Sylvania || jjk

11

""Chaeng, it’s for you."

Eun’s voice broke through the silence. I looked up with puffy eyes and saw her standing near the door, holding out a slightly crumpled envelope. Brownish stains marked the edges. My stomach twisted.

I already knew what it was.

Harley must’ve told them everything. She hadn’t expelled me, but I knew something worse was coming.

I reached out with shaky fingers and took the letter from Eun. My chest was tight as I carefully tore it open. One look at the handwriting and my heart sank. It was my father’s — sharp, neat, and serious.

I unfolded the paper slowly. Eun didn’t say anything. She just sat down next to me, waiting quietly. My eyes scanned the words.

"Chaeng,

I got a call from your Headmistress, Mrs. Harley.

Youe mother and I are very hurt by what we heard. We trusted you to focus on your studies, to make the most of the chance we worked hard to give you. We believed you’d make us proud. Not land in trouble like this.

You know I’m not a rich man. We’ve stretched every corner of our savings so you could study at Sylvania — because we wanted you to have a life bigger than ours.

So for now, I’ve decided I won’t be sending you extra money. I’m not doing this to punish you. I want you to understand the value of everything you have. Maybe this will help.

We’re not angry forever. But we are disappointed. Please do better.

– Dad"

I stared at the letter, my hands trembling.

The money part didn’t even hit me that hard.

What broke me was the tone. The coldness. The disappointment.

“He didn’t even say he loves me,” I whispered, more to myself than to Eun.

She leaned closer. “Chaeng…”

I shook my head slowly. “He trusted me. He believed in me. And I just—threw it all away.”

“He’s upset,” Eun said gently, “but he hasn’t pulled you out of Sylvania. That means something.”

I wiped my eyes, but the tears kept coming. “He gave up so much for me. He works all day in a hospital that barely pays him. They sold things, Eun. Just so I could be here.”

“I know,” she said, putting an arm around me. “And that’s exactly why you can’t give up now.”

I didn’t say anything, but I rested my head on her shoulder. She held me tightly.

"You’re still here, Chaeng," she said softly. "He’s giving you another shot. So take it. Make it count."

“I’ve never felt this ashamed,” I said, my voice cracking. “I don’t even want to look in the mirror.”

“Then don’t look right now,” she said, giving me a small squeeze. “Cry if you have to. Feel everything. But tomorrow… tomorrow, we start fixing things.”

I let out a weak laugh through my tears. “You sound like a movie coach.”

Eun smiled. “Well, I do give main-character speeches from time to time.”

That made me smile a little.

"I just hope… someday he forgives me."

“He will,” she said with certainty. “But first, you have to forgive yourself.”