Chapter 54

The doorbell rang suddenly, and her mom went to the entrance. Soon, her aunt Yaein’s voice came from the living room.

“Ah, Jeongyeon’s here too?”

Jeongyeon gave an awkward smile as her aunt sat on the sofa.

Facing her aunt always made her uncomfortable—it instantly reminded her of Seonghun’s face.

She had tried to avoid this situation, but in the end, she had to face it.

“You’re here?”

“Haven’t seen you in a while. At least you rest on weekends?”

“I was just about to go out.”

She quickly stuffed the remaining food into her mouth, trying to escape.

“Don’t rush. We haven’t met in so long, let’s talk a little.”

“Talk? About your husband again?” her mom teased while sitting back down across from the aunt.

“Where else would I complain about him? Can’t do it in front of those fancy ladies—if I did, it’d spread everywhere the same day.”

“Fine, fine. The king’s ears are donkey ears—so, what cruel thing did he say this time?”

“Always the same. ‘Why live like this?’ Don’t ask me, I don’t know either. But today he said something funny.”

Jeongyeon’s mom tilted her head curiously.

“What?”

“He said—Seonghun and Jeongyeon have been friends too long, that men and women can’t really be friends. He’s worried about that.”

Jeongyeon gulped down water, trying not to choke. She had to get out quickly.

Facing her aunt while thinking of Seonghun beyond friendship only filled her with guilt.

If she opened her mouth, only lies would come out.

She stood carefully, about to go get her bag. But her aunt suddenly called her.

“Jeongyeon.”

Maybe because of guilt, her aunt’s voice sounded heavy.

“Yes?”

“Does Seonghun… have a girlfriend?”

There it was. The question she dreaded the most. The problem she couldn’t solve.

“Uh… I-I don’t know…”

“You don’t? Or are you keeping it from me? Did he tell you not to say anything? He never tells me anything about that—frustrating. Jeongyeon.”

“Yes?”

“Why are you so startled? Haha. No, just—can’t you ask him one more time? You’re the only one I can rely on.”

She knew what her aunt was asking.

“The minister’s daughter… the fan of Seonghun?”

“Yes. Just one meal together, that’s all. Even that would be a blessing.”

Just one meal. Would it really end there?

But… how could she agree? She didn’t want to let Seonghun go, not even for a single moment.

She clenched her eyes shut, then opened them again, forcing courage into her throat.

She was about to say the words she never thought she could say.

“Aunt… actually…”

“Hm? What is it? Why that serious face? Does he really already have a woman?”

That woman… is me.

If she said it directly, her aunt would be shocked. She had to soften it, choose the right words.

“Actually, it’s…”

But before she could speak, her phone rang on the table.

The timing was both perfect and cruel.

“Excuse me, I need to take this call.”

“Go ahead.”

Her mom handed her the phone. The caller ID showed: Director Gu Changshin.

She barely knew him—only met him a few times. Except that he was close to Seonghun, she had no reason to get a call from him.

A bad feeling filled her chest.

“Hello?”

[Ah… this is Director Gu. Right?]

“Yes, hello. But… what’s the matter?”

[S-Seonghun… got badly hurt during filming. He’s in the hospital now. I didn’t know his family’s number, so I called you first.]

Bad feelings were never wrong. Just like when she had received the news of her father’s death.

Her hands trembled as she clutched the phone tighter.

“H-How badly? Is it serious?”

[Um… could you come to the hospital? I’ll text you the location.]

“Yes. I’ll bring his mother and come right away.”

[Ah… his mother too. Yes, understood.]

She hung up, steadied her shaking voice, and spoke to her aunt.

“Aunt, Seonghun got hurt during filming. They said he’s in the hospital. We need to go right away.”

“What? W-What do you mean? How badly? Where? Who called you? Is it so serious he couldn’t call himself?”

Her anxiety deepened. If the injury wasn’t serious, Seonghun would have called her directly.

Her hands shook. She had to drive, but she wasn’t sure she could.

“I don’t know. They just said to come. He’ll be okay. I’m sure he will. Let’s take our car, Aunt. I’ll drive.”

Her mom reached out, holding her hand firmly.

“I’ll drive. Let’s go.”

She tried to stay calm, but her chest was breaking.

You were the one who kept me standing, who gave me strength to endure. But if you fall… if you disappear… how do I go on?

Without you, I can’t even stand against the wind. From the day Dad left, you’ve been my reason to live. Why am I only realizing this now…?

It was a late autumn day. The ginkgo, persimmon, and cotton trees on campus had already lost their green, leaves scattering faintly.

During lunch, she sat on a bench by the old zelkova tree, eating ice cream and watching him play soccer.

That zelkova had stood for a hundred years, the school’s pride since its founding. Its shade cooled the yard, and the breeze touched her cheeks.

Then, a call from her mom—who never called before school ended.

Her voice was soaked, like leaves drenched in rain.

[Jeongyeon… come to the hospital. Quickly.]

“Mom, what happened? Why?”

[You’ll see when you come.]

“Something bad? Tell me now, please—I’m scared.”

She stood, her ice cream falling from her hand.

[Is Seonghun there? Call him over.]

Her mom’s voice was heavy with something terrifying.

Jeongyeon froze, filled with dread. She didn’t even need to call him—

Because Seonghun was already running toward her, leaving his soccer game behind.

His figure rushing toward her in the sunlight gave her relief—yet at the same time, doubled her fear.

Did he already sense her unease? Was that why he kicked the ball away and came running?