“Taeyeon, please look at me.” Yuri begged, her eyes full of tears. Taeyeon stared down at the floor. It was clear she was trying to take a moment to process Yuri's startling confession. “What could you possibly say that would make this right?" Tiffany asked. Yes, It turned out Yuri has actually been using a voodoo ring to control and manipulate Taeyeon all these while. So diabolic. "You’ve been manipulating me this entire time. Just tell me is everything you will say be the truth now?" Taeyeon asked. “I have, but please let me explain”, Yuri said taking Taeyeon's hand. Taeyeon jerked her arm away quickly and stepped back a couple feet. “Taeyeon, I’m not going to try and control you anymore. Please just let me explain.” “Please just let me punch her.” Tiffany said balling up her fist. Yoona grabbed her arm and pulled her back. She whispered something in her ear and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Tiffany seemed to calm a little, but it was clear she was battling the same angry compulsions I was fighting. Taeyeon put a hand up to Fany. It was a simple gesture, but I could read her every move now that she was no longer under Yuri's control. She didn’t intend to protect Yuri from physical harm. She just wanted Tiffany to stay calm. Taeyeon looked up at Yuri, her eyes bloodshot red and filled with tears. “Go on”, she said with low growl. “When I first met you, I thought you were arrogant, I wanted to teach you some lesson, but when I heard your story, I sincerely wanted to help you get better, to make life for you as hospitable as possible, you were miserable, devastated and heart broken. All you wanted to do was return home to your family and Jessica.” Yuri looked over at me with sad acknowledgement. I wanted to be angry, but all I could feel is relieved that Taeyeon missed me. “Your control over Taeyeon must have taken a serious amount of power. Who are you?” Tiffany asked curiously. “I have the power to control people’s perceptions and memories with this ring. It was a gift from a friend I met back at the States. I helped her a great deal and she gave it to me. She told me I could control anyone's mind with it. And I swear I was only trying to help Taeyeon get over her pain, but I fell in love with her along the way and so I used it to my advantage." Yuri confessed. I looked around. It was clear that the occupants of the room remained unconvinced. "You know I was going through the same thing you were when I met you, I was in so much pain from my break-up with my 8 years boyfriend and I couldn’t change my own perceptions, but I could change yours. It seemed more humane to change your perceptions and memories, to make life easier.” Yuri's eyes filled with tears again. I looked over at Tiffany. She rolled her eyes in disgust. Both Tiffany and I were unmoved by her display. Yuri shook her head and and broke down. “I know it seems cruel, but I needed to create a place that would bring you peace. I tried to do everything I could to make you happy. I was so lonely before you came, I often considered trying to end it all, but my desire to live, thrive and experience more out of this life, kept me going. I never wanted you to feel the desperation I felt. I tried to create a world for you that would bring you some comfort.” “You ended up hurting both of us in the process." Taeyeon said, her face painted with anguish. I wanted to destroy Yuri for causing Taeyeon so much pain. I didn’t care what her situation was. Taeyeon was suffering and I was filled with a protective rage that I had never experienced before. “When we arrived here, I had no idea what to do. I know I should have let you go, I know you do not have true feelings for me, I know your heart belongs to Jessica but I really do love you Taeyeon. I know that what I did was wrong, but I was scared to be alone again.” Taeyeon looked at me. The moment our eyes met, I knew Yuri's control was lifted. For the first time in months, I saw my Taeyeon. Yuri grabbed Taeyeon's arm and it was clear that my soulmate had heard enough. She pulled away and walked out the front door without another word. Before anyone could make a move, Yuri ran outside after Taeyeon. My heart was uneasy. I felt like an emotional intruder in something that was deeply personal for Taeyeon. “I need a minute”, I whispered to Mina. She gave my hand a squeeze. “Will you be okay if I go grab some air?” “Of course, beautiful. Just let me know if you need me.” I looked outside and saw Taeyeon and Yuri still talking on the front lawn. My heart felt heavy. I knew that standing there any longer was pointless. This wasn’t about me and I had to face it. I walked into the back yard and took in a deep cleansing breath. I wasn’t sure how to feel. Even with the truth exposed, I had no idea where Taeyeon's head was at. Suffering such a crippling and embarrassing shock couldn’t have been easy. I had to tell myself that this wasn’t about me and probably wouldn’t be for a very long time. I paced the backyard trying to calm my heart and mind. I knew that the best thing for Taeyeon would be to go inside, express my support and let her deal with the aftermath of the devastating blow without my watchful eyes. I took a seat on a chaise lounge chair and buried my face in my hands. “I must have hurt you badly, Sica." Taeyeon said as she sat down next to me. She let out a sad chuckle and rested a hand on my back. I popped my head up, pleasantly surprised and a little confused. “Are you okay? I know that was a lot to take in”, I said, trying desperately to play it cool. “Do you want the truth?” “Of course, Taeyeon. You can tell me anything.” “Today has been one of the weirdest and most emotional days of my life, but I’m feeling better than I expected.” I was floored. Taeyeon was smiling at me sweetly and her eyes were so bright and beautiful, I almost wept. “Really? Why?” “Being under Yuri's control was painful. I would have these moments of lucidity and then blackness would wash over me. In those moments of lucidity, do you know who I thought of?” I prayed she would say me. Every part of me tensed. “No. Who did you think of?” “You. I thought about your smile. I thought about the way you have always made me feel. I thought about that conversation outside your apartment when I confessed my feelings to you, I didn't hate you for that, I knew you also have feelings for me, I gathered you were confused, what I said must have been too much for you to take in at that time, you were in shocked, so I left to give you time to think, help you realize your own feelings and accept them before I return.” Taeyeon looked at her hand and smiled sadly. This rings were suppose to be ours, I bought them to propose to you, but I unconsciously gave yours to Yuri." I tried hard not to smile too much, but I couldn’t help it. My heart fluttered and I beamed. “I am so sorry I’m smiling...it’s just...”, I started to say before Taeyeon interrupted me. “I owe you an apology, Sica. I knew you were hurting, I know you loved me and I know I loved only you but I there was nothing I could do.” I turned to Taeyeon and placed a hand on her cheek. She closed her eyes and rubbed her cheek against my palm. I swear, I could have died happy right at that moment. It was the softest and most tender experience we ever shared. My heart leapt with longing to be near her. “What on earth are you talking about? You don’t need to apologize for anything, Taeyeon, if anyone is going to apologise it should be me, if I didn't push you away, you wouldn't have even met Yuri in the first place and you wouldn't have been under her spell.” “Everything I said, everything I did so heartlessly to you was colored by Yuri's mind control. Even when she was out of earshot, she had a hold over me that was impossible to break.” “You said it. You weren’t in control. You never have to apologize to me, especially under these circumstances.” “I’m sorry I couldn’t fight her”, Taeyeon said breaking down. Her head sank into my hand and tears fell down her cheeks. “What do you mean? Mr Choi said her ring's power was very strong. I am sure it was horrible if you, the bravest and most loyal person I know, couldn’t break free.” “But, my love for you...I would do anything, to protect it. Since the moment we met, we have had an unbreakable connection. I have