An Innocent Criminal [Chanyeol X Reader]

24

As Jieun stood there, tears streaming down her face, Baekhyun approached, his curiosity piqued by the emotional exchange between the two sisters. Taeyeon, looking down with a heavy heart, finally mustered the courage to ask, "Who is he, Jieun-ah?"

Jieun, attempting to deflect the question, greeted Baekhyun with a forced cheerfulness, "Hi, Baekhyun oppa!" She deliberately avoided answering her sister's inquiry, hoping to spare them both from further pain.

As Jieun wiped away her tears, she made the decision to bid farewell to Baekhyun, leaving him alone with Taeyeon to have their much-needed conversation. With a small smile, she turned to Baekhyun and softly said, "I'll leave you both to talk. Take care, Baekhyun oppa."

Baekhyun nodded understandingly, appreciating Jieun's gesture. "Thank you, Jieun," he replied, his voice filled with gratitude. He watched as she slowly walked away, giving them the space they needed.

As Jieun left, Taeyeon and Baekhyun were left standing together, a mix of emotions swirling in the air. Baekhyun, sensing the tension in the air, turned his attention to Taeyeon and introduced himself, "I am Baekhyun, her friend." He offered her a warm smile, attempting to put her at ease. Taeyeon, her voice filled with sadness, replied, "I am Taeyeon, Jieun's elder sister."

Baekhyun couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Taeyeon, as he sensed the weight of their unresolved conversation hanging heavily between them. He wanted to inquire about the reason behind Jieun's tears and the strained relationship with her sister, but he hesitated, knowing that it wasn't his place to pry. However, his curiosity got the better of him, and he found himself unable to resist asking, "Are you really her own sister?"

Taeyeon looked at him in disbelief, hurt evident in her eyes. "Of course I am!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mixture of frustration and sorrow. Baekhyun immediately regretted his words, realising the insensitivity of his question. "I am sorry, I did not mean that," he apologised quickly, his voice filled with genuine remorse. "But Jieun is special to me, and seeing her cry and upset made me curious about what happened."

Understanding his concern, Taeyeon nodded, her emotions still raw. "Do you have feelings for her?" she inquired, her voice laced with vulnerability. Baekhyun's cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the unexpected question. "No, not like that," he stammered, laughing sheepishly to alleviate the tension.

Together, Baekhyun and Taeyeon stood there, ready to embark on a heartfelt conversation, hoping to mend the bonds that had been strained for far too long. They knew it wouldn't be easy, but with understanding and forgiveness, they were determined to rebuild the sisterly connection that had been lost.

As they began their discussion, the bustling city continued around them, indifferent to their personal journey. But in that moment, Baekhyun and Taeyeon shared a common purpose—to heal the wounds of the past and pave the way for a brighter, more harmonious future.

Taeyeon took a deep breath, attempting to compose herself. "I want to talk to her. It has been a while since I last saw her. The last time was at our grandmother's funeral," she revealed, her voice tinged with sadness. "My mother and I live in San Francisco, and we rarely have the opportunity to visit. We have been caught up in our own busy lives. When I saw the news about Jieun, I immediately came to find her, searching like a fool. But she was nowhere to be found. Today, I discovered that she hates me. I'm sharing this with you because you seem close to her," she confessed, tears welling up in her eyes once more.

Baekhyun, moved by Taeyeon's heartfelt words, gently placed a hand on her shoulder, offering her comfort. His mind raced with thoughts of reuniting the sisters, recognizing the pain and longing in both their hearts.

"I promise you, Taeyeon-ssi, I will do everything in my power to bring Jieun and you together again. Family is important, and it's clear that she means a lot to you," Baekhyun assured her, his voice filled with determination. Taeyeon nodded gratefully, finding solace in his words.

In that moment, Baekhyun resolved to bridge the gap between Jieun and her sister, determined to mend their fractured relationship and bring healing to their hearts.

Taeyeon, still visibly shaken by the encounter, wiped away her tears and took a deep breath. She looked at Baekhyun, her eyes conveying a blend of sadness and anticipation. "You both seem to look close. And I've missed her so much," she admitted, her voice tinged with longing.

Baekhyun nodded, offering her a reassuring smile. "I understand. Family is important, and it's clear that Jieun means a lot to you," he acknowledged, his voice filled with empathy. "I believe that reconnecting with her will bring both of you the healing you need."

Taeyeon sighed, her shoulders slumping with a mixture of exhaustion and hope. "I hope so too. I want to mend our relationship and be there for her," she confessed, her voice filled with determination.

Encouraged by her words, Baekhyun took a step closer and placed a comforting hand on Taeyeon's shoulder. "I have faith that you can make things right, Taeyeon. Just approach her with an open heart and listen to her. It won't be easy, but I believe in you," he reassured her, his voice filled with sincerity.

Taeyeon looked at Baekhyun, a glimmer of gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you for your support, Baekhyun. You've been a good friend to Jieun, and I can see how much she trusts and values you," she expressed, her voice softening.

Baekhyun chuckled, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Jieun is an amazing person, and I'm grateful to have her in my life. I'll always be there for her, just as I'll be here for you now," he affirmed, his words carrying a sense of unwavering loyalty.