Scarlet(Red 3) JC [Revised]

2: Keeho & Ruby

"Why are we here, Red?"

Keeho's voice was soft as he stood behind Ruby, who was standing in front of a grave with a bunch of white roses in her hand. Ruby didn't answer immediately. Instead, she smiled faintly as she read the inscription on the grave: "HERE LIES AERIN NICOLE PARK." She knelt down, placing the flowers gently on top of the grave, the white petals trembling in the gentle breeze of summer.

"I hope you are happy, wherever you are," Ruby murmured, her voice thick with emotion as tears glistened in the corners of her eyes.

Keeho sighed deeply. "She lived a very short yet glorious life. She had a pathetic death, but people will always remember her."

Ruby's gaze remained fixed on the grave. "People never understood her. They always thought she was a monster and probably will describe her as a devil or a witch in the future too."

"But she was a human too, with feelings," Keeho added. "Some may describe them as obsession or possession, but she did some nice things too. Like saving me. I was almost dead when she rescued me and spent thousands of dollars on my treatment. I'll forever be grateful to her."

"You know what, Keeho?" Ruby said, her voice barely above a whisper. "She just wanted some love and affection, which she never got from anyone. Her parents, Choi Seungcheol, Lee Chan—no one could ever give her that. But still, she is remembered as a villain, and that's the saddest part."

"People hate villains just like that, Red," Keeho said. "They think villains are just bad people who do evil things for no reason. Nobody tries to know their stories. If they did, nobody would choose to be a villain."

Ruby lifted her face and looked at Keeho. "Will the future remember me as a villain too, Keeho? Will they think I'm a mean, evil woman who separated two lovers for no reason?"

Keeho bent down on his knees and wrapped his arms around Ruby's waist, giving her a comforting squeeze. "Now we have to leave, baby. It's getting late."

Ruby nodded, and they both stood up. As Keeho guided her towards the car, another man passed by them. Their bodies barely brushed against each other, and neither of them bothered to look back. Ruby wasn't in the mood for any confrontation. Usually, she would have snapped at the guy, but today wasn't one of her best days. She just wanted to lay in bed and reminisce about old memories. She felt sad, melancholic.

As they walked away, Ruby took one last look at the grave, a silent promise lingering in her heart. "I'll keep your memory alive, Aerin. No matter what they say about you, I'll remember the good you did."

_

"Yeobo, Cheol is here!"

Mr. Choi called out to his wife as he saw Seungcheol step into the house. Mrs. Choi hurried into the room, her face lighting up at the sight of her son. She enveloped him in a tight hug, and Seungcheol giggled, basking in the warmth of the affection he had always craved.

"You've completely forgotten your eomma, Cheollie?" Mrs. Choi teased, though her voice held a trace of genuine worry.

Seungcheol smiled fondly. "How could I forget my precious eomma? I've just been busy with all the business work, but now I'm here."

Mrs. Choi looked him over with a critical eye. "You've gotten skinnier, and you look pale. Are you not eating properly? How many times have I told you to eat and sleep well? Don't overwork yourself. This is all your father's fault."

She shot a death stare at Mr. Choi, who gulped nervously. "What did I do?" he whined.

Seungcheol laughed, watching his parents bicker like they had done for over thirty years. Despite their quarrels, he admired their enduring chemistry and unwavering support for each other. Mr. Choi never left his wife's side, even as she fought a difficult disease for years.