Fragments of You. | Park Sunghoon

XIX

SUNGHOON WALKED HOME, HIS MIND SWIRLING WITH THOUGHTS ABOUT HWAMIN. The day had been emotionally exhausting, but he couldn't stop thinking about her. He was confused about his feelings—there was still anger, but also a growing sense of empathy and perhaps something more. He didn't know how to process everything.

As he approached his house, he noticed an unusual buzz of excitement. Opening the front door, he was immediately greeted by the sight of his father, Park Jihoon, and his mother, both looking euphoric. His father held an envelope in his hand, and his mother was wiping tears of joy from her eyes.

"Sunghoon, come here!" Park Jihoon called out, waving him over.

Sunghoon hurried to his parents, confused but curious. "What's going on?"

Park Jihoon handed him the envelope. "This was left on our doorstep. It's from Hwamin."

Sunghoon's heart skipped a beat. He carefully took the envelope from his father and opened it. Inside was a substantial check and a handwritten note. He unfolded the note and read it:

"Dear Mr. Park,

I am deeply sorry for the pain my family has caused yours. Please accept this money as a small attempt to make amends for the past. I hope it can help in some way.

Sincerely, Hwamin"

Sunghoon looked up from the note, his emotions swirling even more intensely. He felt a mixture of gratitude for Hwamin's gesture and a renewed sense of urgency to understand everything that had happened. His parents' expressions mirrored his own, a blend of relief and lingering questions.

"This is incredible," his mother said softly. "I never expected something like this from her."

Park Jihoon nodded, his eyes glistening with emotion. "It doesn't erase the past, but it's a significant step. She's trying to make things right."

Sunghoon felt a lump in his throat. He knew Hwamin was genuinely trying to atone for her mother's actions, and this gesture was proof of her sincerity. But it also left him feeling more conflicted than ever. He wanted to talk to her, to understand her better, but now he didn't know how to approach her. What could he say after this?

He sat down, the weight of the envelope and note heavy in his hands. "I... I don't know how to talk to her now," he admitted, his voice shaky.

His parents looked at him with sympathy. "Take your time, Sunghoon," his father said gently. "She's clearly trying to reach out. Maybe she's as confused and scared as you are."

Sunghoon nodded slowly, but the shock of the gesture paralyzed him. It was as if the ground had shifted beneath his feet, leaving him unsteady and unsure. He felt just as Hwamin must have felt that day her mother cut his father out—overwhelmed, confused, and unable to process everything at once.

The enormity of Hwamin's gesture left him feeling frozen, just as she had been on that fateful day. Talking to her now seemed impossible. How could he find the words to bridge the gap between them when he was still grappling with his own tangled emotions?

For now, Sunghoon decided, he couldn't face her. He needed time to absorb everything, to understand his own feelings before he could confront Hwamin. The conversation would have to wait.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･

Miss Choi sat across from Hwamin at the kitchen table, her expression one of gentle concern. "How do you feel after returning the money they owed?"

Hwamin looked down at her hands, which were clasped tightly together. She had been expecting to feel a sense of relief or closure, but instead, her emotions were tangled and confusing. "I'm not sure," she admitted, her voice soft and uncertain.

Miss Choi raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Not sure? I thought this would give you some peace of mind."

Hwamin shook her head, her thoughts drifting back to the encounter with Chase. She decided not to mention it, not wanting to worry Miss Choi any further. "It's just... complicated. I hoped it would make things clearer, but I still feel unsettled."

Miss Choi nodded, understanding. "It's a big step, Hwamin. It's natural to feel a mix of emotions."

Hwamin sighed, running a hand through her hair. "And I don't know how my mother will react when she finds out. She always controlled the money, and I took a significant amount."

Miss Choi's expression softened further. "Your mother might be upset, but you did what you felt was right. You're trying to make amends for something that wasn't your fault to begin with. That's commendable."

Hwamin looked up, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "I just want to do the right thing, but it feels like no matter what I do, it's never enough. I can't change the past, and I don't know how to fix everything."

Miss Choi reached across the table, placing a comforting hand on Hwamin's. "You're doing your best, and that's all anyone can ask for. It's a process, and it will take time. Don't be too hard on yourself."

Hwamin shortly smiled.

Miss Choi paused for a moment, her eyes filling with pride. "I want you to know, Hwamin, that I'm very proud of you. The Hwamin from last year would never have done something like this. You've grown so much."

Hwamin felt a warmth spread through her chest at Miss Choi's words. It was true—she had changed a lot over the past year. The girl who had once been so absorbed in her own world, buying designer clothes and living a superficial life, had now taken a significant step towards making amends for the past.

"Thank you, Miss Choi," she said quietly, her voice filled with gratitude. "I really appreciate that."

Miss Choi smiled, her hand still resting on Hwamin's. "You're welcome, Hwamin. Just remember, you're not alone. We're all here to support you."

Hwamin nodded, feeling a bit more grounded. She still had a long way to go, but knowing that Miss Choi believed in her gave her the strength to keep moving forward. She hoped that, in time, she would find a way to navigate through the complexities of her past and present, and finally find a sense of peace.