The New Case

After Taeri accepted my confession, we walked back home feeling really happy. As we strolled along, we spoke about our first impressions, those moments when we first realized we were falling in love with each other. We reminisced about the little things that had drawn us closer and made our connection stronger. We shared our likes and dislikes, discovering more about each other with every word.

We also discussed the kind of home we envisioned, the dreams we had for the future, and how many kids we wanted to have. It felt like we were painting our future together right in front of us, each conversation stroke creating a beautiful picture of our shared life. The anticipation of what lay ahead filled us with excitement, and the love between us grew even deeper as we continued our journey home.

But when we got home, we were in for a big surprise. Our entire house was filled with pink decorations. There were pink balloons, pink birthday sashes, pink birthday hats, and everything had a Barbie theme. Even Austin and the kids were dressed up for the occasion. I was so shocked by the decorations that I couldn't even speak, and Taeri was just laughing her heart out beside me.

The rest of our friends were also not too happy with the decorations. They held their heads in despair. We had all thought of letting them handle the decoration, but what we got was way different from what we expected. I mean was it too bad to expect especially when we put Austin in charge? I had at least hoped for something Disney-themed, but this was beyond my imagination. I couldn't even find words to describe how it looked.

Despite the surprising and not-so-ideal decorations, the night turned out to be really great, especially for Taeri. We started setting up the tables, arranging the food, and putting out the gifts. It was a bit chaotic but in a beautiful way. It was the first time we all felt like being a little crazy was just fine.

We all dressed up as nicely as we could, even in pink, and headed down for dinner. One of the best things about the decorations was the Barbie photo studio that Austin had set up. We took lots of pictures to remember the evening. And that day is etched into our hearts beyond any other memory.

As we sat down to eat, we had many conversations. Time seemed to fly by quickly. We got to know each other better and shared more about our lives and pasts. Taeri and I are pretty open about ourselves, but to Myung, we were all like strangers. So, we decided to open up and share our life stories with a toast. We took turns, and we even let the kids go first.

The girls were so tired that one of them was even falling asleep while chewing her food, and the other one shouted out how nice the pizza was. We then wanted Jin to share something with all of us, even though we never expected him to talk in front of many people. You see, Jin is usually a very shy boy. He quickly ran over and hopped into Hyung's lap, and with a brave little voice, he said, "I love it here, Appa. Let's not move from here." Then he rushed over to my lap and soon drifted off to sleep, lost in dreamland.

Next, it was the turn of the next kid. We encouraged Austin to open up and speak. He began by saying, "Hi, guys. My name is Austin, in case you don't remember me because today, I am Ken... just kidding. I'm the only child in my family, and I have the best parents in the world." Austin shared that he was always curious about many things but was never really interested in journalism. He told us that he once followed a girl all the way to Thailand, and because she was studying journalism, he decided to do the same. They started dating, but sadly, she broke up with him after only two months.

However, Austin shared that thanks to that experience, he fell in love with his major, and everything changed. He said, "It was all a bit of an accident, but now I realize it wasn't a mistake at all. It was destiny that led me here." With a smile on his face, he raised his glass and proposed a toast, saying, "To the new family."

As he raised his glass, we all clinked our glasses together and shared his sentiment. It was a moment of bonding and acceptance, where we felt like a real family, even though we came together in unexpected ways. It was a reminder that life can take us on unexpected journeys, but sometimes, those journeys lead us to exactly where we're meant to be.

None of us shared much about our pasts that evening. Hyung, in particular, didn't want to bring up his wife and family, fearing it might dampen the joyful atmosphere of our dinner. I supported his decision because I understood the pain he had experienced when he previously discussed his wife with us. It had led to many doubts and internal struggles, especially concerning Jin. I didn't want Hyung to go through all that turmoil again, especially now when Jin was finally finding happiness, and Hyung was in better health than before. So, we chose to keep our personal histories to ourselves, focusing instead on the happiness and togetherness of the moment.

Taeri, too, decided not to delve into her past that night. She avoided discussing the orphanage or how her parents had left her. Instead, she chose to share the beautiful memories of her mother and how she carried on her legacy through a café. It became a night filled with genuine conversations and deep emotions, where we all felt the warmth of our connections. We cherished these moments, understanding that sometimes, what remains unspoken speaks the loudest, and the love we shared in the present mattered more than the past we left behind.

Kangwoo and his wife share their love story...

"I first crossed paths with Kangwoo at a family gathering, and our story is a bit different. Ours wasn't a love marriage; it was arranged. You see, our fathers are the best of friends, and they dreamed of extending their friendship to create a new family. Surprisingly, when we got to know each other, we found a deep connection. So, when they proposed the idea of us sharing our lives, it just felt right. 

Accepting that proposal never felt wrong, and it still doesn't. Now, we have two wonderful daughters, and I couldn't ask for anything more. Our journey began with a different kind of love, one that grew through understanding and commitment. We've built a beautiful life together, proving that sometimes, arranged paths can lead to the most heartwarming destinations."

The day we agreed to marry marked the beginning of my happiness, and it's been a joyful journey ever since. The immense joy I felt on our wedding day is just as vivid as the day I cradled our precious twins for the first time. They'd always wished for a sibling, especially a brother. And, you see, thanks to this unique situation and the series of events that brought us all together, it's like a gift from above. God blessed us with Jin, who now feels like the brother they've always wanted.

I might not be the most expressive person, but this feels like a real family, a happy one. We have a loving father, three brothers, their wonderful partners, and four amazing children, all bound by laughter and warmth. It's moments like these that remind us that sometimes, the most unexpected circumstances can lead to the most beautiful connections and happiness beyond measure. We all chuckled together, grateful for the unique way our family had come together.

And that is when Taeri raised her glass to toast " to our first day as a couple" and she looked at me very shyly. Everyone was so happy for us.

I shared memories of my dear mother, recalling all the fun and happiness we shared. I couldn't help but express how much I missed her. I also spoke about the void left by the absence of a father in my life. However, I wanted to let them know that this emptiness is gradually being filled with the love and care of the father figures who have become a part of my life. It's a comforting feeling, knowing that even in the absence of my biological father, I have found love and support from other special people who've stepped into that role in my life.

Aman opened up and spoke about his wife with genuine happiness in his heart. It seemed like they had left their past disagreements behind and chose to begin anew. With a heartfelt smile, he lifted his glass for a toast, saying, "Here's to my wife and Tarun's mother who will be here very soon" which took me by surprise in the best way. I couldn't help but feel immense joy at the thought of Aman and his wife rekindling their bond and the news of welcoming them both here. It was a beautiful moment, filled with hope and optimism for their future together.

The evening was full of unexpected moments, surprises, and laughter. The decorations may not have been what we had in mind, but it turned out to be a truly special night that brought us closer together. It taught us that sometimes, it's the unexpected times that create the most cherished memories. It was a reminder that life can be unpredictable, and the best moments often come when we least expect them.

And then for the cherry on the cake, it was time for Myung to open up...he took deep breaths before he started talking...

"I was a victim of one of the cases you all are working on. When I was very young, my father worked as a supervisor in the mine, which they also call the tunnel. I wished things had turned out differently, but they didn't. My father, trying to help the victims, met a brutal end. I was sent to a juvenile facility. After a few years, I found myself feeling like life had lost its meaning. But then, a ray of light entered my life in the form of a beautiful woman. Her grace and kindness seemed otherworldly. What's more, she accepted me just as I am, knowing the difficult story of my past.

We both worked tirelessly, saving up money to buy a new home. Our wedding was simple, but it was filled with love. Soon, we were blessed with a baby girl who became the absolute joy of our lives, our little sunshine."

By now everyone was moved to tears, especially Taeri.

"My wife endured all the suffering they hurled at us, but one day, they started targeting our innocent daughter. Her eyes welled up with tears as she continued. One evening, as I returned home from work, I found a heart-wrenching note from my wife. She explained that her love for me was everlasting, and she was willing to bear all the pain they inflicted upon us, knowing it was undeserved and untrue. However, she couldn't bear to see our precious little girl subjected to such cruelty.

With a heavy heart, she made the agonizing decision to take our daughter away for her happiness. The note pleaded with me not to search for them, expressing a desire to remain my wife in another life. It ended with "I love you, and I am sorry." My emotions overwhelmed me as I read those words, realizing the immense sacrifice my wife had made for the well-being of our daughter, leaving me with a heartache that seemed impossible to heal."

He paused, Hyung placed his hand around Myung's shoulder

"Months later, I came to realize how foolish I had been for letting them go. The regret weighed heavy on my heart. I embarked on a desperate search to find them, driven by the hope of reuniting our family. Eventually, after much effort, I managed to discover their address. But, it was a heartbreaking revelation - it was too late. My wife had fallen ill with cancer, and she had to make the heart-wrenching decision to place our daughter in an orphanage for her own well-being. I never had the chance to say a final goodbye to my beloved wife or to hold my daughter once more.

In my relentless quest, I visited nearly every orphanage I could find, hoping to locate her. However, my efforts were met with rejection. The police refused to assist me, claiming that she was better off without my presence. My desperation led me to send those anonymous notes, praying that you, our last hope, could help reunite our fractured family."

As he shared this painful chapter, he couldn't contain my emotions, and he buried my face in his hands, overwhelmed by the heartache and uncertainty of our future.

"Do you have a picture of them?" Taeri asked

"Yes," and he shows the picture...

Taeri immediately rushes to her room grabs another photo and brings it back to the table...

"Look this is the picture my mom gave me, she said they were my parents"

Fate intervened, uniting father and daughter. At that very moment, all of Taeri's anxieties about her parents deserting her dissolved into thin air. She rushed to her father and embraced him tightly, releasing the pent-up pain that had haunted her for years. Their emotional reunion filled the room with a sense of closure, and it was a heartwarming testament to the power of family bonds and the unexpected twists that life can bring. The room echoed with tears of joy, and we all shared in the happiness of this long-awaited reunion.

As we were caught up in the emotional moment, our supervisor, Rajesh Sir, called us to pay attention to the news. It was a moment of shock as we learned about another murder case that had occurred. The surprising part was that the responsibility for solving this new case was officially handed over to our team. Our joyful evening had taken an abrupt turn, reminding us of the unpredictable nature of our work as investigators. We knew that we had another challenging and uncertain task ahead of us, filled with complexities and emotions that we had to unravel in the pursuit of justice.

Our family, now strengthened by the addition of Myung and the revelation of Taeri's father, faced a new challenge together. We were determined to work as a united front, ready to confront the mysteries and obstacles that lay ahead, and to bring closure and justice to the new case that had unexpectedly landed in our laps. It was a reminder that life can swiftly shift from one emotion to another, and we were prepared to face whatever came our way, just as we had done so many times before.