ASTHERIEN'S POV :-
Today, the third hearing. This case should end now.
I was getting ready for breakfast when I got a message.
From Kevin, whose name is still saved as 'Temporary Helper'.
Temporary helper - Let's meet.
Ash - What now?
Temporary helper - I want to clear something.
Ash - Clear?
Temporary helper - Yes. Our relationship… and something more important.
Ash - More? You've got more?
Temporary helper - *sends a location*
It was the same restaurant he had asked me to meet at earlier.
Ugh.
I'm already in the middle of chaos… and Kevin?
Why now?
Still, I had to go. There's time before the hearing. Let's just hear what he has to say.
JAFFER'S POV :-
The last hearing of the case. Good for them.
I really hope they win.
I've decided to end all of this. I'm tired.
Tired… of trying.
Tired of fighting for something that was never mine.
Before heading to court, I planned to visit Kevin.
He needs to stop. I need to stop.
Before I could call him, my phone rang.
📳[ Kevin calling ]
Kevin - Let's meet. I've got something.
Jaffer - Wait! Wher-
He cut the call before I could finish.
What now?
This man is really out of his mind.
I shouldn't have gotten involved with him.
But what choice did I have? He's just trying to save his sister… from everything she's fighting.
Fine. Let's meet.
I drove straight to the location. There was still an hour left before the hearing.
I reached… but before stepping out of the car, I saw her.
Ash.
He called her too?
No way.
No. fucking. way.
I texted him immediately.
Jaffer – You called Ash too?
Jaffer – Have you lost your mind?
Jaffer – You're not going to tell her everything!
No reply.
I'm going insane.
This man is even more reckless than I thought.
"What should I do now?"
I slammed the steering wheel.
Then… I turned back.
It was the safest option.
For now.
I don't know what's about to happen anyway.
-----------------------------------
After an hour, we were in court.
She sat in the front… with him.
I sat at the back.
Her best friend- Aki-
Yeah. Akira.
She was sitting beside me.
First time seeing her. Heard a lot, though.
The arguments began.
But my mind was still stuck on the morning.
Does she know everything?
No… she can't.
She didn't act any different.
"Your Honour, I would like to submit this file - clear documentation of the loan and its return…"
Our lawyer spoke firmly.
"…with no false records."
The opposing lawyer shot at Mr. Cha.
A confident smile appeared on his face as he saw them throwing their hands on the table from frustration.
The judge was locked in the evidence.
The judge flipped through the pages slowly, reading every line.
The courtroom fell into heavy silence.
Not a sound. Just the faint turning of paper.
He closed the file.
Ready to give the final decision.
The opposing side had nothing left to defend.
"Mr. Clarls, do you have anything to say in defense of your client?" the judge asked, his voice firm.
Silence.
That was answer enough.
"Your Honour, apart from harassment and the attempt to seize company rights… there's more," Mr. Cha began.
"In the year 2019, there was an accident."
A pause.
"More like… a murder."
The room shifted.
Loris, who had been confident all this time, finally broke.
His gaze snapped to Kai.
Kai looked right back.
Oh… now this is going to burn.
I didn't expect him to bring this up.
" Can you clarify your statement, Mr. Cha?" the judge asked.
KAIZA'S POV :-
He really thought I'd let this go?
Now I can see it.
Fear.
Right there in his eyes.
Finally… some satisfaction.
"Certainly, my lord. The incident occurred in 2019, on LG Road Highway."
Yes.
The truth is finally coming out.
"The couple was found dead. However, they did not die in the accident. It was staged."
"Objection, my lord! How can you accuse my client of murder?"
"We have proof," Mr. Cha said calmly.
I looked at Loris.
All that arrogance… gone.
Now replaced with fear.
Real fear.
The recordings. The evidence. Everything was handed to the judge.
There was nothing left to fight.
What is this feeling?
Victory?
Relief?
Or… something else?
The decision was coming.
The judge reviewed everything.
And then-
Loris was declared guilty.
A criminal.
And we… finally got back what was always ours.
This doesn't feel real.
A tear slipped down my cheek.
I froze.
I couldn't move.
Somewhere in the background, Loris was shouting, resisting the police.
But I couldn't hear it properly.
A hand touched my cheek.
Soft.
Wiping away that tear.
I turned.
And there she was.
Only her.
People surrounded us… but they didn't matter.
Everything faded.
We won.
Then why can't I feel it fully?
After everything… since I was 18…
Why does it feel so unreal?
I pulled her into a hug.
Now… I can live.
The life I always imagined.
With her. With dad. With everyone I love.
Her hand gently patted my back.
She kissed my hair, which were already messy.
I could feel her tears too.
I didn't care who was watching.
It was just us.
The war was over.
And something new… had finally begun.
A new chapter, same people.
Nothing felt unreal anymore, because she was still here, right in my arms.
And...just like that, those loud voices went silent.
Just peace...I waited for years to feel.