(Tae Jihwa's pov)
After the way Dohyun treated me, I was still reeling. My chest ached with anger and frustration. Why was he so mean?
"I'm busy," he had said. Busy? Yeah, right. The words kept replaying in my head, and the more I thought about it, the more bitter I felt.
I tried to shake it off as I walked, kicking a loose stone on the sidewalk. How pathetic am I… letting this get to me so much?
I need answers. From the story behind my dad's tears and also about Dohyun.
I also need to apologise to the old man's wife and kids from last time. I'll take them to a park and buy them icecream.
I ran as fast as I could to the old man's house hoping to earn some answers.
When I reached.
I stood at the door of the old man's house, fists tight at my sides. Every step I took felt heavier than the last, but I couldn't turn back now. I had to know what he did to Seojoon, my omega father.,
Minji opened the door before I could knock, her face lighting up warmly. "Jihwa! What a surprise—come in."
I forced a small smile. "Hi, stepmom. Is everyone here?"
She nodded. "Yes, the kids are playing inside. But… you look upset. Is everything okay?"
"I… I need to talk to him," I said, my gaze flicking toward the old man, who was sitting calmly in his chair.
"Jihwa!" one of the kids ran toward me, arms wide.
"Hey, troublemaker," I said with a small grin, ruffling their hair. They giggled.
Minji appeared behind them, smiling warmly. "Tae Jihwa, it's good to see you," she said.
I nodded, though my thoughts were elsewhere. I'm not here to play today. I need answers.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted as soon as my father saw me. He straightened, eyebrows rising in surprise. "Tae Jihwa? What brings you here?"
The old man looked up at me, eyebrows raised. "Tae Jihwa. To what do I owe this… visit?"
I stepped forward, my voice low and shaking with anger. "I need to know what you did to Seojoon. Why was he crying? What did you say to him?"
The old man chuckled lightly, leaning back in his chair. "And why should I tell you anything? That's none of your business. Yet you came here again."
My hands tightened into fists. "None of my business? You made his life hell and you made him cry! You think that's okay?"
Minji placed a hand lightly on my arm. "Jihwa… don't let anger control you. You won't get answers if you yell."
I shook her hand off gently, guilt flickering for a moment. "I know, stepmom. But this isn't about me. It's about him. He's hurting because of you, and I can't just let it go."
The old man smirked, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "I've told you before—boys cry. It builds character. That's all there is to it."
"That's not building character!" I shouted, my voice echoing in the room. "That's cruelty! You can't just hurt someone and then act like it's nothing!"
Minji looked worried, but the kids continued playing quietly, sensing the tension but trusting me.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. "I don't care what excuses you make. I'm not leaving until I get the truth. Seojoon my father doesn't deserve this. And if you won't tell me… I'll make sure he knows he's not alone. That you're the one responsible for his pain. I'll find out and get you in prison."
The old man shook his head slowly, still smirking. "I said no. There's nothing more to discuss. You did that last time and you didn't get answers. You can leave now, Jihwa."
I stared at him, anger and determination burning in my chest. "Fine. But don't think this is over."
Minji stepped closer, her hand on my shoulder again. "Jihwa… Thank you for standing up for him. That's enough for today."
I looked around the room once more, my chest tight. I hadn't gotten the answers I wanted.
Once I left the room with Minji, my stepmom, I felt the anger inside me slowly ebbing.
I turned to her and bowed slightly. "I want to apologize for my behavior last time."
Minji gave me a soft, sad smile and held my shoulder. "Don't apologize, Jihwa. I understand—you were angry. Anyone would be."
I nodded and forced a small smile. "Let's go to the park. I'll take the kids as well—they need to burn off some energy."
At the park, the children ran ahead, laughing, and Minji walked beside me, chatting
I played for hours with the kids and had lots of fun. Until this fun was broken by the sound of.
"Jihwa…" he whispered, his voice trembling. "How… how could you betray me? How could you side with him?"
My eyes widen. "Dad, what are you doing here?" I was legit confused and upset.
"I was going for work and I see this? IYou were the only one left for me. I tried my best to take care of you and this is how you act." As Seojoon led out tears.
My chest ached. "Dad… wait! You're misunderstanding—"
But he shook his head violently, tears falling freely. "No! I don't want to hear it. You… you went to him! You saw what he did to me, and you still went to him!"
"Dad, please, let me explain—"
"I don't want to hear your excuses!" His voice cracked, raw with pain. "I trusted you! I trusted you! And you—"
Before I could finish, he pushed himself to his feet and ran. The sound of his footsteps fading into the distance felt like a punch to my chest.
I stood there, frozen, my heart shattering in silence. He… he's so hurt. So betrayed. I can't make him understand right now…
Minji placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Jihwa… he's just overwhelmed. His heart is broken. Give him time."
I nodded, swallowing hard, tears pricking my own eyes. I watched Seojoon disappear down the path, the weight of helplessness pressing down on me.
"I… I failed him," I whispered to myself. "I couldn't protect him. I couldn't even make him understand that I'm on his side. Not yet…"
The laughter of the children seemed distant, hollow against the ache in my chest. I wanted to run after him, to hold him and tell him it wasn't a betrayal—but he was gone, and all I could do was stand there, my heart breaking alongside his. What a terrible son I am.
First Dohyun and now dad.
What on earth is happening.
I can't do this anymore. I hate myself so much. I can never do anything right. 'They ' are right, I'm really hopeless…..
I couldn't hold back my teats and bursted out crying as much as I ever could, while Minji wrapped her arms around me.
As the kids saw this, they did the same.