Oᑌᖇ ᖴᗩTE | HყυɳLιx

𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓰𝓾𝓮

On his deathbed, Lee-Joon looked at eight-year-old Felix and nine-year-old Hyunjin, both in tears. With a weak voice, he made his final wish "When Felix turns 21 and Hyunjin turns 22, I want them to marry and stay together forever, just as I've always hoped. It's my last wish."

Felix and Hyunjin clung to each other, their small hands entwined as they listened to Lee-Joon’s heartfelt plea. The room was filled with a heavy silence, broken only by their muffled sobs and the gentle hum of the hospital machinery.

Lee-Joon’s gaze softened as he looked at the two children. "Promise me you'll look after each other," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Life can be tough, but you have each other. Never forget that."

Felix nodded, tears streaming down his cheeks. Hyunjin, with his head resting on Felix's shoulder, managed a choked, "We promise."

With a final, weary smile, Lee-Joon closed his eyes.

𖨆    𖨆

Felix’s 18th birthday party was a grand affair, filled with elegance and celebration. The garden was adorned with festive lights.

As the clock neared midnight, the gathering was called to attention. Felix and Hyunjin stood at the center of the garden, their parents watching with expectant eyes. The joy that once characterized their bond had faded over the years, replaced by an uneasy distance. The childhood promise had become a burden rather than a blessing.

Felix, dressed in a formal suit, felt a knot in his stomach as he glanced at Hyunjin. Hyunjin, in a sophisticated dress, looked unbothered. Their parents stood nearby. Lee-Joon’s wish loomed over them like an unspoken command.

Felix’s father stepped forward, holding a small, velvet box. “Felix, Hyunjin,” he announced, “we are here to honor a promise made long ago. As part of your 18th birthday, we are officially announcing your engagement.”

Felix’s heart raced, a mix of resentment and resignation filling him. He glanced at Hyunjin, who met his gaze. There was no trace of the love that once connected them, only the weight of duty and expectation.

Hyunjin’s father opened the box, revealing a ring that sparkled under the garden lights. Felix’s hand trembled slightly as he reached for it. The act felt mechanical, as if he were fulfilling a formality rather than a personal choice.

With a forced smile, Felix slid the ring onto Hyunjin’s finger. “I suppose this is our future now,” he said, trying to mask the bitterness in his voice.

Hyunjin took a deep breath and nodded, accepting the ring with a quiet, “Thank you.”

The guests clapped and cheered, but the noise seemed distant to Felix and Hyunjin. The reality of their situation settled over them like a heavy curtain. They were bound not by love but by a promise made years ago, now fulfilled under the weight of family expectations.

As the celebration continued around them, Felix and Hyunjin stood side by side, their hands joined not by desire but by obligation.

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