Let Bygones be Bygones

"We've gotta run you through the interrogation process too, Wooyoung," Yunho said firmly as they entered the interrogation room. Wooyoung followed quietly, taking a seat opposite Yunho.

He waited patiently, bracing himself for the inevitable barrage of questions.

"To start with, can you tell us how long you and Y/N had been together?" Yunho began.

Wooyoung let out a sad chuckle before responding with a question of his own, "Before five years ago or after these five years?"

"Both," Yunho confirmed.

Nodding, Wooyoung began to recount their history. "Five years ago, we'd been together for almost two years. One year of working side by side, and another year as a couple. We made a great team; she wrote crime articles and analyzed threats for us. It was a collaborative effort between me, her, and Mingi."

"Mingi? Your colleague who transferred to Busan?" Yunho interjected, receiving a confirming nod from Wooyoung.

"Yeah, that's the one," Wooyoung affirmed. "Our last case together was Mr. Lee's. It was a big success, but it also brought about some issues, leading to our breakup right after the case concluded." He paused, collecting himself as he recalled the painful memory.

"We didn't cross paths for five years. It wasn't until I was on vacation in Jeju that I saw her again."

"Six weeks ago," Yunho prompted.

"Exactly," Wooyoung confirmed with a nod.

"We'll save the five years ago things for later time, tell me what happened in 6 weeks does she looked like she was in threat or something?" Yunho asked.

"No, these 6 weeks were peaceful, the most peaceful 6 weeks in my whole life." Wooyoung remembered the memories of the time he spent with Y/N and Grace in 6 weeks.

As promised, Y/N had reached out to Wooyoung to discuss Grace's school schedule and to spend some quality time together.

There was an absence of awkwardness in their interaction, but Wooyoung couldn't shake off his confusion. Typically, forgiveness takes time, often years, yet Y/N seemed to grant it instantly upon his apology, without any further explanation.

Moreover, her demeanour remained remarkably calm throughout the ordeal.

For a few days, Wooyoung brushed aside his unease, but it persisted, gnawing at him from within.

It felt as though they were merely going through the motions of a happy family facade, a charade he found unsettling. He couldn't bear the thought of Y/N pretending to be content when there might be underlying turmoil.

Finally, after a long, playful day at the park, as Grace drifted off to sleep, he decided to voice his concerns.

"Y/N?" Wooyoung's voice broke the silence, earning a soft hum from her. "Why?"

Y/N paused in her tracks, halting her movement toward the kitchen for a drink. "What? Why?"

The air grew thick with tension as Wooyoung grappled with the words caught in his throat.

"Why did you forgive me so easily?" he finally managed to voice, his eyes searching hers for answers.

Y/N's response hung in the air, her voice carrying a slight tremor, betraying the composed facade she wore.

"Because it was not your fault," she began, her words tinged with emotion. "And you've already been through a lot."

In the ensuing silence, the unspoken weight of their exchange loomed large.

Wooyoung felt the knot of apprehension tighten in his chest as Y/N stood before him, her back turned, her stance unreadable.

In a soft, almost hesitant tone, he murmured, "How... how can you be so calm? So, okay?"

Y/N turned to face him, her eyes reflecting the turmoil within her. "I'm not," she confessed, her voice barely audible, burdened with the weight of untold struggles. "I'm not okay, Wooyoung."

With those words, the floodgates opened. Y/N turned around, her eyes red and glistening with unshed tears, finally releasing the emotions she had kept bottled up for so long.

Wooyoung's heart ached at the sight of her brokenness, and without a moment's hesitation, he closed the distance between them, enveloping her fragile form in a comforting embrace.

"I'm... I'm hurt, Wooyoung," Y/N's voice quivered, raw with emotion as she poured her heart out. "I'm hurt that you didn't believe in me enough to trust me. It felt like I was standing in a storm all by myself. And... and you weren't there. I needed you... but you ended it so abruptly, with just one word. It pierced through me like a dagger. My love... my love wasn't enough to convince you."

Tears cascaded down Y/N's cheeks, each droplet a testament to the pain she held within.

She buried her face into Wooyoung's chest, seeking solace amidst the chaos of her emotions. His arms enveloped her, holding her tightly as she trembled against him.

"I know... I know, Y/N," Wooyoung murmured softly, his own voice thick with regret. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry."

But Y/N couldn't return the embrace. She stood stiff, her body rigid with unresolved anguish.

Wooyoung's gaze searched her face, his heart heavy with the weight of her pain. Fear danced in his eyes as he braced himself for her next words.

"I was hurt... and I was angry," Y/N continued, her words laced with bitterness yet tinged with vulnerability. "I wanted to confront you, to unleash my fury upon you... but I couldn't. Because deep down, I knew... I knew that some of it was my fault too. I was furious, yes, but when I saw you... all I felt was this overwhelming need. Because I need you, Wooyoung. More than I've ever admitted."

Wooyoung listened intently, absorbing every syllable of her confession. His own tears mingled with hers, a silent acknowledgment of their shared pain.

Gently, he brushed away her tears, his touch tender and comforting.

"I'm scared," Y/N confessed, her voice barely a whisper now. "Scared of being hurt again... scared of being left alone once more."

Wooyoung's heart ached at her words, his own fears mirrored in hers. But he knew, in that moment, that he would do whatever it took to mend what was broken between them.

Holding her close, he vowed silently to never let her go again.

He was overwhelmed with the need to comfort her, to weave promises of eternal fidelity and unwavering support into the fabric of their conversation.

His heart yearned to assure her that his presence would forever be her sanctuary, a steadfast anchor in the tempest of life's uncertainties.

But just as his words hovered on the precipice of utterance, a sudden intrusion shattered their intimate exchange.

Unbeknownst to them, Grace, stirred from her slumber, stood silently behind Wooyoung, a silent observer to the raw emotions unfurling before her.

Her unexpected voice pierced the thick tension in the room, jolting both Y/N and Wooyoung from their reverie.

"Mom," Grace's voice trembled, echoing through the room like a bell tolling in the stillness.

Y/N's sobs deepened, her fragile form quivering with the weight of her emotions, while Wooyoung found his grip on her faltering, his features a portrait of confusion and dread.

As Y/N slowly approached her daughter, tears tracing a path down her anguished face, Wooyoung's gaze shifted to Grace.

In that fleeting moment, he glimpsed a maturity beyond her years, a silent strength resonating in her unwavering gaze. It was as though Grace had become the steady pillar Y/N leaned on in her moment of vulnerability, her presence a beacon of reassurance amidst the tumultuous sea of emotions.

Without hesitation, Y/N sank to her knees before Grace, still crying, and Grace, with a calm beyond her years, embraced her mother.

Wooyoung stood by, unable to interrupt their shared moment, feeling a surge of emotion he couldn't quite articulate.

Y/N's tears seemed to flow longer than Wooyoung had anticipated, but Grace handled the situation with poise.

She patiently waited for her mother to find comfort, offering her lap as a comforting refuge.

As Y/N sought peace in her daughter's embrace, Wooyoung wiped away his own tears, summoning the courage to join them. Sitting beside them, he listened as Grace spoke, her words catching him off guard, as neither Y/N nor himself had disclosed his paternity.

"You know, Dad," Grace began, and Wooyoung's heart skipped a beat, surprised by her revelation. "I knew you were my dad from the moment I saw you in those clothes." Wooyoung nodded, acknowledging her words, his gaze shifting to Y/N's fragile form.

Grace continued, her voice trembling with honesty. "I hated you," she confessed, "until Mom told me not to." Wooyoung held his breath, hanging onto her every word.

"Mom said yes, Dad made a mistake, but don't we all? She also said she'd forgive Dad if he apologized." Realization dawned on Wooyoung as Grace's words sank in.

In the days leading up to this moment, she had been dropping hints, subtly nudging him towards reconciliation.

He remembered her words vividly, the echo of her plea resonating within him: "If Dad apologizes sincerely from the heart, she'll forgive him. But he hasn't done it yet."

Tears streamed down Wooyoung's face, breaking into sobs. "It's all my fault... I'm sorry."

"We forgive you. We forgave you a long time ago," Grace reassured him gently as Wooyoung cried. She patiently waited for him to collect himself. They sat there together, enveloped in a moment that seemed to stretch on endlessly.

Y/N had drifted off to sleep, cradled in her daughter's lap, while Wooyoung watched over them.

For days, Wooyoung stayed away, perhaps burdened by his guilt. Y/N didn't press him to return, mindful of her own vulnerabilities.

She hadn't intended for Wooyoung to witness her panic attacks, but now it was too late.

One dusky evening, Wooyoung found himself lingering near Y/N's house, torn between wanting to see them and fearing the weight of their gaze.

From a distance, he watched silently, his heart heavy with a mixture of longing and apprehension.

As he stood there, a figure emerged from the house, a woman whose smile seemed to hold both warmth and sadness as she bid Y/N and Grace farewell.

Wooyoung caught a glimpse of Y/N through the doorway, her face stained with tears, and he couldn't help but wonder why. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice the woman approaching until she was right in front of him, her sudden presence startling him.

"You're Wooyoung, aren't you?" she asked gently, and Wooyoung could only nod, his nerves getting the best of him.

"I'm Kim Yong Sun, Y/N's friend and nurse," she introduced herself with a soft smile. "Can we talk for a moment?" she requested, and Wooyoung agreed, his curiosity piqued.

Together, they made their way to a nearby park, settling on a bench just as the setting sun cast its golden glow over everything.

For a while, neither of them spoke, the silence heavy with unspoken emotions. Then, finally, Miss Kim broke the quiet.

"Y/N needs you," she stated simply, her words cutting through the stillness like a knife.

Wooyoung's eyes widened in surprise, his heart clenching at the thought.

Miss Kim nodded empathetically, her expression softening with understanding. "I know what happened between you two," she murmured, her voice tinged with emotion.

"And trust me, my blood boiled when I listened. Not because you didn't trust her, but because Y/N blamed herself. She thought maybe it was her who gave the wrong idea. She believed her love wasn't strong enough to convince you."

Her words hung heavy in the air, carrying the weight of Y/N's vulnerability. "She'd always break down at night, tears staining her pillow as she grappled with her pain alone, but now Grace handles her, she's so mature of her age. Y/N was so fragile, with no one to turn to and Grace was still so young. Maybe that's why she warmed up to me."

A stifled sob escaped Wooyoung's lips, and he bowed his head in shame, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Wooyoung's lips trembled, and tears welled up in his eyes as he looked down, overwhelmed with shame.

"Don't beat yourself up over it," he heard the nurse say gently, her voice filled with understanding. "It's not your fault. The circumstances just happened to confirm the doubts that had been forced into your mind. Blaming yourself won't help either of you move forward. I even tried setting her up on blind dates," she chuckled softly.

"But none of them lasted more than a day. It's clear she really loves you."

Hearing those words only made Wooyoung cry harder, his face buried in his hands.

Miss Kim reached out, placing her hands on his shoulders and giving him a reassuring pat.

"So, stop torturing yourself," she urged, her voice warm with empathy. "What's done is done. Y/N forgave you years ago. She and Grace need you now. Don't waste any more time dwelling on the past."

Wooyoung couldn't bring himself to meet her gaze, his tears flowing freely. Miss Kim reached into her pocket, retrieved a key, and sliding it across the bench towards him.

"You'll need this," she said softly before leaving him to his thoughts.

And as Wooyoung sat there, allowing himself to feel the weight of his emotions, he knew deep down that Miss Kim was right.

It was time to let go of the guilt and embrace the future that awaited him with open arms.

The house was cloaked in darkness as Wooyoung tiptoed towards Grace's room, his heart heavy with anticipation. He knew they would be there, and sure enough, he found Grace and Y/N peacefully asleep, cocooned in each other's warmth.

With a tender approach, Wooyoung settled beside them, his gaze fixed on Y/N's serene face. Emotion swelled within him, and tears threatened to spill from his eyes.

Y/N's arm, draped over Grace, beckoned to him, and he reached out, his touch gentle as he clasped her hand, not wanting to disrupt her tranquil slumber.

But his silent tears betrayed him, stirring Y/N from her sleep.

As Y/N slowly opened her eyes, her heart swelled at the sight of Wooyoung, vulnerable and raw, nestled at the edge of the bed.

She could see the fear in his eyes, hesitating to bridge the gap between them.

With silent understanding, he finally reached for her hand, tears streaming down his cheeks as he buried his face in her palm.

"Woo... we were waiting for you," Y/N whispered softly, her voice laced with tenderness, urging him to draw closer.

With Grace nestled between them, sound asleep, Wooyoung cautiously closed the distance until they were almost entwined, their hearts beating in sync.

With gentle strokes, Y/N wiped away his tears, offering him a reassuring smile.

"No more tears," she whispered, her words a promise of solace and security, inviting him to find refuge in her embrace.

In that tender moment, neither Y/N nor Wooyoung could fully grasp the depth of emotions swirling between them.

They were unknowingly weaving the threads of a new family bond, discovering love and wholeness in each other's presence.

And as Wooyoung held her close, he silently vowed to himself that he would never let them slip away again. Never.

"Hey, Wooyoung, Detective Yang Jeongin's got something!" Yunho's voice carried a weight of seriousness as he approached.

It had been two weeks and four days of silence, no word from the NIS.

Wooyoung, the Superintendent general, maintained his patience; he couldn't meddle in Jeju's investigation without being asked.id90

Yunho placed two notices on the table in front of Wooyoung: one crumpled, retrieved from Y/N's house, and the other fresh.

"The notice Miss Kim found at Y/N's place doesn't match the one from the government," Yunho explained.

Wooyoung took both notices and examined them closely. "Looks like there's some discrepancy," he muttered, absorbing the details.

"I reckon it might have to do with past conflicts, maybe even involvement from someone within the police department," Yunho speculated as Wooyoung discerned the differences between the two notices.

"'Foreigners, regardless of residence status or work permits, are to be interrogated regarding the incident,'" Wooyoung read aloud, his brows furrowing.

It hit him like bolded text: Y/N was being set up.

But why? And who would go to such lengths?

"Yeah, I don't recall her ever having any issues with our team back in Incheon," Wooyoung mused, casting his mind back to five years ago.

Yunho's tone turned serious. "We can't afford to trust anyone, Wooyoung. The tricky part is that this case seems to be tied to what happened in Incheon five years ago. We've got to delve into that, into your last case."