146. A New Identity

"Mijin, I can't say I'm not surprised to see you. You've never been present in any of our meetings neither shown interest in the case."

"It was of no concern of mine. I had my own problems to think of."

"Fair enough. How did you find me? You disappeared as soon as you delivered."

"Your secretary told me you'll be here."

"Tell me. How May I best assist you?" Sizing Mijin up, Elric's mother noticed she appeared frail and fatigued, more like she'd been constantly exhausted not just physically but mentally as well. "I'm not a doctor but you look quite frail. I'm afraid if you collapse, I'll not be able to help you much."

"I won't. I'm stronger than I look and if there is anyone to blame for my dark circles, it's because of that thing that cries every waking second."

"Oh, so you returned home already?" Elric's mom asked but Mijin couldn't be bothered to respond for she shrugged her shoulders and pulled a chair to sit down.

Elric's mother stopped what she was doing and focused her attention on Mijin. Not wanting to entertain her dark mood, she asked, "Is that why you returned? You missed her?"

"I came here to help the case. I want to expose Mora for the things she did to me. I'm sure you received the confession I left behind but that was because I thought I could run away from everything."

"What made you change your mind and return?"

"The thought that whatever I gave you may not have been enough kept bothering me I couldn't sleep, especially after I heard of her father's uncovered crimes. I've suffered under that family's hands, Mora's brother and me..." Mijin hesitated. "It wasn't consensual but forced on both of us for Mora's entertainment."

"Yes, I'm aware. That trauma cuts deep. It shouldn't have happened. Nonetheless, I'd advice you just like Hajin, you will need to get the assistance of a professional to help you heal and cope with whatever happened. Hajin has shown tremendous recovery and of course, health wise, you and your daughter definitely take the credit, you the most since you could have gotten rid of the pregnancy but chose to keep it despite what you went through. It takes someone with a big heart to do that even I wouldn't be able to do so."

Mijin looked down and smiled briefly. It had been a while since anyone complemented her. All she ever heard were scoldings and expectations of others imposed on her for the last nine months. In fact, the last time anyone had thrown her a praise was when she and Niel were still in a relationship.

"Unfortunately the statement you left behind doesn't help us. It's your word against Mora. Keep in mind her brother couldn't be given an antidote to recover his lost memories seeming that his body was already intoxicated with a lot of that dangerous drug. He would have died since his body wasn't strong enough to handle a reverse effect." Placing her hands on the table, Elric's mother leaned forward and added. "Mora's brother doesn't know the torture he endured under his sisters care. You on the other hand seems to remember somehow. I wonder how you came to recover your memory."

Mijin raised her chin in defiance but didn't utter a word.

"Need I remind you that if I'd exposed you, you'd have delivered your daughter behind bars. You would have been forced to expose your supplier as well. That drug you took to recover your memories is the pure one is it not?"

Mijin remained silent.

"It's very very expensive and the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture it are licensed to do so. At the moment, all of them are under investigation nationwide due to involvement with suspicious stakeholders funding the manufacturing, supply and processing.

Secondly, how did you come to the knowledge that it would work on you? The antidote I mean, unless you've been exposed to previous knowledge of it? For how long did you have this knowledge? Who informed you? Who else shares this knowledge? How many are they and how long have you known them? What is their location? How many other people were linked to this knowledge? What is their primary location? For how long has this been going on? Do you get the idea Mijin? That is an example of a glimpse of the line of questioning if ever I were to hand in your full confession to the prosecutors. You'll be drilled thoroughly until everyone will see you as an accomplice as opposed to a victim, which in this case you are both."

"I see."

"If you are going to tell me anything today, you should be willing to tell all of it in court otherwise I would rather I don't know. I'm tired of witnesses pulling out last minute to the point of the case slipping from my fingers. Therefore, I'm urging you to think it over. Do not act on your trauma. Rather, get help..."

"I'm just so angry!"

Elric's mother was surprised by the sudden outburst but didn't show any reaction. She'd been informed of Mijin's character yet didn't think much of it however, seeing her in person was different. "Where is your daughter now?"

"With my parents?"

"Ofcourse. I'd thought you'd be walking around with it, seeming that you are lactating." Elric's mom pointed at Mijins chest chest to bring to her attention how engorged her breasts had become, enough for milk to sip through her blouse.

Covering herself up, Mijin said in conclusion. "It appears it was a waste of time to come here."

"Actually not. Your former fated is being set free from psychiatric watch today. He has completed his evaluations obediently and seems to be improving. After today, he can start working on getting his life back."

"Where would he go?"

"I hadn't thought of that. That's a great question actually. I still intend to keep an eye on him regardless."

"He might just go and kill himself, not that I care."

Elric's mother smirked. She remembered very well how Mijin's parents had insisted their daughter to be vengeful and vindictive. "Mijin, what are you planning?"

"I'm not planning anything."

"You can't fool me. You're full of rage, your eyes read revenge. I listened to your confession over and over and your voice shook with every word you spoke. Not out of fear but rage. You're thirsty to get back at Mora aren't you?"

"I'm going to burn her into ashes."

Elric's mother laughed. "How specific. Anyway, let the law take care of her. This is beyond you and me unless you want to end up dead."

"As long as I bring her down with me."

"I don't think your family will find your passing entraining."

"What do I care about them? They only ever think of Yeon and never my welfare."

"You know, I have a good doctor who can help you cope with what happened to you and also fix this bipolar behavior of yours."

"I'm not bipolar..."

"Child," Elric's mother cut in seeming that her patience had stretched out to a thin thread. "I'm a very busy person and this tantrum you are throwing, it's not my cup of tea. If you don't want to get help or be of help, you are free to leave."

Mijin crossed her arms and legs then leaned back on the chair, her eyes on Elric's mother.

"Why are you not leaving?"

"May I see you more then?"

"No."

Just then, there was a knock at the door and one of Elric's mother's staff walked in. "He is outside madam. He's been standing there for about half an hour."

"Of course he would. He has nowhere else to go."

"Who?" Mijin asked.

"Your former fated." Elric's mother spoke while standing up. She raised an eyebrow, surprised by Mijin's lack of interest. "You seem not upset that he is free."

"I feel indifferent. He is just a victim of abuse as I am."

"You really are full of surprises aren't you? I commend you for seeing him as such by yourself. Honestly, I'd expected an abhorrent reaction from you. Anyway, I must leave."

Mijin kept following Elric's mother who'd given up on sending her away and opted to ignore her instead. However, she'd secretly hoped Mijin would stick around just so she could see the reaction she'd have upon setting eyes on Mora's brother.

"Good morning." Elric's mother spoke with so much enthusiasm after spotting her target.

"Good morning."

"How long do you intend to stand here Hajin? Don't you have anyone to come pick you?"

"Mijin..?" Hajin murmured to himself. He hadn't expected to find Mijin here especially after constantly voicing out how much she hated him and his family.

Elric's mom looked from Mijin to Hajin and then back. Wishing to provoke a reaction, she asked, "Mijin, why don't you tell Hajin of the child's welfare? He has been asking us nonstop about it."

"That thing cries all night!" Pointing at Hajin, she added. "You promised to take her. Haven't I made it clear that I don't want it?"

"Doesn't it have a name?" Elric's mother asked.

"This fool named it princess."

Elric's mother formed a smile at the corner of her mouth. She couldn't keep up with Mijin's mood swings since just moments ago, she spoke well of Hajin and here she was lashing out at him. Shifting her gaze back to Hajin, Elric's mother asked. "Do you have anywhere to go?"

"Yes. My grandmother's, but I don't think they'll want me there for now."

"Who would?" Mijin scoffed.

Elric's mother could feel her temper rising slowly but took in a deep breath to control herself. Lashing out to Mijin would be futile and only trigger Hajin. She looked at her secretary and nodded then addressed Hajin. "You can stay in your grandmother's hotel but not in the penthouse. It's still being investigated."

"I don't think I can stay alone for now neither do I want to see any more of the police. I'm sure the hotel is highly guarded." Glancing at Mijin, he added. "I was hoping to see princess first before I can decide where to go."

"You had one task to do and you just had to go with princess. Anyway, Mom and dad gave her another name."

Ignoring Mijin's remarks, Elric's mother pointed out. "Sounds like you care so much for the child that that name bothers you. You should have named her yourself instead."

"My work was done when I gave birth to it. He is alive because of me."

"And I'm eternally grateful."

"Mijin, you should take him to see her."

"No way!!! That's my parents home! Why does everyone think they can crash anytime in my home? First Suzzie, Elric, Stan and him! No way!"

"Elric lived there?"

"Yes! When he was abandoned by Niel post his marking!"

"Oh my. I should really thank your parents then. It appears they may be the best people to stay with for you at the moment Hajin. I'll ring them..."

"No! You can't do that! I live there!"

"He has to see his child Mijin, you cant deny him that. Besides, you appear not to care about your own daughter so allow him that much."

"I'll bring it to you then... Shit! I hate touching it!"

Ignoring Mijin's disapproval, Elric's mother went ahead to place a call. She briefed Mijin's parents of Hajin's interest and from her facial expression, Mijin's parents appeared to have agreed.

Unable to control herself, Mijin snatched Elric's mother's phone and rushed a distance away. Elric's mother's secretary wanted to follow her but was stopped.

"You can't do this to me!" Mijin shouted.

"Sorry." Hajin mumbled.

"What are you apologizing for? You're the one who has to put up with her for life not me."

"She doesn't want anything to do with me..." Hajin stopped speaking when he saw Mijin approaching them then handed the phone back to Elric's mom.

"Why is everything against me? Who are you going to be to that thing anyway? I don't want rumors to start spreading about me that I birthed it! I want to be free of it!" Holding Hajin by the shoulders, she shouted, " You have to take it away Hajin you promised!"

"But your patents have custody..."

"You're useless as always!" Letting Hajin go, she paced about mumbling, "Everyone will know it was mine since I'm the marked one! Why do children always have to go with a marked instead of a marker? I don't want it!" Just then, she stopped and looked back at Hajin. "That's it! If you want me to forgive you for what you did to me then you're going to have to wear contacts for the rest of your life..."

"Y-You want me to play as it's mother? I can't do that..."

"Actually, it's a fine idea. That child is under Mijin's parents custody so you can't take it away, however if you really intend to be a part of its life, then I suggest you consider this idea."

"You are agreeing with her?" Hajin asked surprised.

"Of course not, but look at her. She wants nothing to do with it." Pulling Mijin's hands towards her, Elric's mother intervened. "Your parents informed me you've never breastfed it."

"Why would I do that? It's disgusting!"

"Oh..." Hajin appeared hurt. He looked away as if to hide his expression and spoke. "I don't have to stay with your parents. I just want to be able to see Princess as often as I can just so I don't loose my mind when I go back to whichever place I'll decide to reside in."

"Promise me Hajin that you'll wear contacts! People are going to think you and I are together."

Looking back at Mijin, Hajin said, "Whats the difference?"

"You nincompoop? How do you want my parents to explain themselves raising an infant to the public? Huh? They couldn't have adopted a child overnight could they? Everybody will definitely know it's mine but if you were to wear contacts, they'll think differently! Stop being selfish only thinking about yourself, think of my reputation and that of my parents too!

This is not about you Hajin!"