“When the accident happened it was not a mere car crashed. When mom and dad inspected the car again, someone cut the breaks and implanted a bomb under the driver’s seat. But luckily before the bomb exploded, they carried your mom and ran as far away as possible. Only remains of the car can be seen but the investigators saw the bomb and the breaks being broken. Mom and dad was desperate to save your mom so they rushed her to the hospital but she was already dead. That night, mom and dad met with your step-father and explained everything but he wouldn’t listen. He told them that he will frame them for her death if they don’t follow his orders, at first both of them were scared and confused but they followed suit.”

“H-how did you know all of this, Minjoo?”

“I overheard them talking that night. Both of them were crying in the living room and I can’t even do anything to help them.” She smiled in pained and wiped the tears of her face

“Sorry…” she whispered and continued

“They told me to stay with Sungjoo for a while and I did. I told her everything I know because I was frustrated-“

“Why didn’t you go to me, then?”

“They took my phone away and told me to not contact you anymore. I was confused but I can’t do anything because I figured that it was your father’s orders.”

“Step-father.” I corrected

“He never really approve of me as your girlfriend because of my family background.”

“Mom didn’t mind.”

“But she’s not here anymore. They’re not here.” I can sense the pain in her voice

“He killed your mom because she was about to divorce him. You may not know but your mom was being physically abused by him. So he tried to run away that night and got help from my parents. But she didn’t know that your step-father knows all her plans.”

I couldn’t believe everything. Mom endured all the pain alone in the past while I was studying and minding my own business that time. I felt a big bullet struck my chest and I can’t held my tears back.

“Your mom was always cheerful and loving. She never want other people worry about her.” She said and patted my back

I inhaled and exhaled deeply; looked at her and nodded

“My dad wanted to flee after the burial of your mother; but mom stopped us. She woke me up that night and told me everything. She even told me that she will tell the investigators everything, that your step-father killed your mom because of business and money matters, and that he is threatening them. But-“

“B-but what?”

“He killed them.”

I was speechless. I couldn’t move. It was like I was tied down and is being stabbed by a katana, thousands of sharp katana all at once.

“He shot them. And you know what’s worse? I saw the whole thing.” Tears are now visible in her eyes; she was shaking terribly and her voice was hoarse.

“I-I’m sorry.” was all I could say

“It’s not your fault, Jongin.” She said and sighed

“I didn’t know he was capable of those things. He’s a monster.”

“The devil.” She whispered and wiped her tears

“He threatened you too?” I asked

“Yes. He told me that he will let me live my life peacefully if I kept my mouth shut. And-“

“And…?”

“And if I break up with you.”

I was quiet. I know he is the reason why Minjoo left but I didn’t even imagined it would be this much.

“He told me that he wants you to marry one of his friends’ daughter. And that I was not worthy of someone like you.”

“Bull. That’s bull.”

“This is not a Korean drama, Jongin” she said

“I’ll get us out of this mess.”

“This is not just a drama that we can easily overcome. I am not Park Shinhye and you’re not Lee Minho who can just fight for our love. That’s not how reality works.”

“I’ll think of something.”

“It’s too late now, Jongin.”

“No.”

“You don’t know what he’s capable of. He can kill the both of us.”

“I’d rather die than be apart from you.”