****
“Agassi, eat a lot.”
“Yes, Eolke. Thank you, I’ll enjoy it!”
With a bright voice, Jae-yeon gave thanks and began to cut the steak happily.
Their meal started because of Yoo-jin’s suggestion. When Yoo-jin said she wanted to treat her sister-in-law to a meal before Jae-hee comes back, Jae-yeon gladly agreed.
When they finished eating and dessert was about to be served, Yoo-jin spoke.
“Actually, the reason I invited you to eat today is that I have something to say.”
“…I’ve stayed at the house too long, haven’t I? Don’t worry, I’ll leave soon, Unnie.”
“No, that’s not it.”
When Jae-yeon spoke first, thinking she was being blamed, Yoo-jin shook her head.
“I like it that you’re here. It feels lively. You can leave when you want to.”
Looking relieved, Jae-yeon lifted her mug of Americano and took a sip. Then Yoo-jin spoke again.
“I did something very wrong to Jae-hee, I mean… to your sister. Even if Jae-hee tells me right now that she wants a divorce, I’d have nothing to say.”
“No way, that’s a lie.”
Jae-yeon waved her hand, denying it lightly.
“Why do you think it’s a lie?”
“With eyes that full of love, you’re saying you did something like that?”
“Yes. I hurt Jae-hee a lot with words I said when I was carried away by my own feelings. It was hard for her.”
Jae-yeon looked at Yoo-jin as if she couldn’t believe it.
She couldn’t imagine someone treating her beloved sister, her family, that way.
But seeing Yoo-jin’s determined face, it seemed true.
Still, she wondered why Yoo-jin was telling her this.
“…Why are you saying that to me, her younger sister?”
“…People say you can’t only show your happy side to family. I just felt I should be honest with Agassi, with the family.”
“Eolke, you’re getting love from my sister that’s way beyond what you deserve, aren’t you?”
Her tone clearly showed her displeasure.
Hearing that, Yoo-jin didn’t feel offended at all.
She thought it was something she naturally had to face.
“I only wanted to say that from now on, I’ll work hard and treat Jae-hee just as well. Because Jae-hee loves and cherishes her family so much, I want to be like her.
I also wanted to let you know, Jae-yeon. Jae-hee probably wouldn’t want me to tell you all this. Not only because she doesn’t want to make you worry, but also because she wouldn’t want you, Agassi, to have bad feelings toward me. That’s the kind of person Jae-hee is, someone who loves me like that.”
“But I want to be honest. So I won’t be ashamed of the love Jae-hee has given me until now. I want to change things with my own effort, so Jae-hee won’t be unhappy anymore.
And… I want to be accepted by the people Jae-hee treasures most, her family.”
Listening to her trembling voice, Jae-yeon wet her lips and looked out the window.
A fine night view spread before her.
If what Yoo-jin said was true, that meant her sister had gone through hard times. How was she supposed to respond?
To the person who calmly confessed to hurting her only sister.
“…My sister-in-law is really strange.”
“…I know.”
“…And I think I get why my sister married you.”
“…?”
“I think our parents would really like you, Eolke. You’re exactly the kind of person the Seon family admires.”
“Me? That can’t be. There’s no one as bad as me.”
“You’re fascinating, Unnie.”
Jae-yeon spoke calmly while sipping her coffee.
“Eolke keeps pushing herself to look like a bad person. But as Ha Yoo-jin the person, and as our family member, you’re actually quite a good person. I hope you don’t keep those feelings. In any relationship: family, lovers, friends, or business partners, people fight.
Because in the end, they’re still different people, so perfect understanding is hard. If harsh words were said during that process, that was your fault, but you’re already reflecting and trying to change. Doesn’t that already mean you’re closer to being a good person than a bad one?”
“…”
“And… I just don’t want our family to be hurt in any way.”
“…”
Are the people of the Seon family all born this warm and loving?
Jae-yeon’s voice shook Yoo-jin’s heart.
Her way of speaking and her actions reminded Yoo-jin of Jae-hee.
She used to wonder who Jae-hee took after, but it seemed everyone in this family was simply like that.
“…Thank you.”
“So, Eolke.”
“…?”
The steak was delicious but too greasy.
Maybe she couldn’t hide the Korean blood running through her veins even if she had an American citizenship, because Jae-yeon said,
“How about seasoned fried chicken tonight?”
“…Okay.”
The two looked at each other and laughed.
****
Cheon-woo, who had arrived in Silicon Valley, successfully completed a contract signing.
He had signed a deal to establish a large-scale research and development complex in the capital’s downtown area with funding from Silicon Valley investors.
Thanks to his major achievement of securing strong support from “Clock,” a global IT company that owned a world-famous search engine, Cheon-woo even treated all his staff to a meal out of his own pocket.
Jae-hee also finished her conference presentation successfully.
It was a world-class conference that even her advisor attended, so she was nervous, but as someone strong in practice, she skillfully handled both her presentation and the Q&A session.
In addition, she extended a research partnership between the famous university hosting the conference and S University.
After finishing everything, she busied herself preparing a gift for Yoo-jin.
At that time, Cheon-woo sent a message through his secretary to invite Jae-hee to dinner.
Since she had no big plans, Jae-hee went to the hotel restaurant he mentioned without any trouble.
Knowing that Cheon-woo didn’t drink alcohol, she ordered non-alcoholic sparkling wine and carefully poured it as she said, “Congratulations, Father-in-law.”
“You’ve worked hard too.”
Jae-hee filled her own glass with the sparkling drink and took a sip.
They talked a bit about city affairs, then a short silence followed.
Jae-hee thought hard about what to say next.
Then, unexpectedly, Cheon-woo spoke first.
“How was Yoo-jin, back when you were here?”
Jae-hee looked a bit startled, not expecting him to ask that first.
“Here” must mean the time when Yoo-jin studied abroad, right?
Thinking of Yoo-jin, Jae-hee slowly answered.
As she spoke, a smile stayed on her lips, as if she was happy just remembering.
“She was bright… cheerful, and very independent. She was kind, so other international students liked her a lot, and she was gentle. She liked reading, so you could often see her in the library. She was hardworking, so professors cared for her.
She was considerate but also strong-willed, and when she decided to do something, she pushed through with confidence. She had strong determination and great leadership. But inside, she was soft-hearted and got hurt easily… Still, she didn’t want others to see that, so she cried alone sometimes.”
“If you know she cried alone, that means you were the one who comforted her, right?”
Jae-hee was a bit surprised by his sharp words and nodded.
“…Yes.”
“She must take after me, trying not to show her weak side.”
At Cheon-woo’s words, Jae-hee looked at him.
The image of a man who had devoted his life to politics and the image of a father overlapped confusingly in her mind.
But soon he fell silent, savoring the wine and the view.
After finishing the meal, Jae-hee slowly spoke while sipping her coffee.
“I’ve never thought that I was someone worthy of Yoo-jin.”
“…”
“She’s the daughter of the capital’s mayor and a leading presidential candidate. She’s also one of the heirs to the Howon Group. Those titles that connect the political and business worlds are so heavy. That’s why I still feel I have many shortcomings. When I stand beside her, I keep questioning my own worth.”
“So, are you afraid?”
“No.”
At Jae-hee’s firm answer, Cheon-woo looked at her.
“Because it was Yoo-jin who chose someone lacking like me. Even so, since she loved me and chose me, I’ll work harder... to become someone who suits her.”
“...You, as you are, are already the most suitable match for Yoo-jin.”
Cheon-woo smiled faintly as an old memory came to mind, then his smile slowly faded.
It was only for a brief moment, but the smile that resembled Yoo-jin, or rather, the smile Yoo-jin resembled, made Jae-hee unknowingly smile back.
“...I won’t be a good father-in-law or a good father. I wasn’t a good father to Yoo-jin, so how could I be good to you?”
“...”
“But still... I’ll try to do better. I promise I’ll become a better person.”
“...”
“In the end, I’ll grow old, stubborn, and insist on my own way... but I promise I’ll change. So... please take good care of our Yoo-jin.”
****
It was the last day Yoo-jin would spend without Jae-hee.
She walked into the bedroom, holding the last shopping bag in her arms.
“I’m Yaongie! Jae-hee has something she wants to tell you. Don’t be too mad, how about listening to her just once? Hehe, sleep well, meow!”
After the voice of the cute cat wearing a postman outfit ended, she picked up the letter placed under the envelope.
Inside was a carefully written letter.
[To Yoo-jin,
Honey, my love, Yoo-jin. No matter what I call you, it always feels lacking. There are so many things I want to tell you. I want to only tell you good things, lovely things, sweet things all my life. But being bound as a married couple, I feel like I end up sharing the harder parts of my life instead, and I’m sorry for that.
I was blessed with parents, a sister, and a family far too good for me. The price for that was something cruel, too hard for a child to accept. When I was young, I had to bear pain that was too heavy for me. So I ran away, leaving behind the people I loved.
I didn’t want to tell you this, not to you who I only wanted to give happiness to. I was afraid that if you heard it, you might leave me. It’s silly, isn’t it?
I thought I understood your heart completely, how arrogant of me. You’re someone with a heart big enough to embrace me.
I know what pain you, Yoo-jin, my love, carry inside. So even if you say things you don’t mean or hurt me without wanting to, I won’t leave. Because I’m your only family, your wife, your love.
I’ll always be by your side.
Even if you say you want to leave me, I’ll still wait by your side, with this foolish and steadfast love I have.
So Yoo-jin, I’ll always stay by your side. I’ll always love you. I promise you a love that no one else can ever shake, a love that lasts forever.
I love you. So don’t be too sad. I’m okay.
But please, do me one favor. When I come back, just hug me once. Even a light hug is enough. With that one hug, I’ll be content.
I love you, Ha Yoo-jin.
From the one who’ll miss you desperately
for ten days and one more,
Seon Jae-hee.]
"…I miss you."
Without realizing it, the words slipped out in a voice full of longing.
Now it was her turn to change, her turn to repay that love. It was time to do as much as she had received, time to stop being trapped in old wounds.
No matter what hardship came, the one who always thought of Yoo-jin first. Someone who, even though she could have thought of herself for once, put Ha Yoo-jin as her top priority the moment that person appeared in her life.
"From now on… I’ll do better."
In a place where no one could hear,
Yoo-jin spoke her resolve firmly.
****
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