Jade and Joshua were once the quintessential high school sweethearts, their young love blooming in the hallways of their school, filled with laughter and shared dreams. However, an unforeseen event shattered their once unbreakable bond, sending them...
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"Jiwon," Joshua spoke softly, his voice a gentle balm in the stillness of the kitchen. The serene night enveloped them, and through the window, the rhythmic sounds of the waves crashing against the shore provided a calming backdrop. The faint glow of a golden overhead lamp cast warm light over the two, creating an intimate cocoon that contrasted sharply with the turmoil swirling inside Jiwon.
She met his gaze, nodding stiffly, though the tension in her shoulders spoke volumes. Joshua sighed, a mixture of relief and concern washing over him. "How long have you been dealing with this?" he asked, his brow furrowed in genuine worry.
Jiwon glanced away, the chamomile tea in her cup growing cold, untouched. "Ever since I left Los Angeles," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Joshua's interest piqued, and he raised a brow, urging her to elaborate. "Could you tell me more?" he prompted, his eyes filled with a blend of curiosity and comfort.
A heavy sigh escaped her lips, laden with a sense of defeat. It was time to confront the past, to peel back the layers of hurt that had long festered between them. "Joshua," she started, her voice trembling slightly. He hummed in response, attentive. "Do you remember that night in LA?"
A flicker of confusion crossed Joshua's features. "A little. Robbin's party, right? The night I left my phone at home and turned down Naeva three times?" He chuckled, but Jiwon's expression remained serious.
"I came to see you," she confessed, her heart racing as the words left her lips. Joshua's eyes widened, surprise mingling with intrigue. "Did you?" he asked, leaning forward, eager to understand. She nodded, her gaze fixed on the ground.
"I saw you with Naeva. You were drunk, and from where I stood, it looked like you were cheating on me," she explained, her voice thick with unshed tears. Joshua shook his head, a desperate urgency in his tone. "I never cheated on you, Jiwon. I promise." Sincerity radiated from him, but the weight of her words hung heavily in the air.
"You left after that. I sent you letters for three years, but you never replied. Then I went to train at Pledis and debuted," he added, the finality of his statement echoing in the quiet room.
"I know," she replied, her voice steady but distant. "I figured it out after Jayoung told me." Joshua exhaled deeply. "Can I ask you another question then?" he ventured, his heart racing as he sought the truth.
"Why did you drop out? I know it wasn't just about training. There's something more, isn't there?" He searched her face for answers, desperate to uncover the reasons behind her silence. Jiwon stirred her drink with a spoon, taking a sip that did little to quench the bitterness in her heart.
"Remember that night my parents were in the hospital?" she began, her voice faltering. Joshua nodded, his stomach tightening. "They were fighting for their lives... and sadly, they lost," she continued, the weight of her confession pressing down on them both.
Joshua's expression shifted to one of uncertainty. "Why did Naeva tell you to take care of yourself?" he asked, needing to grasp the full extent of her pain.
