𝑨 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒍, 𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏-𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒔.
❝The allure of having you in my arms is akin to the temptation of having you on your kn...
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PAST
The orphanage hall echoed with the sounds of children playing, their laughter mixing with the rustle of leaves from the open windows. Eight-year-old Wang Jangfei sat on the wooden bench, her frail figure hunched over as she drew on a piece of paper. Her big, hopeful eyes occasionally glanced around, searching for a familiar face amidst the chaos.
Despite the lively atmosphere, a certain loneliness clung to Jangfei. She had been here for years, and though many children had come and gone, she remained. Often overlooked because of her weak constitution, she found solace in the few things she could control, like her drawings.
"Jangfei!" A bright voice broke through her thoughts. Park Jiwon, her best friend, bounded over with a wide smile. Jiwon was everything Jangfei wasn't—confident, strong, and full of energy. But their bond was undeniable.
"Look what I found!" Jiwon said excitedly, holding up a small, colorful butterfly clip. She knelt beside Jangfei, carefully placing the clip in her friend's hair. "There, now you look like a princess!"
Jangfei's eyes sparkled with joy as she touched the clip. "Thank you, Jiwon," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. "It's beautiful."
Jiwon grinned, taking Jangfei's hand and pulling her towards the open field. "Come on, let's play before Mrs. Kim calls us in for lunch."
The two girls ran across the grass, their laughter harmonizing with the chirping birds. Jiwon was always careful, never letting Jangfei push herself too hard. They played a simple game of tag, with Jiwon often letting Jangfei catch her, their giggles filling the air.
After a while, they collapsed onto the grass, breathless but happy. Jiwon turned to Jangfei, her eyes serious for a moment. "You know, Jangfei, one day someone will see how special you are. You just have to believe it."
Jangfei nodded, her small hand gripping Jiwon's tightly. "And we'll always be friends, right?"
Jiwon smiled, squeezing her hand back. "Always and forever." . . . . . . .
The orphanage had changed little over the years. The same worn-out wooden benches, the same creaky floors, and the same faces, albeit a bit older. Wang Jangfei, now fourteen, sat in the same corner where she and Jiwon used to play, clutching a tattered stuffed bear—a gift from Jiwon from years ago.
Today, however, was different. The air was heavy with an unspoken tension. The news had spread quickly: Park Jiwon was being adopted. A family had come, well-dressed and kind-looking, eager to welcome Jiwon into their home. But with this new beginning came an unexpected and painful end.
Jiwon, usually so vibrant, stood rigidly by the doorway, her eyes not meeting Jangfei's. The silence between them was deafening. Jangfei's heart pounded in her chest, fear and confusion swirling inside her. She forced a smile, trying to mask the hurt.
