Episode 42
Serin stared into the air with tear-soaked eyes.
A pale face, deeply sunken eyes, and dried lips.
In the cold air of the funeral hall, Serin was alone, keeping watch beside the mortuary altar.
Suddenly, her surroundings blurred. No matter how many times she blinked, her vision didn’t clear.
It felt as if the fuse connecting her thoughts had blown — her mind was blank and dazed.
People came in waves — entering and leaving repeatedly. Each time, Serin just lowered her empty gaze and nodded mechanically.
Some of the mourners held her hands, some sobbed in front of her. But she couldn’t remember their faces or voices at all.
No comfort reached her. They simply settled on her like a mirage and disappeared like smoke.
Who in this world could bear her pain for her?
Now, Serin was a complete orphan. Under the sky, the protective shade of her parents, the ones who supported and sheltered her, was completely gone.
After her mother Suyeon passed away in her school days, her father had been the only pillar that kept her steady through life’s hardships.
Now that sky had collapsed. Everything felt hollow, and nothing seemed to hold meaning anymore.
“Serin, come rest for a little while.”
A voice from nearby brought Serin back to herself. When she turned her blank gaze, Jung Hyun was standing by her side.
“Oppa…”
“You’ve skipped lunch and stayed here all day. It’s already past dinner time. Come eat something.”
Had that much time really passed? She hadn’t even felt hungry, so she didn’t realize it was already evening.
Serin’s empty eyes turned toward the portrait of her father placed on the altar. In the photo, he was smiling brightly — completely unaware of the sorrow he left behind.
Staring blankly at his face, Serin shook her head.
“No. I don’t want to. I want to stay by Dad’s side.”
“Serin…”
“Please, just let me. Let me do this.”
Her face was pale and drained, but her determination to stay beside her father was firm and unwavering.
Jung Hyun couldn’t say anything more.
“…Okay. Then I’ll stay with you.”
Looking at the slumped Serin, he carefully reached out and wrapped his arm around her shoulder — as if supporting someone who might collapse at any moment.
It wasn’t like Jung Hyun to act this way, but Serin didn’t reject him. From his gentle patting, she could feel his worry and care. It didn’t lessen her grief, but she was thankful for his sincerity.
While Serin sat on the floor, leaning her head against Jung Hyun, a pair of polished dress shoes stepped into the funeral hall.
As she stood up to greet the mourner, a crack formed in her expression.
The visitor was none other than Seo Taeyoon.
The man she once loved — and the son of Ahn Youngsook, who had driven her family into ruin.
Serin’s eyes twisted in resentment. She couldn’t even recognize what expression she was wearing now.
Taeyoon placed a single white chrysanthemum beneath the altar and bowed twice before standing in front of Serin.
“My condolences.”
Serin forgot she was supposed to bow in return. Her trembling lips moved instead.
“…How… How did you come here?”
Her fists clenched tightly. She resented him for appearing at her father’s final moment. It felt like everything was his fault.
Taeyoon, standing silently, then turned his gaze to Jung Hyun — whose arm was still around Serin’s shoulder.
His brow arched sharply.
“So you were here too.”
“Yes.”
Jung Hyun could feel Taeyoon’s piercing stare, but he didn’t let go of Serin’s shoulder.
Instead, he gripped her tighter — to show her that he was here, to fill the space Taeyoon had left behind.
Taeyoon glared at him, then took a step forward and grabbed Serin’s wrist.
“Come with me. I need to talk to you.”
Surprised, Serin was about to be pulled away, but Jung Hyun held onto her other hand and stopped her.
“Not here, Seo Taeyoon.”
Jung Hyun spoke firmly, his face hard.
“Back off.”
“Can’t you see she’s grieving? If you’re an adult, act like one.”
Taeyoon glared at him in silence. The tension between the two men was thick.
Then, Taeyoon smirked, lips curling as if amused. He let go of Serin’s wrist and raised both hands in mock surrender.
“Fine. Then let Eun Serin choose.”
“…What?”
Ignoring Jung Hyun, Taeyoon looked at Serin.
“I have something to say. Come outside.”
“It’s your choice — whether you come or not. But don’t forget — I still hold things that can destroy you, Serin.”
With that warning, he turned and walked outside.
Shocked, Jung Hyun looked at Serin.
“What’s he talking about? What is he holding over you?”
Serin’s expression wavered. What Taeyoon held — their relationship, and the fact that they had been seen together at hotels…
If that became public—
“…I have to go.”
Serin tried to move, but Jung Hyun stopped her.
“Serin…”
“Oppa.”
“I’ll be here. No matter what happens, I’ll stay by your side. So don’t go.”
His voice was desperate and direct — no longer hiding his emotions.
Serin bit her lip hard and pulled away from his hand.
“…I’m sorry, Oppa.”
She turned and walked the same path Taeyoon had taken. Left alone, Jung Hyun watched her retreating back in despair.
—
Taeyoon was waiting outside the funeral hall.
When he saw Serin, he turned toward her. She didn’t hesitate. She walked straight up and pushed at his chest with both hands.
“Why are you here?”
“How dare you show up here? This is all your fault. How could you come here like nothing happened?!”
Harsh words spilled from Serin’s mouth, but Taeyoon quietly took the blame without protest.
“Do you know what you destroyed?! My family, my life — everything!”
“Just go. I don’t want to see your face ever again!”
As she tried to push him away, Taeyoon suddenly grabbed her wrist tightly.
“You may hate me… but look. You’re mine. And you will be mine.”
There was a disturbing obsession in his eyes — something broken and intense.
“Why are you doing this? Can’t you just let me go?”
“Please. You can live without me. It’s easy for you to throw me away, right?”
“…I can’t live without you, Serin.”
“Not anymore. It’s too late for that.”
Serin looked into his eyes. They were pitch black — and empty, like something inside him had died.
For a brief moment, she felt like she glimpsed the deep despair hidden inside him.
“What’s going on here?”
The commotion drew attention. People began turning to look. Curious expressions appeared on the faces of the guests, and those who knew about the two exchanged worried glances.
“Director Seo, that’s enough.”
Someone stepped in, clearing the way through the crowd. It was Ae-seon. She had come outside, arms crossed, and was now staring at them.
She spoke coldly.
“Director Seo Taeyoon. Seems like you haven’t matured yet. Causing a scene at someone else’s funeral — if you had eyes, you’d see no one here is on your side.”
Taeyoon clicked his tongue and glanced behind Ae-seon.
The eyes of those behind her were filled with disapproval — and Serin’s were no different.
“…See you again.”
He tapped Serin’s shoulder lightly, then turned and walked away.
—
“Serin, let’s go back inside.”
Ae-seon gently led her by the shoulder.
But Serin couldn’t forget the look in Taeyoon’s eyes — it lingered in her mind like an afterimage.
Eyes like a deep abyss with no visible end.
Could she ever escape a man like that?
Could she truly break free?
A heavy despair settled in Serin’s heart.
