jeno to accept. "You should've put a ring on her finger by now." Jaemin jokes. "You turned a rich girl into a house errand girl? Even your brother will acknowledge that he shouldn’t mess with you. Speaking of which, are you still planning to propose?"

"Fuck," Jeno's eyes lights up as he sits forward, a smile growing shyly on his face, making Jaemin beam for his friend. He's been planning to propose for some time now. "Ever since speaking to her family, I’ve been making preparations. I ordered a ring last month and I'm getting the ring this Sunday. I can't wait for the day to come. We're having a family dinner with her family next week Friday, and I wanna talk to her dad about it."

"Her dad?"

Jeno nods his head taking in a deep breath. "Sounds fucking scary, I know. He's…tolerated my presence enough- dude, he literally asked me the other day to schedule a weekend where I'll be free so he can take me around his new buildings so that I can do my magic and take photo shots. At this point, I see him more than Dae does. Jaemin- wait, did I tell you that he asked me to join him every Thursday's for golf? I went out with him yesterday and it was a whole club of businessmen taking shots. As scary as it sounds, he's finally accepting me. Well it's what I think. And Mark will just fuck everything up,"

"And you proposing to his daughter won’t?" Jaemin asks with a bewildered face. "I was with you up till now. If you can show her family just how serious you are, they’ll consider you as a potential suitor. If you can show her family that you can take care of your brother and that you have him in check, they might just feel safe in allowing their daughter to marry you-"

"I can't help it. The desire is burning in my heart- my soul. I need to marry her- I need to propose now. We've been together for 3 years and a half month and I love her. My hands itch whenever I don't see a ring on her finger or even whenever I take her out and just have to end it with a kiss- dude no. There are so many guys out there who still hit on her as if she's single. I don't like having to explain every time that 'hey she's my girl' I want to make it official with a symbol,"

"That's a fucking grand commitment. Oh god you're burning up," Jaemin withdraws his hand from his face. "Look, I'm no expert at romance, however, I think you should wait and not rush into anything that's too- for crying out loud are you even listening to me?"

Jeno stubbornly places his finger over his ear drums and shakes his head. "You don't know what you're talking about. And on top of that, I see you’re testing the waters with Mark. I’ll think about it.”

“You only have 30 minutes to think about it, because I already told Jisung to bring him over here,” Jaemin speaks quick causing Jeno’s eyes to widen.

“What?”

Dae scans each shelf and medicine, looking for another cough syrup since the one they usually buy is out of stock. In her trolley there are different kinds of medicine, from vitamins to stress relievers to pain killers and even energy boosters.

"Hi Miss Dae, what a surprise seeing you here, how can I help you today?"

Dae turns her head to the side seeing a man with all smiles and a uniform, the service guy who constantly helped her. A worker trying to shoot his shot with her- no matter how many times she's rejected him.

"Oh, hi Shotaro," She gives him a polite smile flipping her hair behind her back. "Grandpower is out of stock, so I'm looking for an alternative to it. Which one is better between Cough Care or Mad Lemon?"

"Oh Mad Lemon as said here in the back label, works effectively in the body and rapidly, one spoon and you're zipped to wellbeing. Cough Care works as fast but it requires you to take it on set times," the salesman, Shotaro finishes. Clearly he's not that knowledgeable on the medication but Dae still asks.

"Are there any allergy reactions I have to watch out for? My boyfriend is sensitive to some ingredients,"

As always Shotaro is stunned that she still has a boyfriend- but regardless he puts his best salesman promotion talk on and talks about the allergy reactions. For crying out loud this isn't even his department, but he just wanted to speak and talk to her. As he's talking, Dae's eyes catch a certain head shape. The man's hair is black and it's cut shortly, but for some moments when the person turns his head- her eyes widen.

"-yes ma'am?"

She breaks out of her thoughts, "Yes, yes thank you," she smiles taking the medication focusing back on the short haired male. He's dressed in black faded pants, a white t-shirt and brown pullover that's torn in some places. The last time she saw him, was in the court where he was a bandaged mess and was practically sent back to his country to serve his sentence. It gets sadder when Dae thinks of all the times she was mean to him in varsity.

The man is skinny but anybody would recognize him by his facial structure. He was usually on the bright and positive side, however, seeing him now, his face looks strict and mean. He finally turns around making Dae's eyes pop wide.

It's him.

"Holy crap." She lets out. "Renjun?"

At the sound of his name he turns around spotting the owner of the voice. A beautiful lady in a knee white fitting dress. At first he thinks his vision is messing around with him- because why would a lady as elegant like that call his name, but then when the radiant woman makes her way towards him with her trolley he realises that she's real. And he realizes who it is.

"Shit." He mumbles lowly still looking a like a deer caught in headlights. Out of all people to see, the last person he wanted to see is Dae and her rich family. He's been through so much because of them. As she draws closer he shakes his head arranging his face fast. "Dae?" he calls allowing for the forced tight lipped grin to spread on his face. "It's a surprise seeing you here." He bows his head still being civil, despite his discomfort. Why the hell is she greeting him with a smile? Didn't she have a strong distaste towards people like him?

Dae gladly bows greeting him with a modest smile. "It's a surprise seeing you here," Dae retorts to which Renjun chuckles with a hesitant grin.

"I guess we're both out of our element zone." Renjun wraps up quickly. "Well, I should leave you be so-"

"Wait, let me get your number quickly,"

"M-my number?" Renjun squawks and shakes his head. "N-no, it's cool-"

Already taking out her phone, Dae panes her eyes to him noticing his whole stance. He's uncomfortable and looks like he wants to get away. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"

Renjun looks around before scratching his head. "It's not that. It's just, your…family put a restraining order and yeah. I could get in serious trouble for being here with you-"

Dae's eyes widen when realizing and remembering the court case and how things went down and ended. "Oh…"

"Yes." Renjun feels relieved once he says that, and grips his trolley. "Well, it was good seeing you-"

"Hold on you didn't give me your number,"

Renjun's eyes widen but he tries not to curse. "Dae," He breathes out. "I've been out of prison for 3 years now. I'm not looking for any problems with the police authorities, neither am I looking for means to go back or get locked up again. Because of going to jail, my life has been torn to pieces. My scholarship got revoked, and I can't apply as a normal student in my old institute or any institute for that matter. No college will accept me, no job will grant me a position- there's nothing I can do to clear up my name unless I'm lucky. And I haven't been so lucky these past few years. So no. I don't want your number and I don't want to give you mine. I do not want anything to do with you. So I'm asking you- respectfully, leave me alone."

Dae's mouth is frozen in shock as she watches Renjun pick up his own basket and walk away as fast as he can from Dae. He really didn't want anything to do with Dae- and for her, it's been a while since she's been rejected by a person. None the less, she doesn't follow him or make any more contact with him. Him using a different isle and avoiding even walking in the same place, is only clear to Dae that he's dead serious when stating how he doesn't want anything to do with Dae.

Unfortunately, fate has other plans when Dae joins a que to pay and Renjun is in front of her. She doesn't say anything to him, neither does she breathe in his direction as she waits for her turn. However, when Renjun starts fidgeting around, scampering his hands all over his pockets- Dae looks between him and the cashier as she 'patiently' waits for him.

Renjun lets out a low curse when not finding his socket card holder in any of his pockets. Did he leave it at home? No, he clearly remembers taking it because he reminded himself thousands of times to take it. So now where is it? If he can't find it, he's doomed. He didn't bring any cash with him. Trying not to take up the line, he shifts aside when the cashier notes that while he's still searching for his card then she'll continue with the other customers. He had two options now, because clearly his card wasn't with him. So it's either he shamefully returned all the items back to their shelf and went back home to search for it, or he could call his mum or Donghyuck to come and help him. But Donghyuck's working. He'd have to call Donghyuck- because his mother was fasting and praying and Donghyuck could probably excuse himself quickly. Problem is ever since Donghyuck came out of prison, neither of them actually spoke to each other. Well, Donghyuck tried, but Renjun didn't want anything to do with his 'brother'.

The cashier is done scanning all over Dae's items and places them in the plastic bag. Dae takes a deep breath, clearly feeling bad for Renjun. He's just standing there with his hands to his hip and his head down. She's about to lay a hand on his shoulder, but his reflexes are so fast that Dae nearly falls forward.

"Don't touch me."

"Sorry," Dae modestly apologizes running her sweaty hands on her dress. She was nervous. "Let me pay for you."

"No." Renjun shakes his head, deciding to call on his brother. He looks up to Dae, attempting a smile, but it's stiff. "Thank you though,"

"Geez Renjun," Dae sighs out in exasperation. "I just can't bare you standing like that and looking distressed taking up the line."

"I'm fine." He comments almost immediately.

Dae huffs silently. "Why are you being so stubborn? It's not like I'm asking you to do anything? I just want to help."

"I don't need your help."

Renjun places his phone over his ear waiting for his brother to pick up. Meanwhile Dae takes her credit card and hands it back to the cashier. "I'll be paying for him." She smiles with irritation, ignoring Renjun, who's eyes widen as he watches the cashier swipe on Dae's card.

"I said-"

"You're welcome." Dae interrupts picking up her own plastic bag. "Take it or leave it. Bye. Have a nice day." Her tight lipped smile is all that Renjun sees before she moves past him with two heavy bags of plastics.

Dae's gone by the time the cashier is finished placing all his items in the plastic bag. He thanks the cashier before leaving the que and the store. He stops in his spot when he sees Dae standing in place with the trolley of many plastic bags. He's about to ignore her and walk past, but she stops him in place by waving his- his socket card holder that had his name printed out boldly.

"I assume this is yours. I saw it by the exit with your ID."

Renjun takes a deep breath rolling his eyes. "Okay. What is this?" He asks with irritation. "Are you following me? Do you want something from me? Why aren't you-"

"My god, you're so annoying." Dae speaks up fiercely. It's been a while since she used this type of tone. "I've been trying to be a decent human being to you, but you're being so aggravating. Here." She shoves his card holder against his chest glaring at him. "Since when did you get thick headed?"

"Prison can really fuck you up. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get away from you by 400 yards or else the restraining order will-"

"Jeno?" Renjun questions in confusion. How could he forget that name. "You mean Jeno, Lee Jeno?"

Dae rolls her eyes getting pissed. "Fine. But can I have your number?"

"I don't think so-"

"Not for me, but for Jeno. Do you remember him?"

"But the restrain-"

"Yes," Dae nods. "You may not want anything to do with me, but I'm sure perhaps you'd be interested in Jeno-"

Dae can only blink. "He's my boyfriend."

Renjun's eyes widen in disbelief. "Boyfriend?"

Dae nods her head sensing Renjun's half will to communicate. "You would've seen him instead of me right now, he usually does the grocery shopping but he's feeling ill and resting at home."

"At home?” Renjun tries to wrap his mind around it all. It even stops Dae from speaking. "You mean, you guys are together? You're dating him? You're joking right?"

Dae blinks for a minute before pulling out her phone and instantly opening it up revealing a picture of them together in a mediation pose of yoga. Jeno's smiling brightly. "It's hard to believe but I'm not joking."

Renjun sighs. "What the hell," He whispers quietly. His eyes move across the parking space and clears his space. "You mean to tell me, you've been with him and the police hasn't locked him up?"

Dae nods her head. "For a good 3 years. In December it’ll be 4 years."

"Well congratu-fucking-lartions. Good for him. I'm not about to piss anyone off." Renjun is quick to reject again. Trying to move past her.

"Oh my god. What's it going to take for you to actually-" Dae grunts and goes to contacts on her phone. "Can I please have your number? Not for me."

Renjun, wanting to take advantage of the situation stops in his tracks with his plastics and stares at Dae. "I can't afford to go back to jail. But I need you to get off me. Do you have a car?"

"Yes..."

"Good. You can drop me home and I'll tell you my number and you have to promise never to bother me again." he's not in any position to make commands but with the way Dae is begging, he feels lucky to actually snap his fingers and she'll bend to his will. "Besides, we can try to catch up in the car. Is that cool?"

Dae says nothing, already picking up her plastics in motion for him to follow. She's pissed but says nothing.

After dropping Renjun home, which is a new suburb deck of house that's been added Dae waves her hand while driving off. Renjun smiles to himself, a real stress free smile. Aside from his mum, seeing Dae (someone who he’s always feared) and hearing her talk about Jeno, made him feel that anything is possible. Even the impossible seemed possible. Dae changed for Jeno. If Dae can forgive, why can’t he?

Which is why he mentally prepares himself to forgive Donghyuck for the next time he comes over. Much to his surprise, he’s shocked out of his mind when entering the apartment and inside their home Donghyuck is inside with a little girl who begins lifting up her skirt revealing her underwear.

“What the fuck- Donghyuck!”

Donghyuck’s head shots up to the door and he’s got his eyes wide open. “Renjun-”

“What are you doing with this child?!” Renjun yells out in furry.

Donghyuck scampers to Renjun and shuts the door before covering Renjun’s mouth tightly- causing Renjun to drop the plastic of groceries. His eyes move between Donghyuck’s heavy deadly stare to the clock which reads 10 am. What the hell did he just witness his brother and a child doing?

“Shut the fuck up you twap!” Donghyuck grates out through his teeth in a seething whisper. “It’s not what it fucking looks like. Stop making noise or else she’ll cry.”

But it’s too late as both of their ears are attentive to the wailing of the young little girl. “Mr Sunshine it hurts,” Areum cries out no longer being able to hold in her tears. Donghyuck sharply turns his head back allowing for Renjun to break free of his grip.

“If you don’t explain what the hell happened right now, I’m going to the police-”

“I also wanna go to the fucking police. I don’t know what the fuck to do!” Donghyuck stresses through hushed curses- but he still picks up Areum and pats her back. “Calm down kid, it’s okay. Just, just stop crying please,”

Areum obediently hiccups and hugs Donghyuck around his neck. “O-okay,”

Donghyuck breaths out stressfully before opening up his eyes and looking at Renjun, who is frozen with his mouth wide open and his eyes bulging out of their socket.

“Should I call the police?” Renjun still asks.

“Look, I…. today is my day off and I was hungry, so I went to the school to ask mum for the keys so that I could come home and get something to eat. But then, she started following me-” Donghyuck motions to Areum.

“Why?” Renjun asks.

“Renjun please, let me tell the story without getting interrupted. I’m under much pressure as it looks. I don’t know what the fuck to do. She's feeling pain. I asked where, and she kept crying. Not wanting to cause a scene I told her to go back to class but she refused. She didn’t want to go back, and then blood started coming out from in between her legs.” Donghyuck in horror recalls the situation. “I asked her to show me where she’s feeling pain. Even though she didn’t want to say it I figured it’s her fucking vagina-”

“Donghyuck how on earth are you caught up in fucked up situation like this?”

“I promised her that I wouldn’t tell anyone and it seems like I might be the only one who knows this secret. I picked her up and came straight here. It’s only 10 now, but I have to figure out what the fuck I’m gonna do before 4pm when her uncle will come and pick her up. Fuck. Her uncle is raping her with horses and she’s afraid to tell her mother or anybody because her uncle is going to punish her. I asked how will he punish her and she lifted up her skirt. Renjun, what the fuck do I do?” Donghyuck walks back and forth while explaining and patting the little girl’s back.

Renjun runs his hand through his short hair and his mouth opens up like a fish. He wants to say something, but doesn’t know what to say. Donghyuck is with a little girl who’s somehow getting raped by her uncle? “Why didn’t you tell mum?”

“She told me to stay away from her,”

“And why didn’t you stay away?” Renjun questions. “I’m sure you could’ve,”

Donghyuck pauses in his step. He looks to his hand that’s against Areum’s back. His hand is shaking as he’s patting her. He can feel her heartbeat and just from how fast it’s beating he can tell that she’s scared shitless. She’s scared and she came to him. The mere thought that someone, a little girl, found refuge in confiding in him and crying to him has him feeling responsible. This little girl had no other person to turn to. Not even a teacher…but to him.

“Donghyuck?”

Donghyuck blinks and is surprised by the emotions that overcome him. He continues soothing Areum. “It’s okay Areum, I’ll help you,” He whispers softly in her ear and gently sets her down on the coach. Her small puffy red face is scorched with tears and she’s shaking and hiccupping while holding in her tears. At this point, he completely ignores Renjun when running to the bathroom and coming out with some tissue and a face cloth and what looks like water in a little bucket. Donghyuck squeezes the cloth in the bucket of water before wiping it over the little girl’s face.

Renjun stand in place and in shock. His first instinct wants him to jump to the phone and call the police, but the way the little girl is looking at him and is seemingly trusting Donghyuck makes Renjun reconsider. It’s with a heavy yet reluctant heart that he goes into his mother’s room and finds the decoration teddy bear before moving back to the living room- whereby Donghyuck is now wiping up her legs that are stained with light patches of blood. Renjun sits on the couch waiting on Donghyuck.

Donghyuck’s ears perk up when he hears Renjun state ‘we’. “If you know how to do it, please do it. I can’t bare for her to keep hurting.”

Donghyuck takes notice of Renjun and turns to him. But Renjun lifts up the teddy bear. “Any luck finding out where she's feeling pain?"

"Can't say for sure. But I'm guessing it's her tiny lady part." Donghyuck mumbles squeezing the water from the clothe.

"Since I couldn’t finish my qualification at uni or any college because of my record, I took up online classes. I accidently signed up for art therapy and couldn’t take it back, so I had to learn." Renjun explains. "Point is, in order for child to come clean to you, you need to make them feel comfortable and then you can ask your questions. It seems she's comfortable now. Maybe if we calmly ask her, she’ll be able to tell you the details,”

Renjun nods his head and gets on his knees moving closer to Donghyuck. He tries to smile at the little girl, but she’s so timid and her big eyes pool with tears. He lifts up the teddy bear and starts with the standard child procedure of therapy. Making sure that she sees herself in the teddy bear, asking a few easy questions allows Areum to open up easily, but upon getting to the hard questions- Areum tenses up. “How is she feeling today?”

“Sad,” Areum meekly speaks out looking down and rubbing her eyes again. “Mr Sunshine it hurts,”

“Where does it hurt Areum?” Donghyuck softly asks, and Renjun can almost hear the tears behind his words. “Where does it hurt on the teddy?”

Areum looks back to the teddy bear that Renjun is holding and her face morphs in sadness. She shakes her head, but this time Renjun speaks. “You won’t be in trouble if you help teddy find out where she’s feeling pain,”

Areum taking into consideration of the words, she stares at the teddy bear in Renjun’s hands before her hands raise and she leans forward to press her finger on the lower area of the teddy bear. Donghyuck already had an idea of where it hurt, but he still gets angry when Areum points to where she’s feeling pain. Renjun asks two more questions, of how badly it hurts and also what does she feel down there. However, it’s the next question that has him bugged out.

“Teddy doesn’t like it when uncle Jung eats her out. Teddy doesn’t like it when Uncle Jung plays with the horsey on her. Teddy doesn’t like the new secret toy between Uncle Jung’s legs.”

“Alright,” Renjun nods his head, his whole mind being disgusted by what the little girl has gone through. “Does Teddy-?”

Areum pants and bounces her leg before crying again. “It hurts again.”

“I don’t know what to do,” Donghyuck mutters. “She needs a hospital more than the police right now,”

“How about we call mum?” Renjun asks to which Donghyuck freezes to. One phone call from Renjun gets an immediate response from his mother, who explains that she’s still at the school and will be leaving in 4 hours from now. “No, it’s okay mum. I just wanted to ask you…” Renjun struggles to find the right words before he says them. “A lady question.”

Unsure of where her son is heading with the question, she smugly complies thinking it’s a playful situation. “Hurry up Renji, I’ve a class in a few,”

“So, uh. There’s a girl I know…and she’s kind of having…uhm…” Renjun clears his throat before sharply inhaling and trying to compose himself. “She’s having pains around her genital area. What can I do to digress the pain she’s feeling?” The question is surely odd and gets his mother to pause while her smile depletes from her face. Renjun asks the question again before following Donghyuck who takes Areum to the bathroom.

“Well for starters would you like me to speak to the girl?”

“Mum, it’s kinda complicated, but I need to be the middle man in this situation.” Renjun shifts in discomfort. “I know it’s uncomfortable, but spare me the tough details and just tell me what I need to do to make it less painful…I think she might also have itchiness and sores. It’s tough to tell.”

“We should talk when I get home-”

“No.” Renjun rushes quick in anxiety. “I mean please, she’s crying.” Renjun looks to the little girl’s reddened face.

Hearing his words she has sympathy for the unknown girl, before moving to a secluded area to talk. “Tell her to soak herself in warm water for 10-15 minutes, and after wards she has to pat it dry with a warm cloth. Petroleum jelly usually works to ease redness or itchy ness, but so does ointment cream and even baby oil, but whatever she has shouldn’t be soap- as it can cause an irritating itch to form. As I don’t know the root of this pain, that’s all I can offer- actually, before soaking herself in the water, she needs to use some wipes to clean thoroughly around the area. Tell her to keep the area dry when she’s done it all. I’m sure in some way that’ll help to reduce the pain.”

With the phone on speaker, Renjun moves and trespasses by his mother’s room to fetch some the items such as wet wipes, petroleum jelly and a spare cloth, while Donghyuck prepares the tub and fills it up with warm water. All the while Areum stands from side to side not trying to scratch herself. Upon setting up everything Donghyuck and Renjun walk outside the bathroom door and begin to guide Areum.

“Alright kid, take this and I want you to be careful.” Donghyuck hands her a few wet wipes. “But I want you to use this like a toilet paper, wipe yourself where it’s painful but do it gently. When you’re done knock on the door alright?”

“Okay,” Areum nods his head after closing the door. Areum removes her underwear that was trenched in soft blood and begins wiping on the area. She panics when seeing all the blood. “There’s so much blood,” She whimpers but still tries to use the wipes to clean herself. After cleaning up all the blood she walks over to the door and knocks on it.

“Alright Areum, here’s what you’re going to do now.” Donghyuck speaks in a loud tone so that she can hear from the closed door. “Remove your clothes and carefully get inside the tub of water okay?”

“Okay,” Following his instructions, Areum does as told and carefully gets inside the tub. “The water is too high,” She squeaks when she nearly falls in.

Donghyuck and Renjun’s ears perk causing them to have a short discussion before Donghyuck knocks on the door lightly. “Areum? I’m gonna enter with a towel, okay. I’m not gonna look at you, so don’t worry.” Donghyuck enters the bathroom with the towel high up so that he can only look at the floor. However, he holds in his discomfort when seeing her underwear with blood patches. He grunts but still moves forward to the sink and with one hand he sinks his hand in until it pulls out the stopper allowing the water to swarm out. “Tell me when it’s okay, you should be able to sit down,”

Areum stands inside the basin as the water still circles around her stomach. It slowly sets and when Areum begins to sit down cautiously she yells for him to stop. “Stop. It’s fine now,”

“Good, the waters not too hot right?” Donghyuck asks and she hums. He stops the stopper again, before backing up. “Alright Areum, when you’re done use this towel to wipe yourself and then call us, okay?”

“Okay-”

Picking up the underwear, Donghyuck leaves the bathroom going to the kitchen where Renjun is, making a sandwich. “She has to stay in there for 15 minutes. Is she okay?”

“I hope so,” Donghyuck mumbles. “Uh,” He looks at the underwear. “I’m gonna wash this.”

“Why don’t you pop it in the machine, it can wash and dry.” Renjun says before moving over to Donghyuck and stretching his hand. “Let me do it,”

“Thanks,” Donghyuck carefully hands the undergarment so that neither of them are touching the blood. He begins to operate the machine and puts in the underwear.

“I’m also making a little sandwich for her,” Renjun washes his hands and gets a tomato out the fridge.

“She doesn’t like tomatoes, so don’t add that inside,”

Renjun, who’s about to cut in the tomato, quickly nods his head and begins adding cheese instead. “She must be those picky little children that mum talks about.” He mumbles.

Donghyuck chuckles lightly, a smile lingers on his lips and his eyes stare at his hands thinking of the day he started avoiding her because his mum said so. No matter what, she still looked for him and asked if he was okay. Even though he kept himself occupied, she was worried for him. “I wouldn’t say she’s picky. She’s actually really genuine and kind. Especially since she goes to a top kindergarten with snotty bratty children- her character feels developed. She likes helping those around her- and can I just say she’s clever. Whether it’s by sitting with someone who always sits alone, or making those around her laugh, heck she even goes out her way to help me clean after school. She’s witty for her age and has terrible puns but they always make me laugh…or even smile. I don’t know. It sounds fucking lunatic but she reminds me of myself. Not that I’m good at making people laugh or that I’m genuine, but I used to be like that. In the sense that, you give yourself to others so much that you don’t care if they hurt you or not. You just wanna make sure they’re happy.” He looks down thinking how sadly his environment and father changed him. “Lucky for her she’s in a good home. A bad home can fuck up her morals. Fuck…can you just imagine the trauma she’ll go through because of her uncle? I even found myself praying for her.”

Renjun, listening to everything Donghyuck says, doesn’t fail to notice how Donghyuck’s emotions are being responsive to what he’s saying. Normally Donghyuck was closed off or one sided and not that interested. But speaking about this little girl has him smiling and thinking deeply. Renjun isn’t blind. He knows someway, somehow, Donghyuck wasn’t the same anymore. He started changing himself and it’s evident in the way he speaks. So as he continues making the sandwich he speaks up. “Want one? You did say you were hungry,”

Donghyuck gets his head out of his hands clearing his throat. “If it’s not trouble.”

Renjun nods his head. As he’s making the sandwich for Donghyuck he speaks up. “My past family…the one in China, were kinda wealthy. Wealthy with riches, but not wealthy with love. They were an arranged couple and hated each other. I was made, with the sole purpose of being a heirloom and legacy so that our family name wouldn’t die. I can’t remember what happened all too well but, my mother didn’t really want me. I was an only child but was treated like shit every day.”

He places the plate of sandwiches on Donghyuck’s table as he continues.

“I can’t remember half the things that happened in that house but they were never happy memories anyway. Majority of my child was spent with me resenting my own existence. I turned 15 on March and my family that day decided that traveling for my birthday would bring us all together. I was a bit scared, but I trusted their words… I didn’t want to disobey them so I tried to be happy that day. We landed in Korea and they got me cake, balloons, big toys- everything was perfect and it made me really happy. So you can imagine my shock when it’s late at night and we drive to an unknown neighborhood and they told me to get out. They drove away, and I didn’t even chase them. I just stood there in silence as if I had already known that they’d do this to me... I don’t know why, but I didn’t cry. I just stood there in the dark watching people pass. Some kids stole my toys and balloons but I didn’t even cry. I think I stayed on that street for 3 days before I was approached by mum.”

Donghyuck, hearing this story for the first time is struck with revelation. He even feels guilty all over again, the same way he felt guilty when he went to jail for dragging Renjun down with him.

“Your mum, despite not having anything simply said that she saw me standing outside her house for some days and wondered if I was lost. I was still in limbo and basically didn’t answer her. But regardless of it, she took me in and from that day on I’ve been amazed at how better I’ve been treated by someone who was of lower ranks then my past parents who were high rankers. You were in prison for that period, so I grew up with your mum. She was welcoming…always made sure that I ate well and slept well. And when I had bad dreams, she’d comfort me. I never knew what it’s like to receive so much love, so I was in awe of it all. Her goodness, her kindness, her light that radiated through her sickeness…you know what’s funny, she didn’t even tell me to call her mum, it came out naturally. And because it came out naturally, I wanted to stay with her forever. She became my mum and whereas back then when I felt rejected and lonely, because of her I began feeling cared for and loved. Even when you came out of prison and saw me for the first time. I was happy to be your brother…but,”

For some reason, when Renjun looks up to Donghyuck’s eyes they both let out a little laugh upon the memory of Donghyuck being confused by the new so called addition to their family. “I was a dick.”

“You were, but I was just happy to have a brother honestly. I thought it was a normal thing for siblings. I guess I looked up to you because mum always spoke highly of you. And when I looked passed your anger issues, I saw that everything she had said about you was true. You’ve got a big heart and you care so much…you just chose to show it in different ways and because of what you’ve gone through, it’s been buried in anger and resentment. Despite being bitter at you, I realized how much you cared for me and mum. I know I said a lot of things but the fact that you really wanted to leave our lives so that we could be better made me feel bad. Because you also deserved to be part of our family…you’re already a part of it and I don’t want to lose an older brother like you.” Renjun scratches the back of his neck. “Anyway, back to what you said about a bad home fucking up morals. It’s true to some degree, and that’s why if you care enough for this child, you won’t allow her to endure by herself anymore. I realized, that it’s better to forgive you then be angry at you for your mistakes. As my brother, you’ve considered me through thick and thin…and even when I was being a moody you were somehow still kind to me. So, I just wanted to say I’m sorry Donghyuck-”

Donghyuck shakes his head. “It’s me that should be apologizing. I don’t express it much but your Chinese ass always makes me feel like I’m needed. Needed to show you the right things and not drag you down. I’ve been a bad brother, and I’m sorry bro. For dragging you down into my corrupt lifestyle. The day you went to prison for the first time broke me down so much because I failed to protect you…and that made me feel like I failed to protect mum. So, please forgive me,”

Renjun looks down at Donghyuck’s hand and brings his own hand up to shake on it. The bro handshake alone brings both of them to a place of relief. Weight is being removed from their shoulders and peace is entering in them. “I forgive you,”

“Why’d you cut your hair?” Donghyuck finds himself asking. “Even when you’re smiling you still look so mean,”

Renjun laughs and nods his head. “I learnt from you. To be dangerous you should look dangerous. And that’s what I did.”

“I fucked you up already,” Donghyuck snickers. As they sit around the table and engage in a light conversation before the alarm on Renjun’s phone rings. Once again standing by the door, they direct Areum in the next steps of patting gently with the cloth on her private area before using the towel to wipe everywhere and finally applying the petroleum jelly all over her lower half. Telling her to wait for a couple of minutes by walking up and down, Donghyuck tells her to put on her dress.

“Alright Areum, how are you feeling? Good or bad?”

“Better,” She answers before opening the door and looking up to Donghyuck.

“I’m happy you’re better.” Donghyuck squats down patting her head. “But I want you to promise me something, to not get upset when I tell somebody. Uncle Jung did this to you right?”

“He didn’t hurt me-” She blabbers but stops herself when her eyes get watery. Donghyuck feels his heart ache, but he still tries to smile to her.

“You don’t have to lie for him. When someone hurts you, you make sure they don’t break you,” Donghyuck says looking in between her nervous eyes. “You’re a beautiful and smart girl Areum, I promise you, everything will be alright and he won’t hurt you anymore. I want you to be happy and not worry about your uncle. So no more fuck. No more playing games with him. Or riding the horsey, okay?” Areum regardless of the tears pooling over her eyes she nods her head. Donghyuck places both his hands gently on her face and wipes the tears away, before he finds himself picking her up while she wraps her arms and legs on him. He hugs her so tight that it makes her cry silently.

Poor little girl. Renjun thinks to himself as he watches from the side. Donghyuck hands Areum half of the sandwich Renjun made, allowing her to eat while he carries her. She begins to fall asleep as Donghyuck pats her back in a calm way while he hums out softly. Renjun watching it all gets side tracked when his phone rings and he sees it’s his mum calling. “Yes mum-”

“What the hell Renjun?!” She shrieks. “Are you kidding me?”

“Mum?” Renjun furrows his brows being worried by the way his mum is breathing and whispering yet shouting. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s too much of a coincidence to ignore but you know what, I can’t jump to conclusions.” She panics to herself more than him before she blurts out in a hushed whisper. “Is Donghyuck at home?”

Renjun nods his head and then answers. “Yes.”

“Oh my god,” His mother panics. “This girl with pain on her genital, how is she feeling?”

“Uh…” Renjun looks to a sleepy Areum on Donghyuck’s shoulder.

“Renjun be honest with me right now. Is there a little girl in our house, by the name of Areum?” His mother strains out, alarming Renjun. “Does this girl with the pain on her private area happen to be Areum? Answer me Renjun.” She sternly pressures.

“Mum before you freak out, listen-”

“Oh my god. What the hell Renjun? Tell Donghyuck to bring her back immediately! She’s been missing for the student parent meeting and her guardian is about to press charges on the school. Tell Donghyuck to bring her back now!”

“Donghyuck-” Renjun quickly gets up and hurries to Donghyuck. “You need to take her back to the school-”

Renjun doesn’t even need to finish to know that something went wrong. “Shit, it’s only 12.”

“I’ll order an uber-” Renjun is quick in grabbing his phone while searching through his wallet. Donghyuck is already opening the door and going out- with Renjun behind him. Thankfully the uber Renjun calls is already downstairs by the time they both scramble out the building. Renjun spots the black vehicle and directs Donghyuck. Once paying for the ride already by the door, he wishes Donghyuck luck. Once the car is out of sight, Renjun can only hope that Donghyuck won’t get punished. They just forgave each other for crying out loud- they can’t take him away… They won’t take him away if Donghyuck plays his cards correctly and explains the situation.

While it’s a 30 minute drive from Donghyuck’s mother’s home to the school, from Yezi’s hospital to the school is an hour’s drive. And as soon as she gets the message from Jaehyun that Areum’s not at school her heart busts with fear.

10 minutes before.

Quietly opening the door, Dae is surprised by the pairs of shoes all around the door. Jeno was supposed to be in bed or rather trying to rest up- however upon seeing the shoes Dae is confused of why people would be over when he was sick.

"Honey bits I'm home!" She calls out removing her shoes by the door. She heads first into the kitchen to leave the groceries. "Sugar plump?"

"Hey babe," Jeno enters the kitchen, his infamous eye smile greeting her while he walks closer embracing her in a hug, which she smiles and sinks into. Being in his arms always felt blissful. "Uh…” He runs his hands over his hair once they break apart before holding onto her hands with his own shaky hands. “I…" He whispers. "Some people are here. Please just hear them out, please? I'm right here okay? I promise I won't let go of your hand. Nothing's gonna happen to you because you're going to be holding my hand,"

"Sure," Dae nods her head squeezing his hand unsurely.

"Let's go," He says and pulls her hand gently.

"Is it my dad? Who’s here and why do you look so worried?" Following behind Jeno to the living room, Dae is greeted with two standing offers who bow their heads.

"Oh, hi," Dae is highly shocked when seeing both the officers; Jisung and Jaemin.

"Miss Dae, how're you doing?" Jisung greets.

"I-I'm good Officer," Dae smiles humbly bowing as he returns the bowing. "How have you been?"

"Good." He answers simply, just as Jaemin bows his head.

“Miss Dae,”

“Hi Officer Na,” Dae nervously greets. “Uh, I hope all is well Officer,"

He smiles simply and nods his head. “All is well,”

“Uh, so what brings you here?" She politely tries to bring up. “Were you waiting long? Would you like me to make some tea?”

“It’s alright,” Jaemin states. “We were actually waiting for you,”

“Oh, I hope I'm not in trouble. I pay my taxes,” She jokes lightly making the guys politely laugh. “Then I hate to be rude but…is everything alright?”

“Why don’t we sit down?” Jeno says and she looks up to him with anxious eyes. Sitting down beside him, she’s aware of another person in the room… particularly on a wheelchair. A shiver runs up her spine causing her entire body to stiffen.

Although she's calm on the outside, Jeno can tell she's panicked because she holds his hand tighter. “Dae, uh… Remember that day when I told you that my brother was in the hospital? Because he got stabbed,”

"I take it his injury is pretty bad. But, why did you bring him here?" Her voice unintentionally quivers. “Officer-”

"Dae," Jeno calls but she’s hyperventilating causing him to hold onto both her hands. “Dae listen to me-”

“Jeno- I can’t…”

"Babe he’s helpless-"

"I’m helpless right now- How could you bring him here to our home-"

Mark’s dark hostile eyes peer up at Jeno when both his hands leave her own and go over her head. He brings Dae’s head close to his while her hands hold onto his wrists and she shakes her head. Mark can’t take his off his brother. Surely this was his brother, but with the way he is with this girl makes him look so different.

“I promise everything nothing’s gonna happen. He’s on a wheelchair and he can’t hurt you,” Jeno whispers to Dae. “Just breath and calm down please,”

Dae being reluctant feels her eyes watering but she holds herself back and nods her head. Dae takes a few minutes to regain her composure as she tries to breath in and out. Looking up, the first person her eyes go to is Mark, but she can only shiver when his eyes are already on hers.

“Dramatic-”

"Mark." Jisung warns Mark from talking any further before focusing back on the couple. "Miss Dae, I’m not sure how much Mr Lee Jeno here has told you, but this is concerning Lee Mark. Mark was released from prison a months weeks ago and has been adhering to living honestly. However, he unfortunately got himself caught up in a brawl and his opponent drew a knife and stabbed him in the back literally. As his Probation Officer, seeing his state, the court saw it fit for him to be taken care of by his family. As he's got no other family but Jeno, we ask your cooperation in-”

Dae can only shake her head. "Even if Jeno’s the only family left, they can't force him to stay with him. There are many other places to take him in, not here,"

"I already signed the paper's in his name," This time Officer Na says.

"Why?" Dae stresses but Jeno holds her hand.

“Because I agreed,” He states. He tries looking at her to see her reaction, but her eyes are closed as her body lightly trembles. Her silence scares him. Jeno speaks up noticing Dae going into retreat and trying to let go of his hand. "For how long is he here?" But Jeno holds tighter onto her hand.

"A period of 6 months," Jaemin answers.

"6-" Dae is blown out of her mind with shock. She abruptly gets up forcing her hand out of Jeno's hand. "I'm not- I can't- just give a moment."

She storms out of the living room yet halts when hearing a low voice. Not turning her head back, she holds onto her face feeling her tears threatening to spill. "Hey, Dae right?" Mark's eyes peek up to Jeno who nods his head. "Look, it was not my intention to get involved that night and get stabbed and being forced to live with my brother. I don't want to be here. If you don’t want me here I’ll go. Your anger towards me is rational and I deserve it. But if this is the last time I’ll see you I just want to apologize for what I did to you. Seeing how happy you makes my brother gives me the assurance that he doesn’t need me. So I’m sorry for everything. I’m not blaming the drugs, but I was aware of what I did to you. Shit got out of hand, and I violated you. I’m sorry-”

She leaves the living room not staying around to hear him. She didn’t want to hear him- but somehow him amplifying his voice apologizing has her in tears. The vague memory of having him take advantage of her body has her shivering.

Feeling warm hands around her body she stiffens for a little bit before sinking into the familiar scent of Jeno. “If you’re not comfortable with him here, I’ll tell them to go. Should I tell them to go?”

Dae silently stays in his grasp not letting him go. He’s the brother to a guy who violated her against her will. The fact that Jeno, her lover will let his brother go because of her makes her feel some type of way. Especially since he apologized to her.

They’re chat is interrupted when Jaemin budges past looking alarmed. “Yezi calm down- I’ll be there right now. I’m coming to get you- Shit.” Jaemin stares at the phone and instantly gets his eyes on Jeno. “Can you open the door for me, I need to go.”

“Was that Yezi on the phone?” Dae asks in confusion get her arms off Jeno. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“It seems like she’s walking to the school from her workplace. I need to go and pick her up and at least get her to the school,” Jaemin explains while Jeno opens up the door and gates for him.

As soon as Jaemin is out of sight and Jeno begins closing the gate and door Dae speaks up. “Do you want him to stay here?”

His eyes perk up by her words and he sighs while moving close to her. Looking down to her, he has a view of how nervous she looks. It's almost as if she's scared. He knows that she is - after all, she doesn't look up to him the way she mostly does with assurance that he'll keep her safe. And he doesn't want her to lose faith in him, that he can keep her safe. But at the same time, Mark is his brother. And hearing about his condition made him wonder how exactly his brother got hurt. The brother he knew killed anybody who even tried to hurt him. But seeing him in his living room looking defeated has him feeling worried. At first, he didn't want for his brother to stay…but seeing him in a wheelchair knocked his heart down. "I know he's my brother, but he hurt you-"

"Baby, look," Dae places her hand underneath his cheek. "He's your family, and I shouldn't be dramatic about it. You came to see my family and they gave you a chance, I think it's only fair to give him a chance. It's up to you,"

Jeno can only look away from her for a moment. But then he realizes she isn't really trying to get his attention. She's trying to talk to him because she wants to comfort him, and Jeno knows he owes her an answer. Looking back into her eyes, his heart skips a beat feeling nervous. "I promise that I won't let him hurt you again,"

Dae nods her head. Although she doesn't say it out loud, she has a feeling that Mark won't hurt her again. If he was able to save her that night she took a walk and was nearly killed, and if he was also able to apologize and admit that he would leave, just gave her the reassurance that he wouldn't do anything to her.

“You can continue Officer,” Jeno returns back to his seat holding Dae’s hand. Mark looks at their hands clasped before looking to the ground.

“I told the Officer I’m good on my own.” Mark says. “So sorry for wasting your time. We’ll also be going.”

“He can stay,” Dae meekly speaks. Getting his attention, Mark freezes as he places his hands on the rollers of his wheel chair. He looks up to Jeno first before at Dae. She timidly looks down and breaths in deeply. “You can stay,”

“I’m good. I’ll go.”

6 months is a lot, but Jeno clears his throat. “Come on Mark, please stay. I can’t let you go out there on your own. Let me take care of you,”

“You’ll bitch about it-”

“I won’t bitch about it, please bro.” Jeno pleads.

In response, Mark places his hands back on his lap and shrugs his shoulders silently waiting for the officer to continue. As Jisung begins to further into the types of medication Mark needs and the types of exercises he should do, Donghyuck in the car with Areum (who is now awake) tells jokes to cheer up.

“What did the ocean say to the sand?” Donghyuck starts making Areum smile expectantly. “Nothing, it just kept waving,”

Hearing Areum laugh sets his mood a bit lighter, hoping that when he gets to the school he can be calm and deal with any problem in a tone that’s not angered. So when the driver stops by the kindergarten and Donghyuck heads out the car with Areum - he is greeted by his mother who has a stone poker face. “In the Principal’s office. Now.” She takes a hold of Areum’s hand and they begin to walk inside the building.

Areum is nervous upon getting to the office and seeing Uncle Jung. “Thank goodness you’re safe,” Jaehyun breathes out. He gets up from his seat moving towards Areum but she stiffly moves back and away from Donghyuck’s mother’s hand and attempts to run out.

However she bumps onto a pair of legs. Gazing up and Donghyuck’s face, she hides behind him holding onto his legs tightly.

Not only is the principal surprised, but also Donghyuck’s mother. Jaehyun immediately understands the situation when seeing Donghyuck’s face. He scoffs out pinching his nose before turning to Areum. “Areum come here,” She hesitantly shakes her head, holding tighter onto Donghyuck’s legs. Donghyuck has his hand over her head. “Mummy said I should pick you up since you weren’t feeling so well today. Come,”

“I think it would be best if her mummy came to pick her up herself,” Donghyuck speaks up, not once looking away from Jaehyun’s frame.

Jaehyun peers at Donghyuck with violent eyes. “I am her guardian-”

“You sexually violated her.”

His mother abruptly calls on his name. “Donghyuck-”

“I don’t care who you are.” Donghyuck continues nonetheless.

“Sexually violated?" Jaehyun scoffs. “What are you insinuating?”

“She’s not leaving until her mother comes.”

“She’s on her way as we speak. So I think it’s best we don’t cause any trouble. I’m willing to look past the fact that Areum disappeared and hasn’t attended her classes.” Jaehyun states. “As long as Areum’s safe, we don’t have to involve her mother.”

“She’s not safe with you.” Donghyuck retorts.

An awkward laugh from the principal only gets the attention of Donghyuck’s mother, as both the other males are having a deadly stare down. “Mr Jung, please do understand this is our new recruit janitor. He’s not quit familiar with-”

“So you’re okay with this janitor kidnaping my child-”

“She’s not your child and I didn’t kidnap her. She came to me.”

The principal clears his throat. “Mr Lee, we’ve had no disagreements or troubles with you up till now. Please leave the child alone.”

“Donghyuck let her go.” His mother speaks up.

“You’re acting as if I’ve got her hostage.” Donghyuck mumbles and folds his arms. “She’s clearly clinging onto me because she doesn’t want to go to her so called guardian.”

“Areum dear. Please go to your guardian-”

Jaehyun cuts the principal off and aims his speech to Areum. “Areum you’ve been a bad girl today. If you don’t want to be punished, you’ll come to me right now.”

Areum standing behind Donghyuck has fear gripping onto her entire being. She trembles when turning her head away from him. Seeing this, Jaehyun stands up right and peers into Donghyuck’s eyes. Donghyuck is trying desperately hard to control himself, especially feeling how urgently she clings onto him. “I told you she’s not going anywhere until her mother comes.”

“Areum. Do you think he’s going to protect you from when you get home?” Jaehyun asks.

“You are not going to touch her.” Donghyuck instructs.

“You have no say in this janitor. And for the record I’ll punish her more because of you.” Jaehyun seethes through his teeth. “Areum come here now!”

Areum jumps in fear and instantly squanders over to Jaehyun keeping her teary eyes tethered to the ground. Donghyuck can only watch in anger when seeing Areum meekly approach her ‘uncle’.

“It seems like you were a bad girl today,” Jaehyun speaks to Areum when he squats down and pats her head trying to get her to look up to him. When looking into her teary eyes he looks up to Donghyuck. “You made her cry.” Jaehyun stands up. “Thank you Principal, we’ll be going,”

“No problem Mr Jung.” The principal bows his head maintaining a professional smile.

As soon as Jaehyun gets to the door Donghyuck refuses to move. “You’re not going anywhere until her mother comes.”

Jaehyun’s tongue pokes the sides of his mouth. “And I told you that I’m willing to let this whole mess slide. Move.”

“No.”

“Fine. If you don’t want to move, I’ll make you move,” With that Jaehyun omits a fierce backhand against Donghyuck’s face. Donghyuck’s face strikes to the left in pain. He blinks the dizziness away panting out. He was hoping not to get into a fight but after hearing Jaehyun’s next words, he’s not so sure that he can hold himself back. “I’m gonna have fun punishing her today.”

Balling his fist Donghyuck lunges to Jaehyun punching him. Jaehyun springs backwards as Donghyuck furiously tackles him to the ground rapidly landing a rough rock hard solid punch over his cheek. Blood bursts out of Jaehyun’s mouth as Donghyuck lands another aggressive punch on the other side of his face. Being dizzy by the impact Jaehyun lays motionless panting out while Donghyuck grabs his collar looking at him in the eyes. “You’re not going to touch her again!”

Donghyuck hurls out his fist tightly when hearing Jaehyun laugh. “What did she tell you? Was it the horsey that got you-” Donghyuck punches him again trying to shut him up.

Jaehyun grates his teeth tightly when seeing Officer Na drag Donghyuck by force in a headlock hastily getting him off. “What the hell is going on here?” The Officer enquires.

“Jaehyun!” Yezi pounces in worry and heads to Jaehyun’s side. Seeing his bruised face, she clips her hair up before helping him out . “Oh my god what happened?”

“That fucking janitor took Areum to god knows where and did god knows what to her,” Jaehyun grunts when Yezi helps him onto a chair. She heatedly turns her head back after hearing Jaehyun’s wanting to give the ‘janitor’ a piece of her mind. Her eyes enlarge just as her whole body turns to face the janitor fully. With her mouth slightly parting, she watches how Jaemin tries to tame him. But Donghyuck tries to get out of the headlock bustling with anger.

“Officer Na I did nothing wrong this time! He’s the one you should be cuffing!”

Never ever would she be able to forget his boiling voice, the same man who broke into their home, the same man who had his way with both her and her sister, the same man who raped her, the same man who inflicted such fear upon her, that same man who wouldn’t stop beating up everyone and who at least punched or slapped everyone at least once. She’d never ever forget that man with anger issues who unveiled her and made her feel nothing but insecure.

She attempts another slap but Jaemin is quick to holding onto her hand. “You’ve got it all wrong-” Donghyuck’s eyes burst open when hearing her words, he tries to move his hands to explain but when seeing their in cuffs he points to Jaehyun. “I’m a janitor here in the school and-”

Seeing him manhandled by Jaemin while a familiar motherly figure tries to speak has her seething with anger. Seeing Areum being trapped behind Donghyuck’s mother, Jaemin and Donghyuck has her consumed with rage. She stomps to them and upon getting a clear view of him her hand swings back and she slaps him. Donghyuck being smacked rapidly turns his eyes towards the culprit. In an instant his eyes are frozen on Yezi with confusion. “How dare you touch my daughter!?” Another slap from her has Jaemin letting of a frozen Donghyuck while he attends to Yezi.

She grabs onto Areum’s hand and pulls her away from them and next to her. "You took my daughter to your house?" She slaps his again.

Jaemin tried to hold Yezi to stop her from hitting Donghyuck. Surely Jaemin already understood the situation, and is conflicted on who the real culprit is. But hearing Donghyuck blame the 'uncle', he knows it's a truth that Yezi isn't about to listen to.

Donghyuck is equally stunned when seeing Yezi. He never forgot her face and seeing Areum rush to her hugging onto her legs has him confused. Was Areum… her daughter? "Is she your daughter?"

“Did you touch my daughter?” Yezi breathes out, her body absorbed in rage. “How dare you-”

“Janitor?” Yezi shakes her head in confusion and looks to the principal. “This man is a janitor here in this school? Do you even know who he is?” The principal tries to speak but Yezi cuts him off. “He is a convict who went to jail for rape!”

“Listen to me.” Donghyuck stresses. “Your daughter-”

“Don’t you dare talk about my daughter!” Yezi sends another sharp slap across his cheek turning it red and causing Jaemin to hold onto her-

“Get your hands off me-” Jaemin let’s her go keeping his head down from her sharp stare. “Did you know he works here?”

“I’m not his parole officer-”

“Why is he out of jail!? He went to jail for raping me and now he’s free-”

Donghyuck steps in trying to speak in a calm tone. “That was a fucking long time ago but you need to listen to me or else Areum will-”

“Don’t you even dare say her name-” She tries to go in for another slap but this time Donghyuck grips her hand tight.

“That fucking uncle is raping your own daughter!”

“Shut up.” Her hand swings back and she gives him a tight back hand slap her eyes watering. “Shut the hell up. I can’t even stand to look at you right now. You’re a rapist, you don’t think that’s something the school should’ve known about?”

Donghyuck is bent over breathing out. Looking up into Yezi’s eyes he touches his own cheek that has a cut and is bleeding before noticing Areum crying and standing behind him. He stands up again and inhales sharply. “I’m tired of this back and forth. Don’t you care about your daughter-”

“Stop mentioning my daughter! Not only did you take her out of school and to god knows where- but the fact that she’s been feeling pain labia only proves to me that you did something to my daughter?”

“It’s not about what I did! For fucks sake did you even question that uncle-”

“Baby don’t listen to him-” Jaehyun tries to steal Yezi'd attention.

Donghyuck bursts out again in fury. “I only kept her from that freaking uncle who keeps playing 'fuck' with her! Did you know that he raped her and he’s been-”

She’s quick in slapping him and grabbing his shirt having so much adrenaline. “Let me ask you a question- did you or did you not go to jail for rape?”

“Did what I say fly through your head-”

“Did you go to jail?

“Fuck- this isn't about me right now-”

Donghyuck stares at her being absolutely shocked at her being one minded. “Yes but-”

“Did you go to jail for rape?”

"For fucks sake can't you hear me-"

"Did you-" Yezi's eyes refuse to leave his wide eyes. "Go to jail for rape?"

“That’s all I need to know.”

“You don’t know anything.” Donghyuck’s hands in cuffs grabs onto both her hands and gives her one violent shake. “If you think I have anything with your fucking daughters labia you’re wrong- you should be looking at that uncle who keeps raping her. I took her out of school because of him and what he did to her-” Yezi who struggles to get her hands out tries to hit him but he speaks up. “And if you keep hitting me you’ll make Areum cry.”

Hearing Areum’s name, Yezi stops hyperventilating hearing Areum crying. Looking back and forth between Donghyuck’s eyes Yezi sharply inhales when noticing his features. Although Areum looked a little bit like Dae- Areum surely had his eyes. Seeing his eyes angry and feeling his force on her causes her to tear up. Turning back and away from him she doesn’t see Areum by Jaehyun or even Jaemin but instead she’s behind Donghyuck holding onto his leg. Pushing herself off him she looks down to Areum who keeps on crying.

“Areum sweety come here,” Yezi hates seeing her daughter in tears and behind the man who allegedly raped her.

Looking up to her mother Areum walks over to her mum and Yezi picks her up holding onto her tightly as Areum breaks down and cries louder. She cools her down and beads her eyes to the principal. “For hiring this rapist I’m going to press charges and sue this school-”

“Ma’am please-” This time Donghyuck's mother tries to intervene. If what Donghyuck was saying is true, then it meant Areum was in serious pain.

“Your son is a rapist and if you can still stand there and be proud of him or even defend him then you’ve got bad luck on your shoulders.”

Donghyuck pokes his cheek before glaring back at Yezi just as his mother shakes her head. “Don’t you dare talk to my mother like that when you can’t even look after your child, and see that she was raped-”

“My daughter doesn’t concern you!" Yezi fights the urge to slap him when having Areum on her shoulder. "She never will. Jaemin I’m going with Jaehyun. Please.” She faces Jaemin who has a stern face. “He shouldn’t be free at all. Jaehyun.”

“Mummy he didn’t do anything-” Her eyes blur when hearing Areum whisper in her ear.

“God you’re a filthy human being.” Yezi’s looks to Donghyuck who has his head down. “I hope you rot in that jail cell.”

Just as they leave, Jaehyun walks past Donghyuck giving him a dirty look. “I guess I should’ve known, that once a rapist always a rapist. You probably had your own taste of her-”

Donghyuck bucks again but instantly Jaemin holds onto him. “Donghyuck calm down.”

The principal speaks up. “Mr Lee you’re fired.” He states and looks to his mother. “I need a word with you Mrs Lee. Officer you may leave.”

20h00

Yezi looks up when hearing a knock on her door. Chenle walks in the room quietly noticing Areum sleeping in her mother’s arms. He takes a seat next to Yezi on the bed looking down at her. “Heard from Jaemin what happened.”

Yezi’s mouth goes stiff just as her eyes sadly look down.

“He said that the convict mentioned Areum bleeding from in between her legs. They did an examination on Areum and...” Chenle starts lowly. “The results came back with Jaehyun's clots of DNA. How did that convict know before you?”

He sighs out before kissing Yezi on her forehead. “It’s not your fault,” He whispers out to her.

Yezi pouts her lips being saddened. Upon getting home from the hospital, Yezi put Areum on the spot and when Areum began speaking Yezi felt her heart aching as his broke. From Areum speaking of the types of games that she’d play with Jaehyun to her hearing about how ‘Mr Sunshine’ took her to his place and helped cleaned her up only made Yezi overwhelmed with feeling like a failure. “My boyfriend put his dick into my daughter and I didn’t even know. She told that convict because she was afraid to tell me.” Her voice fades into shame as she sinks her head down trying to hush herself. Chenle gets on the bed and positions himself next to her so that he can hold onto her as she’s crying.

“Then whose fault is it?” She whispers.

“Yezi. Things just happen to remind us of the world we're in and it's types of people.”

“I thought I was doing everything right,” Yezi sniffs. “Why is it so hard protecting her?”

Yezi lays her head on her dad’s shoulder listening to him and reflecting. He rubs her shoulder. “The fact that Jaehyun, a well respected figure could do that to child shows you that you can't trust everyone. You did your part in raising Areum, but unfortunately she's now a part of this sick world.”

Chenle hums soothingly rubbing his hand on her arm. In a slow and quiet voice, he whispers in Yezi’s ear. “That’s what I asked myself the first time you and Dae were born.” Chenle recalls with a little smile. “The answer I got, is just to do everything the best way I can. Areum has just been hurt psychologically, physically and even mentally,”

Areum shifts in her mum’s arms causing both their eyes to land on her.

“What happened to Areum needs to open your eyes to allow you to step up in your responsibility as her parent. Right now, Areum needs you to not be a nurse for others, but to be a nursing mother for her, you’ve got your mum and I behind you every step of the way.” Chenle advices. “Another thing, you shouldn’t sue the school or the janitor, you should give blame to the rightful person and take legal actions against him. No man who hurts my daughters has the right live comfortably.”

Yezi sighs and repositions Areum in her arms so that she can hold her tighter. “It’s the fact that the person who raped me, knew before me, that my daughter was being hurt. And he stepped up in that responsibility as a stranger who helped a little girl. Areum called him Mr Sunshine. He raped me but to her he’s Mr Sunshine. Dad,”

“I can’t say much about him, only that perhaps the prison life this time around woke him up,”

After allowing Mark to stay with them, Dae thought that Jeno would take care of his brother and wouldn’t involve her. But then it became personal for her when Mark was being mean to Jeno (by refusing to do anything). It’s not till she stepped in and assisted Jeno that Mark reluctantly gave in. First it was already a hand full to accept Mark and help him out as a sick patient, but for some reason, she also had to create extra space on her dinner table for Donghyuck.

It was odd to be seated with all the criminals that broke into her home. It felt therapeutic in a way. But Dae was uncomfortable.

When he arrived, he immediately wanted to leave after seeing Dae. But Jeno told him to stay and surprisingly Dae too was kind (looking like she was held gunpoint) enough to allow him to have a seat on her supper table. Jaemin explained the situation over the phone and Mark asked Jeno if Donghyuck could come over. Just for one night. When telling Dae... Hearing what went down at the school both Dae and Jeno were in shock, but didn’t turn Donghyuck away.

She expected everything to be discreet and abnormal, yet when Jeno and his brother tried to lighten up the mood of the table she tried to cooperate. Donghyuck found it particularly unusual to sit and eat on the same table with Dae, however being seated with Mark and Jeno allowed him to be respectful as he saw they were being polite throughout everything.

“You cook well,” Mark says modestly trying not to appear unbearable. “You’re out of Jeno's league,”

Dae simply nods her head meekly eating her food.

“Mark,” Jeno runs his hand through his hair. “Can you just eat,”

“Hmm, I'm just complementing her food. I should’ve known why you changed for her. It wasn't her pussy, it was her food." Dae stiffens up and stares at Jeno. Mark however tries to calm the atmosphere looking at Dae. "I didn't mean it in a sexual way, more that my brother has always been the pegging type,” Mark breaths out, causing Donghyuck to snicker.

“What’s pegging?” Dae asks curiously looking to Jeno who rolls his eyes.

“It means he likes getting his ass eaten out-”

“Baby don't even listen to him. I don't like getting my ass eaten out. It means that I prefer you taking control over me,” Jeno immediately cuts, feeling his cheeks getting warm making Dae uncomfortably smile. Was this a normal type of conversation for people like them?

They continue to eat in silence with Mark and Jeno talking, while Donghyuck and Dae kept silent. It wasn't awkward but it surely was uncomfortable for Dae.

“So pegging... that's interesting.” Dae shifts uncomfortably in her seat, letting out a forced laugh. "Is this a normal conversation we should be having when eating?"

Mark laughs at that. "Oh babygirl you've got a lot to learn about your 'boyfriend'. How'd you guys meet? I mean after he got released?"

Jeno sees Mark's attempt to soften the barrier or even break the ice. He also sees Dae's reluctant will to comply in being bearable. "Well your brother saved my life. I got in a car accident and he helped me."

Mark nods his head. There's just something about being sober and looking at her that has him feeling some type of way. Guilty? Just looking at her... She had a soul, and the fact that she even considered her brother makes him wonder... Why? How?... Why? "I really am sorry."

"Mark." Jeno warns, but Dae sitting next to Mark actually smiles lightly.

"Jeno, just eat. It's fine." She says softly. She feels red in the face but doesn't peek at Mark.

“Wow, the food is really good. I haven’t eaten a meal like this in forever.” Mark modestly speaks after slurping the last bits of his food.

Dae simply smiles being happy about being complimented about her cooking. She can’t imagine the type of background they all come from. “I’m glad you’re enjoying the food. Do you want another bowl?”

“Yeah I’m starving,” Mark chuckles lowly.

“I’ll get it for him,” Jeno pats her back and picks up Mark’s dish. “At this rate you’ll eat all the food. Have some self control man.”

“It’s okay.” Dae finds herself speaking while taking the plate away from Jeno and dishing up for Mark. “He can eat as much as he wants,” He looks malnourished. Is what Dae says in her mind.

Everyone deserved a good home, food, clothing and warmth and love. When she took away the fact that Mark was a criminal and allowed him to be free, she began to see a different person in him. And although it was bothersome at some point, knowing that he lacked a lot of means to life made her be considerable towards him. Dae tried not to judge him for his mistakes. The same way she forgave Jeno, she took it upon herself to forgive Mark and move past all that he did.

“They have large appetites,” Dae whispers to Jeno when looking at Mark eating his food, before she turns to Donghyuck who’s also quietly eating and dishing up for himself. They were starving. She turns back to Jeno. “Just let them eat,”

“So,” Mark turns to Donghyuck. “Are you going to speak to your mum?”

Donghyuck shakes his head. "No."

“Don’t you think you have to?” Mark asks again. “You didn’t do anything wrong. She has to know that. Besides didn’t you say Officer Na said that woman dropped the charges?”

“That bitch threatened to sue me when I didn’t even touch her kid.” Donghyuck grumbles still in disbelief. Peeking over at Dae, Donghyuck ignores that she’s looking at him before he turns his gaze back to his food. Quietly eating, he finishes up his meal and looks to Mark. “I should go-”

“Nah stay man. They’re chilled,” Mark peeks at Jeno and Dae who clear up the table and go to the other room to wash the dishes together.

Donghyuck doesn’t put up a fight, since he was stuffed and he didn’t want to go back in the park all alone. He was back to square one. No job with an angry mum. “Fuck. What am I going to do now?” Donghyuck lays his hand over his head feeling a headache form.

“What’s this?”

Donghyuck looks up when hearing Mark question. One the table, Dae places before each of them a plate of what looks like chocolate balls, but really it’s some sweeteners. “Dessert.”

“De- what?” Mark looks to Jeno, who places a spoon on their chocolate pudding. “Dude don’t tell me this is how you live every day?”

“I got used to it, apparently all the sugar sucks out any congested fat. Something like that.” Jeno smiles. “It’s really good,”

“Where I come from, one meal a day was all we needed to live.” Mark shakes his head. His brother was surely living the life.

“Can I ask you something?” Donghyuck looks to Dae who’s holding onto her spoon still eating. The mood around the table is calm. He doesn’t want to ruin it, but he needed to know something.

Her heart seizes but she nods her head remaining calm.

“Your sister…” Donghyuck looks down at the table thinking of how he should ask the question. “Her kid…was it… because of me?”

His question leaves a difficult silence on the table as Mark’s ears are sharp to the question. Jeno too turns to Dae. Although he lived with her, he never knew how to address Yezi and her child. They only met once but he was so sure that Donghyuck’s sperm couldn’t have made such a polite little girl. So just like everyone anticipating her answer, Dae places her spoon down and nods her head. “Yes.”

Donghyuck’s eyes widen in astonishment. “You mean, that little girl, Areum is… Mine?”

“In this type of situation, I don’t think she’d call you the father, but yes, she’s your seed.” Dae states.

“Can I ask you another question?" Donghyuck tries not to get upset about that. "Do you have an uncle called Uncle Jung?”

Dae shakes her head. “That was my sister’s boyfriend.”

Donghyuck’s jaw’s tighten. “That fucker.” Donghyuck shakes his head. "If your sister doesn't mind, I'd like to attend the court. Officer Na said they'd put that uncle on trial." The feeling of despair wash over him as he relives the memory of Areum crying in his arms. How Areum cried in pain because of what that man did to her. Donghyuck is left feeling the same way he felt after raping Yezi. Anguish and misery coat over him, only this time his feelings are concerning the little girl…his little girl. Areum. “I shouldn’t be asking any favors from you. But,” Donghyuck clears his throat. “Tell your sister that the same way she got me locked up, should be the same for that uncle.”

And so it is, the day of the court has everyone boiling with anger towards the defendant who was defending Mr Jung Jaehyun, aka Uncle Jung, or best known Jung Jamal, wealthiest son to billionaire owners of Jamal Car Funders.

“Judge, what Lawyer Lee Taeyong has brought forth to you is not admissible evidence for 6 year old Zhong Areum, who was convicted of non consensual rape by my client Jung Jaehyun. By law this right here, my client being accused of this heinous crime, is a criminal offense.” Yuta states. “I understand the issue is sensitive however, it could all be foul play to remove Mr Jung from his enterprise.”

“The investigations and tests results-” Taeyong objects.

“Could’ve been forged. From facts mentioned in the re-examination, it’s common for little girls her age to go through bleedings. One of the many pointers I brought forward is that fact that she-"

"Your honor you can't deny the facts. The investigation team found that inside the little girl. Several gentile seeds of a grown man were found in her-"

"Your honor even if all the facts are against my client, they have no other witness other than the family and their 'claims'." Yuta states.

"But she's my daughter!" Yezi bursts out in tears. "He-"

"The 'he said-she said' game doesn't work here in court. If there are no witnesses then this case should be closed shut." Yuta ends buttoning up his jacket. He knew Jaehyun was in the wrong, but they were paying a lot of money because Nakamoto Yuta was the best lawyer when it came to backing up criminals.

“I testify.”

Yezi immediately snaps her head back to the voice, just as everyone else is stunned by the sudden witness. Seeing Donghyuck stand up, looking pissed has Yezi's heart pounding in hope. She turns forward seeing Yuta looking unmoved. “Your honor, if I may say, the man testifying is the former janitor of the kindergarten in which the child attends. Prior to this case being opened, the mother of the child stated that her child had no underwear when returning home. In this matter, we can blame the janitor as he was the one who took the child home with him. God knows why he’s not here on the stand. My verdict is that my client Mr Jung Jaehyun is innocent. The real culprit should be investigated. That's an unreliable witness.”

“Your honor, I testify.” This time Renjun stands up. “I was at home when he brought the child home. The underwear went missing because I washed it. She was severely bleeding and thus it soaked her underwear.”

“Your honor, if I may, Huang Renjun is a convict of-”

The judge Jungmyeon seeing almost everyone in the court room standing up turns to the Lawyer Yuta. "It looks like you have yourself a case. Security, take Mr Jung into custody. There will be no bond. Adjourned."

“Then I testify.” Dae stands up looking serious. “I was at their home and looked after the child while they washed her underwear.” Although it’s a lie, it throws Yuta off guard as he blinks at Dae as well as the next person who stands up. This causes a string of people standing up stating how they were witnesses to the devious and heinous crime committed against the child. The innocent child who was defenseless.

The moment the judge hits the gavel, Yezi unknowingly lets out a sigh of relief as tears leave her eyes. Laying her head against her dad's shoulder, some tears pouring out of her eyes causing her to hiccup, sniff and fall into a breaking emotional state. Her dad, Chenle hugs her tightly. He feels such an overwhelming amount of joy that they initially won the case. While Yezi hugs onto her dad, Chungdae walks back into the court room carrying Areum who had bright eyes.

Yezi immediately cradles her baby in her hands kissing her cheek. It's sweet victory with everyone in the courtroom besides the Jung family- being joyful that the man who hurt the little girl was going behind bars. While Dae and Jeno find themselves communicating with Renjun, catching up - Donghyuck has his eyes on Areum who's being held tightly by her mum.

"At least she's okay," He sighs and clears his throat walking out the courtroom. Donghyuck can't help but feel better at the case win for the little girl. For some reason, even though he was fired and never to be around the little girl and her family (not that he wanted to anyway) but he felt good- that all the ties were finally cut from that whole trouble.

What started out as a thirst to get more riches and possessions turned into a nasty tunnel hole that caused him his ultimate life dismay.

"You!"

"Never again." Donghyuck declares. However, as he's about to step on the last step away from the court building, his ears freeze.

Not being the name he was given, he turns around knowing very well of the voice of the person addressing him. Yezi.

Her heart is beating when seeing the face of the man who once raped her. Clutching her jaw and stiffly going down the stairs while he turns his body towards her. He's got his hands in his leather jacket...the same leather jacket he last wore when he raped her. She holds herself from balling her fists and swinging it across his face- especially since he looks nonbelligerent.

Standing 2 steps away from him, she sucks in a deep breath and gulps all her piled hatred down. "Thank you,"

Donghyuck's ears twitch in hearing the foreign word. No one ever thanked him. Not knowing how to react, he nods once and turns around.

"Wait." Yezi quickly withdraws her hand and holds onto it as Donghyuck's head turns back. "IWith every being in me, I hate you. I really do." Her eyes feel watery when thinking of the night he forced himself on her. "But, I love Areum. She means the world to me, a-and..."

Yezi has to look down and away from his empty stare to try and calm herself down. Donghyuck no longer looks at her and also looks to the ground. However he turns his body towards her paying attention to her. "I'm sorry."

She didn't want to hear his apology. She didn't need it. Her eyes shut tightly and she folds her lips shaking her head. Composing herself, she faces Donghyuck again, her eyes lightly glistening. "I love Areum so much. So so much, you have no idea. I'd do anything for her. I don't know how, but ever since I had her I could only love her, not because of what you did, but because she came from something so painful, and I had a choice to kill her of give her life... I could've killed her along with the painful memory of what you did to me, but to me that wasn't fair. I kept Areum because really I wanted to hurt her so badly...but as I kept her and the months kept passing and she kept growing in my womb, something in me changed. I couldn't protect myself from what you did to me, but I could protect her. And it's all I could think about when she was born. I only wanted to protect her from what I wasn't protected from...the cruelty of the world. I... I chose to give her life...but I failed to protect her from the one thing that broke me..."

Yezi tries not to appear vulnerable and look into his eyes, but she can't help looking into his eye and being equally stunned by the look of accountability and blame. Donghyuck feels bad hearing that, to think that little Areum was defenseless just like her mother...brought Donghyuck back to the night he raped her...he thought of his own mum and how defenseless she was...that wasn't fair and none of them deserved it.

"But you protected her." Yezi nods her head looking down holding in the tears. "You protected my baby and looked after her. You protected her from the cruelty. She spoke so highly of a janitor called Mr Sunshine, and at the time I really hoped that this Sunshine guy would not hurt her. To think it was you, really had me in the mud. You really, did more for her and I... I really hate you, but I wanna thank you so much. Thank you, for everything you did for my child. You didn't even know her, but you still saved her, and for that I owe you so much." Yezi bows her head before standing up straight again.

Hearing how she takes complete ownership of Areum without acknowledging Donghyuck, settles his heart. "I felt bad for her," Donghyuck lowly speaks.

Yezi hearing his voice, hears her own heart skip a beat.

"I witnessed my father abusing his power over my mum one too many times. I was powerless and would always get beat up when I tried to intervene, and so I thought that's just how the worlds works. You fight to get what you want. My dad really was a spineless coward and I'm no different seeing as I did what he did, I did the same thing to you. I realized that I had become my dad and I...hurt you. I hated that my mum looked at me like my dad and that everybody around me looked at me the same way. But your daughter...that little girl looked at me with light in her eyes."

Donghyuck can't look in her eye, but finds refuge in looking at the ground when thinking of Areum.

"That little girl never missed a day in asking me how I was, or what I was thinking, and she'd always tell these bad jokes. It's weird to say but, she reminded me of myself. Innocent, young and so full of wonder. The light in her eyes...was honestly what kept me going. If a child can look at me like that then hopefully someone else might too. When she told me of the secret that her uncle had been doing to her, my heart was enraged. Here was this little girl with so much happiness in her being used. I snapped but I couldn't do anything because I wanted a second chance at life and didn't wanna get involved in drama. I hate that I never spoke up the first time she told me, but I hated it even more to see her lose the light in her eyes. I wasn't about to let another light die- not especially since I was the only one who knew. I wanted her to be...free and not turn up like me, or my mum...or you. She wasn't meant for that. Not with the light she has in her eyes."

Donghyuck finally looks up at Yezi, he's a little surprised that there's a small smile on her face, but he continues on.

"So really, I felt bad that she lost her light." Donghyuck ends up saying. "How old are you now?"

"21."

Donghyuck slowly nods his head. "You're a great mum." His lips find himself saying. "You love your child so much and would do anything to ensure her safety. Despite the fucked up world, you did what you could to keep her safe. I know I'm not one to talk but, I should be thanking you... For not killing her. She brought light back into my life and if it weren't for you, then she would've bitter like me. But you did such a good job with her." Donghyuck finds himself awkwardly saying and feeling the heat rush to his cheeks.

There's a pause of silence between them with Yezi shyly looking down with a smile acknowledging his words.

"I'll be going." Donghyuck speaks up and scratches his head. "Take care of her, yeah?"

Yezi nods her head.

"Take care of yourself too," Donghyuck says. "You're one tough broad, so don't go looking for trouble,"

She can only smile lightly, even though it's genuine. She doesn't stop him when he begins walking away, but instead she watches him disappear after turning a corner.

She jumps lightly when turning around seeing Jaemin walking down the steps. "Everything good?"

Yezi nods her head looking up into the warm eyes of Jaemin. "Everything is good,"

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