IS IT TIME FOR ME TO GIVE UP?

21

Today was meant to be our first day apart, but it's preferable to waking up one day without a father.

I didn't expect to see her still at home at this hour.

With her back facing me, she couldn't see me standing behind her, Every time I laid eyes on her, the memory of her betrayal echoed in my mind: "Your wife helped me to get your shitty shop." The mere thought was enough to reignite the flames of hatred within me, intensifying the pain with each passing moment. Hastily retreating to my room, I decided to have breakfast at the office instead.

The thought of encountering you at work only made matters worse. It felt as though I didn't want to leave the confines of my room and remain there for the rest of my days. Yet, the realization that I am the CEO, coupled with the fear of disappointing my father even further, urged me to push through.

After a few minutes, just as I was about to leave, Kuma suddenly bit my bag.

"Kuku, that's not food," As I bent down to gently retrieving my bag from his mouth.

"Have you not eaten yet?" I chuckled as he wagged his tail in response.

"Does that mean 'no'? Alright then, come here," I said, scooping him up and carrying him to the kitchen, where I found Jennie busy cooking. Her surprise at seeing me was evident but i refused to cast her glance.

"A-Are you leaving?" she asked as I set Kuma down to feed him.

"Yeah... Bye, Kuku!" I managed to take only one step before she spoke again.

"I-I cooked breakfast," Jennie stuttered, her voice shaky. I took a deep breath, starting to feel frustrated. She must stop doing this.

"No, I'm good," I replied curtly, turning away.

"J-Just eat first, Lisa. Y-You didn't eat last night," she pleaded, her voice with uncertainty.

"Jennie, just stop! what is this again? I didn't agree to put aside our divorce to be civil with you  " I erupted, She should have anticipated this reaction from now on.

"If only you knew how much I despise you, Jennie... Did you ever imagine we'd end up like this?" I continued, my voice heavy with bitterness. Even our pets sensed the tension, fleeing in fear, with even Kuma abandoning his food. those words coming from her.

"Sorry doesn't fix everything. I can't even look at you," I declared, my voice heavy with anguish. "So please, stop talking to me. Stop coming near me."

Before I could make my escape, I glanced back at her over my shoulder.

"You made me hate you this much, Jennie," I concluded, my words weighed down by the pain of our broken bond.

  ------------

In my office..

I closed my eyes in such a way that my mind would be calm but all the painful things that happened were all i could see..Especially the coffee shop.

i'm sorry mom..

I closed my eyes, seeking solace, but the painful memories, particularly the coffee shop, flooded my mind.

"I'm sorry, Mom," I whispered, the words heavy with regret.

Shaking off the impending sadness, I was jolted back to the present by a knock at the door.

"Come in," I called out.

As the door creaked open, Jisoo, Bambam, and Seulgi entered. I greeted them with a sweet smile, noting it was the first time they had knocked before entering.

"Hi... how are you?" Seulgi's words right away, her tone gentle. Did I appear vulnerable? Their careful movements and soft-spoken words seemed to suggest so.

"Better," I replied, flashing them a toothy grin.

"Good to hear, pranpiya," Bambam forced a smile, though I could sense the weight of concern behind it. This was the last thing I never wanted—to burden them with my own sadness.

I shared with them every detail of what had happened, occasionally drawing reproach from them. They found it difficult to comprehend why I would shoulder the mistake I didn't do. Yet, in the end, they simply listened.

"So, does that mean I'll have to see her every time I come here? God, I don't want to come back then!" Seulgi exclaimed, her frustration evident as she thrust her hand into the air.

Jisoo stayed quiet, her eyes locked onto the picture frame beside me, leaving me curious about the thoughts occupying her mind.

Seulgi and Bambam insisted on going out to buy food, despite my suggestion to have it delivered to spare them the inconvenience. Reluctantly, we just allowed them to proceed to what they wanted. It's just Jisoo and Me in the office.

"Lisa, if you keep being with Jennie, your heart will never heal," Jisoo's words were laden with concern.

"But, Unnie, even if I did stay away from her, my heart would still be broken because my father would disown me," I countered, feeling the weight of my predicament bearing down on me.

"That's precisely my point, Lisa! If you didn't take the blame for Jennie's mistake, your father might have even supported you in leaving her," Jisoo exclaimed, her gestures frantic as she emphasized her point.

"You're constantly torturing yourself... Aren't you exhausted?" she added, her voice softening with empathy.

"I am. I really am," the words escaped my lips, a confession from the depths of my weary heart.

Jisoo's tight embrace enveloped me, and I felt my body relax, finally allowing the exhaustion to seep out. She had always been my source of solace, easing the burden of my tumultuous emotions.

Was this the right decision? Moving on... letting go... Only time would tell.