In front of Hyun-ji, who had let go of the hand she had grabbed, there was an engagement ring. Wasn’t today the day to come to look for a size adjustment? Hyun-ji thrust the engagement ring in front of Hee-wook, who had a sense of foreboding.

“The ring is not authentic. How did this happen?”

It felt like his heart sank.

“……It can’t be true?”

“It can’t be true?”

Now Hyun-ji shouted at the store staff. It seemed deliberately confrontational.

“He says it can’t be true. My boyfriend wouldn’t do such a thing!”

“Ma’am, but the ring is really not authentic. It seemed strange, so we had it appraised by the headquarters, and the result was the same. It’s an imitation product. The diamond quality itself is different.”

Even though he clearly swapped the fake and the real one?

Hee-wook’s vision blurred, but he thought he had to insist until the end. After all, he spent the money, and he couldn’t unjustly be labeled as a scammer.
“Could that really happen? The record of me purchasing the ring is still in the store. I bought the ring myself, so if this is fake, the store sold a fake! What are these people trying to deceive the customers with!”

“Sir, we only sell authentic products.”

However, the staff didn’t back down.

After a moment, a staff member who seemed responsible for the store, tapped the keyboard in front of the PC and said.

“Upon inspection, there’s another record of you purchasing the ring.”

Hee-wook’s face paled.

“You bought it on July 24th and received a refund on July 25th. Then, on July 27th, you purchased the same product again.”

“…Wait. That’s strange, isn’t it? I got the proposal on July 26th.”

Listening quietly, Hyun-ji, who had been standing by, smirked and raised her eyebrows.

“How could he propose to me with this ring if he got a refund? ”

Cold sweat trickled down Hee-wook’s back.

“…Was it really fake?”

Hyun-ji, shocked by the full story of the incident, inquired with an astonished expression.

“Did you copy the real one because you regretted spending money and then tried to exchange it for a fake ring later?”

Just like before, intentionally speaking loudly to gather attention, it was a loud voice that brought curious looks from those around.

“And then, did you come later to buy the ring, afraid of getting caught? And failed to switch the rings?”

Hyun-ji tossed the fake ring at Hee-wook’s face and left the store briskly.

Chasing after her, Hee-wook urgently grabbed Hyun-ji.

“No! No, it’s not like that. Hyun-ji.”

“Let go!”

Hyun-ji forcefully shook off Hee-wook’s hand. Passersby continued to glance at them with interest.

“What did I do to you? What did you do to your mom? How could you embarrass me like this! Who do you think you are to bring such disgrace to me!”

With her veins popping out, Cho Hyeon-ji no longer looked lovely.

“This is really the worst.”

Leaving Hee-wook as if she had heard something disgusting, Hyun-ji departed.

Hee-wook tore at his hair.

Ugh. This is so unfair!

To think I wasted 5.5 million won, and now, ridiculously, I’m being labeled a scammer!

“Ah…it’s so frustrating.”

People passed by, staring at him as if he were a monkey in a zoo, making the current situation even more bitter.

What kind of movie am I living where I have to endure such humiliation? If I hadn’t bought such a ring in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened.

Thinking of Han So-eun, who was straightforward, dedicated, and had been moved by even a small, simple ring, he couldn’t help but miss her.

The next day.

Tae-jun gave up going to work and went to meet the counselor in person. While waiting for the counselor’s call, it felt like his insides were charred. He couldn’t just sit still anymore.
The counselor mobilized connections and contacted the hospital’s administrative staff, but there was no trace of Kim Mal-hee’s surgery records. It felt like the records were deliberately concealed.

Upon arriving at the office, while waiting for the counselor who had gone for an investigation, So-eun received a text message.

Director, I heard you took a day off today. Is your health okay?

Nonchalantly, So-eun’s message expressing concern about her health made Tae-jun’s throat unexpectedly warm. Tae-jun sent a brief reply.

I’m fine. Don’t worry.

Yes. TF team members are hoping for a Tuesday gathering. If it’s difficult for the director, shall I suggest another day?

As soon as Tae-jun sent the reply, another message arrived. Wanting to reply that it’s fine, the office door opened. It was the counselor returning.

As Tae-jun stood up and asked, “Did you find out?”

“Yes. I contacted the transplant department as you requested and obtained the information.”

With great effort, the counselor handed Tae-jun a copy of the organ donation consent form brought through a dark route. Tae-jun eagerly took the data handed over by the counselor and unfolded it.

“The donor is identified as Han So-eun.”

In the consent form relayed by the counselor, her name was neatly written in Han So-eun’s handwriting.

Holding the consent form, Tae-jun couldn’t move. It felt like the world had come to a standstill.

“As you suspected, it seems someone intentionally hid the record of Han So-eun being the donor. The records for other donors are intact, but there was no information available for Ms. Han So-eun. Despite being a recent surgery… Sir?”

The counselor called Tae-jun, who showed no reaction. Only now did Tae-jun lift his head. There was no emotion on his face, but the whites of his eyes were flushed.

“I understand. I will deposit the compensation promptly.”

Tae-jun greeted and left the office. The thin piece of paper in his hand mercilessly crumpled as he clenched his fist.