Before, even while in love, he couldn’t let go of ‘himself’ in the end. If what she saw wasn’t ultimately me, there was no point in being by her side even if she looked at me. Rather than that, it’s better to hurt and break up.

So, even while confessing, he said such things.

Looking back, how arrogant those words were. I love you, but I can’t change, so change your mind.

Now, he had finally made up his mind to let go of ‘himself.’
It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t love me. As long as I can be by her side.

By now, even if I am not the one, if I, no, if my past shadow can be even a little comfort to that woman who is probably lonely and in pain to the point of death.

The man loosened his tie.

“Look at that, I told you I don’t need to be thankful to that woman, right? That devilish woman!”

Hearing the conversation, Suna trembled, and Suna’s mother shed tears.

“How can someone wear a human disguise and do such things…!”

The two tried their best to comfort Eunseo somehow.

“Don’t be too hurt, Miss Eunseo. You’ll definitely find your brother. After the busy year-end passes, I’ll help with the flyers too.”

“Of course, you’ll find him! The heavens are watching. The saying ‘What goes around comes around’ isn’t for nothing. That woman will receive divine punishment, and our Eunseo will find her brother and live well.”

It was very grateful, but no matter how much comfort Eunseo received, she couldn’t muster any strength. Eunho was Eunho, but in reality, it was even more painful because of Kwon Seungju.

“Can I really not make it? What should I do?”

The face that asked that for the last time before getting off the car kept coming to mind.

Is this really a wise thing to do?

Eunseo left his side for him. He didn’t want to be a hindrance to his life, which he had run towards a single goal throughout his life.

But yesterday, when he saw his face, he had such thoughts.

Would this person really be happy sitting in the chairman’s seat at Daewon Group? Now Eunseo couldn’t know. Whether what he did was right or wrong, and what he should do now.

Amidst various thoughts, Christmas came quickly. A call from Naeun came on Christmas Eve’s late afternoon.

Suna and Suna’s mother eagerly went out to the fish market to prepare a special meal for the listless Eunseo, leaving Eunseo alone at home.

“Oh, Naeun.”

Unni! Where are you? Can I come to your house?

“Hey, don’t you have friends? Why play with an ahjumma on this nice Christmas?”

Oh, Unni’s house is so pretty! I want to take a picture and upload it on Instagram.

I thought she might have amnesia. She had clearly asked me the last time we talked, ‘Is your house okay since it collapsed?’

“Where is my house? By now, it would have been demolished, not a single piece of tile left.”

What?

Naeun made a bewildered sound.

Where are you right now, Unni? Are you still at Seungju Oppa’s house?

“No, now it’s really a friend’s house.”

For a moment, Naeun, who seemed to be thinking something, suddenly urged.

Unni, hang up and go home. Quickly!

“What home?”

Yeonsadong’s house!

Eunseo sighed.

“Sorry, but it’s all gone. There’s nothing to check…”
Enough, just go. You must go. Got it?

Naeun almost threatened.

If you don’t go, you really won’t see Unni’s face again.

Holding the abruptly cut-off phone, Eunseo was momentarily dazed.

Honestly, she didn’t want to go anywhere near Yeonsadong, let alone her house. Although it wasn’t her own house, it was a place she had taken care of and managed every nook and cranny with her own hands for 15 years. The thought of that house disappearing entirely and a building standing in its place felt like her heart was being torn apart.

However, since Naeun said something like this, there must be a reason, she thought. Although impudent, Eunseo knew well that Naeun, despite being thoughtless, was not completely without reason.

Pushing aside her unwillingness, Eunseo left her house and took a taxi.

When she arrived home, what caught her eye was an unbelievable sight.

Of course, by now, she thought the demolition would be finished, and the construction for the building would be underway.

The house was intact, as if the incident of the roof collapsing had never happened.

“…….,”

Eunseo couldn’t believe her eyes. The wide, jet-black main hall floor, the glass walls surrounding the main hall, and even the clearly aged roof tiles were the same as before. It felt like watching a video played in reverse.

Amidst this, the only thing that had changed was the apple tree. The tree that was decorated with fake leaves and apples was now adorned with colorful light bulbs and numerous ornaments, turning it into a giant Christmas tree.

Standing in front of the tree that sparkled with all sorts of colors, Eunseo forgot to even blink.

Am I dreaming right now?

At that time, when the boundary between reality and fantasy became ambiguous.

Someone called her from behind.

“……Eunseo noona.”

When Eunseo turned around, she held her breath.

In a white sweatshirt, a black padded coat, jeans, and white sneakers, with nothing applied and hair naturally spread over her forehead.

Eighteen-year-old Seungjoo stood in front of her.