Chapter 31

(Flashback continues)

Time Skip – 5 Hours Later

It was evening, and everyone was watching a movie together when suddenly, Jungkook clutched his head, whimpering in pain.

Eunwoo noticed immediately.

“Hey, Kook, what happened?” he asked, concerned.

Everyone’s attention quickly turned to Jungkook.

But Jungkook just whimpered, unable to answer.

“Kookie, what happened, baby? Are you okay? Is it hurting?” Hyesuk and Haein bombarded him with worried questions.

“I-It’s p-pa-paining,” Jungkook finally managed to say through gritted teeth.

They tried to calm him down, but nothing worked. His pain only seemed to worsen.

Suddenly, blood started trickling down from his forehead.

Jungkook noticed it and clutched his head, letting out a loud whimper as a sharp pain shot through him.

Panic filled the room.

And then, flashes of memories flooded Jungkook’s mind.

“Eommaaaaa!!!”

“Appa, leave eomma!”

“Hyungie… I want hyungie…”

The moment the flashes disappeared, Jungkook fainted.

“Let’s take him to the hospital!” Haein said urgently, already dialing 911.

“Kookie… Bun, wake up, baby… Bun… Please wake up,” Hyesuk sobbed, her hands shaking as she held onto him.

Fear gripped her heart.

Eunwoo stood frozen, watching everything with wide, teary eyes. His vision blurred as tears began streaming down his face.

At the Hospital

They rushed Jungkook to the hospital, and he was immediately taken into the emergency room.

Hyesuk had already informed Kim about the situation.

But, as expected, Mr. Busy Kim didn’t bother coming himself. Instead, he sent one of his men.

Hyesuk sat anxiously in the waiting area, her hands trembling.

“Eomma, he’ll be fine. Don’t worry,” Haein reassured her, trying to stay strong.

Hyesuk nodded weakly, but she kept whispering to herself, “Nae… My Kook will be fine… Please be fine…”

Haein was just as worried, but she knew she had to stay brave for her family.

That’s when she noticed Eunwoo standing quietly, his eyes filled with tears.

Haein gently pulled him into a hug.

“Eunwoo… Kookie will be fine, baby. Don’t worry, hmm?” she whispered.

But the next moment, Eunwoo burst into tears.

“Jungkook… Kook… H-He’s not fine!” he sobbed loudly.

Haein tried her best to calm him down.

Hyesuk tried too.

But nothing worked.

Eunwoo kept crying—for his brother. For his best friend.

“Hyesuk-ssi?”

A voice called out, making Hyesuk turn around.

It was a man in his twenties.

Hyesuk wiped her tears and nodded at him.

“I-I was appointed by Kim. My name is Lee Suho,” the man introduced himself with a polite bow.

“Oh… Nae,” Hyesuk responded, bowing slightly in return.

That’s when Suho’s gaze fell on Eunwoo.

“Why is he crying?” Suho asked.

“For Jungkook,” Hyesuk replied, her voice heavy with worry. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes again.

Haein was still trying to console Eunwoo, but her own eyes had started to tear up as well. Seeing her little brother cry so much hurt.

Suho sighed softly and knelt down to Eunwoo’s level.

“Hey, look at me,” Suho said gently.

Eunwoo peeked up from Haein’s embrace, his face wet with tears.

“Come here,” Suho said, extending his arms.

Eunwoo hesitated and looked at Haein.

Haein looked at Suho, searching his expression.

He gave her a small, reassuring nod.

She hesitated for a moment but then nodded at Eunwoo. “Go on, Eun.”

Eunwoo shook his head, clinging to Haein tighter.

Suho chuckled softly. “Come on, kid. I won’t do anything. Trust me.”

Eunwoo peeked at him again before he felt Suho gently pull him away from Haein’s arms.

Suho hugged him softly and asked, “What’s your name, kid?”

“E-Eunwoo… Park Eu-Eunwoo…” he sniffled.

Suho pulled away slightly and looked at him. “Look at me.”

Eunwoo hesitantly lifted his gaze.

“Don’t cry, Eunwoo. Jungkook will be fine. You want him to be fine, right?” Suho asked in a soothing voice.

Eunwoo nodded while sniffling.

“You want to see him, right?”

Eunwoo nodded again.

“Then will you see him like this? Crying and sobbing?” Suho asked, gently running his fingers through Eunwoo’s hair.

Eunwoo shook his head.

“You want him to be okay, right? You want to see him smile again?” Suho continued. “If you see him like this, he’ll be sad too.”

Eunwoo bit his lip and nodded.

“I-I want him to be f-fine,” Eunwoo stammered.

“Then, are you going to cry?” Suho asked.

Eunwoo hesitated before shaking his head. He quickly wiped his tears with his small hands, still sniffling.

Suho turned to Haein and gestured for her to come closer.

Haein looked at him questioningly.

Suho leaned in slightly and whispered, “Take him to another room and make him sleep.”

Haein nodded and gently took Eunwoo’s hand.

“Come on, Eun. Let’s go rest, hmm?” she said softly.

Eunwoo hesitated but eventually followed her.

Suho watched as they left, letting out a small sigh.

QUICK INTRODUCTION

Lee Suho

Age: 28

Role: A highly trusted worker of Kim. Handles major tasks. Moved to Italy two months ago.

Suho sighed and looked at Hyesuk, who was staring at him with teary eyes.

“Miss Hyesuk, don’t worry. Jungkook will be fine,” Suho tried to reassure her.

“N-Nae, he will be fine,” Hyesuk said, confidence lacing her voice.

They were waiting anxiously for the doctor.

Haein had already made Eunwoo sleep and now rejoined them.

She hesitated before asking, “Um… who are you?” while looking at Suho.

Suho blinked before realizing he hadn’t introduced himself.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot to introduce myself,” he said with a small smile, bowing slightly.

“I’m Lee Suho. I work for Kim. He sent me here. Also, I’m 28 years old.”

Haein nodded. “I’m Park Haein, and… thank you for calming my brother. You handled him really well.”

Suho smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

They continued waiting for the doctor.

After One Hour

Finally, the door to the emergency room opened, and the doctor stepped out.

“Is he okay?” Hyesuk asked anxiously.

The doctor gave a small nod. “He is fine now. By the way, you are?”

“His mother,” Hyesuk answered quickly.

The doctor nodded before saying, “Can you all come to my office? There are some things we need to discuss.”

They all exchanged glances before nodding and following the doctor.

Inside the Doctor’s Office

“Please, have a seat,” the doctor gestured.

Hyesuk and Haein sat down, but Suho remained standing, his posture protective.

“Doctor, is there anything serious?” Haein asked worriedly.

The doctor sighed before answering.

“It’s a bit complicated. He is very weak—it seems like he hasn’t been eating properly. As for his sudden headache and fainting, it’s linked to a past accident.”

He turned to Hyesuk. “Is he taking his meals and medications on time?”

Hyesuk’s hands trembled slightly as she spoke, “He doesn’t live with us… He stays with his father. But he told us that he eats on time.”

The doctor’s expression turned serious. “It seems like he lied. His body lacks nutrients and iron, which has weakened his immune system. He must start eating properly.”

Hyesuk bit her lip, holding back tears.

The doctor continued, “About the headache—something from his past must have triggered it. Did anything happen recently that could have brought back old memories?”

Hyesuk shook her head. “I don’t know…” she whispered, looking down.

“It’s okay, ma’am. But please make sure he doesn’t recall anything from the past. It could be dangerous for him.” The doctor warned them.

They nodded, absorbing the information.

“And…” the doctor hesitated before looking at them with concern.

After a brief pause, he finally said, “It seems like he is being abused.”

A gasp echoed through the room.

“M-Mwo?” Haein stammered, her voice laced with fear.

The doctor sighed. “His upper body has scars—not just minor ones. These are clearly signs of abuse. Make sure to keep him safe.”

Hyesuk clutched her chest in shock, while Haein’s hands shook.

The doctor hesitated before leaning in slightly.

“Please… don’t tell Kim that I said this. He’ll kill me if he finds out.”

The doctor’s voice dropped to a whisper.

“I feel terrible for that poor boy… He always gets beaten like hell. Please… help him.”

The doctor—who had been treating Jungkook’s wounds for so long—finally voiced the truth.

Silence filled the room, heavy and suffocating.

Everyone gasped in shock.

“D-Do you know about this?” Haein asked, her voice filled with worry.

The doctor remained silent for a moment before standing up and bowing apologetically.

“I-I am so sorry for not telling you earlier. If Kim finds out that I told you all this… he will kill me.”

Haein’s unshed tears finally started falling as Jungkook’s voice echoed in her mind:

“Noona, I’m all fine… Noona, Appa treats me so well. He even bought me banana milk… I’m all fine… Appa doesn’t scold me unless it’s necessary… He doesn’t lay a hand on me…”

All those lies… They made her feel guilty.

Haein took a deep breath and wiped her tears. “T-Thank you for telling us, Doctor. We’ll take care of him now.”

She gently took her mother’s hand and led her away, but before leaving, she glanced at Suho, who also had a worried expression on his face.

Outside the Doctor’s Office

Haein made Hyesuk sit on a chair before turning to Suho.

“Will you tell all of this to Kim?” she asked coldly.

Suho immediately shook his head. “N-No, I won’t.”

Haein scoffed. “How can I trust you? You are his most trusted worker. You will definitely tell him everything.” Tears continued to flow down her cheeks.

Suho’s hands clenched into fists as he responded, “N-No, I swear I won’t. Maybe Kim calls me his ‘trusted worker,’ but…” he hesitated before whispering, “I never saw him as a boss… only as a monster.”

Haein looked at him blankly before turning around and walking away.

Two Hours Later

Everyone was inside Jungkook’s hospital room. Hyesuk hadn’t left his side even for a second. Haein sat nearby, lost in thought, while Eunwoo stood next to her, his eyes filled with fear and confusion.

Suddenly, Hyesuk’s eyes widened when she saw Jungkook’s fingers twitch.

“Kookie!” she called out, immediately holding his hand. “Baby, I’m here. Eomma is here.”

Jungkook slowly opened his eyes, his vision blurry. He saw his mother and felt a wave of fear wash over him. His doe eyes welled up with tears.

“E-Eomma…” he whispered weakly.

“Nae, Kookie, Eomma is here. Everything is fine now. You will be alright, baby.” Hyesuk reassured him, gently stroking his hair.

Haein stood beside her, her heart aching at the sight of her little brother in such a fragile state.

Eunwoo, who had been silently watching, started tearing up. Haein noticed and immediately pulled him into a comforting side hug.

Meanwhile, Suho quietly left the room to call the doctor.

“P-Pains…” Jungkook murmured weakly.

Haein crouched beside him. “Where does it hurt, Kook? Your head?” she asked worriedly.

Jungkook nodded, tears streaming down his face.

Hyesuk wiped his tears gently. “It will be okay, baby. The doctor will be here soon, and he’ll make you feel better, hmm?”

Just then, the doctor entered and began checking Jungkook. Everyone watched anxiously as he examined him.

After a few minutes, the doctor stepped back and looked at them.

“He will be fine,” he assured them. “I’ve given him the necessary medication. Just make sure he eats on time.”

The doctor gave some additional instructions before leaving the room.

They turned back to Jungkook, who was staring at them with wide, confused, and scared eyes.

Hyesuk caressed his hair. “Kook, do you want something?”

Jungkook slowly shook his head, his gaze searching around the room. He was looking for someone… hoping they would be there.

But they weren’t.

“Who are you looking for, baby?” Hyesuk asked softly.

Jungkook’s lips trembled before he spoke in a weak voice.

“A-Appa…”

Silence.

Jungkook was looking for his father.

But he wasn’t here.

Why?

Was it because Kim was too busy with work?

Or… was it because he simply didn’t care?

Hyesuk swallowed the lump in her throat before forcing a small smile.

“Kook, Appa had some work. He will come tomorrow, hmm?”

The moment those words left her lips, Jungkook’s eyes filled with tears.

His tiny, broken voice echoed in the room.

“Appa… A-Appa… Appa…”

He kept calling for his father while sobbing.

Hyesuk couldn’t hold it in anymore. Tears spilled down her cheeks, and she rushed out of the room, unable to bear it.

Haein clenched her fists, anger boiling inside her.

Kim.

That man didn’t deserve to be called a father.

With a deep breath, she turned to Jungkook, who was still crying softly.

She gently pulled him into a warm hug, rubbing his back soothingly.

“Shh… Noona is here, Kookie. I’m here.”

And at that moment, she silently vowed to protect him—no matter what.

(Flashback to be continued)

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