Selenelion

11 - The Unresolved Past

Seulgi's POV

The night air was cool and gentle, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions churning inside me. Standing at the edge of the balcony, I watched Irene's silhouette as she stood alone, looking out at the distant ocean. The past week had been torturous, the silence between us heavier than any argument we'd ever had.

When she first appeared on the balcony, my heart had pounded. I knew this was my chance to talk, to confront the mess I'd made. I took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of courage I had left.

"Irene," I began, trying to keep my voice steady. "Let's talk."

I turned to face her fully, but her gaze was fixed on the horizon. Her posture was rigid, and I could feel the distance between us like a physical barrier. I took a step closer, my nerves on edge.

"I know I've messed up," I said, my voice wavering. "I've been avoiding this conversation because, honestly, I was terrified. Terrified of facing you, and terrified of facing my own mistakes."

There was a long, heavy pause. Finally, she turned to me, her eyes filled with a sadness that cut deeper than any words. "Seulgi, there's no us anymore."

Her words felt like a punch to the gut. I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat growing. "I know," I admitted quietly. "I should have fought for us. I should have been braver. Instead, I let my fears control me, and now I'm left with nothing but regret."

Irene's expression hardened slightly. "Why didn't you fight for us, Seulgi? Why did you let us fall apart?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came out. The truth was that I had a reason, a reason I couldn't bring myself to share because I didn't want to hurt her further. My silence was my cowardice, my failure to protect her from the painful reality.

"I... I can't explain it," I said finally, my voice cracking. "There were reasons, but I'm afraid that if I tell you, it'll only make things worse. I never meant to hurt you."

Tears began to well up in Irene's eyes. "I trusted you, Seulgi. I thought we had something real. And now, I don't understand why you didn't fight for us."

Her voice broke, and the sight of her tears was almost too much to bear. I reached out, but she stepped back, shaking her head.

"Maybe some things are just meant to end," Irene said softly, her voice trembling. "I can't be with someone who can't even tell me the truth."

I watched helplessly as Irene turned and walked away. The emptiness in my chest was overwhelming, and I could feel the tears streaming down my face. The cold night air felt heavier now, suffocating.

As Irene disappeared into the darkness, I was left alone on the balcony, my tears falling freely. The weight of my failure and my inability to protect what we once had was crushing. I could only stand there, broken and defeated, as the night swallowed my sorrow.

Irene's POV

Flashback

Way back 2019

I stared at my phone, rereading the message from my father for the tenth time. "Family dinner tonight. Be there at 7 PM." It was so unlike him to organize family gatherings, especially considering how distant he usually was. Despite my confusion, I decided to go. Maybe this was a chance to mend our strained relationship.

Before heading out, I sent Seulgi a quick text: "Hey, I'm meeting my father for a family dinner. I'll tell you how it goes later." No reply. I shrugged it off, assuming she was busy or asleep.

When I arrived at my parents' house, my mother greeted me warmly, pulling me into a tight hug. My father, however, stayed silent, barely acknowledging my presence. This coldness was something I had grown accustomed to over the years.