Prologue 4
Eirene JK's wife
"Oh, there you are, Jungkook."
The raven-haired beauty said to her husband's reflection in the mirror above her dressing table. Her gaze slid warily over his tall, rugged frame as he came toward her; then she returned her attention to her open jewel cases spread out before her. A nervous tremor shook her hand and her smile was overly bright as she removed a spectacular diamond choker from a case and held it out to him.
Eirene JK's wife
"Help me fasten this, will you?"
Her husband's face tightened with distaste as he looked at the necklaces of glittering rubies and magnificent emeralds already spread across her swelling breasts above the daring bodice of her gown.
Jeon Jungkook
"Isn't your display of flesh and jewels a little vulgar for a woman who hopes to masquerade as a grand lady?"
Eirene JK's wife
"What would you know about vulgarity?"
Eirene Jeon retorted contemptuously.
Eirene JK's wife
"This gown is the height of fashion. Carl-shi likes it very well. He specifically asked me to wear it to the party tonight."
Jeon Jungkook
"No doubt he doesn't want to be troubled with too many fasteners when he takes it off of you."
Her husband returned sarcastically.
Eirene JK's wife
"Exactly, he's half-French – and terribly impetuous."
Jeon Jungkook
"Unfortunately, he's also penniless."
Eirene JK's wife
He thinks I'm beautiful
Eirene taunted, her voice beginning to shake with pent-up loathing.
Jeon Jungkook sardonic gaze swept over her lovely face with its alabaster skin, slightly tilted black eyes, and full red lips, then dropped to her voluptuous breast trembling invitingly above the inviting neckline of her scarlet velvet gown.
Jeon Jungkook
"You are a beautiful, amoral, greedy...bitch.
"Turning on his heel, he started from the room, then stopped. His icy voice was edged with impeccable authority.
Jeon Jungkook
"Before you leave, go in and say good night to our son, Gguk is too little to understand what a bitch you are, and he misses you when you're gone. I'm leaving for Busan within the hour."
Eirene JK's wife
He's all you cared about-
Without bothering to deny it , her husband walked toward the door and Eirene's anger ignited.
Eirene JK's wife
When you come back from Busan, I won't be here!
Eirene JK's wife
You bastard
She spat, her voice shaking with suppressed rage
Eirene JK's wife
I'm going to tell the world who you really are , and then I'm going to leave you. I'll never come back. Never!
With his hand on the door handle, Jungkook turned, his features hard, contemptuous mask.
Jeon Jungkook
You'll come back
Jeon Jungkook
You'll come back, just as soon as you rant out of money.
the door closed behind him and Eirene's exquisite face filled with triumph.
Eirene JK's wife
I'll never come back Jungkook
She said aloud to the empty room
Eirene JK's wife
Because I'll never run out of money. You'll send me whatever I want...
Butler
Good evening my Lord
The butler said in an odd ,tense whisper
Jeon Jungkook
Merry Christmas, ajhushi.
Jungkook answered automatically as he brush off the drops if rain from his hair , and handed his drenched coat to the servant. The last conversation with Eirene two days earlier, sprang to his mind, but he pushed the memory away.
Jeon Jungkook
The weather caused me three more extra hours of travel. Has my son already gone to bed?
a tall man with the tanned, weathered face of a seasoned seaman stood in the door way of Jungkook's office, motioning the newly arrived to join him.
Jeon Jungkook
"What are you doing here Namjoon shi?"
Jungkook asked, watching with puzzlement as his best friend carefully closed the office door.
Namjoon
Eirene is gone. She and Carl drove to Jeju the day after you left for Busan.
He paused, waiting for some reaction, but there was none. He drew a long-ragged breath.
Namjoon
They took Gguk with them
Savage fury ignited in Jungkooks eyes, turning them into furnaces of rage.
Jeon Jungkook
I'll kill her for this
He said, already starting walking towards the door
Jeon Jungkook
I'll find her and I'll kill her-
Namjoon
it's too late for that.
Namjoons ragged voice stopped Jungkook mid-tride
Namjoon
Eirene is already dead. Their car crashed on steep curve in the mountain and was found yesterday morning.
He tore his gaze from the awful agony already twisting Jungkook features and added tonelessly
Namjoon
There were no survivors
Wordlessly, Jungkook strode to the side table and picked up a crystal decanter of whiskey. He poured some into a glass and gulped it down, then refilled it, staring blindly straight ahead.
Namjoon
She left you these
Namjoon held out two letters with broken seals. When Jungkook made no move to take them, Namjoon explained gently,
Namjoon
I've already read them. One is a ransom letter, addressed to you, which Eirene left in your room. She intended to ransom Ggukie back to you. The second bigger envelope was meant to expose you, and she gave it to one of your servants with instructions to give it to one of her connection with the media after she left. However, when Ajhusi discovered that Gguk was missing, he questions the servants about Eirene's actions the night before, and the servant gave the letter to him instead of delivering it as he was about to do. Butler Ajhusi cannot reach you to tell you Eirene had taken Ggukie, so he called me and gave me the letters. Jungkook,"
Namjoon continue hoarsely
Namjoon
I know how much you love the boy, I'm sorry, I'm so damned sorry..."
Jungkook's tortured gaze slowly lifted to the gilt -framed portrait hanging above the mantel. In agonized silence he stared at the picture of his son, a sturdy little boy of four with a cherubic smile on his face and a wooden soldier clutched lovingly in his fist.
The glass Jungkook was holding shattered in his clenched hand. But he did not cry, Jeon Jungkook's childhood had long ago robbed him of all his tears.
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