The hardest day of their lives had come.
Outside the courthouse, the air was heavy, almost suffocating. Families sat apart, divided by silence and grief.
Taewon sat with his head bowed, his suit perfectly pressed but his body trembling.
His feet wouldn't stop shaking, no matter how hard he tried to steady them.
The only thought repeating in his heart was simple, desperate maybe Jihyun will change his mind. Maybe just once, he'll look at me.
But Jihyun never glanced his way. He sat beside Mr. Han, a bottle of water in his hands, his eyes swollen and red, veins showing like he hadn't slept in days.
Since Mrs. Han's death, he hadn't stopped crying.
Mrs. Kang stood next to Taewon, her hand gently pressing on his shoulder.
"It's okay, my son," she whispered, her own voice trembling.
"Mama is here. Today, I can understand your pain even more. We're both losing our partners to this court but I'm proud of you. You're giving up on your love for his happiness. And I'm giving up on my husband, your father, so he finally gets the punishment he deserves."
Taewon's lips trembled, but he said nothing, only nodded faintly.
Taehyun walked over.
"Taewon, it's time. Let's go."
On the other side, Mr. Han leaned closer to Jihyun.
"Think again, Jihyun. Don't do this so rashly," he urged.
But Jihyun shook his head, firm despite his broken voice.
"I won't, Dad. I've decided. Just like you decided for me back then now it's my turn."
Minjoon's jaw clenched, but he didn't argue further.
(Inside the courtroom)
The atmosphere was tense, filled with the weight of the nation's law.
The judge presided firmly, his voice echoing in the high-ceilinged hall.
Mr. Kang was brought in, flanked by guards, alongside the other men tied to his corruption.
Taewon and Taehyun sat with Mr. Han, their faces pale but resolute. Taewon's hands were clenched on the desk, knuckles white, but when the judge asked for evidence, he stood.
He handed over documents proof against his own father.
The courtroom stirred, whispers rising.
Mrs. Kang bowed her head in tears as Taewon's voice cracked but didn't falter, testifying truthfully against Kang Hyunsik. Others who had been scammed by him stepped forward too, their statements piling onto the weight of his crimes.
Mr. Kang tried to deny everything, his voice sharp and desperate, but one by one, the men beside him broke down, admitting the truth.
The judge's gavel struck hard.
"Kang Hyunsik, for fraud, embezzlement, and corporate corruption, this court sentences you to fifteen years imprisonment, with no eligibility for parole before ten years.
The court also recognizes compensation claims filed by the victims.
This session is adjourned."
The sound echoed like a death knell.
Outside Mrs. Kang collapsed in tears, her body trembling uncontrollably. Taewon rushed to her side, steadying her.
"Mom, it's over. calm down,"
he whispered, though his own throat burned with suppressed sobs.
At that moment, Jihyun slowly walked over. For the first time in weeks, his voice softened.
"Mom," he said quietly, sitting beside her. "I'm sorry… I'm really sorry."
She grabbed his hand, holding it tightly with wet eyes.
"No, Jihyun-ah, don't ever say that. It's not because of you. He deserved this punishment long ago. No one can hide from the truth forever."
Jihyun's chest tightened. He nodded, then stood slowly, turning toward the exit.
"Jihyun."
The voice stopped him in his tracks. Taewon had stood up, his body trembling but his eyes desperate.
He didn't reach for Jihyun's hand this time. He only looked at him and spoke carefully, voice low but steady.
"Can we talk? Just five minutes.
hear me. One last time."
Jihyun's chest rose and fell, his breath shaky. Mr. Han glanced at him and gave a small nod.
"Go. Listen to him."
And with that, Jihyun followed Taewon, each step heavy as the sound of the gavel still rang in their ears.
(After a while)
Jihyun stood still, his gaze fixed on the floor.
Taewon's voice trembled as he looked at him.
"Jihyun-ah,
in my whole life, I never liked anyone, never loved anyone. I didn't even know what love really meant.
Every step, every choice, it was always my father who decided for me what to do, what to wear, where to go, who to like and who not to.
But the day I met you for the first time in my life, I felt something of my own."
Taewon sobbed hard before continuing, his voice cracking.
"I saw something in you that day, something I couldn't look away from.
My admiration for you started right then. But even with those feelings,
I never wanted to ruin your life.
My father he slapped me several times.
I stayed quiet for your sake.
Every time he hit me, it wasn't just the pain,
it was my pride being crushed. Still, I never said anything."
"After our marriage, with time, I tried everything I could to destroy my father's plans. I fought in every way I knew how, but maybe… maybe I was never strong enough to carry it all.
He stepped closer, his trembling eyes fixed on Jihyun.
"The day you got angry, I didn't come home for days. I didn't go anywhere else either
I just lived by the rules you set for me. Jihyun you made my heart beat so wildly, so painfully, I couldn't even handle it anymore. But the way you're abandoning my heart now it feels like I'm sinking into a place I can't escape.
Can't you give me just one chance?"
Jihyun sobbed, his gaze fixed to the side, refusing to meet Taewon's eyes.
Taewon's hand trembled as he reached out, slowly, carefully, and clasped Jihyun's fingers. His voice came out broken, almost pleading.
"Am I not worthy of you?
Just say I'm not. For me nothing else matters but you."
Jihyun's chest heaved as tears streamed down his face. He finally looked up, voice shaking.
"I know… I know you've done everything for me, and you're still trying.
But I'm tired, Taewon. I'm really tired."
His eyes glistened red, full of exhaustion and grief.
"Please let me go. We're not for each other. I understand your feelings, but I can't accept them. I can't keep hurting myself anymore."
"I'm suffering so much that l.. I just want to" Jihyun's voice cracked, a fresh stream of tears falling down his cheeks.
Taewon lifted his trembling hand and gently brushed them away, his own eyes red. His voice broke as he whispered,
"I want you to be mine, only mine. You're like a treasure to me a treasure of happiness
I want to keep close, away from the world's eyes. Jihyun, please just once. I'll help you, I'll be your comfort when you're tired. I'll be everything you need. Just let me be a part of your life."
But Jihyun slowly pulled his hand free, his gaze dropping to the floor. His lips quivered, his voice barely a breath.
"I'm sorry"
And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Taewon standing frozen, his outstretched hand trembling in the empty space between them.