⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

I sat in silence in the living room, not really grasping the situation. My father sat in front of me, a phone clad in his right hand while the left covered his face. Tears sneakily making it's way out as it dripped onto the ground.

I didn't know what to do or say. I wasn't even sure about how I was feeling. My memories of my mother were rather vague, she left more than a decade ago, my memories of her fading together with the time.

A part of me was broken, but it felt like I had lost something I never had in the first place. The broken piece of me had always felt broken.

Even though unhealthy, I managed to learn how to disregard my feelings in situations like this. Aera, on the other hand, always had a hard time dealing with pain. She was closer to Mother after all.

But my father was my main concern.

"We should file a lawsuit." I broke the silence and my father looked up at me, his expression blank. "This was a fault on the Safe Place. How could she be using right under their-"

"Areum," My sister spoke out from behind me. "Now's not the time for your babbling." She said through gritted teeth, her breath getting stuck in her throat as she swallowed a cry.

"I'm sorry," I quietened myself, giving in to her as I feel guilt washing its way back to me. Taehyung had already told her about the annulment right before getting the call from our father about mother's passing.

All this on her wedding day, I couldn't even begin to comprehend the pain she must be feeling.

"A lawsuit will be pointless," my father finally spoke out rubbing his face in frustration. "They can easily drop the claims and instead turn it on me. The company could take a huge hit too." He let out as he stared at the phone, waiting impatiently for the call.

All I did was nod, feeling like a stranger in my own home at this point. Finally his phone lit up, the ringing tone piercing through the sombre atmosphere. He answered the call, a little hesitantly.

"We'll be there." Was all he said right after hanging up. Father wiped away a stray tear as he looked up at Aera. "It was the hospital, we can go see her and say our goodbyes." He choked up a little, looking away as he stood up.

I got up immediately after him grabbing my things and as I was about to walk out behind him Aera stood in front of me, obstructing my path. My eyes shot up from her feet and I locked my gaze with her.

She stared at me with eyes that were burning with so many emotions and I fell back onto the couch the moment she stepped closer. "I-I'll stay." I let out, getting her message. My father barely acknowledged me while Aera nodded, almost in a threatening way.

I've never felt more like an outsider at that point. I didn't even feel like I had the right to go see my mother for the last time. I remained seated on the couch as the door slammed shut and the silence shot through my ears like bullets.

I was still lost, my mind grasping nothing. I took in a deep breath, reaching for my phone and dialled the first number that came to mind, needing somewhat of a reality check.

"Areum," Taehyung said, close to gasping.

I laid down on the couch, tucking my hand under my cheek as I remained quiet. "Areum?" He called out once more and I didn't know how to respond.

"They left, they're going to see her body." I said, chill running down my spine at my own words.

"You're not going?" He asked, his voice soft and welcoming.

"I don't think they want me there." I whispered, my emotions finally reaching me, feeling the warmth of my tear run down the side of me face. I breathed through my mouth, not wanting Taehyung to hear me cry.

"Areum, she's your mother. You have the right to-"

"It's fine," I quickly wipe the tears from my cheeks, trying to convince myself that it was indeed fine. "I don't want to upset them further."

Taehyung stayed silent on the other end of the line and I couldn't help but cough out a laugh, "I must be the worst person you've ever met, huh?" Another tear racing down my cheek.

"What? No, you're not." He quickly defended me.

"What kind of daughter am I?" I mumbled under my breath, thinking about how the only thing on my mind was my father and sister and not my mother.

His ear managed to catch my faint voice. "A great one." He said, "putting your father's emotions before yours. I know I couldn't."

All I do is sigh. "Everything's a mess." I whispered, wanting things to be okay. Just for one day at least. I wanted a break from the heartache and distress.

"Do you want me to come over?" Taehyung asked.

"It's okay." I tried to reject, knowing that he's still legally married to my sister.

"It's not, I'll be there in a bit." And I didn't try to refuse this time. I needed a comforting touch.

I remained on the couch and after a few minutes, there was a knock on the door. I dragged myself towards it and swung there door open, revealing Taehyung.

I don't even wait for him to take off his coat as I bury myself in him, my arms tightening around him. In an instant, he swung his arms, holding my body securely to his where his warmth embraced me.

The moment I feel his hold, the walls that I had hid behind came crashing down. The walls which separated myself from my emotions, holding me up. Every single thought now being used against myself, breaking me apart bit by bit.

I leaned in as I pressed my head against his chest trying to stop myself from crying but I couldn't. The sobs started punching through me and I felt every inch of my being pour out into these tears.

His grip around me tightened the moment my sobs grew harder. I could tell he was taken aback by my breakdown. My legs start feeling weak and soon I was on the ground with him kneeling in front of me. His arms spread around me like wings as I sobbed unceasingly into his chest.

My cries softened down and I was now whimpering in his arms as we laid on the floor. He rocked me a bit, his chin on my head whilst his hands remained wrapped around me. He stroked my head lightly, moving my hair from my face as I stayed in his embrace.

"They hate me." I hiccuped from crying to hard.

"They don't, Areum."

"They do," tears welling up in my eyes again and Taehyung looked down at me, eyes brimmed with tears as well. He probably couldn't see me in this state and so I tried my best not to break again.

"Your father loves you, you know that." He said with a nod, trying to get me to agree. He looked up for a bit, wiping away the glassy teardrop that ran down his cheek, not wanting me to see it but he was too late.

"Everyone's just at a low place now." He pushed my head into the crook of his neck, running his hand down my head lovingly.

"It's impossible to hate you, love." He kissed the top of my head. "Let's just give everyone a little time to breathe, okay?" He peeped and I started feeling vulnerable at the low and assuring tone of his voice.

"Okay," I breathed out, calming the raging storm in my mind as I nuzzled myself into him.

"Here," He stood up, helping me up along the way. He brought me to the couch and got me to lay down.

I feel myself drifting off to sleep when suddenly, the weight beside me gets lifted. I opened my eyes to see Taehyung walking away but before he could go far, I caught his hand.

"Don't go," I tugged onto his arm, not wanting him to leave even for a second.

He looked back down at me, the corners of his lips lifting upward into the most assuring smile. "I'm not going anywhere." He leaned in, kissing my forehead.

He took off his coat, setting it down and then came back to me, squeezing with me on the couch as he held me in his arms. His arms tightened around my waist like a belt as he buried his face into my neck. He kissed me one more time, "I'm going to be here, always."