“He probably went back to just before entering the house in Pyeongchang-dong. …From then on, it was hell.”

Seungjoo answered bitterly.

“At the time when I lost my memory, I was originally taken to my father’s house. I escaped and went back to the house in Yeonsa-dong a few days later, but by then, tenants had already moved in.”

“That was our family.”

“Yeah.”

Seungjoo nodded.

“In the end, I had no choice but to live in my father’s house. Not long after, as an excuse to take care of me, my stepmother came in with her son.”

“Did the stepmother mistreat you?”

“No. That person has never been affectionate to me even once. Even when we were alone, the attitude was always the same. So it was even scarier.”

Having experienced direct abuse, Eunseo understood his words keenly. The person who wore the most affectionate expression in the world and casually stabbed a knife in the back.

“If there was even a slight flaw in my behavior, she used it as an excuse to report to my father one by one. Saying, ‘What if our Seungjoo goes astray, what should we do?’ If I gave a firm answer, she would immediately run to my father, crying, saying that I still hated her, that everything was my fault. Then, I would soon get scolded by my father, enduring a barrage of insults like, ‘How can I entrust the company to a yellow bastard like you?'”

He concluded bitterly.

“At home, I couldn’t even relax for a moment. I always had to wear a perfect mask.”

Those days accumulated, leading to the personality he had now. The child who used to laugh brightly.

She had suspected, but hearing it firsthand made her clench her teeth.

“I’ll never forgive that woman.”

Eunseo tightened her fist.

Seungjoo suddenly checked the time and said,

“I think it’s about time to go home.”

“Why did we come out for a reason? What’s going on?”

“You’ll know when we go inside.”

When they returned home, another magical scene unfolded. A large table was set up in the main hall, and a lavish Christmas feast was prepared on top.

“It’s a bit late, but we should eat dinner.”

So that’s why he suggested going out. It seemed that other people had been quite busy while the two were taking a walk. For example, Secretary Choi.

A red tablecloth adorned the table with green leaves and red berries of holly, and silver utensils sparkled dazzlingly on the silver candlesticks. Among the abundant dishes was a large Christmas cake.

“It’s like a scene from a princess cartoon I saw when I was a kid.”

For Eunseo, it was her first Christmas dinner she had ever had. Although the atmosphere was undoubtedly good, and all the dishes looked delicious, she couldn’t eat well. Just having the person she liked next to her already filled her heart, making her stomach flutter with emptiness.
“Eunseo, who was neither eating nor refusing, Seungjoo tried to feed her somehow. After the wrestling match, they finished their meal, and he lit the candles on the cake.

“Now, let’s make a wish and blow out the candles.”

“I know.”

For a very long time, her wish was only one. It felt even more desperate due to recent events.

“Still, say it out loud.”

Prompted, Eunseo stared at the flickering candles in silence.

Now, in just a week, another year would pass. She would turn one year older without meeting her brother. It was so heartbreaking to see the years passing like this.

“Please find Eunho next year for sure.”

After closing her eyes and making her wish silently, Eunseo blew out the candles.

In the dim darkness, a man’s voice was heard.

“I will definitely find him.”

After lighting the candles again and checking the time, Eunseo was surprised. It was close to twelve at night. They had started eating dinner well past ten. Time had flown by without them realizing it while being together.

“If we want to go to the House of Big Love, we need to wake up early tomorrow morning, so let’s call it a night.”

“Why? Can’t we take our time?”

“I have another place to go in the afternoon.”

“Where?”

Instead of answering, he raised an eyebrow.

“Keep your schedule open on Christmas. We’re going out together.”

He had been saying that for a while. Now thinking about it, it seemed like he had plans for Christmas from the beginning.

Eunseo decided not to ask what it was and eagerly waited with a happy heart.

“What about you, Mr. Seungjoo? Are you going home?”

He responded as if it were ridiculous.

“There was a stalking incident. How can I leave you alone? I’ll sleep well here.”

Then he brought a blanket from the room he used before and laid it in front of Eunseo’s door, as if guarding it.

Even though the windows were changed to insulated glass, it was warm inside the main hall despite the cold weather. Nevertheless, Eunseo quickly found an electric heater, just in case he might get cold. The heater was neatly placed in its original position.

After bringing the electric heater to the main hall, Eunseo suddenly remembered something from the past.