Spring: You Who Came To Me

7

Soo young was then kicked out of the house by her stepmother. She threw all of Soo Young's clothes and items out, then shut the door.

Soo Young then said simply and quietly, "Ee-mo(aunty), I've done you no wrong. I will call you again when you are less angry.. Take care of your back as it hasn't fully healed. Take care of yourself when I am gone."

Sung Jae came to her rescue, arranging for her to stay at his friend's extra house.

He made the bed for her while she showered. In the bathroom, Soo Young broke down behind closed doors. She was a mess, she was devastated, she was tired of acting strong.

When she came out of the shower, Sung Jae brought her a glass of milk. He told her that if she's ever in a dangerous situation, just call out his name. He also apologised for being late. "If I weren't late, nothing would've happened to you."

He then waited by her side until she fell asleep before leaving. He whispered, "I promise what happened will not happen again." He was so tempted to embrace her but he just watched her silently. He scanned her features. She had such long eyelashes, her cheeks looked so soft and rosy, and she had lips kind of like his. She looked so pretty and pure, despite all the shit that she's been through.

Soo young woke up the next morning to find that breakfast has already been prepared for her. She didn't have to work that day but she realised that Sami was left unattended in the piano room and she had to go to Uni to make sure Sami was still there.

As she made her way back home after, she decided to go see her stepmother, hoping she wouldn't be angry anymore. She met Min Jae on the way, and decided to go with him. Min Jae had already known what happened. He was worried sick for her and blamed himself for not being there for her when it happened. He refused to bring it up in front of her, afraid that she would break down again.

When they arrived at the stepmother's house, Soo Young hesitated to go in. She looked at her stepmom from the window outside. She stated that it was better for her to just look from the outside. She already felt more at ease knowing that her stepmother was okay.

Min Jae on the other hand, went in on Soo young's behalf.

"WAIT!" Soo Young stopped him. "Place this somewhere she can see," handing him a letter.

When Min Jae entered alone, her stepmother was disappointed. Deep down, she missed Soo Young but can't ignore the fact that she 'betrayed' her. Anyway, she hid her disappointment well and claimed that if she saw her, she wouldn't hesitate to use her violence.

"Ahjumma, please don't be angry at Soo Young anymore. It really wasn't her fault."

Min Jae kept trying to convince her but to no avail. He eventually left with Soo Young waiting outside.

After he left, she saw the laundry that Soo Young folded and placed nicely on the chair for her the day before. Her heart softened at the sight of it. On top, she discovered the letter that Min Jae had placed. It was a letter from Soo Young addressed to her.

"The word 'mother' to me is nothing to me but a name," Soo Young wrote.
"But the person who has been there for me, doing things a mother would do for a child is you, my dear Ee-mo (aunty)." She expressed regret for not sharing her gratitude enough and also mentioned that she doesn't blame her nor does she hate her for misunderstanding her. Reading the letter, her stepmother teared up.

With a sniffle, she folded the letter and kept it in her pocket. She then gets up to store the newly washed blankets - only to discover a stack of disturbing photos of Soo Young hidden by her man. Half of them were Soo Young's legs and some were photos of Soo Young in the shower. In disbelief, her stepmother crumbled and broke down.