Tiffany POV

*13th-January-2018-at-Choi-Medical-Center*

As seen from the large television in Yuri's confinement room, a number of reporters swarmed the entrance of the HGC main office. Apparently, my mother, Elizabeth Hwang, just happened to walk out of the reception hall and was being fetched by Aunt Boa to head here in the hospital. Since I am not able to attend to any executive matters in our company, my parents have decided to take turns on handling my duties there while I am recovering. This is the consequence, though.

Because of the video Siwon sent out with regards to my parents' past, my mom and dad have been a subject of news and gossips. This did not spare Yuri's parents as well and the four have been subject to theories since you know, my mom's relationship with Yuri's dad years ago was a really big thing in the 80s, FYI.

So, nonetheless, a lot of activists also popped up in support of my mother's so-called 'situation' right now. Yes, aside from the reporters swarming the entrance, those activists have decided to protest right in front of our building every day to establish their goal of wanting to imprison my father for what he did. Obviously, though, what are they doing is just basically whine and babble on how 'ed' up the world is right now saying, victims have no choice but to accept their reality and even marry their perpetrators.

I understand that the situation is something that is really unacceptable but, come on. It has already been years passed and forgiveness has already been given by my mom to my dad.

"Aunt Elise sure is really famous." Yuri said, snapping me out on my focus on the news.

"Yeah. But definitely, this is because of dad running for local office this year." I sighed deeply. "This marks the end of his political career, though. It hasn't even started yet."

"Bad publicity is still publicity, though."

"This isn't bad. This is a very awful publicity."

He chuckled faintly, "Yeah. You're right."

The TV caught our attention again when mom finally released her statement redirected, "Let me ask you all. Do I look unhappy? Do I looked like I am in an abusive relationship?" No one answered her. With that, she sighed deeply, "I love my husband. We've been married for almost 29 years. He's a good man. A great man. Whatever this video scandal is, I sincerely apologize for the commotion it has done. But just, please... please do not judge my family with just one video." And with that, she was spared. It was unavoidable that a lot of camera flashes came afterwards as she headed for Aunt Boa's car.

I uttered, "My mom sure handled that quite well."

"Yeah... Too bad she's not able to tell the truth to the public..." Yuri mumbled. I gazed at him and found him rested with his eyes closed.

"I wonder why..." I said. "There's no point to hide the truth anymore, right? I mean... My dad was just a victim too..."

"The public will never understand that... No matter what has caused it, they will still pester on the actual deed."

"I see..." I looked away and just redirected back to the tv. It seems the news program has already ended. Thus, I just busied myself on flipping channels.

"Tiffany..."

"Yeah...?"

"Just let it go."

"..."

"Whether you like it or not, our families will always be a subject of intrigues."

"I know... It's just that... why though? Even before dad planned to run for office, the media has always been bothering us, most especially my family."

"Do you really not know why?"

"I wouldn't ask you if I do." 

He chuckled which made me look at him. He sat up and held my hand. He looked at me endearingly and said, "You are beautiful."

I chuckled back, "Now, that was random."

"No. That's the reason why. The media found you beautiful that's why we are all being bothered by them.  You know, when they see someone who is freaking unbelievably good looking who came from a chaebol, everyone blows their minds. You know how the public is kind of fond of chaebol stories."

"That is a very ridiculous and naive reason."

"It's true. You even have them intrigued by your two-liner speech when Uncle Jaejoong introduced you six years ago." Then he mimicked with the same bland expression, "Thank you very much. Have a great night, everyone."

The thought of him remembering that had me smiled, "Six years ago and you still got that stuck in your mind?"

"Of course. Everything you do never gets off my mind."

"Even if you are already stuck on that confinement bed of yours, you are still as cheesy as ever."

"There's no reason for me to change love."

"Whatever. You can't exactly conclude just because of that two-liner speech, okay."

"I know. But then, you got your series of scandals coming along. Your runaway bride scheme, your mini-date with me in Singapore while you are in your very much-publicized relationship with Yoong. What else? Right. Your son's mysterious origin. See? You pretty much fed the media with such a colorful life. No wonder they will never stop irking you. You, a rare beauty in the business world having a very much dramatic life, equates real-life tv drama series for the public."

"You and your non-sensical insights. You really never changed over the years."

"I am just answering your question, you know."

I faked a sigh, "Yeah, whatever."

"You can't fool me, anyway." He leaned closer. "I  know you are enjoying the spotlight. I can totally remember your showy act on your viral sharpshooter video. I remember your bragging face at that time."

And I happened to just smile in return. It seemed he noticed my silence. 
"What's wrong?" he asked.

"N-nothing." I saw him looking at me concernedly. I avoided his gaze.

"Is this about what Siwon told you...?"

"I asked mom about it and... and she confirmed it." I sighed,  "It's something I shouldn't be proud, Yuri..."

He then held my hand. "It doesn't matter now."

"..."

"I knew about it long before. Your father told us that during his 50th birthday."

"You knew that long?"

"Yes. But, there's no point in stressing about it."

"Still..."

"Look. I know you acquired that skill from an awful past but, it doesn't matter now. It was not your fault it happened. How old were you back then? 5? 6? You were too young for you to understand the situation back then. It was not your fault."

"I know, it's not. It's just that. I really feel awful, especially on that viral video. Every time I see those target ranges, it kind of makes me reminded of what he said."

"Why are you letting him haunt you?"

"..."

"That's basically his purpose that's why he revealed all those things. It's for us to be haunted for the rest of our lives just in case he fails to kill us. But, he did fail."

"..."

"And you are letting him win."

"I... I'm sorry."

"Look at me."

I complied and gazed back.

"Don't let him."

"You're one to talk. You are also letting him win."

He avoided my gaze. He sighed deeply then went to lay back on his bed.

To be honest, Yuri and I never really talked about anything that happened and what Siwon has revealed to us during that day.  There's not a single topic about it over the past 3 weeks. 

Ever since he woke up, he's been trying to avoid any conversations in relation to what Siwon has done to our lives, about those innocent people who died because of his wrongdoings just for revenge against our families.

A lot of our friends have their lives lost. Sunny... Hara... Rap... Then, our two sons. Sunkyu almost dying in Siwon's hands... Then, Kyungsan... our precious little angel who didn't even get to enjoy living in this world because of him. The pain still lingers on both of us. So much pain. I know this is the reason why he never wanted to open up.

Someone knocked on the door. "Come in. It's open." I shouted. It was the nurse who's been assisting with my recovery.

"Miss Hwang. It's time."

"Alright." I looked at my boyfriend. "I'm just going to get this cast removed, okay?"

"Okay."

---

"Wow. Look at you." Jessica snapped as soon as she saw me out to the hallway. She went to me.

"Yup. No more cast. I can now walk normally again." 

"Perfect. At least, my maid of honor would be able to perform her duties perfectly, then. One less problem for me."

"Even with my leg cast, I could still do it, Jess."

"Yeah, I know." she said then giggled.

"What makes you visit the hospital, by the way?"

"What? Can't I see you and Yuri?"

"Oh. Really, huh?"

"Just shut up, okay."

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