Secret Love

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A mere forty-eight hours had elapsed, yet the anguish of that fateful night still lingered, refusing to relinquish its grip on Jisung's fragile heart. The torrential downpour had mirrored the turmoil brewing within him as he wandered aimlessly, his tears mingling with the raindrops.

The pain had been so overwhelming that he couldn't bear the thought of returning home, fearing his parents would witness his vulnerability. Instead, he sought solace in the confines of his car, where he spent the entire night, his body racked with sobs, until exhaustion finally claimed him.

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Jisung stirred, his eyes red-rimmed and puffy. With a newfound determination, he vowed that the previous night would be the last time he succumbed to tears. He knew that no amount of crying could alter the harsh reality, and so, he resolved to steel himself against the pain.

The days that followed were a blur, but Jisung adhered to his promise, refusing to let his emotions get the better of him. However, despite his best efforts, his eyes remained weak, and stray tears continued to escape, trickling down his cheeks like autumn rain. The ache within him still lingered, a constant reminder of the love he had lost and the memories that now seemed forever out of reach.

As Jisung returned from his father's company, his mind began to wander back to the persistent thought that had been haunting him for days. Though he attempted to suppress it, the idea lingered, refusing to be silenced. For the time being, he managed to keep his emotions in check, but the reprieve was short-lived.

The following day, as he stepped out, the same thoughts came flooding back, overwhelming him with their intensity. Despite his promise to himself not to cry, Jisung found himself unable to contain the tears. His heart felt like it was shattering all over again, and he surrendered to the anguish, allowing the tears to flow freely, just as they had on that fateful rainy night.

When he finally returned home, Jisung's appearance reflected the turmoil brewing within. His face was pale, his eyes red-rimmed, and his entire demeanor screamed of distress. He made his way straight to the living room, where his mother sat on the couch, oblivious to the emotional storm that was about to unfold.

"M-mom..." Jisung's voice cracked as he called out, his words trembling with emotion.

Mrs. Han's eyes snapped up, and as she took in Jisung's disheveled appearance, her expression transformed from calm to alarm. She swiftly rose from the couch and enveloped Jisung in a warm hug.

"What's wrong, Jisung? Why are you like this?" she asked, her voice laced with concern and worry.

Jisung's words caught in his throat as he struggled to articulate his emotions. "Mom, I...I just can't... I want to..." His voice trailed off, overwhelmed by the sheer weight of his feelings.

•

JANG'S RESIDENT

"Please, come in, both of you," Mrs. Jang warmly welcomed her daughter and son-in-law into the house, embracing them affectionately. Mrs. Lee, who had been standing behind them, also exchanged greetings with Mrs. Jang.

As they settled around the dining table, Sooyoung's curiosity got the better of her. "Mom, are you going to tell us what's the occasion?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with interest. "I mean, you said you had something to discuss with us all, so I'm just curious."

Mrs. Lee smiled, launching into her explanation. "As you know, Sooyoungie returned to Korea just a week before the wedding...so I was thinking, why not let this newlywed couple spend some quality time together, like they're supposed to?"

Sooyoung's expression turned puzzled. "Mom, but we are together. What do you mean?" Mrs. Lee's confusion was evident, and she sought clarification.

"What I mean is that these two barely got to spend time together before their marriage," Mrs. Jang elaborated, "So I thought of giving them some alone time, just the two of them...a chance to reconnect and strengthen their bond."