Chapter 282 - The Truth About Us (2)

Mirae was stunned. She did not know how to react nor had any idea what to say. She tried to understand what KJ was saying. How was it even possible?

"At first I hid the truth about your parents," KJ went on. "I didn't want you to get involved in the Cartel's plans. I tried to keep you away from all dangers. But the secrets took a toll on our relationship. I tried to protect you but I was also obsessed with revenge. I couldn't forget Ziko's sneers. He haunted my dreams every night, reminding me that I had failed."

The agonizing pain he felt over the years was pouring out of him. The hint of bitterness in his voice was enough to tell Mirae that he had been in an endless torture by hiding this secret. 

"My obsession with Ziko and the Cartel eventually led him to you," he narrated. "He found out about you and lured you into a trap by revealing the secret of your parents' death. We had an argument and I stormed out of the house, leaving you alone. I shouldn't have done that. It was the biggest mistake of my life and I regretted it everyday."

Mirae did not say anything but her mind was visualizing the whole scene. She tried to imagine the younger versions of them, arguing in that very room. 

"You were pregnant too," KJ disclosed. "But my anger and obsession drove us apart. When I left that night, you went on your own to find out the truth about your parents. And then…"

He broke off. The rest of the story was too much for him. He wanted to forget it all like a nightmare but it was impossible. Their past was a part of their lives. Even if Mirae did not remember it, he knew each and every details. No matter how hard he tried, it was not possible for him to cut it out of their lives.

"What happened then?" Mirae questioned him. Her voice was devoid of any emotions and she looked at him blankly. He could not read her mind and dreaded the worst. Was she going to hate him forever? Will they be separated once again?

But he must tell her the truth. He owed it to her and Jade. It was the only way.

"You came in possession of a locket," he said. "I can't really explain how and why but it was given to you by a shaman. Before that, the same shaman had appeared before me when I was a student at Ms. Sohee's school. That shaman made a prophecy for me."

"What prophecy?"

"She said that by the time I'd turn twenty one, I'll see four deaths," KJ said. "By then I had already seen three. Ms. Sohee, her husband and my grandfather. The fourth was yet to come."

"Who was the fourth person?" she demanded. 

"When the shaman appeared in front of you, she gave you a locket. That locket was supposed to have magical abilities and could protect you whenever you needed help. That night, after I left, Ziko abducted you. He wanted to kill you and our unborn baby. His men forcibly took you to an abortion clinic."

"But somehow you invoked the charm on the locket. The shaman came to your aid and you managed to escape. You rushed home to find me and tell me everything that had transpired. But Ziko followed you to our apartment. When I reached home, you tried to tell me the truth but you noticed that Ziko was eavesdropping. You knew that he was there to kill me. So, to protect me, you lied that you aborted the baby. It was a last minute attempt to make me leave the house. You wanted to fool Ziko and drive me away so that I would be safe. Your idea worked."

"I was enraged. I didn't even ask you why you did it. I didn��t stop to think even for a moment what could have happened because my obsession and anger blinded me. So I left you behind and did not look back."

He wanted her to know this. He had left her in a moment of anger and that moment was enough to change their lives. It was her right to hate him.

"But your lie couldn't fool Ziko," he went on. "He tried to capture you again but you ran away from him. You saw my retreating back and tried to reach me. You shouted my name, but my ears shut you out, deaf to your words. That's when a car hit you."

He was not looking at her. He was too afraid of her accusations and the pain she was feeling. Yet, he went on. Would she ever forgive him?

"As you lay dying, your thoughts only drifted to me. All you thought even with your last breath was about us. You called for me and I didn't heed to you. You wanted to save our child. All you wanted was the three of us, happily together."

Tears streamed down his face as he remembered that dreadful night. What Jade had shown him in that astral plane. Everything was flooding back. The last few months were a blissful dream but now he was hit with the reality.

"With the last ounce of strength you had, you managed to summon the shaman again," he sobbed. "This time, you begged her to save our child. But there was no hope for you. You were already gravely injured. To fulfill your dying wish, the shaman extracted the soul of our child and put him into Jade's body. When Jade gained consciousness, the shaman gave him the ability to turn back time. He rushed to me and upon the instructions of the shaman, manipulated me to turn back time to a point where we did not meet. I wasn't aware of what had happened to you. Anger and sadness shrouded my sense of reasoning and I chose to go back to the audition day. Only this time, I attended the audition instead of saying goodbye to grandfather. I already bid him farewell once before and was prepared to walk a new path."

"For years, I didn't know the truth. Even when you came in front of me again, I hid our past and pretended as if we didn't meet before. Seeing you with Ash broke me from the inside but it was my punishment. I made a choice and decided to live with it. I only found out the truth when I slipped into a coma. Jade used his remaining powers to show me the truth about that night. He showed me what happened after I left. I realized my mistake and decided to make amends. I was ready to let you go for your happiness until Ash betrayed us. That's when I realized, I'm not supposed to leave you. I'm supposed to use our second chance and give you the life you deserve."

He looked at her. She was still blank. Her expression was unfathomable and it was killing him. He wanted her to scream, shout or berate him but she was silent. 

"I'm sorry," he whispered, lowering his eyes in shame. He could feel her anguish and confusion. Her untold pain was crushing him from the inside. Millions of questions were swarming her mind and yet she was quiet, watching her husband pour his heart out to her. 

"I…" she finally started to speak. "I would like to stay in this room for a while. Alone." 

KJ did not protest. She needed time to understand her thoughts and he knew that their relationship would change after this. There was no forgiveness for him and he was going to lose her.

He quietly got up and left the room, closing it behind him. As soon as he shut the door, he heard her break down completely. The tears she held back were flowing out of her eyes, her heart exploding in unbearable grief for the life she did not even know about.

KJ leaned against the door, slumping on the floor as he heard his wife cry her heart out. He wanted to block his ears and shut out her cries which were tormenting him. But it was his punishment for causing her so much pain. It was what he had reaped.

Minutes turned to hours and yet, Mirae did not leave the room. KJ wanted to go in and check on her but he did not think she wanted to see his face. Suddenly, he heard the knob turn. 

KJ quickly stood up as his wife emerged from the room. Her eyes were reddish and the tear stains were visible on her cheeks. Those green eyes were looking directly at him. He knew that she had made a decision. 

"I'm sorry." It was all he could say. There was no more redemption nor any other chances. He had hurt her and it was time to face her punishment. She was going to leave and he would not be able to stop her. 

Not leaving her eyes off him, Mirae slowly walked up to her husband. KJ closed his eyes, bracing himself for her decision.

Without a word, Mirae threw her arms around his waist and hugged him.

"You've suffered enough for ten years," she said softly. "You can let go of the past now."