Chapter 61. My First Love

“Grandpa.”

At Haeyoung’s sad voice, Chairman Joo let out a deep sigh for the first time.

“Then, Haeyoung… at least let this old man pay your college tuition.”

His voice was strong, like he couldn’t give up on this one thing.

“I owe a big debt to your grandfather, you see.”

“…Okay.”

Haeyoung nodded reluctantly. If she refused this too, she knew it would hurt him deeply.

“And I have one more request, Grandpa.”

“…What is it?”

“I want to leave the divorce process entirely to the lawyer.”

Silence fell again after her request.

Chairman Joo’s eyes briefly sank, then lifted with emotion.

“Let’s do that. Even if you’re young, it must be hard to face Taeseong after living as husband and wife.”

Haeyoung nodded.

“I’ll send the authorization form by mail.”

“…Yes.”

Haeyoung nodded again.

“And I’ll tell Grandma myself.”

“That’s probably for the best.”

Chairman Joo’s voice softened even more.

“Haeyoung.”

“Yes?”

“If you ever need a place to return to, anytime… you can always come back. You’ll always be Joo Hakseok’s granddaughter.”

“…Yes.”

Feeling like she might cry, Haeyoung bit her lip.

She needed to leave quickly. She didn’t want her last image in front of him to be one of tears.

“I’ll go now.”

“…Haeyoung, can this old man ask you one last silly question?”

Haeyoung nodded at the careful, hesitant question.

“Yes.”

“It was a forced relationship, I know…”

“……”

“But… was there ever a moment you liked Taeseong, even just once?”

At his slow, heartfelt question, Haeyoung looked away and swallowed hard.

“…Taeseong is a good guy, Grandpa. Honestly… too good to have just been my husband.”

Her lips, slightly cold, gave a wise and honest answer.

When she left the Chairman’s office, the secretary was standing at the door with a tray full of snacks.

“You’re leaving already?”

Haeyoung heard the secretary’s question and glanced at the tray.

Macarons, cookies, and cake rolls—treats girls her age would like.

“I’m late, aren’t I?”

Noticing the nervous tone in the secretary’s voice, Haeyoung shook her head.

“No, I just had something urgent. I’m sorry I can’t eat what you prepared.”

I’ll eat it next time.

She almost said that without thinking, but bit her lip and gave a polite bow.

The farther she walked from the Chairman’s office, the slower her steps became.

Making the decision to part ways was hard, but actually doing it was even harder.

They say first love is like a fever.

Maybe that saying came from the people who had to end their first love.

Love that lasts doesn’t hurt. Only love that ends causes pain.

“Haah…”

Stopping in front of the elevator, Haeyoung finally let out the breath she’d been holding.

“It’s really over now.”

The elevator arrived, and she stepped inside slowly.

She didn’t press the “close” button like usual, just waited quietly for the doors to shut on their own.

As they closed, she softly whispered his name.

“Joo Taeseong.”

Now that I’m leaving this place… you and I will really be nothing to each other, right?

Saying goodbye hurts, but even if I went back… I think I’d still like you.

The lips that said annoying things but still worried about me…
Those eyes that looked away like they hated me, but held warmth.

Even the four-leaf clover you gave me, saying it was lucky—your courage…

All of it filled every crack of my 19-year-old heart.

One day, these moments might fade, like they were nothing at all.

But even fireworks that turn to ashes shine brightly in their moment.

The time and heart you gave me were like that.

It’ll probably fade someday, but…

The fact that it burned so brightly and beautifully won’t ever change.

So, Joo Taeseong.

Taeseong…

I hope your life shines just as brightly as the moments you gave me.

I hope you’re happy.

I hope your dreams come true.

I was happy… because my 19th year was filled with you.

Goodbye, Joo Taeseong.

Goodbye, my first love.

As if she hadn’t just been crying, Haeyoung composed herself and stepped out of the elevator.

She walked across the wide lobby and through the revolving doors—

Bzzzt. Bzzzt.

Her phone, tucked inside her coat, vibrated urgently.

Feeling that something was wrong, Haeyoung answered quickly.

But instead of a voice, she heard things breaking and people shouting.

“Haeyoung! Haeyoung! Get home quickly!”

“Uncle…?”

“Haejin—he’s caused big trouble!”

At the panic in her uncle Cheolsu’s voice, Haeyoung’s hand trembled as she gripped the phone.

“What… what happened?!”

“That idiot took out a private loan, didn’t I tell you?!”

“…What?”

The word private loan made her heart drop.

“Some thugs are here now—causing chaos!”

“What about Grandma?!”

“The neighbors helped her get away. She was really shaken up.”

As Haeyoung quickly walked toward the main road, she kept talking on the phone.

“I’m coming. I’ll be right there.”

“Okay. We’ve called the police already—be careful.”

After hanging up, Haeyoung raised her hand.

“Taxi! Taxi!”

A cab screeched to a stop, and she quickly got in.

“To Seoul Station, please!”

The driver silently started driving. Haeyoung closed her eyes, trying to control her rising anger.

This sudden misfortune… was forcing her down the long road of adulthood.

Nine years later.

December 31st, Pohang Station.

Haeyoung stepped off the train, pulling her scarf tighter and hurrying toward the escalator.

It was more crowded than usual—probably because it was New Year’s Eve.

She walked straight through the crowd with a calm expression, even when people bumped into her.

She arrived at the bus stop and got on the bus heading to Guryongpo.

It had once been her hometown, but everything felt strange now—like she was just a tourist.

Leaning her head against the window, Haeyoung thought back on all the old, painful memories.

Nine years ago, the day she told Chairman Joo about the divorce…

Loan sharks showed up at their house because Cha Haejin had borrowed money.

It was illegal harassment, so they called the police and chased them off.

But the loan sharks kept hanging around the neighborhood.

Eventually, even the police got frustrated.

She understood—police couldn’t guard one place 24/7.

A week later, Cha Haejin returned with a bruised, bloody face. He kneeled and begged for forgiveness.

He had borrowed 100 million won (~$75,000), and now owed 50 million more in interest.

Grandma Boksun fainted when she heard. She was taken to the ER.

After that, she started showing early signs of dementia.

Suddenly, Haeyoung became her guardian—and the head of the family.

She had just turned 20.

Her priority was saving Grandma.

And to do that, she realized… she had to cut Cha Haejin out of their lives.

If only he had never come back. If only he didn’t exist.

That thought filled her mind every minute.

Around that time, Chairman Joo sent her money—100 million won.

He had said he wanted to pay her tuition, and he sent just a little more than four years’ worth.

He knew Haeyoung wouldn’t keep it if it was too much.

So he sent an amount that could pass as tuition and living costs.

But it didn’t go to tuition or allowance.

Haeyoung used that money to push Cha Haejin out of their lives.

“Take this. And please, disappear from our lives.”

Grandma’s health had worsened—she needed full-time care.

Even if Haeyoung went to college, she wouldn’t be able to study properly.

The choice was quick. Her decision was firm.

She had gotten into her dream university and department.

But she gave it up.

That year, she was trying to protect Taeseong’s dream…

But ironically, she had to give up her own.