NOGEUROPTTA

IX

In-Sung drove away from the house as fast as he could, the tension from their conversation still coursing through his veins. Hyo-Joo remained inside, her body rigid with the emotional strain of their exchange.

Their confrontation had been intense, and Hyo-Joo's words echoed in his mind. "After knowing that you're Jungha's brother, I won't let Youn-Jung meet Jungha again," she had declared, her voice steely with determination.

In-Sung had tried to reason with her. "What happened in the past has nothing to do with our siblings now."

Hyo-Joo's eyes had flashed with anger and pain. "How can I be so sure that my sister won't get betrayed by Jungha?"

In-Sung had sighed, his heart heavy with memories. "After that incident, I came to see you to explain, but you were already gone."

Hyo-Joo's expression had softened for a brief moment before hardening again. "For Youn-Jung's sake, I will spare your life now, so you better leave."

Turning to go, In-Sung had paused as Hyo-Joo's final words cut through the air. "Don't ever come and see me again, or I will kill you."

With a heavy sigh, In-Sung had walked out of the house and driven away, the weight of their shared past pressing down on him.

Inside, Hyo-Joo was left standing alone, the remnants of their heated exchange lingering in the room. She wiped away her tears, a mixture of sorrow and resolve in her eyes.

Fifteen years ago, In-Sung and Jaemyung had ventured to meet Jin-Muk, a meeting charged with tension and the weight of past grievances. Jaemyung, in a desperate bid for reconciliation, implored Jin-Muk to end the enmity between their families for the sake of their children.

As they conversed, In-Sung's senses were on high alert, his instincts warning him of impending danger. He questioned Jin-Muk about Hyo-Joo's absence, sensing the tension thickening in the air.

Jin-Muk's cryptic response hinted at Hyo-Joo's deep affection for In-Sung, a revelation that only fueled the underlying conflict. Before long, chaos erupted as a gunshot shattered the fragile peace, setting off a deadly chain reaction.

In the ensuing chaos, bullets flew and lives hung in the balance. In-Sung found himself embroiled in a desperate struggle, fighting for survival amidst the gunfire that surrounded him.

Meanwhile, Jin-Muk and Jaemyung faced off, their guns drawn in a deadly standoff. With ammunition depleted, they resorted to picking up discarded weapons, their rivalry reaching a deadly climax.

As the confrontation reached its peak, Jin-Muk made a fateful call to Hyo-Joo, accusing In-Sung of betrayal. In a haze of confusion and desperation, Hyo-Joo rushed to the scene, only to be confronted with the devastating sight of her father and In-Sung locked in a deadly confrontation.

In-Sung, caught between the warring factions and the chaos of the moment, made a desperate dash towards his father, his cries drowned out by the deafening sound of gunfire.

Tragedy struck in an instant as bullets found their marks, leaving both Jaemyung and Jin-Muk lying on the ground, their lives slipping away.

In the midst of the turmoil, Hyo-Joo, consumed by grief and despair, turned her weapon on In-Sung, the weight of her emotions driving her to an irreversible act of violence. As In-Sung fell to the ground, the echoes of their shared history reverberated through the air, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak and shattered lives.

After the tragic incident that tore their lives apart, Hyo-joo took on the responsibility of managing their family's hotel business, channeling her grief and determination into expanding it into other countries. With a newfound sense of purpose, she also dedicated herself to caring for Youn-jung, ensuring her sister's well-being and happiness.

Meanwhile, In-Sung sought solace and redemption in a simpler life, returning to Jeju Island to start anew. Alongside his loyal friends Seungryeong and Sungkyun, he opened a restaurant, where he poured his passion for food into creating culinary delights for the locals and visitors alike. Taking Jungha under his wing, he provided a stable and nurturing environment for his younger brother to thrive.

Jungha, grateful for the chance at a fresh start, embraced life in Jeju, immersing himself in the local community and pursuing his studies in tourism management at Jeju University. With the support of their neighbors and the tight-knit village community, they found contentment in the simplicity of their island life, far removed from the chaos of their past.

Meanwhile, Youn-jung flourished in Seoul, reveling in the opportunities afforded by her university education and the luxurious lifestyle that surrounded her. Despite her privileged upbringing, she remained grounded and kind-hearted.

As the years passed, In-Sung found fulfillment in his role as a chef, his restaurant becoming a beloved staple of the Jeju culinary scene. With Seungryeong and Sungkyun by his side.

In-Sung sat with his friends, the weight of their shared history heavy in the air as they discussed the events of the past. Seungryeong's words echoed with a sense of resignation. "There are so many places in the world, but they chose to build a hotel here."

In-Sung sighed, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. Sungkyun's somber observation only added to the sense of déjà vu. "It's been 15 years, and history keeps repeating itself. Now we're back to square one."

In-Sung's expression darkened as he grappled with the truth he had concealed for so long. "For years, I've hidden the truth from Jungha," he confessed, his voice heavy with regret. "But I can't let him know now. We must stop him at any cost."

His friends exchanged worried glances, understanding the gravity of the situation. In-Sung's gaze hardened as he spoke, determination etched into his features. "And Hyo-Joo... She will never agree to this relationship, no matter what."

In her office, Hyo-Joo sat at her desk, engrossed in the blueprints spread out before her. The tension in the room was palpable as Youn-Jung stood before her, her expression a mix of curiosity and frustration.

"What really happened, Unnie?" Youn-Jung pressed, her voice edged with impatience.

Hyo-Joo kept her eyes fixed on the blueprints, refusing to meet Youn-Jung's gaze directly. "Just a big one," she replied curtly, her tone brooking no further discussion. "I'm busy. If you don't have any business here, you may leave."

Frustrated and resentful, Youn-Jung let out a growl of frustration, stomping her feet as she stormed out of the room, the door closing behind her with a resolute click.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Jungha approached his brother, In-Sung, who was busy preparing for the restaurant's opening. "What happened with Youn-Jung's sister?" he inquired, his tone laced with curiosity.

In-Sung paused momentarily, his attention divided between his cooking and his brother's question. "Just a reason." he replied simply, his expression unreadable.

Jungha frowned, his curiosity piqued. "But I want to know what happened," he insisted, eager for answers.

Ignoring his brother's inquiry, In-Sung redirected their focus. "We need to open the restaurant now. People are waiting outside," he declared, his tone firm and decisive.

Recognizing that his brother was not going to divulge any further information, Jungha sighed in resignation, realizing that his inquiries would have to wait.