Affection's Facade

Fragments of a Shattered Dream

Tae-hyung's past pov

The rain outside provided a fitting wave to my mood. Its cadence matched the rhythm of the thoughts I couldn't push away, as memories of Elera relentlessly played in my mind. She had a life that was so full, so separate from mine, and it was a life I only knew through photographs and occasional news updates. I was envious in someways that she did what she did and disappeared.

The sight of her with Jae-hoon was a bitter pill, every image felt like an insult. Their smiles might have been for the cameras, despite that, what was true was that in those images was the life I had imagined with her. The Harvard graduation cap on her head, the business ventures with Min-ji— all accomplishments I had dreamed of celebrating by her side.

On a night where the city was alight with festivities, I found myself in the solitude of my study, a glass of whiskey my only companion. It was my wedding night with So-yeon. A marriage of convenience, a pragmatic arrangement, but to her, it was real. She had dreams and hopes, and I cared enough at the time to feel bad, knowing that I couldn't give her what she truly deserved.

The alcohol blurred a lot of things that day, and in my intoxicated state, while we were alone I had made the unforgivable error of whispering Elera's name instead of So-yeon's. A mistake she caught, but graciously never mentioned.

Being intimate with So-yeon wasn't something I had ever intended. Our relationship was born out of necessity, not passion. It was a dance we had both been thrust into, steps dictated by family and societal expectations rather than the spontaneous rhythm of true love. Yet, in a fleeting moment of vulnerability, we found ourselves entwined, two lost souls seeking solace in one another.

And then, the unexpected happened. Days turned into weeks and months, and soon, years had gone by. What was initially meant to be a three-year commitment was derailed when So-yeon announced she was pregnant so early on. The news settled in my stomach like a stone, heavy and unmoving. Leaving her would be unconscionable. How could I abandon the mother of my child? How could I look my future child in the eyes, knowing I had forsaken their mother?

Maybe it was comfort. Maybe it was the oppressive weight of duty. But inertia took over, and I remained by So-yeon's side. There were nights where the phantom of what could have been haunted me. I didn't know whether to hate her or accept her. Until I finally over heard her speaking with So-yeon.

It was the day she came back after the four years she disappeared. We went to the airport, frankly I didn't want to. However I found my feet walking along anyways, as I watched her arrive, Jaehoon came along with us took her bag and didn't say much. She looked at me and the ring on my finger before she looked between me and So-yeon.

" Unnie you're back." So-yeon said. She introduced her to our daughter Hae-mi who quickly fell for her. The chasm between Elera and me felt like miles, yet she stood merely a few feet away. How do you welcome someone back that did so much that you shouldn't love her.

She looked different, her eyes carrying stories of distant places and new experiences. Yet, beneath the maturity, I still saw hints of the Elera I once knew.

Hearing her voice after so long was a surreal experience. As I stood a little away, I overheard her talking with So-yeon.

"It's been a while," Elera began, her voice slightly hesitant.

"It has," So-yeon replied, her tone guarded. "A lot has changed."

Elera's gaze flicked to Hae-mi, then to me. "I see that."

So-yeon, sensing the tension, tried to steer the conversation towards neutral ground. "How was America?"

"Different. But good," Elera responded, her eyes never leaving mine.