Thinking there was nothing more to hear, I cut off Ji-han’s words.

I didn’t expect to hear words of concern from his mouth.

“Probably came because of the external image. It’s uncomfortable. If you’ve said everything, it would be good to leave as soon as possible.”

Obvious.

He probably came to restore the image of the heir who competed for the bid and caused discord with his brother over Intech, and then went bankrupt and divorced.

With a cold gaze, I passed by Ji-han.

And walking down the corridor, I asked Hyun-ik, who followed behind.

“Sir, where is the funeral?”

With an honest heart, I wanted to hug my deceased parents and cry loudly.

In the face of my parents’ death, what could be more important than other people’s gazes?
In the face of my parents’ death, what do others’ gazes matter?

However, for Ji-han, the thought of not showing weakness made me endure it desperately.

‘I’m doing well, I’m okay.’

I tried to maintain an indifferent expression as much as possible, but I couldn’t hide the trembling in my voice.

Since the moment I gave up the surgery, I had been mentally preparing to some extent.

However, when the day actually came, it was difficult to accept my parents’ death.

More than I had imagined…

“No, first, we need to inform the board of directors.”

“…”

“Uncle, please watch over Mr. Seo Ji-han.”

Even without turning around, I felt Ji-han’s warm gaze on me.

He might be listening to the conversation with Uncle.

Although my legs, which were still walking, trembled and shivered,

I made an effort to walk straight, not wanting to appear weaker than Ji-han.

“Uncle?”

The uncle who had been walking with me was no longer by my side.

Hyun-ik, who had been following behind, stopped walking, silently watching over me.

“Yeo-jin, I’ll take care of the funeral arrangements, so don’t worry. The affairs of the group are the same.”

When the affectionate uncle’s gaze met mine, tears I had held back welled up again.

Looking at Ji-han in front of me and pretending to be even more indifferent than before, Uncle sent me a gaze full of concern rather than W’s security.

Looking at such an uncle, my throat tightened.

“…Then, I’ll leave it to you.”

As the hospital had a funeral hall, the memorial altar was quickly prepared.

Thanks to Uncle Hyun-ik, who helped with the funeral procedures in place of me, who was absent-minded.

After seeing the prepared memorial altar, I came out through the emergency exit with the excuse that there was somewhere to go.

And as soon as I came out of the stairs, my strength left my legs, and I hesitated in my seat.

“Haah…”

Since Ji-han came to the hospital, there was never a moment when I could release the tension until the memorial altar was set up.

I couldn’t let my guard down, not knowing how he might try to pull me down.

When the moment of holding onto reason by a thread alone arrived, it let out a thud.

My head was tangled with various thoughts, making it complicated.

Certainly, the board of directors would take action upon hearing the news of my parents’ bereavement.

I didn’t expect such an event to happen just before finishing Intech.

“What on earth… Why are you leaving like this? Where are you going together?”

My eyes felt hot.

It’s not the first farewell, but a greater sense of loss and disillusionment than the first one overwhelmed me.

In my past life, when my parents passed away, I cried as if I had lost the whole world.

But now, I didn’t want to show any gaps.

I had become a coward who couldn’t fully accept even that sadness, wanting not to appear weak.
Not wanting to appear weak, I had become a coward who couldn’t fully accept even that sadness.

“I should have stayed by your side… Blinded by revenge, I…”

My parents managed to endure until any moment of departure wouldn’t seem strange.

Despite knowing that, I was too hasty in seeking revenge.

Rumors that said I ignored my parents wandering around in poverty at the broadcasting station kept swirling in my head.

Perhaps their words were right.

If I hadn’t been obsessed with revenge, if I had protected my parents, they might not have left…

As such thoughts overwhelmed me, unbearable guilt crushed me.

My parents raised me as their only daughter with great love.

Even when I insisted on being an anchor without taking over the group, they were the ones who eventually respected my wishes.

It seemed like they would always be by my side, reassuringly.

‘Why am I so foolish.’

My situation, unable to mourn freely for my parents’ death, seemed too immature and pathetic.

A single child like me.

“Fool, idiot, good-for-nothing.”

Under the overwhelming self-blame, I buried my face in my knees.

Thinking that I could cry comfortably if I fled to an empty place.

But I didn’t have the right to cry.

I began to blame myself, saying I didn’t even have the right to regret.

From downstairs, the sound of footsteps approaching could be heard.

Perhaps it was Seo Ji-han.

Or maybe someone else who might recognize me.

In the hope that I could cry comfortably in a place where no one was, I got up from my seat.

I hastily wiped my face.

At the moment I thought I should leave before anyone saw me in this mess.

“You’ve been looking for a long time.”

A familiar voice echoed in my ears.

When I turned around, Ji-ha, whom I had longed to see so desperately, was right in front of me.

‘Ha.’

The time I spent worrying was replaced by a deep sense of relief.

‘What… What should I do if he appears like this…’

Really.

It was just before I completely fell apart.

He must have been running to find me.

He breathed heavily.

As I turned around, Ha-ja, who I wanted to see so much, was in front of me.

‘Ha.’

The time I spent worrying was replaced by a deep sense of relief.

‘What… What should I do if he appears like this…’

Really.

It was just before I completely fell apart.

He must have been running to find me.

He breathed heavily.

As Ha-ja stood under the stairs and looked at me, I felt a sad expression on his face.

Afterward, without saying anything, Ha-ja opened his arms to me. As if asking me to come and hug him.

Without hesitation, I ran to him to embrace him.

He raised both hands and gently wrapped them around my cheeks.
Ji-ha’s face as he looked at me contorted painfully.

I’m the one who lost my parents, so why does Ji-ha look even more agonized?

After a long silence, Ji-ha’s voice reached me.

“No one will come.”

It was a brief remark, but it made my heart feel heavy.

Because no one would come, it felt like he was saying I could cry without holding back…

He placed me securely in his arms so that no one could see.

Feeling the warmth from Ji-ha, tears that I had held back poured out.

“Why did you come now? I… I was so scared. Sniff.”

When I tried to push Ji-ha away, he slowly wiped my back, as if he understood everything.

Even Mr. Hyun-ik and Dr. Kim said they were worried about me, but no words could bring comfort.

My only sanctuary.

In his arms, I finally returned to my true self.

“I’m sorry. I’m so late, I…”

“…”

“You did well. You endured it well on your own.”

With that one sentence, the tension I had been holding onto so precariously loosened.

And so, for a long time, I cried my heart out in Ji-ha’s embrace.