UNTOUCHABLE - SEULRENE

SR - BIRTHDAY

"Mrs Bae, a pleasure to see you here. Your daughter just came by."

Joohyun's mom bowed to Commander Sunny and Seulgi. "I was in the room in the other wing, with her husband. I came here when I heard the news."

"Did Joohyun tell you about it?" asked Commander Sunny.

"No. The assigned nurse in Junmyeon's room told us."

"I see." Commander Sunny looked at Seulgi and went back to Joohyun's mom. "I suppose I'll leave you guys to talk for a bit."

Seulgi wanted Commander Sunny to stay. But the older lady bowed her head. "Thank you, Commander."

When Commander Sunny left the room, Seulgi's head is full of questions about Joohyun's mom's motive. As far as she can remember, this woman never liked her.

"How are you feeling?" asked the older lady, her voice with a hint of concern.

"F-fine. Thanks for asking. How's he?"

"He's recovering. It may take him a bit of time because he's got several fractured ribs. But yes, he's doing fine."

"That's nice to know. And, uh, Yerim?"

"She's in our house with her nanny. Joohyun will pick her up later after her shift to visit Junmyeon."

Seulgi pressed her lips together, nodding slowly.

"I haven't thanked you yet for what you did," said Joohyun's mom.

Seulgi looked at the woman in the eyes and saw sincerity. "There's no need to thank me. It is my duty, Ma'am."

"I know. But still, thanks for not giving up on Yerim and Junmyeon. I am forever grateful for that." The woman touched Seulgi's arm.

Seulgi felt something different with that touch. She couldn't speak.

"And I'm sorry..." said the woman, on the verge of crying this time. "I'm so sorry about everything..."

"M-ma'am... please... don't cry..." Seeing Joohyun's mom cry like that melted all the hard feelings Seulgi harboured towards the older lady before.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry for hurting you. Joohyun never cheated on you. It was me who asked Junmyeon to keep calling her that night. I did that because I couldn't bear seeing her sad and missing you all the time. I'm sorry if I hurt you..."

Seulgi bit her lower lip, trying to compose herself. It doesn't matter if Joohyun's mom had something to do with what happened. What broke her heart that night is when Joohyun admitted that she likes the doctor.

"Ma'am, it's all in the past now. You don't need to worry about it anymore."

"You still love her, don't you? You wouldn't go that far in saving her child and husband if you didn't."

Seulgi wanted to say no, but she knows the woman can read it all over her face. "Her happiness is my priority, Ma'am. I know she's moved on and contented now with her family. As long as she's happy, I'll be able to have a peaceful sleep at night."

The older woman looked down, wiping her tears and nose with the tissue. "She was lifeless for months after your break up. Took her about a year to finally accept things. Junmyeon waited patiently until she came around. That's the reason she didn't have second thoughts when he proposed to her, even if they've only dated for a short time. But after all that has happened, I am certain of one thing: she never forgot you."

Seulgi looked at the door, remembering Joohyun's expression earlier.

"She may not admit it to me, but I know she has never forgotten you," continued the older woman. "She may be happy with Yerim and Junmyeon, but that didn't stop her from watching the AEF channel daily for any updates from SAU, from you."