𝖬𝗒 𝖠𝗆𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗂𝖺 𝖦𝗂𝗋𝗅 | 𝖸𝗎𝖸𝖾𝗈𝗇

𝗠𝗔𝗚 - 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐

After indulging in a comforting meal lovingly prepared by Meiqi and Xuanyi-complete with Yuqi's favorite dishes-the three women settled on the couch, their bodies close, the atmosphere cozy.

They hoped the familiar tastes and laughter of shared meals would soothe Yuqi after the disorienting encounter at the grocery store.

On the screen, their favorite Korean variety show, Two Days and One Night, played, providing a cheerful backdrop. But Yuqi's furrowed brow betrayed her distraction.

"I just don't get it," she murmured, eyes fixed on the screen but seeing none of it.

"Do you mean the show or... Soyeon?" Xuanyi asked, glancing sideways without tearing her gaze away from the TV.

Yuqi sighed. "Soyeon."

Xuanyi, still munching on popcorn, gave a half-hearted shrug. "Yeah, I don't get it either. I mean-losing her memory in an accident? That's straight out of a drama."

"It could happen, babe" Meiqi offered gently. "If she really was in an accident, that kind of trauma could explain it."

"But she doesn't look like someone who went through something that serious," Xuanyi countered skeptically.

"Maybe it happened a while ago... or even on the wedding day," Meiqi suggested, her gaze softening as it fell on Yuqi.

In Yuqi's mind, a haunting image formed-Soyeon alone, stepping into traffic, moments after being left at the altar. The thought twisted in her chest like a knife. Guilt clawed at her insides.

Sensing the shift in energy, Meiqi scooted closer and placed a comforting hand on Yuqi's back. "Hey. We're going to help you talk to her again. You're not alone in this."

Xuanyi leaned in too. "And maybe, just maybe, when she sees who you really are to her, something will come back. Don't give up hope yet."

Yuqi blinked through the haze in her eyes and managed a small smile. "I don't know what I'd do without you two."

"We're here because we love you," Xuanyi said simply, resting her head against Yuqi's shoulder.

Encouraged by their warmth, Yuqi let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Okay. Let's face tomorrow-together."

Meiqi's voice was calm, grounding. "Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow's another step forward."

Elsewhere...

"An accident, huh," Youngji mused, spooning cereal into her mouth as she perched on the kitchen stool across from Soyeon.

"That's just the excuse," Soyeon replied nonchalantly, tucking a container of washed vegetables into the fridge.

"Did she buy it?"

"I don't know," Soyeon said with a shrug. "And I don't really care."

Youngji frowned. "Come on. You could've just said, 'I hate you,' or 'You broke me.' But instead you went with, 'Who are you?' That's weak, Soyeon. So weak."

"I panicked, okay?" Soyeon admitted, snapping the fridge shut. "She showed up out of nowhere-like a ghost. I had to say something. I figured faking amnesia would be the best way to keep her out of my life."

Youngji raised an eyebrow. "A plan you had in your back pocket this whole time?"

"Ever since I left," Soyeon said quietly. "I knew one day she might come looking."

Youngji leaned back, arms crossed. "You're playing with fire. This could hurt you more than her."

"It won't," Soyeon said, her tone steely. "You remember what she did to me two years ago. I won't let her ruin me again."

"So you're sticking to the script?" Youngji asked.

"Absolutely," Soyeon said firmly, placing a carton of eggs onto the middle shelf.

Youngji gave a dry chuckle. "Good luck with that."

Later that day, at the photo studio...

"Come on, baby boy, let's try again," Soyeon coaxed gently, crouching beside a pouting toddler who refused to pose for a family photo.

"No, Noona!" the boy whined, stubborn arms crossed.

Soyeon grinned, patience unwavering. "Pretty please? Just one smile for me?"

After a dramatic pause, the boy finally huffed, "Okay..." and puckered his lips in reluctant agreement.

Soyeon melted a little. "Thank you! Now go stand with your parents, sweetheart."

Once the boy scurried into position, Soyeon took her spot behind the camera. "Alright, ready in 1... 2... beautiful! One more!"

As she adjusted her lens for a second shot, a woman approached the studio entrance. Youngji quickly intercepted her. "Hello, ma'am, can I help you?"

But when Soyeon glanced up from the viewfinder, her breath caught. There, just beyond the glass, stood Yeh Shuhua.

Holy crap, she thought. What is she doing here?!

Turning her back quickly, Soyeon pretended to check her camera settings.

"Is that... her?" Shuhua whispered to herself, eyes narrowing.

"Excuse me, miss?" Shuhua called out.

Plastering on a polite smile, Soyeon turned. "Yes, ma'am?"

Shuhua blinked, clearly flustered. "I... I forgot. I think I'll come back when my daughter's two years old," she blurted awkwardly, eyes locked on Soyeon's face.

Soyeon just nodded, still smiling.

"Bye!" Shuhua spun around and rushed out.

As the door shut behind her, Soyeon exhaled. "Thank God. I can breathe again."

Youngji smirked. "You okay?"

"Do I look okay?" Soyeon shot back, earning a burst of laughter.

"You're such a drama queen," Youngji teased. "But I'll give it to you-you're damn convincing."

Soyeon chuckled. "Thank you. Now, back to work. We've got another session soon."

"Yes, boss," Youngji replied, still grinning.

Outside the studio...

"Guys, you were right!" Shuhua practically bounced with excitement. "It's her. It's really Soyeon. And she looks... even better than I remember."

But her glee was met with solemn stares.

Shuhua had only come after Meiqi begged her-for Yuqi's sake. With help from a contact skilled in tracking people, they'd found Soyeon. But it stung when Soyeon didn't even recognize her.

"I told you," Xuanyi murmured.

Shuhua turned to Yuqi. "Now that we know where she works, what are we waiting for? Let's go."

"Wait," Yuqi said, her voice tight. "What do I even say?"

"Say what you feel," Shuhua said firmly, gripping her hand. "We're with you."

"I shouldn't-"

"You've got your charm, Yuqi," Xuanyi said with a teasing wink. "She won't stand a chance."

"But this isn't just about charm. She has amnesia," Yuqi whispered.

"That's why we're here," Meiqi said, her voice soft but resolute. "We'll help her remember."

Yuqi looked at each of them. Friends. Family. Believers.

"Okay," she finally said, squaring her shoulders. "Let's do this."