Chapter Text
Huiju
Everything feels like it’s crumbling down; my entire family is trying to kill each other and I feel like I am the only one trying to save it. But why am I trying so hard? It’s not like any of them ever loved or cared for me anyways.
As if it wasn’t enough, Taeoh is in prison for one of my brother’s murder and even though I want to believe he isn’t capable of being a cold-blooded killer, I also can’t say I fully trust him. An even bigger part of me knows that he is willing to do absolutely anything for Na Hyewon. I hate it and I hate her. Why does Taeoh love her? She is a lying, selfish, and obnoxious gold-digger. Oppa Inha fell for her schemes, despite all of my warnings. Even went as far as marrying her as if my judgment was worthless.
So, what if she asked Taeoh to get rid of my eldest brother? How am I supposed to stand by him and support him if he really did kill him? With so many questions and not nearly enough answers, I am left frustrated and determined to find out more. That’s why I am currently walking down the corridor of a suffocating and repugnant prison facility, in order to see Taeoh. I need to hear his side of the story, before I make my decision.
“You have ten minutes with him” The officer reminded me with a pointed look as I nodded shyly with a forced smile.
“Thank you” I replied as he opened the door that separated me from the prisoner on the other side. As my heels echoed in the small room, I could see how Taeoh demeanor changed from that of anticipation into one of dread and dejection.
I guess he was waiting for her .
With an aching heart, I sat down on the cold metal chair across from him, “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Taeoh. I guess you were expecting someone else” I greeted him bitterly as I crossed my legs and bit the inner side of my cheek in anxiousness.
“What are you doing here? I’m not allowed visitors” Taeoh retorted coldly as he stared at the wall behind me instead of meeting my eyes. I scoffed at his comment.
“Well, the same way others have managed to come in and out as they please” I snapped back in irritation as I unclench my fists from either side of my body.
“I don’t have much time, so let’s cut to the chase.” I added curtly as I stood up from my chair and looked down at him with as much coldness as I could muster.
“Did you kill him?” I asked as plainly as I could, seeing his eyes slightly widen at my question before he concealed it behind his expressionless facade. “Did you kill my brother?” I asked him again when he remained silent.
“If you are asking me that, then that means you don’t think I am innocent” He replies instead as he finally meets my eyes for the first time since I’ve stepped foot into the room. Almost as if to challenge me to contradict him.
“No, Taeoh. It means that I have reasons to believe that you are innocent. So, I’m asking you a question. If I truly believed you killed him, I wouldn’t be here asking for your side over what happened that day” I challenged him as I slammed my hands against the metal table in frustration.
The sound echoing through the small room as I lower my gaze before whispering, “So tell me what you remember, please” almost pleadingly as I sit back down with a heavy sigh.
“I can’t tell you much because I simply can’t remember” He tells me as a way of explanation.
“Well, how convenient.” I retorted in bitter sarcasm as I met his gaze again, practically demanding he continues. “Tell me what you do remember then.”
“Your brother threatened to hurt someone if I didn’t meet him; so I did. We argued and then he demanded I stay with him as he partied with some people I’ve never seen before. They were drinking and smoking. My mind started getting foggy from all the drugs I was inhaling. I passed out. The next morning, I woke up and your brother was dead” He explained as he clenched his hands in front of him.
I observed him as he spoke. The way his jaw would clench, and his eyes would flinch in anxiousness. Even the way his lips slightly quivered as his vague story came to an end.
“I didn’t ask you to recite the story you’ve told your defense lawyer, Taeoh. I don’t think you killed my brother. But I just can’t trust you anymore either.” I argued as I ran a frustrated hand through my hair before hesitantly reaching out to touch his hands fisted on the metal table.
He flinched away from my touch, and I swallowed the lump in my throat while braving a face of indifference at his rejection. “If you met my eldest brother despite the very obvious risks, it means that the ‘ someone’ you're referring to was your precious Hyewon. It makes me wonder what he had on her that had you running to save her. So, tell me Oppa. As you’re sitting here, was it all worth it?” I taunted bitterly as I glared at him for his obvious idiocy.
“Yes” He replied earnestly, meeting my gaze to show me his sincerity.
“ Well then, I guess you are an even bigger idiot than I gave you credit for.” I concluded, rolling my eyes angrily.
“Who do you think framed you?” I asked bluntly as he narrowed his eyes, obviously hesitant to trust me. “Why should I trust you, Huiju?” He challenged me as I leaned back on his chair while I glared at him.
“Even if I gave you a good reason, you still wouldn’t trust me. So, don’t pretend to start caring about those things now. I’ll talk in a language you understand, Taeoh. You need your freedom just about as much as I need you.” I explained to him as I stood up and walk towards him.
“ I’ve told you love can’t be forced” He reminded me as I lightly leaned against the edge of the metal table.
I rolled my eyes before continuing, “I don’t care about love anymore. You were right. It was foolish of me to think I could have a fairy tale when I was never the protagonist of my own story.” I clarified in frankness as his eyes stared up at me in intrigue.
“ I need you, Taeoh. You are the key to my freedom too. I don’t want a fairy tale. I just want my never ending nightmare to stop. And if partnering with you will help me end it, then how about we help each other?” I suggest as I extend my arm in proposal.
“What are you proposing, Huiju?” He asked me as he stared at my outstretched hand.
“I want you to help become the impossible heir of the Kang empire” I declared fiercely as I stared into his dark brown eyes. “ So, do we have a deal?” I tentatively asked, offering him a small smile.
“I don’t just want my freedom. I want to destroy your family, Huiju.” He emphasizes as he glares up at me with hatred in his eyes.
“Then use me to destroy them” I declare boldly as he raises his eyebrows in question. We stared into each other’s eyes unblinkingly for what felt like an eternity. The tension in the silence could slice through anything tangible.
He surprised me by taking my hand in his, shaking it firmly. “Then let’s burn them to the ground, partner” He conceded coldly. I nodded, gripping his hand tightly.
‘My lawyer will come see you. Just do as he says. See you soon, partner” I whispered in his ear as I straightened up and walked towards the door. I knocked twice before the officer opened the door.
“Huiju. Be careful.” Taeoh warned me as I looked over my shoulder once.
“I can protect myself. I’ll protect you too” I reminded him, swiftly walking out without bidding him goodbye.
I can’t trust Taeoh. I know that he will use me and throw me away as soon as gets what he wants from me. He will always choose Hyewon. Even if it led to his own dismay . It’s about damn time I choose myself, even if I have to become the villain I’ve always hated.