After hours ✓(editing)

34.

Doomsday.
A familiar word, so popular and frightening. It is associated with the end of the world, ending of the mankind.

Sehee considered it, the day when her sufferings would end. She had suffered a lot her whole life and just when she thought it was over, it increased tenfold. This time, threatening her loved ones again.

If the letter Sehee had received two days ago held any truth, then she'd be meeting Shin today. And she hoped she'd never have to see him again.

Preparing physically for the meeting was easier than preparing mentally. Especially when she missed the one person who could have given her strength, but he wasn't here. He wouldn't be in her life even after this ended and it made her weaker than she had ever been.

She couldn't show weakness infront of Aera, for she was still young and needed guidance. She could talk to Jihoon but that meant letting him on the secret. The more people knew about her relation with Seokjin, the worse it'd get. She didn't have the luxury to discuss her private life with anyone.

It was indeed frustrating and exhausting for the young woman.

Casting aside her worries, her emotions and fear, Sehee stood infront of the mirror. Clad in grey trousers and a plain black button down shirt, she looked like the entrepreneur she was, ready to take on the world. She just had to feel like it.

"You aren't a five year old girl anymore," she said to her reflection, wanting to motivate herself to get out of the security of her house. "You are strong, Sehee-ah. You have succeeded to protect yourself all these years, you can do it again. Be strong!"

I wish Seokjin was here...

Sehee slammed her hand against the dresser as soon as the thought infiltrated her mind. She couldn't be thinking about him right now.

Let him just be a passing moment of your life, Sehee...

Preparing herself as much as she could, Sehee started gathering her things and putting them in her purse. Turning around, she checked her outfit, and makeup one last time before she could leave.

In the midst of drinking water, her doorbell rang. Confused about who it might be so early, she checked through the peephole.
Her body tensed immediately as she saw Park Doyun, the police officer.

Sehee quickly pulled the door open and bowed infront of the duo of man and woman. She ushered them both in quickly as she knew, Doyun wouldn't have come to her place if it wasn't anything serious.

"Miss Choi, please sit down. We have some news for you." The woman with sharp features, said gently. As Sehee sat opposite to the two officers, she noticed a butterfly bandage on the woman's cheekbone, while Doyun had a white bandage on his hand.

"Did something happen?" Sehee asked cautiously. The duo exchanged a glance before their faces broke out in smiles, happy smiles.

"Miss Choi, we are here to inform you that Shin Jaehwan was encountered last night when the police force raided on his residence." Doyun explained in a cool voice but no one could have missed the underlying tone of satisfaction in his voice. He was a part of the team that took down a very elusive and powerful criminal afterall. Who wouldn't be proud?

On the other hand, Sehee was in complete shock. She couldn't comprehend what was happening. Did she hear them right? Or was she dreaming?

"You mean to say, he's dead?" She asked uncertainly. The woman, whose nameplate read Han Baram, nodded. "Yes, Shin is dead. You have nothing to be afraid of anymore. You are free."

You are free.

Those words hit Sehee like a truck. Her hands came up to cover her mouth as it opened on a gasp, ending with a relieved laugh.

"I can't believe this. I really can't. Thank you so much officers. Thank you for delivering such a good news. He shouldn't have died but, I guess he deserved it." Sehee shrugged, still unable to process the effect this news would make on her life.

"Oh, trust me, Miss Choi. He deserved it. He has been such a nuisance all these years. He has taken so many innocent lives and tortured more. It wasn't a pretty sight, nor did we expect it but it happened and no one's complaining." Officer Han said cracking her knuckles. Somewhere, she was the happiest that the man was dead and she was the one to shoot him.

Shortly after that, with Sehee thanking the officers some more and the duo reassuring the overcome woman, they left the vibrant apartment.

Sehee sank down on the couch heavily, moving her hands through her hair as she looked back at everything that happened till now.

From seeing her parents being killed to meeting the light in her life, Aera. From opening the restaurant to meeting the man of her dreams in the same place. Meeting with Shin again, his threats, the ensuing heartbreak. Justice served in the most unexpected ways.

Was it all in vain? Was breaking up with Seokjin for nothing? The heartbreak and the nights spent crying, was it worth?

Maybe, yes.

If Shin hadn't reappeared in her life, she wouldn't have spoken her mind. She wouldn't have done what was the best for herself and not for those who she loved.

The heartbreak, Sehee realised, would have happened anyway, even if Shin hadn't reappeared. It was bound to happen as a relationship based on secrets and lies can't last forever.

But they could start fresh anytime....

~~~~
A/N:

My exams are over!! Yes!!

Did you expect this to end like it did?

I seriously have so much to talk about this specific chapter but I'll control till the last chapter and express everything in the 'A Few Words' chapter where I'll break down the whole book in detail. So, if you like details, look out for that chapter in future.

I don't know if you can tell but we are close to climax y'all.

Thank you for reading 💜💜