The next morning, Joohyun might struggled to keep herself away from Seulgi as soon as she woke up. She wouldn’t have wanted to leave her alone on the bed but she has to and it is pretty obvious that Seulgi is totally burned out and stressed with what happened so she made sure not to make any while she makes her way out the lounge.

Luckily, Joohyun already reached the front doors of the mansion before she was seen by Krystal who’s currently out for a jog that morning. “Good morning Unnie.” She greeted her.

“Hey, good morning.” Joohyun said as she almost choke with her words. “I just went out for a jog.. too.” She said.

“With your pajamas on?” Krystal said as she chuckled slightly.

“Oh.. yes.. it became a habit.” Joohyun said and nods as she walks inside the mansion.

Unfortunately, Tiffany is on her way to the kitchen as well and saw her. “Joohyun where have you been? I was knocking in your room the whole night.” She said.

“Oh Aunt Tiffany, I was outside I went for a walk.” She alibies. She didn’t expect that there will be people around that time and it quite surprise her.

“you know what? You seemed to be stressed and overwhelmed with the whole disappearing situation. Why don’t you go out for a drink tonight?” Tiffany suggested.

“I think that’s not the right thing to do. My younger sister is missing and none of us are aware if she’s alright nor what she’s been doing up to now.” Joohyun politely declined.

“You know what? I will consider that as a yes and I’ll see you at 6pm later today.” Tiffany said and walked away from her preventing her to decline her offer once again.

Joohyun walk towards her room to wash herself but before she could reach her doors Eunwoo called her from behind and approached her. “Noona, I wanted to apologize about my Mom’s behavior yesterday. That was just really rude.”

“No Eunwoo-a you don’t really have to apologize for her.” Joohyun said and smiled at him. “Don’t worry about it.” She was about to reach for the hinge knob of her door when she suddenly thought of something. “Eunwoo can I ask you a favor?”

--

Joohyun asked Eunwoo to drive her to the precinct where her ex husband is currently a prison. After Taeyeon and Lia’s disappearance, she couldn’t think of anyone that could possibly behind it except Suho.

With a teary eyes and a guilt surrounding his face, Suho couldn’t make an eye contact to her ex wife as soon as he gets inside the private room that Joohyun requested.

Joohyun couldn’t help but to plant a really hard slap on his face. “What are you doing?” Joohyun asked him with a faint voice. “When you denied all the murder attempts I easily let you go through with it..” She said. “And now you’re still after my family?”

Looking to her eyes, he wonders. “What? Joohyun I am not doing anything.”

Joohyun sarcastically escaped a laugh. “Right. Why would I expect you to admit all my accusations to you?” she said between her laugh. “as far as I remember it was only Lia and Aunt Taeyeon who were against our marriage and now they suddenly disappear.”
 

“They did?” He surprisingly asked. “Joohyun, I swear I have nothing to do with this. It’s true that I couldn’t get along with Lia and Aunt Taeyeon but if I couldn’t stand them from the start I should’ve made them disappear before we get married.”

“You’re the most disgusting and terrible person I’ve met. I shouldn’t have married nor met you from the start!” Joohyun said in disgust and pulled her bag with her as she slams the door when she went out.

Joohyun was quiet the whole time of their way back to the mansion and Eunwoo couldn’t help but to feel worried. Taking off his other hand on the steering wheel he grab a handkerchief inside his coat and handed it to Joohyun. “Just cry it out loud Noona, it will make you feel better later on.” He said. “its quite heavy on the chest if you keep it there.”

Joohyun giggled at him first then later on burst out crying. Sobbing without saying a word, thinking it was all her fault why is this happening to her family. All along she thought introducing Seulgi to her family will be her only problem but now she has no idea if Lia and Taeyeon are still alive or not.

Suddenly, her phone rings and she got a call from Seulgi. Wiping her tears and clearing . She was able to pick up the call after she managed to compose herself.

“Hi.”

“Joohyun where are you?” Seulgi asked in a worried tone.

“Calm down. I am with Eunwoo, there’s just some things that we need to settle in the office.” Joohyun reasoned out. “I didn’t ask you anymore cause you need to rest.”

“Joohyun I am at your office right now and you’re not here.” Seulgi said. “Where are you?”

“W-well uhm..” Joohyun suddenly stuttered. “I’ll meet you there. Wait for me.” Joohyun said and she asked Eunwoo to drive her at her office.

Rushing to the front doors of the building. She quickly press the button of the elevator and rushed inside as soon as it opens. It almost made her head explode when the elevator has to stop to open its doors per floor and she has to maintain a good image while most of her employees greet her.

Panting and catching for her breath after she run so she could reach Seulgi as quickly as possible. She opened the door and found Seulgi slightly seated at the edge of her desk. “Joohyun where have you been?”

“calm down.” Joohyun said as she coughs to clear . “I am sorry if I didn’t tell you that I will be out of the mansion but I arrived safe there’s nothing to worry about.”

“You didn’t ask my question.” Seulgi said. “where have you been?” she repeats herself.

“Seul…”

“Just answer the question Joohyun!” She exclaimed.

And Joohyun hated it. She hates it whenever she is cornered and so she burst out too “I went to visit Suho!” She yelled back at her. “I need some peace of mind. There’s no other person that could possibly doing this beside him.”

“You went there alone?” Seulgi firmly asked?

“I was with Eunwoo. I already told you.”

“oh yea? And what will happen if the two of you disappears?” Seulgi asked her but she was just asking that out of worrying.

“What?” Joohyun asked her as if she was insulted. “You’re mad because I left the mansion without you?”

“Yes! For goodness sake Joohyun. None of you and the rest of your family members are safe.” Seulgi said as if disciplining a young kid.

“Arent you supposed to be mad because I visit my ex husband?” Joohyun asked calmly. “You’re supposed to be jealous.” She told her.

“What?” Seulgi made a sarcastic smirk. “Joohyun I am not a teenager. There’s no reason for me to get jealous to your ex husband.”  She sigh heavily out of disappointment. “You’re not going to leave the mansion again without me and that’s final.”

“Teenager?” Joohyun sarcastically laugh but because she’s really insulted. “So you think I am a teenager whenever I am jealous and sulking huh?”

“Well yes,” Seulgi honestly admit “but that’s given, cause besides that you lack in romance..uhmmm I guess there’s more to learn.”

“then fine! From now on we’re no longer sharing beds, we’re not holding hands, you can’t kiss me nor touch my body if you want to and most of all that night will be the last night that you will hear my moan.” Joohyun firmly said.

Looking directly to Joohyun’s eyes, the intense gaze at her won’t leave. The way she gritted her teeth and the way she breathes heavily it is pretty obvious that she’s just… sulking. So Seulgi suddenly d and squeeze her right and said “No you don’t mean that.”

“yah you!” but before she could finish her word Seulgi pulled her aggressively for a deep and tender kiss. She was about to kiss back when her telephone rings which made Seulgi slowly detach herself from her. Showing her pointing finger and looking at her eyes directly she reminded her. “No more leaving the mansion without me,” and she smack her really hard before she left her office.

The telephone rings again which made her came back to her senses and realized that she has to pick up the call so she pressed the button and cleared . “Ne?”

“Ms. Bae, Ms. Hwang is here outside and wanted to see you.” Her secretary said.

“Ne, please let her in.” She said,

Tiffany exhibit a birght smile as soon as she gets inside Joohyun’s office. “Hi, I am picking you up for our girl’s night out at 6pm.” She said.

“Aunt Tiffany, I already told you I cannot spare a time for that.” She said as she took her seat.

“Of course you can.” Tiffany said. “Are you going to disappoint your Aunt that you haven’t seen for years?”

Joohyun made a heavy sigh but somehow she understands that Tiffany just wanted to unwind and ignore their current situation. “Alright Aunt Tiffany, but I have to go home before 10.”

And so Tiffany won and later that day just right as soon as the sun set, they rushed to the club that Tiffany just rented for the rest of the night. They would be ordering expensive liquors that they will just open to sprinkle everywhere, branded beers that they would drink as if they’re drowning themselves and wine that they just purchased bottles of wine just so they could display it on their table.

Tiffany and her friends are obviously enjoying the night while Joohyun made herself comfortable around them but she surely looked like so awkward. She can’t keep her eyes off her watch to check the time.

“You shouldn’t wear that with you.” Tiffany said as she snatched the glass of champagne from Joohyun’s hand and handed her a sliced lemon and a shot of vodka.

“No, Aunt Tiffany. I can’t take this.” Joohyun said as she shakes her head declining her offer.

“Just one shot come on!” Tiffany raised her voice so Joohyun could hear her clearly since the room was totally occupied by one of her karaoke friend Yuri.

But the more that she is in that room, the more she can’t stand with it when she refused. Tiffany is just so good in pursuing and making Joohyun drink which made her a little bit tipsy and so she excused herself and alibied that she needed to go to the restroom.

She knew that Seulgi is just outside the parking lot and is waiting for her and she was right. She managed to walk towards her without falling even if her vision is already rotating she was able to reach her.

“Seul.. I am so sorry.” Joohyun said as she placed her hand on her head.

“You smell alcohol.” Seulgi said and is obviously sound disappointedly.

 “I tried to decline alright? But I can’t, Aunt Tiffany insisted.” She tried to explain.

“Joohyun, we both knew that I do not have to remind you that your sister is missing and Aunt Taeyeon as well.” Seulgi told her. “and yet you have the guts to party over that?”

“I already told you I am sorry!” Joohyun exclaimed as well as she already getting pissed that she is hearing that from Seulgi when she’s already drowning in guilt and conscience.

“Well let me remind you one thing… my younger sister is at the hospital right now and is in bad condition because of your sister.” Seulgi yelled back at her as if she’s already blaming it to her.

“I also told you that I am really sorry about it!” She raised her voice louder than her. “But who did ask Yeji to cling around my sister? Wasn’t that her decision?”

“Are you telling me that Yeji deserved to be in that state just because she chose to be with Lia?” Seulgi made a sarcastic laugh and handed the car key to Joohyun. “Drive yourself home so if you put yourself in to an accident I wouldn’t have to blame myself for deciding to sticking with you.” And Seulgi walked out from her to show how she is upset she was for what she have said.

“Yah Kang Seulgi!” Joohyun yelled at her and watched her walk away from her.

Joohyun thought maybe Tiffany was right that she really need that girls night out and so she did not bother to run after Seulgi and went back to the club to join the girls who are already in the midst of their over drunk state and are totally wild.

Dancing wildly at the energetic loud and upbeat music Joohyun let herself indulge the night as if she freed herself from stress. She even broke the head of the wine and bath herself with it, with the cheering of the other girls she chugged the beer that she just grabs on the table and scream as soon as she was able to finish it.

Totally drunk and intoxicated, Joohyun just lost her consciousness from over partying. From the sound of the loud and energetic music she could only hear drips of water and she could feel that she is lying on something uncomfortable.

She tried to stretch her arms but she can’t. the same thing goes to her feet as well and when she slowly opened her eyes, she realized that she is tied.

“Good morning.” A familiar voice greeted her and she moved her head towards that person. Blinking her eyes few times until her vision became clear.

“Lia!” She exclaimed but when she tried to raise herself she suddenly felt a sudden headache.

Breathing slowly and making herself calm she tried to look at her again and realized that she was right. Lia is tied up as well at a chair steps away from her. While Taeyeon is currently panting and sweating lying beside her.

“Really unnie?” Lia looked at her as if she was disgusted. “We were kidnapped and you had the guts to party?”

“No, Lia.. listen to me.”

“No!” Lia yelled at her as her eyes became teary. “When you were sent here by a man that we don’t know, you were totally drunk! And you have a stamp on your wrist.”

“Lia, I am sorry.” She exhales deeply. “I am sorry… where are we?”

“I wish I know. I couldn’t even know how long ive been staying here.” Lia said. “Yeji.. how is she? I see how she was badly hurt by the vehicle who took me.” She worriedly said.

Joohyun suddenly look away from her after recalling her fight with Seulgi last night. “Lia.. Yeji, is in a bad condition.” She said with a heavy heart. “she’s unconscious and is currently admitted at the hospital.”

“Andwe…” Lia said and she started to burst out crying.

That’s when she realized that she did hurt Seulgi a lot. She’s sure that she was just holding her tears last night and she couldn’t help but to feel guilty about it. Sometimes when Joohyun couldn’t manage things by herself. She would just blame the stress to other just so she could release the inner tension that she is feeling.

On the other hand, Seulgi stayed with her unconscious sister and Joohyun didn’t strike to her mind once. She’s worried about her sister and she just wanted to look after her. “I am sorry, Yeji…”

Seulgi blamed herself from what happened to Yeji. She just wanted her sister to be happy and seeing her in that state made her feel disappointed towards herself. She thought she should have just listened to Yeji about Joohyun. Seulgi doesn’t know how will she tell her younger sister that Lia is still missing and she and Joohyun are already in a relationship.

“Unnie….” Yeji said softly.

“Yeji!” Seulgi almost jumped from her seat after hearing her words.

“Unnie..”

Seulgi rushed to the nurse station and informed everyone that Yeji is already talking and after a half an hour of ocular assessment, Seulgi was advised that Yeji still needs to stay at the hospital for a week for further examinations and she is strictly recommended to undergo rehabilitation.

“Unnie…”

“Yah Yeji aa you keep on saying the same words over and over again. I am here.” Seulgi said as if she was pissed but worried at the same time.

Yeji made a weak smile. “Where is Lia?”

“I am sorry Yeji. She has been missing for three days and no one knows about her current state.” Seulgi said as she failed to look at her sister.

Yeji didn’t say a word but she started to sniff and slightly choked since she’s already crying. “It’s my fault. I should’ve protected her.”

“No Yeji. Don’t blame yourself on this.” Seulgi convince her sister. “Its their family issues and you don’t have anything to do about it. She should be the one who should feel sorry and troubled for making you involve in this.”

“Unnie, I would feel sorry more if I stayed like this and yet she didn’t make it out alive.” Yeji reasoned out.

“Of course not, Yeji you still have me.”

“But not forever.” Yeji said. “You love Joohyun unnie don’t you?”

Seulgi sighed and with a heavy heart she confessed. “Yes I might be but I am not so sure yet.”

“She looks like Lia when she’s worried about you back then. I can see to her eyes that she is sincere and she really loves you.” Yeji said. “Unnie, we do crazy things for someone we love don’t we?”

“Yeji.. I never wanted to see you in this state again.”

“No one would wanted unnie but if you don’t do anything about this. I might not be the only one you’ll seeing in this state.” Yeji confidently said. “Unnie, please save Lia and her family.”

“If I can’t make this out alive, give my ashes to Joy since she would mind more taking care of me instead of Joohyun.” She sulkingly said.

“Oh did you guys fight?”

“Over her partying when Lia and Aunt Taeyeon are missing.” Seulgi admit.

“Unnie… when two couples fight, they do shouldn’t run away from it. They should be talking about it.” Yeji said. “There’s more reason for you to save her family because if you don’t she might also be in danger and if that happened, it might be too late for you to solve things out.”

“Ah jinja you really sound like a grandma.” Seulgi smirked. “Anyway, you left your phone with Lia didn’t you?”

“I intentionally put it inside her bag when she was forcefully taken by some men.” Yeji said

As soon as Moonbyul arrived to look after Yeji, Seulgi made her way to her vehicle and tried to contact Joohyun. They might argued that night but she knew there’s something wrong that she didn’t receive any call from her.

 So she tried to contact her but she couldn’t be reached and because of that she knew that she needs more than what she has. She went straight to the underground agency and met Somi and Chaeyoung.

She was greeted by her hoobae and she didn’t waste time to tell them what she needs. Using Yeji’s phone, they were able to locate Tiffany’s location and as an admiring agent at the agency, her hoobaes even drive her to the location.

It leaded them to a private resort which is 4 hours away from Seoul, with her heart pounding, Seulgi managed to enter the resort portraying a good image of a guest. Observing the area and looking for something suspicious, Seulgi couldn’t find any track nor evidences where she could be lead where Tiffany is.

Until she reached the golf course and tried to search around the lounge area. Someone familiar caught her attention and she was right. It is Eunwoo.

“Eunwoo yaaa…” She approached her calmly.

Eunwoo turned around again and wiped his tears. It happened that he is hiding behind a vending machine as he burst out crying. “Ms. Kang what are you doing here?” He embarrassedly asked.

“Are you alright?” Seulgi worriedly asked.

Eunwoo forced a smile. “I think there’s no reason for me to hide anything from you. You already witnessed how my Mom slapped me.” He said. “Ms. Kang, we left the mansion after Yunho samchon and Omma fought over Joohyun noona. She’s missing as well.”

Seulgi sigh and that was the last thing she wanted to hear. All those times that Joohyun isn’t picking up her calls she wished that she was just throwing tantrums and sulking.

Tapping Eunwoo’s shoulder to make him calm, She noticed that Eunwoo is holding something on his hand. “What is that?”

Eunwoo showed her and smiled. “This is the only thing that I have to see my Mom smiling at me.” He said and realized that it was Tiffany’s young picture and is ripped into half. “I took this from the trash when she threw it yesterday.”

After recalling the photographs that she found at Taeyeon’s pouch. She realized that it was the other half of Taeyeon’s ripped wallet size picture in her wallet. “Ms. Tiffany and Aunt Taeyeon are…”

“Ne Ms Kang?”

Seulgi shake her head and escaped a smile. She also feels sorry for Eunwoo and she knew if he found out that his Mom could be the possible culprit of Taeyeon and the rest’s disappearance. “Anyway, I would give you this time to let that all out.” Seulgi said. “I’ll see you around.”

On the other hand, the empty room where Taeyeon, Lia and Joohyun were kept is still as quiet as it was. Everyone is afraid and as soon as Taeyeon woke up from her sleep she felt like she was about to faint after seeing Joohyun is around too.

“Aunt Taeyeon, kwenchanayeo?” Joohyun and Lia asked in chorus.

“Miane…” She apologized but she couldn’t explain why. She already accepted her faith to be kept inside that room forever as long as her daughters are safe but it crashed her heart into pieces when she saw both of them with her.

Suddenly, the lights , giving them a spotlight and everyone heard a clap. “What a lovely scenario of a complete family.”

Without yet seeing her everyone knew it is Tiffany by just hearing her voice. As the high heels sounds louder  everyone in that room was right. It is her.

Wearing a fit red dress, high heels, heavy make up and her hair is attractively curled. “Annyeong everyone.”

In that moment Joohyun wished she could just turn back time. She should have listened to Seulgi. “I trusted you.” Joohyun said with a teary eyes.

“did I disappoint you?” Tiffany asked her with a smile. “Well you disappoint me the day you were born.”

“Why are you doing this!?” Lia asked rudely.

“Oh. Look who’s asking me. You’re a disappointment too!” Tiffany said right to her face she yelled at her.

“I don’t understand.” Joohyun said out of disappointment.

“Unnie, why don’t you tell them?” Tiffany asked.

“Jaebal… not here.” Taeyeon said weakly. She won’t endure to tell her children everything right to their face.

 Confused and clueless Joohyun and Lia are exchanging looks and shrugging shoulders and inside of them are dying to know what they’re talking about.

“tell them!” Tiffany insisted as she yelled. “Tell them. So they would feel the pain that I felt why I was away.”

“You went away because you’re studying abroad.” Joohyun said as if she’s’ reminding her.

“No, its because.. to run away from the pain.” Tiffany said and now she’s crying with some laughter.

“Just kill me and tell them, jaebal.” Taeyeon asked.

“No. that’s not the pain that I wanted you to feel.” Tiffany said. “I want you to feel the pain that never fades.” And seeing Taeyeon’s face, she knew, she won’t expose herself. “Shoot the girl that wears black pants on her leg.”

“No!” Taeyeon said as she tried to block Joohyun but she was so weak to lift herself.

“You can’t do that unnie, the drug was so strong to make you weak.”

“You put something in her food!” Lia said.

“And you were the one who brought it to her.” Tiffany laughed. “We’re a tandem here young lady.”

“You bastard!” Lia cursed at her.

“Shoot this girl that cursed me on her leg too.” Tiffany ordered but no one obeyed on her first order and now it’s taking minutes for Lia to be shoot. If there’s something that will please her as of the moment it is a sound of a gun and a blood on the sister’s leg. She wonders how will Taeyeon feel if she witnesses her daughters struggles in pain.

“I said shoot their legs!” She yelled and it echoed around the room. A gun shot was heard around and it made everyone flinched. Lia even felt her leg stinging by just hearing the sound.

Tiffany escaped a satisfying laugh but it faded. “Where’s the blood?” She asked.

Lia and Joohyun exhaled in relieve after realizing they weren’t hurt. “Aim the legs you stupid!” Tiffany said as she turn around to face her men but she cant visualize them as the light is only on them.

When they hear gentle footsteps louder it means someone’s coming near them. Joohyun and Lia closed their eyes thinking that the person wanted to be closer for a better aim.

“Aunt Taeyeon you need to tell them the truth.” As the light passes to her body, everyone was surprised that it is Seulgi.

Tiffany didn’t remember that she hired a female one and it made her turn around quickly and was so surprised to see Seulgi. She tried to stand up but Seulgi pressed her down on her shoulders and placed a handcuff on her wrists.

“Aunt Taeyeon, please tell them. They need to know.” Seulgi said. “Worse than this might happen if you keep this a secret.”

“You knew what they’re talking about?” Joohyun asked her out of confusion.

But looking at Joohyun’s innocent face, Seulgi suddenly feel sorry that she didn’t had the courage to tell her about it. Approaching her slowly, she untied Joohyun and Lia as well. She also helped Taeyeon to raise herself. “Miane.” She apologized to everyone.

Seulgi assisted Taeyeon while Joohyun and Lia followed them out. A group of cops entered the area and they were all still shaking inside the van that Seulgi took over to drive and despite what happened. It pains Lia and Joohyun to see Tiffany forcefully pushed inside the police car.

Joohyun and Seulgi were still awkward because of their fight last night, Taeyeon is weak and Lia is still having mixed feelings after learning that her sister got drunk while they’re missing, her girlfriend being at the hospital, her aunt kidnapping them and Taeyeon keeping secrets.

“Could you please just tell us about it?” Lia asked. “I need some peace of mind.” Lia said

“I…” Taeyeon said. “I am in a relationship with Tiffany before.”

Joohyun and Lia gasped in shock. That none of them would believe that they’re not dreaming right now. “I had an affair with Yunho while we were in a relationship and I gave birth to Yunho.” Taeyeon confessed as if every words crashes her heart. “it didn’t end there. I promised to Tiffany that it wont happen again but it did and Lia was born.”

“Was that all the reason why Omma wasn’t really like a Mom to us?” Lia asked.

“Seulgi you knew about this and you didn’t tell me?” Joohyun asked frustratedly.

“I don’t have the right to tell you.” Seulgi said.

--

After a year, Yeji was delayed one semester as she wanted to focus more on her therapy. She’s already walking slowly and she could already write properly. Lia has been always with her during her therapy sessions. School and Seulgi’s home has been Lia’s regular schedule and she’s always been there to support and keep Yeji’s hopes up even if she’s badly impaired because of the accident.

Seulgi left the underground agency after realizing that her work could be dangerous to any of her love ones. Carrying her stuffs on the second time around, this time she’s no longer waiting for a cab to be called. Joohyun is already outside with her car waiting for her.

“those are lots of stuffs.” Joohyun said.

“I know. I’ve been living there for years and now its time to say good bye for good.” Seulgi said as she stares at the building from the window.

Joohyun drop a folder on her lap and looked away from her. “that is the contract as my female bodyguard.” She said. “the terms were totally different from before, this time you have to stick around me even if we’re fight  severely.”

“Do we really need this?”

“Well I have to make sure.” Joohyun said. “I am still working on my tongue to at least paused when I am pissed. I almost lose you a year ago.”

“Of course not.” Seulgi said. “I might not said it but.. I also apologize for mentioning Lia that night. If Yeji turned out to be this way without Lia, she wont be able to endure it. I am sorry.” Seulgi said.

Joohyun smiled. “I love you Seul.”

“I Love you too.”