"Mistress Irene, these are your mails." Noel places the letters infront of her. Last night she had stayed in the Kim mansion. The tension between Irene and Seokjin is still palpable so she thought to stay back. Earlier thia morning, Joy has informed her about Aera's reaction and the arriving notice. Noel feels quite relaxed. But still a bit worried about Irene.

"Thank you, Noel..." She opens one of the letters and reads. Immediately she stands up and rushes out of the mansion, seething in anger. She bangs on the on the Bae mansion's front door which is opened at the instance.

"NAMYYY!!! NAMYYY!!!" She looks around.

They can hear her yelling. Aera hides behind Joy and the young woman looks at Namjoon worriedly. He nods in assurance and leaves her bedroom.

"Yes, Ren." He stands in the hallway.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS?! HOW COULD YOU DECIDE???" She is panting.  

Namjoon walks towards her and puts his hands on her shoulder, trying to placate,"Listen, Ren...I..."

"NO!! I WON'T LISTEN TO ANYTHING!! HOW CAN YOU DO THAT?!" She pushes him away, "I AM TAKING AERA WITH ME!! AERA!! COME OUTSIDE!!" She takes long strides towards Joy's room but Namjoon stops her.

"No."

"SORRY?" She blinks.

"I said, no. You will not meet or try to take her away like this. If you want to know, let us talk then. Or else, let's meet in the court." He states strictly.

She stops her frenzy behaviour and looks at him quietly. She just cannot believe her Namy just said such a thing to her He looks back to see Joy standing at her room's door. He nods at her and takes Irene's hand and walks out to the garden.

It has been years. The garden was one of their favourite places in the world. Their whole childhood was spent, playing there...

"I think you know why we want to adopt Aera." Namjoon begins.

"NO!! I DON'T!!" Irene has come out of her shock.

"Really?" He shakes his head in annoyance, "Irene...we know."

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW?!" She yells back. She has begun to hyperventilate again.

Namjoon gets worried and a bit frightened. If she has such reaction even before they have started to talk then how he will explain everything to her? Also, what if she ends up doing something dangerous? He takes a deep breathe, "I am sorry but I'd just ask you to give us Aera's custody."

She slaps him tightly, "NO! NEVER!"

Namjoon has staggered from the sudden impact. He takes few seconds to steady himself, "Smacking me won't change anything. We all know you are not in a..." He gulps and controls himself. He hates himself to sound so stoic and pragmatic with her but it is for the best, "You are not in a suitable condition to be her legal guardian. So it will be better if you let me and Sooyoung be her parents instead."

"OH!! SO IT IS SOOYOUNG NOW?! OBVIOUSLY!! SHE IS YOUR WIFE!! SHE IS THE MOTHER OF YOUR CHILD!! OF COURSE!! " She sneers.

"You are being unreasonable now! What I am trying to make you understand and what you are talking about?!" He is getting annoyed, "I am trying to secure your niece's future here and you..."

"EXACTLY!! SHE IS MY NIECE!! I AM THERE TO TAKE CARE OF HER!!" She yells and again begins to enter the mansion, "I'M TAKING HER WITH ME!!"  

"THEN WHAT?!"

She stops midway.

"THEN WHAT WILL HAPPEN?! YOU WILL LEAVE HER IN NANNIES' CARE AND TIME TO TIME BUY HER EXPENSIVE GIFTS. TOYS, FOOD!! WILL GET HOME LATE AT NIGHT WHEN SHE WILL BE ALREADY ASLEEP AND GO TO WORK BEFORE SHE IS AWAKENED!! NOT TO FORGET HOW YOU ILL-TREATED HER THAT EVENING!! DO YOU ACTUALLY FEEL SHE WILL BE HAPPY WITH YOU!!! FORGET ABOUT HAPPINESS!!  WILL SHE BE EVEN SAFE WITH YOU?! YOU CARE ABOUT HER SO MUCH THEN WHY YOU DID NOT PROTECT HER FROM HER LOWLIFE FATHER WHEN HE BEAT HER, USED SUCH HORRIBLE WORDS AGAINST HER?! WHAT YOU DID?? YOU PAID HIM TO STOP BEATING HER!! THAT IS HOW YOU HELPED!!  HER HAPPINESS, HER EXISTENCE, EVERYTHING REVOLVES AROUND SOOYOUNG, NOEL, DEIJI AND..." He takes a long breathe, "ME... Listen Ren, try to understand, we are trying to help you as well as making sure Aera has a good future. I am not saying that we'll be the best parents she can ever get. But I can assure you that we'll try our best to provide her a good upbringing. We have no intention to offend you. Think about it on Aera's behalf."

"If you and your wife have no intention to offend me then why am I getting to know about it this way?! Why you did not consult or even let me know before you were preparing all this legal documents?!" She is still baffled by his shouting.

"Yes. You are right that I should have told you. But considering your reaction now, do you think you gave us that option?! Besides, informing you would have meant that we are asking your permission. BUT THERE IS NO PLACE FOR NEGOTIATION. WE ARE GOING TO ADOPT HER. THAT IS FINAL. AERA HERSELF WANTS TO BE OUR DAUGHTER." 

"YOU THINK IT IS SO EASY?! FINE!! I'LL SEE HOW YOU CAN ADOPT HER!!"

She begins to walk towards the Kim mansion when Namjoon speaks up, "FINE. YOU KNOW YOU WILL NOT WIN."

"WHAT??"

"I SAID YOU WON'T WIN. AND YOU KNOW IT VERY WELL." He walks towards her and softly holds her shoulders, "Ren, we do not want to cause you any more trouble. Please, try and understand. If you'll try to fight back then there will be a messy fight where many inappropriate and personal things have to be surfaced that will have a very ugly effect on you and Aera. YOU NEED HELP AND IF I CANNOT HELP YOU THEN AT LEAST I CAN TRY TO LESSEN YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES..."

She pushes him away angrily and he falls on the gravel, "OH! SO THE GREAT KIM NAMJOON IS DOING ME A FAVOUR?! SORRY TO DISAPPOINT YOU, MR. KIM NAMJOON, BUT I DO NOT REQUIRE YOUR MERCY NOR YOUR ASSISTANCE!! I CAN TAKE CRE OF MYSELF AND MY NIECE ON MY OWN!! I DO NOT NEED YOU OR YOUR MOST AMAZING WIFE'S HELP!!! YOU TWO WANT TO PROVE ME INCOMPETENT! RIGHT?? YOU ARE DOING THIS TO AVENGE YOUR BROKEN HEART, RIGHT?? AND THAT YOUR WORTHLESS WIFE, WHO HAS GAINED SOME SYMPATHY IN YOUR EYES AFTER GIVING BIRTH TO YOUR DAUGHTER, SHA HAS INFLUENCED YOU!! SHE WAS NEVER HAPPY WITH MY AND SEOKJIN'S MARRIAGE!! AND THEN WHEN SHE LEARRNED WHY YOU MARRIED HER, SHE IS HELL-BOUND TO PROVE ME AS A LOSER!!! SHE WAS ALWAYS JEALOUS.... "

"What is Aera's favourite colour? What is her favourite fruit? What is she allergic to? Why you did not take any action against your brother when he beat that toddler?! WHY YOU DID NOT TAKE HER WITH YOU?? WHERE ARE YOU WHENEVER SHE IS SUFFERING FROM FLU OR OTHER ILLNESSES?! WHY DOES SHE ALWAYS WANT HER JOOYY WHEN SHE SHOULD BE ASKING FOR HER AUNTY RENNY?!" Namjoon directs his questions towards her. He will not tolerate her nonsense behaviour. He is vexed, "Answer them, Ren!! Since you want to fight for Aera's custody, you've to know these answers. Oh! These are some of the questions you've to answer primarily!! Now come on! Answer them!" 

Irene stands there rooted. She has cannot understand what is going on. She thought she would go and demand him to not go through the adoption. And she believed he would agree. He always did. Though nowadays, it has got a bit difficult but she was sure she could make him to do it.

"I know what you are thinking...You must be thinking that how come Namy is speaking or doing something against your wish?! Right?" Namjoon smiles ruefully and checks his hands. There are small cuts from the fall, "I know...even I am shocked with myself..."

Irene looks at him shocked.

"Even though things have changed tremendously between us, you know that I can still read your mind...But you know the most unfortunate thing? You are not as apt in reading my mind...If you were you would have understood. As for the questions I've asked you... Aera's favourite colour is purple and she likes yellow as well. She loves all fruits especially strawberry and watermelon. She is allergic to dust and honey. And the rest of the questions...you know the answers better..."

Irene sobs in her hand and sits down on the stone bench.

He sits beside her, "I do not understand how can you even think I or Sooyoung will ever want to demean you!! We just love that little girl and want to call her our own!! We love her as we love Deiji!! She is like our first child!! We want to give her a good family life. And also want to provide some relaxation to you to be honest..."

Irene tries to say something but Namjoon stops her, "No! Listen to me, Irene!! We know you have stopped your treatment and it is not at all good for you!! And also for the people around you!!"

"I am fine! Besides, they are not helping me..." She tries to negate.

"If it is so, then you should have changed your doctor!! Take a break from everything! Relax and then begin again...I was want you to be happy..." He puts his arm around her shoulders and gives a small squeeze,"No! You are not running away from your responsibilities!! On the other hand, think of it as you are getting her the family she has alwys wanted and also making yourself a lot relaxed and tension-free!! I know you trust me and Sooyoung as her guardians. I mean she has lived with us for more than a year! Then why not making it legal??"

"What about me? I thought that since I cannot be a mother I'll take care of her as my own... Don't be so selfish!!" She adds softly.

"Oh please, Ren!!" Namjoon snorts, "I am always compassionate about your condition and cannot even imagine how horrible it is. But you've learned about your condition almost a year ago. And you've not make any such initiative to make Aera your own child or took any special care of her!! She still lived with us and it is Sooyoung who is doing everything in her power to manage the home, her studies, her pregnancy, one toddler and then the baby!! You were nver there! Have you thought how you'll answer the court's question about how that little girl lived with people who are not related to her when her own aunt lived next door?? Then what will you do when they will question your mental condition? Your depression nd your incomplete treatment? Also they will bring you bad behaviour with people around you!!" 

"STOP IT!! JUST STOP IT NOW!!!" She clutches her her hair and shrieks loudly. 

"I am sorry..." He sighs. He is ashamed to behave and use such words with her. But she has to know and realize, "Please try to be reasonable. You'll meet her as the way you do. Just let us be her parents. I am saying all this and you are so hurt. Imagine how it will be when they will ask you in the court. They will dig up much vile things and not to forget the negative publicity..." He runs his fingers in his hair, "I do not care about public eye or society. You know that. But I care about you. I do not want you to face such things. I do not want that little girl to face such pressure at such a young age. I believe she has endured enough...

"If I sign those papers...you will take good care of her?" A broken voice asks him.

He looks at Irene with determination, "As WE would have loved your eldest daughter..."

"We...as in you and I...?" She asks softly.

"Ummm..." He clears his throat, "No. WE as in I and Sooyoung..."

"Oh...yeah...Sorry, I forgot. It is Sooyoung, now. Everywhere..." She looks at him directly, "Tell me one thing truthfully and I promise I will never ask anymore question....Are you with her cuz she gave birth to your daughter and is able to bear you more?"  

He sits in silence for quite sometime and then looks up at her, "Ren...It is a bit complicated. It is true that I will not leave her because of Deiji and Aera but isn't one of the most important reasons why a man stays with his wife? But it is not the ONLY reason. I know that. There are other reasons why I will not leave her..."

"What? That you have fallen for her?!" She shakes her head in disdain.

"I've already told you what I feel for her. There are other aspects to a relationship other than love and sacrifice. And I have learned that from this relationship I and Sooyoung share..." He leans back, " You know Ren, we were such great friends, we are soulmates...and that was what doomed us. We know what the other is thinking. We can feel each other's pain. For which we did not talk about what actually was disturbing us. And that was the fatal flaw in both of us... We never talked about it. It was either your homework, your illness, your pears, your fights, your deetention, your appa, your mansion, your business, your life, your sacrifice, your ramen, your bike, your, your, your!! EVERYTHING REVOLVES AROUND YOU!!! What about me?! Where am I in this?! I am not complaining about doing everything for you! I could even give my life for you! Why wouldn't I?! You were the only positive thing in my life!!

You are calling me selfish? If securing a little girl's future who have made me realize for the first time that I have other priorities in life than you, then fine, I AM SELFISH! If wanting a healthy family life is being selfish, then I am one!! If..." He recalls Joy's face, "If having someone care for you and you care for them make you selfish, then I am happy to be one!!"

"Ren...I loved you and I still do. I will always do...but you don't make me happy. Sooyoung, Aera and Deiji...they make me happy. I am ready to die and kill for them. Having them around make provide me peace and fulfilment. And you know the best part..." He wipes his tears, "They do not take me for granted. They appreciate me. I am important for them just the way they are important for me." He stands up, "Remember that day in the study-room you asked me if it was worth it...? Yes, I regret hurting Sooyoung but considering my life now... it was worth it. I hope Sooyoung will forgive me for doing this, thinking this. But I will not change it for anything. You know that I always wanted a family and I've it now. And I will not let ANYONE take that away from me...NEVER."

"For you there has been burning passion, racing heart and menacing emotions. Emotions so strong that it can destroy anything. Can make one blind and deaf...Begin to hinder one's sense of right and wrong...

 But with them, there are hugs and loving kisses; lots of conversations; happiness in small and innocent things; sharing thoughts and caring for each other. And...peaceful sleep with the eagerness to wake up and see one another...I do not want the fire that will burn me and others down. I want the healing touches that soothe these wounds. You taught me how to feel and they taught me how to feel for myself as well as others..." If he still has any idea about Irene then whatever he has said should be enough, " This time, I can't and won't do anything for you. So yes, if not listening and doing what YOU want is selfish, then I am being one! And I will always be one for myself and my family."

Irene looks at him expressionlessly. As if she has no idea what he has just said. But from her eyes, Namjoon can say that his every word has made its required effect. She has realized how unfair her demands and thought process have been.

"I'll sign those papers. Will send them right away..."

She leaves the garden area and is about to walk out of the gate when Namjoon calls her, "Ren...thank you. And I am really sorry..." 

His apology and gratitude is genuine. Irene smiles sadly, " No, Namy...I am sorry...Really, really sorry...I can't believe I was so ungrateful to you...thinking of you as a property, rather than a real person...I am sorry..."

"Hey...it is okay. Let's not talk about it anymore..." He shakes his head and kisses her forehead, "You will always be my bestfriend."

"As you will be mine..." She sobs, "...bestfriend..."

They hug each other. They stay like this for a long time and let each other go reluctantly. As if they will not be sharing a hug for a very long time...

"Good bye...Namy..."

He blinks, "Bye...Ren..."

He turns away after she has entered the Kim mansion. He notices Joy standing at one of the ground floor windows. She has been there for the whole time. Namjoon had asked her to be there as he was expecting Irene to confront him like that. He asked not to say anything when they would be talking and listen. She wanted to help Namjoon when Irene attacked him but didn't as he asked her not to. He thought that she should be there as both of them were going to be Aera's parent.

They smile at each other and Namjoon walks inside.

"So...I think it is all sorted now." He sighs as they walk back to her room.

"Yes. Now there will be less hazards and time taken for the whole procedure." Joy nods. She is still thinking about what Namjoon has said about them. She can finally say that Cheonsa's advice a year ago on that cold night has become true. She has done it...

"Namjoon..."

They are in her room now and he is changing Deiji's diaper. Aera is playing.

"Yeah?"

"I forgive you..."

He quickly turns to look at her and blinks. He is shocked.

" I forgive you for everything...I know you had wrong intentions behind this marriage. You treated me badly. but then you changed for better and for good. If you had caused me pain, then you've also given me happiness ten folds. Our dream is the same. We always wanted the same thing... Let us achieve it together..." She smiles with teary eyes.

Namjoon sniffs and wipes his tears on his arm, "Thank you, Sooyoung. And I am sorry for everything..." 

Joy's heart misses a beat when she hears him calling her with her name for the first time. She glances at Aera who is looking at her parents curiously. She tiptoes and kisses his lips. He is a bit taken aback with the sudden display of affection and blushes. They have live audience today. She pulls back and smiles again.

Aera gets up from the floor and runs to them happily. She knew her umma and appa are the best. They are all very happy together. She hugs them tightly. They laugh and hug her back.

Deiji has heard the softness in her parents' tone and observed them. Then she finds them "kissing". She knows what a "kiss" is. She gets them plenty everyday. She is also learning to give some to her appa. She squeals, wanting to join them. So they step back and take her along.

Irene has been sitting in her studyroom for a long time. She has signed the papers and sent them to Namjoon. She enters the bedroom to find Seokjin sitting quietly on the couch. He looks up at her and points at some papers. He looks distraught.

She picks the papers and sighs. Divorce papers. He has signed them.

"I...I am sorry Irene. But I can't do this anymore..." He chokes out. He must be in huge pain.

Irene looks at those papers in her hand. She expected to feel angry, lost, hopeless and lonely. Rather she finds guilt and a lot of relief within her, "Yes, Seokjin. I am sorry too for those five wasted years...I also can't do this anymore..." She picks up the pen and signs. "You have been a great husband, Seokjin. But we were never meant to be together. I destroyed my happiness and I destroyed you. You deserve true love and happiness and I pray you will find them." She smiles. She is feeling really light.

Seokjin wipes his tears. His heart is breaking but he cannot deny the feeling of being light and care-free, "Thank you, Irene. I wish I could say the same for you... but I can't. Though I hope something miraculous will happen and you will find your happiness somehow. Someone other than Kim Namjoon..."