DD Ch 25

The sound of an ambulance siren echoed long outside the annex. Taeon, who had just finished a meeting, tilted his head to look out the window.

Amidst the rustling of wind chimes, the siren of the ambulance, piercing through the ears, got closer then gradually faded away.

Secretary Kim, who had been waiting for Taeon to come out while holding his cell phone, also turned his head following Taeon. It seemed like they were thinking the same thing – why would an ambulance pass by here?

“Shall I go out and see what’s going on?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, CEO!”

Secretary Kim, about to bow and leave, suddenly turned back as if he had almost caused a big problem. Taeon, loosening his tie around his neck, looked up at Secretary Kim.

“I received a call that there was a fire at the Jamsil CB Center where the joint briefing by construction companies was supposed to be held, so the schedule has been postponed. They managed to extinguish the fire, but with significant damage, cancellation seems inevitable. The briefing will likely be postponed until a venue capable of accommodating all expected attendees is found.”

“Sigh.”

“You must be tired.”

“No, it turned out well, actually.”

“I’ve made some coffee. Rest for a while. I’ll go out and see what’s happening.”

Taeon nodded half-heartedly and sank into the sofa. When he checked the clock, it had already been over an hour since Sahee left the annex.

She said she’d just change her clothes.

Frowning, Taeon picked up his phone from the sofa table. Soon, the door closed with a thud, and silence filled the room. Taeon turned on his phone and called Sahee.

“…”

Once.

Twice.

Thrice.

After about four tries, with no answer, he was already out of his seat. The sound of the ambulance that had passed still lingered in his ears like tinnitus.

Sahee returned to the small annex, quickly showered, and changed her clothes. She had promised to return soon, but time had passed significantly.

Her heart was restless as if she was under a spell. After drying her hair, she would go back to the annex, spend a suitable night with him…

End. It would be the end.

Staggering, Sahee barely managed to stand by leaning against the wall.

Suddenly, she remembered her mother hugging Chae Hyunji. Just standing still in that memory felt exhausting, and she slid down to the floor.

When she bowed her head, her still damp hair fell onto her face. Sahee stared at the drops of water falling from her hair onto her pants, like tears.

“…”

Sahee turned her head to look at the evening light seeping through the door. She wanted to see him, yet didn’t want to. She wanted to end things with him right away, yet didn’t want to.

Burying her face in her palms, Sahee let out a deep breath. As she tried to stand up by pushing off the floor, she sensed someone outside the door. Sahee stood up awkwardly, startled.

“Ms. Sahee Yeon.”

There was a quick knock on the door.

“Just a moment.”

Sahee went to the mirror to check her face. After ensuring her eyelids weren’t swollen, she opened the door.

Taeon was there. His face seemed angry for some reason, prompting Sahee to make an excuse before she knew it.

“I just got out of the shower.”

“Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

“…Because I was showering?”

“That’s ridiculous.”

Taeon laughed as if he found her response absurd. Sahee opened the door wider, and Taeon stepped into her room.

“I’ll dry your hair, so go sit down.”

“Ah, okay.”

Sahee quietly sat in the desk chair. She felt his gaze lingering on her.

“Was something wrong?”

He asked as if he knew everything, causing Sahee to open her eyes wide momentarily.

“What? No, nothing.”

“Then why are you spacing out?”

“…”

“Again.”

Taeon tapped her forehead lightly with his index finger. As Sahee looked at him cautiously, he smiled.

Soon, the hairdryer was running, and he worked his fingers through her hair to dry it.

Sahee watched the water no longer dripping onto her pants.

She realized she wanted to see him, didn’t want to end things with him, and hoped for a little more of the luxurious time she still had left.

After drying her hair, they kissed. While sitting in the chair, she hugged his neck, sharing breaths. When the chair bumped against the desk, Sahee flinched, and he chuckled.

Feeling familiar, she leaned into him as they moved towards the bed, drowsiness overcoming her. Sahee thought it was because she was in his arms that her eyelids were getting heavy.

That night, the comfort she felt while being held by him settled heavily upon her.

Feeling Taeon on top of her, Sahee slowly closed and opened her eyes. With a light kiss on her cheek, she trembled and parted her lips.

“Actually, I’m sleepy.”

“I’m leaving tomorrow.”

He frowned. Pretending not to notice, Sahee blinked sleepily, and Taeon touched her cheek, pinching it gently before laughing.

“Right, we’ll see each other again.”

Sahee nodded. It wasn’t a lie since there was still tomorrow. His gaze seemed to deepen for a moment, but she was too drowsy to be sure.

“See me off tomorrow. I’ll send everyone working.”

“…Yes.”

“Sleep well.”

Taeon kissed her forehead, turned off the bedside lamp, and stroked her hair a few more times before leaving the room.

Listening to his footsteps fading away, Sahee turned to her side, curling up and closing her eyes. Tomorrow morning, she would wake from this long dream.

This morning, Taeon is leaving Yeonghwadang for Seoul.

After finishing all preparations and stepping out of the dressing room, Taeon briefly looked towards Madam Chun, who was greeting in place of Park Jisun.

The woman’s eyes, watching Taeon’s mood, were cautious. It was clear she was worried about possibly upsetting him.

“Ms. Seonnyeo asked me to apologize for not being able to see you off. She was worried she might pass her flu to you, so please understand.”

Park Jisun must have been scolded by Chairman Jeong, who cherished her dearly, so it was no wonder she caught a cold. Thanks to that, hearing that Chae Hyunji was taken away by an ambulance last night, one could understand the drama unfolding under last night’s sunset without even watching.

Taeon nodded as if it didn’t matter. Only then did he see Madam Chun’s face brighten, but he had something else he was curious about.

“Was Sahee there yesterday too?”

“Pardon?”

Madam Chun responded with a blank look for a moment. Remembering that Sahee hadn’t told the Yeonghwadang family about her, Taeon waited.

At first, Madam Chun seemed not to understand, but then she blinked, slowly closing and opening her eyes. Suddenly, as if realizing something, she took a deep breath and nodded her head vigorously.

“Ah, yes, yes. She was there. Sahee was there.”

“How was she? She looked out of energy to me.”

“……Ah, that’s…”

Madam Chun clenched her hands below her navel. In the end, she couldn’t answer him and closed her mouth.

He had asked because he wanted to know the heart that couldn’t laugh even after seeing those who had broken you, broken. However, knowing that Madam Chun raised you, he could understand if she thought this was to protect your strong pride.

“Okay. I understand.”

When Taeon didn’t ask further, Madam Chun visibly relaxed. Seeing this, Taeon chuckled and pulled out his wallet.

“Which hospital is it?”

“……”

“Sahee said your granddaughter was sick; write the hospital name and her name on these cards and give them to Secretary Kim.”

Taeon handed over two business cards from his wallet to Madam Chun. She blinked in more surprise than when he asked about Sahee.

“Pardon? CEO, what do you mean…”

“Did you not understand?”

“Ah, no. I understood. I understood, but it’s okay. Really, it’s okay.”

“Would it be easier for me to find it and donate anonymously? Then, I’ll do that.”

“……”

“Write it here, on this side.”

Taeon offered the two cards to Madam Chun as if urging her to take them. Secretary Kim came over and handed her a pen.

Madam Chun, hesitating, took the cards and pen. Her hand trembled as she wrote firmly on the back of the card at the dining table.

Taeon confirmed that Secretary Kim took the card and then spoke.

“Keep one card; if you ever need my help for anything, contact me. Money, connections, whatever. It doesn’t matter.”

At those words, Madam Chun finally nodded and kept the remaining card. Taeon signaled to Secretary Kim that it was time to leave.

“Thank you, Madam. I’ve enjoyed my stay here very comfortably. Your cooking was also the best.”

Secretary Kim gave Madam Chun a thumbs up with both hands, smiling warmly.

Just as Taeon was about to turn and leave…

“CEO.”

Taeon turned around at Madam Chun’s call as he was about to step out the door.

“She’s lonely…”

Madam Chun’s voice, thin and trembling as if she might cry at any moment, stood there.

“She’s a lonely child. Please take care of her.”

“Please take care of her,” she said…

Well. I hope so, but whether I can be entrusted with that lonely heart is uncertain. I hope it’s just worry, but the dirty premonition wouldn’t shake off.

That unpleasant feeling that you might leave me.

As Taeon stepped out of the annex, the blinding sunlight dazzled his vision. Just then, a long vibration buzzed from his jacket pocket. While putting on his shoes on the doorstep, Taeon took out his phone.

Han Jun-su from the secretarial office. Taeon immediately connected the call upon seeing the name.

“Yes.”

─ CEO, this is Han Jun-su from the secretarial office.

“Speak.”

─ I’m reporting on the information about Madam that you instructed through Secretary Kim yesterday.

“Go on.”

─ It was confirmed that Madam withdrew cash from bank branches near Yeonghwadang. She visited three branches because there wasn’t enough cash in one.

It was a day when the sunlight was particularly harsh.

Taeon, walking towards the shade, let out a cool laugh. How much did she take. It was even amusing now, given how desperate she was.

“How much?”

Taeon took out a cigarette from his jacket pocket. Just as he was about to light it, click, with his lighter…

─ 50 million won.

“……”

Taeon’s hand paused in the air before he took the cigarette out of his mouth. “Fuck, 50 million. I gave that woman 50 million.” A burst of incredulous laughter escaped him.

Even after the call ended, he let out empty laughs as if air had entered his lungs.

No, well, did she only give money? She probably gave contempt too. What she must have staked is obvious.

If she was going to do that, fuck, she should have given more money. If cash was short, she should have given something tangible. If she had given one of her paintings she owns, it wouldn’t have been this embarrassing and shitty.

The thought of arguing over separation with just 50 million made him mad. The innocence of Sahee, who would come to break up over something so trivial…

[I’m coming out now.]

Taeon stared at the message from Sahee that had just arrived.

“Really, are you okay?”

“I hurt my leg.”

He remembered Sahee asking with an anxious face on some night. When he acted like it didn’t matter, she finally relaxed and clung to him, the small woman.

“Please hurt me.”

You, who can’t say a word about the bastard who messed up your leg, making me look for him, would come running to me to tattle on my mother?

“……I want to get drunk.”

The plea to hurt her because she was in so much pain, the desire to get drunk out of her mind, now seemed so fake.

Fake, Sahee. Even though what we had was supposedly love, can’t you even say that much? Can’t you at least get angry? Is your first thought always to end things quickly, fuck, is that love?

A cold, mocking laugh mixed with Taeon’s sigh.

Sahee stood in front of the mirror.

Her bangs had grown a lot, now reaching her eyebrows. She felt fortunate that at least it no longer looked ridiculous, and she applied some colored lip balm.

Um, pa, um, pa.

Although she looked less pale than before, her cheeks in the mirror were twitching. She tried pulling up the corners of her mouth, but they remained stiff.

Sahee checked the message that had just come from Taeon.

[Okay.]

[Come safely.]

[I’m waiting for you.]

His usual tone, seemingly generous yet arrogant, seemed to ring in her ears.

Sahee tried to calm her mind. She suppressed her sorrow and pulled out her rationality. She discarded her greed and thought only of what she must do. Taking a deep breath, she thought of what she would say to him.

She opened the door. With a loud “bang,” the sunlight poured in, making Sahee squint one eye as she stepped onto the porch. While tying her shoelaces tightly, she heard her heart pounding fiercely.

As Min Yeojin went up to Seoul and half of the new staff was dismissed, and today as CEO Jung Taeon went up, completely emptying the place, Yeonghwadang was quiet.

Sahee was relieved not to worry about meeting anyone on her way to the annex. She limped to the entrance of the annex.

His secretary seemed to be leaving early, moving luggage with the workers in front of the annex, efficiently. Upon seeing Sahee, he gestured towards the inside of the annex as if to say “go in” and bowed slightly as if it were his last greeting.

Sahee, somewhat taken aback, bowed in return and entered the annex.

Finally, she faced the man standing at the end. Thankful that he was still Jung Taeon, she took a hobbling step forward, panting, and thought back to the first day she saw him.

She knew why she was captivated by him then. Why she trembled every time she saw him, how she could be enchanted in an instant, Sahee knew better than anyone.

He, Jung Taeon…

Seemed like a man who had never wavered in his life.

A man who would remain unscathed even if he collided with something.

Thus, I, swept away like living in those dreadful waters all my life, hung him in my heart like a talisman. Perhaps it was something close to inevitable.

Sahee stood one step away from the man who reached out to her as if inviting her closer.

“CEO.”

Taeon looked at his hand left hanging in the air, then tilted his head obliquely, withdrawing his hand. His lips formed a smooth curve, spilling out a playful voice.

“What’s this? You look determined.”

Her heart leaped.

“……I have something to say.”

Sahee looked at him. She saw one of his eyebrows slowly rise.

The first word was an apology.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

His voice, without inflection, sounded like a sharp interrogation, making her gaze drop naturally. Sahee stared at his tie pin for a while before finally looking up.

The interlocked gazes were breathless. Sahee hoped he wouldn’t see how much she was trembling.

“……I think I was a bit short-sighted.”

“What long thoughts have you had?”

“The suggestion you made about going to Seoul together, living together. I thought about it. But I think I’m not up for that kind of commitment. I think I might have been under some illusion while maintaining that… that kind of relationship with you. This is my first time in such a relationship…”

As Sahee spoke, his face gave no indication of what he was thinking. Her throat was dry, and her lips were parched.

“I saw you on a blind date, and I got confused. It wasn’t serious, just like a child losing a toy, but I… I didn’t know my own feelings.”

The moment Sahee swallowed dryly, she heard his low chuckle.

“Uh, and then?”

“Pardon?”

“Ms. Yeon Sahee thought she was confused about her feelings for me, despite not being a child, and then?”

“……”

“Go on. I’m listening.”

Confusion, toy.

Even with those blatant words, he showed no sign of being hurt. Perhaps it was natural. After all, once outside, there would be no shortage of women for him. What could a few words from her do? It was laughable.

A pretty doll.

When she thought of herself, who seemed to have fallen into an abyss with just one word from Min Yeojin, the distance between them became even clearer.

“……I didn’t just take the relationship lightly. Love isn’t just about being good or in love. But you seemed serious, so yes. You kept suggesting we should tell your mother, you stepped out confidently in front of my friends. You even suggested living together once we go up to Seoul. But when I think about it, you’re at an age where marriage is on your mind, so it’s natural.”

“Is this about enjoying the moment but not marriage?”

Taeon’s voice was sharp, summarizing her rambling thoughts into one biting sentence. Sahee shook her head slowly, indicating that wasn’t what she meant.

“……That’s not what I meant. I’m saying my feelings aren’t deep enough for that.”

“To me, it sounds like the same thing.”

“I’m not from a great family, and I limp. You must have felt it in Seoul. Me, limping beside you like a cripple…”

“Don’t put it that harshly.”

“……”

“No matter how much you want to push me away.”

Though she was the one saying words to upset him, it was Sahee who felt twisted inside. She tried to keep her composure, responding as if it was nothing.

“I’m just stating the facts.”

“Well, I understand. You were confused about your feelings, and I was the only one being serious, which was burdensome to you.”

“……”

“And you’re embarrassed to limp beside me like a cripple. Right?”

Limping like a cripple, with emphasis from him, made her feel the sting of her own words.

“……Yes, that’s right.”

“Is there anything else you prepared to say?”

“That’s all. I’ve taken too much of your time telling you I want to end this.”

“That’s strange.”

Taeon took a step closer to Sahee. He scanned her face slowly from up close.

“Ms. Yeon Sahee.”

“Yes.”

“Why leave out the 50 million won?”

“……Pardon?”

“You should mention the money we received.”

“……”

“Only then would I realize how much of a materialistic person Ms. Yeon Sahee is and leave you alone.”

As he asked this, Taeon smiled gently, while Sahee turned cold.

So that was 50 million won.

She had thrown the thick envelope from Min Yeojin into a display cabinet without even opening it. She knew it was a considerable amount but was shocked to learn it was 50 million won. She couldn’t think of what to say knowing he was aware of it.

Would he think of her as a woman who accepted 50 million won in cash behind his back after rejecting all his offers?

His face, still smiling, seemed to ask if she was doing this calculation now, telling her to throw away all those petty reasons.

She didn’t even think to make an excuse that it wasn’t so. Wasn’t it true? Whether she liked it or not, whether he was disappointed by it or not, there lay 50 million won from Min Yeojin in her display cabinet.

Considering the brevity of their relationship, it was quite a good deal. She decided not to think about how she could have earned that money. If she could end things this way, she had to.

Sahee, who had been silent, looked up. Hiding her trembling eyes with one blink, she looked straight into his eyes and opened her mouth.

“……Yes, I received money from your mother. 50 million won.”

“Yeah, I know.”

He chuckled as if to say, “Why state the obvious?” Sahee bit her lower lip unconsciously and swallowed hard when she couldn’t bear his gaze.

“What’s with the hesitation over 50 million? Use it. Ms. Yeon Sahee played along with me enough, and you said you didn’t have money, right?”

Taeon feigned a frown.

Sahee chewed on the tender flesh inside her lip. The contradiction of acting tough in front of him only to be hurt by words that suggested he calculated her like his mother was horrific.

At least, she should have been glad they had fun enough to make the 50 million worth it, but it was bitter.

Sahee clenched her fist and opened her mouth, giving a thanks as composedly as she could.

“……I will. I’ll use it gratefully. I needed money to live in Seoul anyway, so please tell your mother thanks for the generous amount.”

“Ah. Should I have given cash instead of a card?”

“No. I consider that 50 million won as something both you and your mother gave me.”

“That’s interesting.”

Taeon laughed as if genuinely pleased, then suddenly returned to a cold, expressionless face.

She had to keep up the pretense of indifference, but the oppressive feeling on her shoulders was heavy. His gaze seemed to pierce her sharply.

“Didn’t I tell you? You’re terrible at acting.”

“……”

“If you’re going to lie, do it properly. You were trembling because you couldn’t even take one card from me, and yet…”

The man’s laughter that followed was hollow. Even his previously cold eyes now softened, as if he could see through Sahee’s true intentions.

Sahee, momentarily flustered, opened her mouth slightly. Fearing all the words she had managed to say today and all her resolve might turn to nothing, she quickly spoke.

“It’s sincere. Everything I just said, really, yes.”

She tried to speak as coldly as possible, but it was futile. He already knew everything with his eyes.

It was then that Taeon cut her off.

“Ms. Yeon Sahee, did I ever say I love you?”

“……Pardon?”

Love?

Sahee forgot what she was about to say and asked back. Her heart sank, her eyes shook uncontrollably, and even her breathing became erratic.

In contrast, the man who had just dropped a bomb in front of her looked calm. He asked about love as if it were a simple greeting or a comment about the weather, without a tremble in his voice.

“Didn’t I?”

Taeon chuckled, looking at Sahee, who seemed to have lost her soul.

There was no way. Even as she thought this, she couldn’t bring herself to say he hadn’t. On some night when he embraced her, his touch which made her forget her lifelong weakness, the affection that seemed to pour out…

She couldn’t say that wasn’t love. Love doesn’t become not love just because it wasn’t said aloud. She, too, had confessed her love to his breathing alone.

“Even if I didn’t say it, you know I love you.”

“……”

“So stop it. If you know I love you, you shouldn’t end it like this.”

Taeon looked at Sahee as if to say, “Isn’t that right?” All the words she had just vomited out like waste made the ground under her feet muddy.

Yet, his eyes seemed to understand her to some extent, causing her to feel a burning shame from her neck up.

“Sahee.”

Sahee lowered her head. As she closed her eyes tightly, Taeon reached out and gently stroked the back of her head. It was a terribly gentle touch.

“What’s the real reason? Even if you decide to end it, you should at least tell me why.”

Taeon leaned down to meet Sahee’s eyes. His following question was sharp, as if he would make her speak if she didn’t.

“That word, ‘cripple.’ Did my mother say that?”

Sahee bit her lower lip. She shook her head slowly, and he laughed, saying, “I see.”

“Do you think you’re an obstacle in my path?”

“……”

“Because you limp?”

“……”

“If you meet me, you’ll become the same. Is that what you mean?”

Isn’t it obvious what his mother would say? It was a predictable story of exploiting a woman’s weaknesses, twisting them into threats.

“Do you think I look that foolish to be swayed by such words?”

“No, it’s not like that, how could it…”

To Taeon’s words, Sahee shook her head frantically, not knowing what to do. Taeon smirked and frowned.

“Then what is it, Sahee?”

Sahee hesitated, her lips moving but no words coming out, and Taeon waited for her. He gave her time to compose her breath, fix her gaze, and tell him the real reason.

Yet, Sahee’s voice trembled thinly as she began to speak.

“At first, I was afraid I would ruin you.”

“How could you ruin me?”

“……Exactly. How could I ruin you?”

At Taeon’s incredulous response, Sahee gave a bitter smile.

“At first, I was afraid you would become like me, and that would ruin you. But no matter how much I thought about it, no matter how many days I pondered, it seemed impossible for me to ruin you.”

That was the truth. The idea of Jung Taeon being ruined by Yeon Sahee was laughable even to a passing dog. Looking back, it was an absurd thought.

Perhaps even Min Yeojin didn’t genuinely believe what she said. Sahee now understood that it was just meant to scare her. It was about exploiting her weakest point, using her affection as a weakness.

“The one who will be ruined is not you, but me.”

Sahee declared, looking at Taeon.

In their time together, it was she, not him, who would crumble. That was what she couldn’t bear.

Despite the words from Min Yeojin gnawing at her, she lacked the confidence to stand firm by his side.

“I’m too easily swayed and broken. Even after living with the words ‘cripple’ and ‘disabled’ for twenty years, I still can’t handle it. Even now, when I should be used to it…”

“……”

“That’s why I liked you.”

Sahee looked at Taeon. She was sad that she could only confess these feelings as she ended things, but she was also glad to return something to him.

“Because you seemed like someone who wouldn’t waver like me, someone without a single flaw, someone completely different from me. That’s why. But…”

“But?”

“Now, when I see you, I feel so inadequate.”

The moment she was enchanted by him had now become a reason to leave him. Sahee gave a mournful smile.

“I, so I… I don’t want to live as a limping cripple beside you. I’ve come this far, and I don’t want to go back to that…”

“Even if I promise you won’t hear such words in the future?”

Instead of nodding, Sahee answered with words to dismiss his question.

“……When I was young, I wanted to climb high. I wanted to look down on those who hurt me. To despise them, to ignore them. I wanted to make them regret hurting me.”

“……”

“Now… I’m tired. I’m exhausted. I just want to go far away. Very far, until I can’t see those people anymore.”

“So, are you going to study abroad?”

How did he know that? Sahee wavered for a moment but then nodded. He could know. The man who knew how much she received from Min Yeojin.

“If I can, yes. If I can, I want to go.”

At Sahee’s words about leaving if given the chance, silence fell. Taeon stared intensely into her eyes for a long while.

At the end of their locked gaze, when he smiled, Sahee felt the end was real.

“You asked me to come see you off, but all we did was argue.”

“……”

“Let’s go. You said you’d see me off.”

Taeon gestured towards the entrance of the annex.

The moment Sahee stepped forward to follow him, their hands brushed. She flinched, her shoulders trembling, and her breath shook. Taeon glanced back at her once and then walked on without a word.

Perhaps they would never walk side by side like this again. Once they left this annex, he would pull ahead, eventually going to a place where even if she craned her neck, she couldn’t see.

She felt him keeping pace with her. As she once dreamed, they shared a fleeting moment under the disgustingly bright spring sunlight.

It was the day of farewell.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ

In front of the annex, Sahee and Taeon faced each other. Sahee briefly looked towards the car he would take. As the leaves rustled in her ears, the silence deepened.

She thought the hardest part of the end would be speaking of the farewell. Pronouncing the finality aloud.

They had managed that difficult task, yet she didn’t feel relieved at all.

“In the end, I won’t see your smiling face.”

“……”

“Take care.”

“……You too, CEO.”

Standing there, facing the end felt strange. For some reason, with the realization that there were no more words left between them, she blinked several times as if her vision darkened.

She had never imagined such an end. It was more painful to stare at the broken rails than to break them. It felt like standing foolishly in front of a road she could no longer travel.

Ultimately, it was Sahee who couldn’t bear it anymore.

Sahee tightly clenched the anklet that seemed to flow down her wrist into her palm. The anklet he had given her didn’t fit her wrist, so she didn’t even have to undo the clasp.

If she wanted to take it off, she could easily do so. It was like him, a man who didn’t fit her, and she couldn’t help but mock herself for being overly sentimental about it.

Holding the anklet that slipped through her fingers, Sahee extended it to him.

“Here, I’ll return this.”

“Just throw it away.”

His reply was firm, without a hint of hesitation. When Sahee looked at him with shimmering eyes, he gave a crooked smile.

“What.”

That was quite playful and odd. It felt like nothing had ended, like he would be here in the annex tomorrow.

But Sahee knew too well that wouldn’t happen. Maybe it was just his attempt to comfort her with a light-hearted remark. That consideration, however, hurt Sahee strangely.

“……No.”

“Why. Can’t you throw it away?”

“No, I will throw it away.”

“No, you won’t.”

He was adept at parting ways with her. He wasn’t swayed like her, nor did he claw at her with harsh words, without any unnecessary quarrels or emotional drain.

Taeon truly seemed fine. He had coaxed her into revealing the real reason for the breakup and willingly accepted it. He ended it with the demeanor of an adult.

The knot of their relationship, which she had tied alone in advance, seemed frayed at the end, but the knot he tied up was uncommonly clean.

To remind her of this fact once more, Taeon quietly extended his hand under hers.

“Give it to me.”

“……”

Even though she was the one who decided to return it, Sahee hesitated. He signaled her to bring it over. The thought of the man who had caressed her wrist on the day he gave her the anklet brought a strange sense of betrayal. Finally, Sahee dropped the anklet into his large hand. Taeon lightly clenched his fist around the gift he had received back from her.

That was the end.

He left her standing there, walked around the car to the driver’s side, and soon, the car carrying him started to move. Their eyes met briefly through the car window, but as soon as she stepped back, he looked straight ahead.

Sahee stood still, watching Taeon’s car speed away.

He was someone who showed her another aspect of the world. Someone who made even the place she always stood look different.

Thinking about this, even the moments she choked up thinking of him or grumbled after he passed seemed dear.

Throughout, she had thought this end was a return to the place without Taeon. However… she would never go back to the time before she knew him.

Still. Even if that were the case.

It’s nothing. It’s because it’s the first time. Loving someone, it’s because it’s the first time. Even parting ways with such a person is the first time.

Believing this, Sahee started walking. She walked straight, looking ahead so her knees wouldn’t buckle in sorrow. But she couldn’t prevent herself from staggering now and then.

For her, the limping one, walking like someone with something broken was only natural, and that was the only thing she considered fortunate.

Thinking about Taeon, who had accepted the farewell and turned away, was a sad affair.

୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ

Squeak, Taeon’s car came to a stop. Taeon slammed the steering wheel with force. The anklet in his hand pricked his palm sharply.

Damn, farewell talk.

Thinking about Sahee, who was moved by his “take care” and wavered even when told to throw away this cheap anklet, a cold laugh escaped him.

Taeon thought about Sahee, who spoke of farewell for a while.

“At first, I was afraid I would ruin you.”

Even under his interrogation, she never mentioned his mother even once and pushed him away.

“At first, I was afraid you would become like me, that you would be ruined, that scared me… But no matter how much I thought about it, no matter how many days I pondered, I don’t think I could ruin you.”

You didn’t even blame anyone even after hearing such words. When you should have been angry, you were worried about him. Who was worrying about whom was absurd.

“The one who will be ruined is not you, but me.”

You were so naive that he couldn’t even deny that statement.

Seeing a woman who couldn’t even discard such an anklet and returned it, while easily letting go of herself, twisted his guts. Yet, for now, he had to step back.

Taking you with me now is just out of greed. It would be a declaration to hurt you, who is already full of wounds, all over again.

A hollow sigh escaped from Taeon’s lips. He loosened his tie, feeling like it was choking him, but it was to no avail.

Going up to Seoul to meet Chairman Park Jung-hoo and catch your brother, who is trying to escape like a rat once again. Then, sweep away all those who were involved in or stood by while you got hurt.

Amidst the cold, rational plans lining up one after another, doubts surged.

Would you be okay then? There’s no way your ankle would come back, nor would the scars you’ve carried all your life disappear just because of that.

Anger also surged. His mother, who hurt Sahee with the sole intent of separating her from Jung Taeon, and himself, who couldn’t properly protect her, felt like cripples.

However, it was too late for regrets; there was no turning back now.

“If I can, yes. If I can, I want to go.”

The stubbornness to leave at the first opportunity was maddening. The thought that a mere 50 million won would give wings to that stubbornness made him scoff, and thinking of Kim Juhwan, who would be by her side like her prince, made his head hot.

Yes, maybe you’d be happier with such a man.

The grandson of the late Kim Moo-ik, a renowned painter. The son of CEO Kim Jae-jung, who runs the Hwandam Art Foundation. A promising young artist.

Wandering the world, talking about the art you love, far away from those who hurt you.

Taeon briefly looked outside the window. Coincidentally, the car was stopped where he first saw Sahee. At the exit of Yeonghwadang, he inevitably looked beyond where she had stood.

There was a time he was captivated by someone for the first time in his life.

It was you, in your childhood, with ear muffs and a scarf wrapped around you so no one would know it was winter, your white, chubby cheeks red from the cold. If I had just hung you there, like a piece of art in a gallery, in that winter, maybe things would have been different.

If I hadn’t realized you could live and move, that you could frown or laugh brightly, if I had ignored the strange curiosity that sprouted in my heart when you looked at me with hostility.

It’s all pointless speculation.

Taeon rolled down the window, looking at the spot where she had stood sometime this spring.

The girl who seemed like she would live in winter forever had disappeared somewhere, leaving only the woman who seemed like spring standing there vividly. Her steps coming to him in anger seemed to bounce and glitter, making him want to put something shiny on her ankle.

After gazing at the anklet in his hand for a moment, Taeon clenched it again and stuffed it into his jacket pocket.

When he gives it back, whether around her ankle or wrist, he decides to put a shackle on her ring finger as well.

“That’s why I liked you.”

Why did you like me, then?

And what kind of farewell is this, Sahee?

“Because you seemed like someone who wouldn’t waver like me, someone without a single flaw, someone completely different from me. That’s why.”

As you said, I won’t waver even if you want to break up, and I won’t be scarred even if you scream that you hate me.

If we love each other, what is this farewell? Where is such a shitty thing? There was no intention whatsoever to partake in such a shitty act.