Chapter 102
The aunt’s desperate attempt to list praise, to prove her niece wasn’t worthless, was painfully heartbreaking.
If only she could protect her.
She wanted to constantly praise her, to ensure she only saw and heard good things.
‘I can endure this. For my aunt, I can withstand any humiliation.’
What if that man ignores her?
What if he treats her as nothing more than a body?
If she could just endure this, she could live with her aunt—her entire world. So she would persist, no matter how much it hurt.
Ga-eun inhaled and smiled.
Her aunt was sensitive like a child, always understanding every expression and tone.
She must always smile. Must ensure her aunt never feels like a burden.
She would continually remind her how precious she was.
“Aunt. I’ll visit soon. This time, definitely. Just endure until then. Ignore anyone who says anything. Remember you’re the most precious person to me. Okay?”
[Yes. I’ll l-listen to G-Ga-eun. W-won’t p-picky eat. I’ll f-follow your w-words.]
Fighting back the surge of emotion, Ga-eun barely managed to speak.
“…Thank you, aunt. I love you.”
[M-me t-too.]
After ending the call, Ga-eun took a deep breath, swallowing her tears.
“Ga-eun!”
At the bright voice calling her name, she quickly composed herself and turned.
“I can’t believe it’s really you!”
“I’m sorry, but who are you?”
“Don’t you remember? Kim Juhan, from Byeolnaeri Village where Yeonjun lived.”
Ga-eun’s eyes widened.
“Juhan oppa?”
Kim Juhan smiled brilliantly, his eyes crinkling.
“You remember! I’m so happy to meet you again.”
“How did you know it was me…”
“Your childhood features are still quite recognizable. Especially your unusually pale skin and your perfect posture.”
Juhan’s gaze mixed the tender brotherly concern of the past with a hint of underlying excitement.
“Are you doing well?”
“…Yes. And you?”
“Well enough, I suppose. Wow, I can’t believe we’re meeting like this. Were you upset with me back then?”
“…I’m sorry.”
Ga-eun reflexively lowered her head, prompting Kim Juhan to quickly wave his hand.
“No, I’m not asking for an apology. We were together every day, and then you suddenly disappeared. It felt empty. Sad.”
After a traffic accident near their area where his mother, Eun Won-mi, died instantly, Ga-eun had vanished from the village with her aunt Eun Seon-mi, and all contact was lost.
Juhan asked cautiously, “Is your aunt… doing okay?”
“She’s in the hospital.”
“Is she still very sick?”
Ga-eun’s eyes dimmed.
“She suffered a head injury and is still receiving treatment… I’m not sure if her condition will improve.”
Glancing around, she lowered her voice.
“Juhan oppa, can I ask you one favor?”
“Sure, anything.”
“No one knows I have an aunt. Right now, everyone believes my current parents are my biological parents.”
“Oh…”
“My husband believes the same. That I’m Gye Ga-eun, not Eun Ga-eun.”
Husband.
Reflexively, Juhan looked at her hand.
Her hands gripping the bag handle, the wedding ring on her left ring finger made him unknowingly sigh softly.
She’s married… Ga-eun is married.
Having parted so young, he’d never imagined she would marry.
Why did his heart feel so cold?
Was it because she was his first love?
Or because she had grown even more beautifully than he’d imagined?
“…Congratulations. Better late than never.”
“Thank you.”
Kim Juhan and Ga-eun exchanged small smiles.
Click.
A phone’s shutter sound rang out, unheard by them.
The image captured their interaction looking surprisingly intimate.
Park Ju-yeon’s lips curled into a smirk.
“They look good together. Si-heon oppa would love this. No… the chairman might move even faster.”
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