[After few days]
[Last Court Case]
The courtroom was quiet.
Taekyun sat straight in his seat beside Lihan.
His posture was composed, hands resting over one another, expression unreadable.
Lihan set beside him.
Across the aisle, Inspector Minsoo stood near the prosecution table.
The side doors opened.
Haesu was escorted inside.
He walked with lowered shoulders.
His face looked thinner than before, drained of color. When he lifted his head briefly.
His eyes met his mother.
She sat in the second row.
Her hands trembled in her lap.
Tears streamed down her cheeks openly.
Beside her sat his wife.
Her face was red eyes swollen from crying. But she wasn't crying now.
She looked at him with disappointment.
and disgust in her eyes.
Haesu's throat moved.
He looked away first.
The judge entered.
Everyone stood and the session began.
[The Reopening]
The prosecutor stood.
"Your Honor, as previously submitted in the supplementary investigation report, i requests permission to formally examine the final witness before closing arguments."
The judge nodded once.
"Permission granted.
Call Inspector Minsoo."
Inspector Minsoo stepped forward.
He took the oath.
The courtroom was quieter than in previous sessions.
This was not the first time this case had been discussed here. But it was the last.
The judge looked down at the documents before him.
"Inspector Minsoo, the court has reviewed the newly submitted forensic and financial reports.
For the record, summarize your findings clearly."
Minsoo inclined his head.
"Yes, Your Honor."
He spoke evenly.
"This case was officially recorded two years ago as a traffic accident.
However, during the reopening process, discrepancies were found in the initial statements and vehicle movement records."
He paused briefly.
"On the day of the incident, the vehicle was confirmed to have departed from the Kim Taekyun residence with the defendant, Haesu, as the driver.
This contradicts the earlier conclusion that Jiwon had been driving from the start."
A small murmur passed through the room.
Taekyun remained motionless.
Minsoo continued.
"Additionally, financial analysis revealed that on the same day, a significant transfer of funds was made from an account linked to Jung Suk, son of Neopharm's Chairman Jung, to the defendant."
The silence afterward felt heavier than any accusation.
The judge shifted his gaze to Haesu.
"Defendant."
Haesu lifted his head slowly.
"You have been present throughout these proceedings.
You have heard the evidence.
This is the final hearing."
A pause.
"If there is anything you wish to clarify before this court reaches its conclusion, you will speak now."
Haesu's fingers tightened against the railing before him.
His throat moved.
He nodded once.
"Yes….."
[Saturday]
"It was Saturday."
Haesu's voice cracked slightly.
"I was driving them."
His eyes lifted once, only for a second.
Taekyun was staring at him.
"Miss Harin was sitting in the back seat.
Mr. Jiwon was in the passenger seat beside me."
[3 years ago]
[The Car Ride]
Bright afternoon sunlight poured through the window.
Jiwon sighed from the front seat.
"Now is it clear enough that Taekyun hates me?"
he muttered.
"He scolded me just because I fed Haru what she wanted."
From the back seat, Harin laughed lightly.
"Jiwon-ah, not again please.
She's only two years old.
She can't eat spicy porridge yet."
"It was a mistake,"
He defended himself quickly.
"I thought that bowl was hers and mine was the spicy one. I didn't know."
"He looks at me like I stole something,"
Jiwon continued, frowning.
"As if I'm a thief."
"You did,"
Harin teased gently.
"You stole his wife and daughter."
Jiwon pouted.
"You don't understand. It actually hurts when he looks at me like that. I know I'm a stranger to him, but still."
Harin shook her head.
"Okay, okay. Wait. Listen."
She rested her hand lightly over her stomach without thinking.
"I'll tell him tonight."
Jiwon turned halfway in his seat.
"Tell him what?"
She smiled.
"It's been four weeks. The reports are confirmed."
"Oh? What report?"
"That test I told you about. I was doubtful before."
Jiwon stared at her for a moment, then slowly faced forward again.
"Hm."
"He deserves to know,"
She said quietly.
"He's the father."
"Yah, what's with you?"
Jiwon huffed.
"Last time you said it was a prank.
One day you say real, next day you say joke. You made me tired."
"It's real this time."
"Hmmm."
In the driver's seat, Haesu's fingers tightened around the steering wheel.
As his phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
He hesitated, then answered.
Jung Suk's voice came through, calm and direct.
"I need to speak with Harin.
Stop the car near the bridge.
You're coming this way, right?"
Haesu frowned slightly.
"That road isn't"
"Stop the car. I already know."
The call ended.
Haesu's heartbeat quickened.
He slowed the vehicle.
Then he took the wrong turn.
From the back seat, Harin leaned forward slightly.
"We're not supposed to come this way. There's only the bridge."
Jiwon glanced around.
"What's wrong?"
Haesu pulled the car over.
"I'll check something,"
he said quietly as he stepped out.
Jiwon turned to Harin.
"I'll see what's going on."
He opened his door.
"Haesu?"
Outside,
Then a black car approached.
It stopped not far from them.
Doors opened.
Haesu instinctively stepped back.
Jung Suk stepped out.
Several men followed him.
They moved toward Jiwon.
Jiwon's expression changed immediately.
"What is this?"
Before he could react, the men surrounded him.
Jung Suk's voice was flat.
"Who is this?"
He glanced at Haesu.
"You didn't say someone else would be here."
Haesu's hands trembled.
"He's her friend as well."
Jung Suk said nothing.
He walked toward the car instead and opened the back door.
He grabbed Harin's arm and pulled her out.
She stumbled.
A sharp slap landed across her face.
Jiwon shouted.
The men beside Jung Suk restrained him, forcing him back.
Haesu stepped backward, panic rising in his chest.
"This wasn't what you said,"
he whispered.
Jung Suk did not look at him.
"Hold him."
Jiwon was restrained tightly.
Harin struggled.
"What are you doing?
Who are you?"
Her voice shook.
Jung Suk looked at her calmly.
"I'm Taekyun's friend see."
"No, you're not.....you're."
"You're from Neopharm?"
"Let me go."
"Quiet intelligent as of Lee right
Wait, was it Lee Harin right?"
A syringe appeared in his hand.
Harin froze.
Fear filled her eyes.
"No"
She tried to pull away.
But he forced the injection into her arm.
She gasped sharply.
Everything seemed to stop.
Jiwon fought harder.
"Leave her!"
The men forced poison into his mouth, holding him in place until he swallowed.
Haesu stood frozen.
"I didn't agree to this!"
he shouted.
"Stop! You said you were just a friend!"
Jung Suk finally turned toward him.
"Do we look like."
"Of course I am."
"You agreed to stop the car,"
Jung Suk said quietly.
"Stop asking questions."
Harin's vision blurred.
One of the men placed her back into the car.
She was conscious.
But trembling uncontrollably.
Jiwon broke free for a second and ran toward her.
He was struck down again.
Haesu's legs felt weak.
Someone shoved a thick envelope into his hands.
"Forget what you saw."
"And forget what you heard."
Jung Suk and his men returned to their vehicle.
They drove away.
Just like that.
Inside the car, Harin was crying.
Her voice was hoarse.
She pressed both hands to her stomach.
"It hurts..... ahhhh ....ahh my baby
no… no"
Jiwon struggled to stand.
"Drive her to the hospital,"
he begged.
"Please."
Haesu shook his head.
"I.… I can't."
He helped Jiwon into the driver's seat instead.
"You..... you drive."
Then he stepped back.
And ran.
Inside the car, Harin's sobs weakened.
Jiwon's vision blurred.
But he gripped the steering wheel and started the engine.
The car moved forward.
Moments later,
The bridge stretched ahead
Jiwon's hands trembled.
The road began to tilt in his vision.
Harin's voice faded in the back seat.
He tried to focus.
Tried to stay awake.
But the poison spread through his body.
His grip loosened.
The steering wheel slipped slightly.
The vehicle drifted.
And then,
The car hit the truck on road.
[Back to Court]
Inspector Minsoo spoke,
"At the time, no toxicology investigation was conducted.
Due to the severity of the collision, the case was classified as a traffic accident."
The judge turned to Haesu.
"You accepted money."
"Yes,"
Haesu admitted, his voice low.
"You failed to report the crime."
"Yes."
"You obstructed justice."
"Yes."
Haesu's mother sobbed openly, shoulders shaking.
His wife remained silent, staring at the floor.
Taekyun did not move, but his fingers tightened at his sides.
Minsoo continued.
"There is also strong indication that Miss Harin may have been pregnant at the time of the accident."
Taekyun's gaze snapped up.
Pregnant?
Lihan glanced at Minsoo,
who gave a slow, deliberate nod.
"Accordingly, Haesu,"
Minsoo said,
"Mr. Taekyun did not know at the time.
During a chat in the car with Jiwon,
Harin had told him she would inform
Mr. Taekyun that night."
A hush fell over the room.
Haesu's voice shook as he spoke, small but audible.
"She..... she kept holding her stomach
Whispering …. baby.'"
Taekyun froze.
His blood boiled.
His eyes locked on Haesu, burning.
Minsoo added,
"As for jung suk second son of jung In Chairman of Neopharm's was found deceased one year later in his apartment.
And cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage."
Murmurs rippled through the courtroom.
"Criminal charges against him cannot proceed due to his death.
However, civil liability extends to his estate and the affiliated company."
The courtroom doors opened once more.
Mr. Kim entered.
Taekyun turned.
As his father walked forward calmly, eyes briefly meeting Taekyun's.
What is this supposed to mean?
Taekyun looked at minsoo.
Mr. Kim bowed slightly to the judge.
"I requested permission to speak today."
The judge nodded.
Mr. Kim's voice was steady, controlled.
"At that time, I also believed it was an accident."
There was no defensiveness in his tone.
Just clarity.
"The company was under heavy attack at that time and Neopharm was waiting for any sign of weakness.
So,I chose to protect what remained."
"I had already lost one son in this fight.
I did not want it to happen again."
He looked briefly at Taekyun.
"I allowed Haesu to leave after he requested it.
I spoke with the press and closed the matter within a single day.
I could not show weakness to Neopharm."
He paused, gaze firm.
"Jung In was in jail at the time.
Both of his sons, Jung Suk and Jung Hyun, were after Taekyun.
This was all I could do to safeguard our family and the company."
"I did not know there was foul play at the time. If I had"
His words trailed, but the meaning was clear.
Taekyun watched him closely.
For the first time, he saw not the ruthless businessman, but a man who cares about him.
And think of him as a son.
The judge looked at Haesu.
Haesu trembling said,
"On that day, I went to Mr. Kim.
I told him I couldn't continue the job.
And i left Seoul."
"Okay"
The judge looked down at the final report.
"Defendant Haesu, the court has reviewed your confession, the financial transactions submitted by the prosecution, and the supplementary witness statements."
His tone was steady.
"You admitted to accepting payment in exchange for positioning the victims'
vehicle at a specific location.
You were aware that harm was intended, even if you claim you did not anticipate the extent of that harm."
Haesu's lips trembled.
."I… I didn't know they would do that."
"You knew enough to stay silent for three years,"
the judge replied.
A murmur rippled through the courtroom.
"You abandoned two injured individuals without reporting the incident.
You erased communication records.
You misled investigators during initial questioning.
Your actions were not passive.
They were deliberate."
Haesu's wife sat frozen, staring at the floor.
His mother sat upright beside her.
When Haesu turned slightly, searching for her eyes.
"Umma, tell them
Umma."
She did not look at him.
Her gaze remained fixed ahead, as if he no longer existed.
The judge continued.
"The court also acknowledges testimony presented during reopening."
A brief pause.
"While no conclusive medical documentation was preserved
credible statements indicate that Lee Harin had expressed the possibility of pregnancy prior to the incident."
Silence filled the space.
"This court cannot legally certify the existence of that pregnancy beyond reasonable doubt."
Another pause.
"However, the probability itself intensifies the moral weight of this crime."
"If the testimony is true, then the consequences of that day extended beyond the loss of two young lives."
The courtroom remained still.
"In sentencing, the court considers not speculation, but responsibility.
The chain of events initiated by your cooperation resulted in irreversible loss."
In the second row, Mr. Kim stood quietly.
He walked forward and took the seat beside Taekyun.
Taekyun did not move.
He had sat through confessions.
But that one line.
Possibility of pregnancy.
the words did not leave him.
For three years he had replayed that night.
Blamed Jiwon.
Blame himself.
All this time he had believed Jiwon failed to protect her.
He failed to protect her.
But today the truth was laid bare.
They were both targets.
Both used and silenced.
The anger he carried toward Jiwon began to loosen not disappear, but fracture.
The judge's voice cut through the silence once more.
"In consideration of the severity of the offense, the calculated concealment, and the financial motive involved"
"This court sentences the defendant, Haesu, to life imprisonment."
Haesu's shoulders collapsed.
"No...no I didn't
Wait..... umma.... jagiya(my love/used for his wife)
He whispered his mother's name.
But she did not turn.
Not even when officers approached him.
She remained facing forward, spine straight, eyes dry.
Taekyun sat still.
Mr. Kim's hand rested briefly on the armrest between them.
For the first time in three years, the truth was no longer buried under doubt.
Two officers stepped forward, gripping Haesu arms.
"No.... no, please, Your Honor, please
I told you everything! I cooperated! I"
His voice cracked, rising into something desperate.
"You can't give me life! I didn't kill them! I didn't"
The officers pulled him back as his knees buckled.
"I have a family! Please umma! Say something! Umma!"
"Yeonsu-ah ..... jagiya."
The judge did not look at him.
"Remove the defendant."
Haesu's cries echoed against the courtroom walls as he was dragged toward the exit.
The doors closed behind him.
The judge lifted the final file.
"This court will now address the criminal responsibility of Jung Suk."
"Evidence presented before this court establishes that Jung Suk initiated contact with the defendant Haesu, transferred funds in advance, and deliberately arranged the interception of the victims' vehicle."
"Witness testimony confirms that Jung Suk personally assaulted Lee Harin and administered an injectable substance against her will."
"He further ordered the forced administration of poison to Jiwon."
"The subsequent collision was not random. It was the foreseeable result of intoxication and incapacitation caused by those acts."
The judge closed the document slowly.
"This court therefore recognizes Jung Suk as the principal perpetrator in the intentional killing of Lee Harin and Jiwon."
"However, Jung Suk was found deceased one year after the incident.
Pursuant to Article 328 of the Criminal Procedure Act, criminal prosecution is terminated due to death."
"Termination of prosecution does not erase factual responsibility."
"Civil liability shall extend to his estate. Furthermore, any corporate entity proven to have facilitated concealment or financial execution may be held jointly liable under the Civil Act."
"Regarding Chairman Jung In."
"Evidence indicates that following the incident, Chairman Jung In participated in suppression of internal records and obstructed disclosure of financial transactions linked to his son."
"While direct evidence of ordering the act is not established at this stage, post-crime concealment constitutes criminal obstruction and potential conspiracy after the fact."
"This court formally refers Chairman Jung In to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office for immediate criminal investigation."
A ripple of restrained reaction moved through the room.
"As for Jung Hyun, elder son of Chairman Jung In, currently residing overseas"
The judge's eyes narrowed slightly.
"A formal summons shall be issued for questioning.
Failure to comply may result in international legal measures."
The gavel rose.
"For three years, this case was buried beneath the word accident."
His gaze swept the courtroom once.
"Today, this court establishes the truth."
The gavel struck.
"It was murder."
Mr. Kim exhaled quietly.
Jung Suk was dead.
But his name had finally been spoken for what he was.
The principal killer.
The one who ended three futures in a single afternoon.
As the judge rose, everyone stood.
The courtroom remained silent as he exited through the side door.
Mr. Kim stood slowly.
He looked at Taekyun.
Taekyun did not move.
Lihan noticed the tension and glanced between father and son.
Inspector Minsoo approached them first.
"Thank you, sir, for appearing today,"
he said respectfully to Mr. Kim.
Mr. Kim gave a small nod.
Then he turned to Taekyun.
"Even though my son does not consider me worthy of much,"
He said quietly,
"I thought it was better if I stepped in."
Lihan exchanged a look with Minsoo.
Minsoo understood and gently guided Lihan away, giving them space.
Mr. Kim faced Taekyun fully now.
"You should have informed me before reopening the case."
Taekyun finally looked at him.
"I didn't want anything to stop it this time."
Mr. Kim held his gaze.
"Do you think I stopped it back then for myself?"
he asked calmly.
"I did it for you. I wanted you protected."
Taekyun nodded slowly without arguing anymore.
He turned and walked toward the other side of the courtroom.
Haesu's mother was being helped up by his wife.
Her steps were unsteady.
When Taekyun approached, she looked up.
Tears rolled down her wrinkled cheeks.
"I…. I'm really sorry for what my son has done,"
she whispered, bowing deeply while holding Taekyun's hand.
Her grip trembled.
Taekyun gently placed his hand on her shoulder to stop her from bowing further.
"You don't need to apologize,"
he said quietly.
"What had to be done is done."
His voice was steady.
"Haesu received his punishment.
That is all."
His gaze shifted to Haesu's wife.
She lowered her head immediately.
"Do you have children?"
Taekyun asked.
Haesu's mother looked up quickly.
"Please…. show mercy Son,"
She said through tears.
"I only have one grandson
Please don't take it away.
I know my son took your wife…. your child
but we are left with nothing."
Taekyun's jaw tightened slightly.
For a brief moment, the word child echoed again in his mind.
Then he spoke.
"From now on, if you need anything, contact us.
We will look after the child. And your financial needs."
Both women froze.
Haesu's wife stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"I have no words,"
she said, crying softly.
"I'm…. unlucky to have a husband like him. But I'm truly sorry for what he did."
Lihan approached quietly.
Taekyun looked at him.
"Give them your contact,"
he said.
"Make sure they're taken care of."
Lihan nodded.
Taekyun turned away.
Mr. Kim's staff entered and moved to assist him. Before leaving, Mr. Kim glanced once at his son.
Taekyun returned the look briefly.
Then he walked out of the courtroom.
Outside, the media waited.
Questions were thrown from every direction.
"Mr Taekyun!"
"Was it confirmed murder?"
"Will you pursue further action against Neopharm?"
Inspector Minsoo stood near the steps, coordinating security.
With assistance, Taekyun moved through the crowd without answering a single question.
He entered his car.
The door shut.
His hands rested on the steering wheel.
His mind was empty.
The truth was revealed.
Jung Suk was named.
Haesu was sentenced.
His father had spoken.
The court had declared it murder.
And yet,
Nothing returned.
Harin.
The possibility of their child.
Jiwon.
All gone.
His chest felt heavier than before.
He started the engine.
As the car moved forward, memories surfaced.
Harin laughing.
Harin arguing.
Harin standing by the window.
And then,
Haneul's face.
The image cut through the fog in his mind.
His grip on the steering wheel tightened.
The car sped up.
He drove toward the residence.
Not because he knew what to do next.
But because home was the only place that still had something left.