Love You Goodbye (ryeji)

10

The soft chime of the bell echoed through the Shin Pharmacy as Yeji stepped inside.

Yuna looked up from the counter, her youthful face breaking into a bright smile.

"Hey, Yunayah, I brought you some food!" Yeji exclaimed as she raised the plastic bag.

"Yeji unnie!" Yuna greeted cheerfully, setting down a bottle she was arranging on the shelf. "It's been so long since you visited! How are you feeling? Ryujin unnie was just here earlier to buy some medicine for you."

Yeji froze, her fingers as she slowly puts down the plastic bag on the counter.

Medicine? For me?

A flicker of confusion crossed her face, but she quickly masked it with a weak smile.

"Oh... right," she said softly, fumbling for an answer. "I haven't been feeling well lately, so she must've been worried."

Yuna tilted her head, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

"I hope it's nothing serious, unnie. Do you want me to recommend anything? Ryujin didn't mention exactly what you needed."

Yeji's chest tightened as she swallowed the lump in her throat.

Yeji didn't know why Ryujin had lied to her sister.

But Yeji knew she couldn't expose Ryujin.

Not now.

"It's nothing serious," Yeji lied, forcing a small chuckle. "Just feeling a bit under the weather. Maybe... a simple cold medicine will do."

"Got it," Yuna said brightly, turning to grab a few boxes from the shelf.

"You should rest, unnie. You've been busy with work and the wedding preparations, right? Ryujin told me she's been helping you out. She's such a great fiancé."

The words felt like a knife twisting in Yeji's chest, but she kept her face calm, nodding along.

"Yeah... she is," Yeji murmured, the lie tasting bitter in her mouth.

Yuna handed her the medicine bag, her smile as radiant as ever. "Make sure to take care of yourself, okay? And tell Ryujin unnie I'll visit soon to talk about the wedding. I already started saving Pinterest ideas for my dress!"

Yeji forced a laugh, her fingers tightening around the bag. "I'll let her know," Yeji said before bidding Yuna goodbye and stepping out into the cool air.

"And thank you for this food, Yeji unnie!"

The drive home felt longer than usual. Yeji's thoughts swirled like a storm—Ryujin's lies, Yuna's words, the weight of pretending everything was fine.

By the time she parked the car and entered their shared condo, her resolve had hardened into a quiet determination.

She tossed the medicine on the garbage can and headed to the kitchen.

I need to do something.

Anything.

She wasn't great at cooking—far from it—but tonight, she wanted to try.

For Ryujin.

Yeji pulled out her phone, searching for simple recipes. She settled on a pasta dish, something she hoped wouldn't go terribly wrong.

As she chopped vegetables and boiled water, her hands moved with nervous energy, the rhythm of her actions a temporary escape from her thoughts.

The pasta sauce splattered as she stirred it, and she bit her lip, trying to suppress her frustration.

"Focus," Yeji muttered to herself.

It wasn't perfect, but it would do.

After plating the food, she set the table, lighting a small candle in the center for warmth.

Yeji glanced at the clock.

It was late, but Ryujin should be home by now.

She sat on the couch, her legs curled beneath her, waiting. She's just scrolling through her phone, liking posts of Korean celebrities.

Suddenly, after a long wait, the sound of the door unlocking made her heart leap.

Ryujin stepped in, her figure illuminated by the dim light of the hallway.

She looked tired, her coat draped loosely over her arm as she kicked off her shoes.

"You're home," Yeji said softly, standing up to greet her. "I made dinner."

Ryujin's eyes flicked to the table, the plates neatly arranged, the candlelight casting a soft glow.

But instead of gratitude, her expression was blank, distant.

"I'm not hungry," Ryujin said simply, her voice devoid of emotion.

Yeji's heart sank. "But you have to... and I made thi—"

"I'm fine," Ryujin interrupted, already heading toward the bedroom, "I said I'm not hungry."

Yeji stood frozen in place, her hands clenched at her sides.

The sound of the bedroom door closing echoed through the apartment, leaving her alone with the untouched dinner.

The coat was there again, tossed haphazardly over the dining chair this time. Yeji's fingers brushed the fabric as she lifted it, her movements slow and deliberate.

She stared at it for a moment, her mind wandering. It was such a small thing, hanging this coat. Yet it felt heavier each time. She carefully placed it on the rack, her expression unreadable.

She turned back to the table, the sight of the food blurring through her tears.

She wiped her eyes quickly, refusing to let them fall.

Not now.

Not yet.

Slowly, she sat down at the table, staring at the candle's flickering flame.

She picked up her fork and took a small bite of the pasta.

It was bland, the sauce too watery, but she forced herself to eat, if only to feel less empty.

As the candle burned lower, Yeji thought about Yuna's words, about the medicine bag sitting on the garbage can, about Ryujin's growing distance.

Did I do something wrong?

How long can I keep pretending?