Jisoo Kim already decided prior to coming to her apartment that she'd commit murder. She remembers the sinking feeling in her stomach the morning the article was published and the way the other girls concerningly spammed the group chat, making sure that she was okay. Park Chaeyoung barely responded, explaining that she would be on her way back to Seoul in the morning and that they'll talk more then and that she wanted to turn off her phone because there were too many calls coming in.

It was already 11am in the morning and she hadn't heard a thing, so she finds herself rushing to Park Chaeyoung's apartment with the spare key since she wasn't answering any calls.

What if she was alone crying?

How would Dongsun react too?

To her surprise, she walks in to the sound of Dongsun's light giggles and as she walks towards the living room, she sees the most unlikely thing—Jeon Jungkook, Park Chaeyoung and Dongsun gathering around a computer screen and printer, printing out photos from their trip.

Dongsun, who was usually attached to his mother when strangers were around was instead perched on Jeon Jungkook's lap, as Park Chaeyoung looks up and notices her.

"Unnie!" She cheers, smiling as she gets up and runs over to her, wrapping her arms in a hug, "... I'm sorry my phone battery died so it's still being charged, have you eaten yet?"

Not long after, Dongsun rushes from Jeon Jungkook's lap and rushes over to her, holding his hands out for a hug as he cheered, "... auntie Jisoo, mommy and Uncle Jungkook are printing photos from our trip to the beach, do you want to see them? Mommy said we should go with auntie Lisa, Jennie and Jisoo next time!"

Still in shock, the woman reaches down and carries the young boy, watching as Jeon Jungkook too slowly gets up before bowing at the other woman.

Jisoo Kim is so certain that she'll be angry.

Only, she's not.

How could she be, when she sees the way her best friend's smile feels and looks so genuine for the first time in so long?

Jisoo Kim doesn't have the heart to be angry, especially so when Dongsun is excitedly pointing to the printer, excited to show his auntie the various pictures they'd taken.

"Should I make some tea?" Park Chaeyoung turns, a vibrant smile across her lips, "... or coffee?"

"Coffee," she responds, "... let me help you."

Before she could, Jeon Jungkook holds his hand gently on Park Chaeyoung's back, "... I'll have it sorted, I know you guys have a lot to talk about."

Before she could protest, he turns to Dongsun, "... buddy, will you help me make drinks for mommy and auntie Jisoo?"

Dongsun cheers in complete bliss.

Unaware of everything that was happening.

-

Park Chaeyoung takes a nervous breath out loud as she sits down with Jisoo Kim in the living room, knowing that it won't be an easy conversation. She already knows that the older woman won't be happy, especially with the recent leak by his ex-girlfriend.

But she'd thought about it long and hard, and knows she doesn't want to deny herself of her feelings anymore.

"It's been a while, since your smile was this genuine," she finally breaks her silence, "... I can't say I approve of any of this, but I'm glad you're happy."

Park Chaeyoung's eyes open in surprise, not anticipating such a reaction.

"But are you sure he won't suddenly change his mind again?" She finishes her question.

The truth was, she wasn't sure.

But all she knew was that everything at that moment felt right.

"I know that I have three best friends and an overprotective lawyer sister who'll kick his ass if he does," she instead responds, "... I'm sorry, if I disappointed you."

"Chaeyoung, you will never disappoint us."

Even with her career likely crushing down, that was all that she needed.

-

Jeon Jungkook learns that he must take responsibility for his actions.

On the night that the article was posted, he watched as anxiety washed over her face and he'd promised he'd sort it out.

Park Sooyoung was a reasonable woman.

He nervously sits in the restaurant before the tall, dark-haired woman finally comes, not bothering to address him as she sits on the chair in front of him.

"Sooyoung," he purposely reminds himself to speak gently in fears that he might aggravate the situation more, "... can you please retract the rumour? You know that she's innocent in all of this... and the child too. This is only between you and me."

Park Sooyoung scoffs and rolls her eyes at his words as her arms quickly fold together, crossing them over her chest, "... Jungkook, are you naïve? Do you really think I'll let you have everything? Please, tell me you are smart enough to know that it won't work out—playing happy families? It's not your style."

"This is between you and me," he reminds her, once again, his eyes almost pleading as he looks at her, "... please just let it go, you're going to hurt her career for a mistake I made."

"I'm not here to bring down her career, or to expose your son's identity," she finally comments, and he wants to breathe a sigh of relief when he can't due to the way she begins pressing her lips firmly together into a smile, a little too dangerous for his liking, "... I'm here to bring down yours. They're simply collateral damage."

"Sooyoung!" He raises his voice a little too high, quickly looking around to see that by chance, no one seemed to notice him, "... this isn't like you. What do you want? Money. Just name it. Just take back the article."

And it wasn't.

In the months that they'd dated, Park Sooyoung had been a great girlfriend. Understanding. Patient. He didn't understand where this bitterness was coming from.

She chuckles, shaking her head, "... Jungkook, I gave you everything. I was the perfect woman for you, yet you gave it all away. Surely, you're not stupid enough to think that you'll get everything? You can't milk a woman dry and think you can just leave and have it all."

Before he could speak, she gets up from her seat, taking her bag with one hand.

"The article will be posted on dispatch tonight at 10pm, Dongsun's identity will be blurred but yours—will not. I'd advise you enjoy your freedom before then, because I know the paparazzi and reporters won't be so forgiving. Not on you, but on her."