Chapter Text
The doorbell kept on ringing incessantly moments after Junho left the house.
"Coming!" Youngwoo answered excitedly. Her tummy is already rumbling and she's excited to dig in on her sujebi. She looked at the intercom and saw that it was indeed a food delivery man at the door.
"Hello, thank you so..." her words were cut-off when she saw that the man is not carrying anything. Suddenly feeling anxious, she tried to close the door but the man is too quick for her. He immediately covered her nose and mouth with a handkerchief.
By the smell of it, Youngwoo deduced that there might be some chemical poured into it. She kicked and squirmed as the man pushed her against the wall. The last thing that she remembered before she lost consciousness is of her slightly pulling up the man's helmet, revealing a part of his face.
⋆.ೃ࿔*:
"A kidnapping in broad daylight? That's preposterous!" The head of security at Junho's exclusive community remarked at Kim Minsik.
"I'm telling you, it happened! Please hurry up and show the footages of the security camera." He begged.
They scanned all the data from the cameras around the area when one footage caught their eye. The shot was done exactly in front of Junho and Youngwoo's home. A man in black motorcycle gears and helmet was shown carrying an unconscious woman towards his car. Minsik immediately called Junho.
"We found the footage!" He reported.
"Did you identify the kidnapper? It's Jungwook hyung, isn't it?"
Minsik moved closer to the screen. "No. This man's leg is fine so it's not..." His words were caught on his throat when the video showed the man removing his helmet.
"Minsik-ah, why are you not saying anything?" Junho demanded.
"H-his leg is fine." Minsik trembled. "He is not limping at all. Jungwook hyungnim's leg is fine."
⋆.ೃ࿔*:
Armed with the knowledge of the car's license plate number and the GPS tracking in Youngwoo's phone, Junho went out in search of his brother. Minsik told him that the police have been alerted and they are on the way to the same destination.
He scanned the directions on the navigation map and a look on the car clock made his eyes widen. He is driving at the exact spot and time where he and Youngwoo met their accident in their previous timeline. The images flashed across his eyes just how it happened that time.
On his way to visit his grandmother at the hospital, his sister Geurami told her about the chaos in the Woo Art Gallery. Woo Youngwoo is being falsely accused of selling fake paintings and she ran to escape. He drove back in a hurry to save her. As he turned the corner, he did not notice a truck coming from the opposite direction. Everything happened so fast that the next thing he knew, the truck hit his car, almost dragging it to the street. Despite his injuries, he tried to regain control of the wheel but his brakes lost control. He suddenly had a vision of hitting a person, before his car swerved to the side and hit a pole.
In the last moments of his life, he glanced to see the person who is now lying on the street on a pool of blood. It was Woo Youngwoo, the very woman he tried to save, and ended up killing. With all the energy left in him, he crawled out of the car and into her, but he passed before he can even get halfway.
Junho shook his head hard. No, he won't let that happen again. He won't let anyone hurt Youngwoo and their child, even if it would cost him his life.
Meanwhile, Youngwoo slowly regained consciousness. In her haze, she realized that her mouth was taped shut and her hands were bound behind her back. Her first thoughts are to protect the baby in her womb. Her next thoughts are for Junho, hoping that her husband is somewhere safe. Lastly, on the man on the driver's seat. Her heinous brother-in-law who caused nothing but suffering to her beloved. She had to stay alive in order to protect her family against this evil man.
She squirmed against her binds, rubbing her hands together to loosen them. Jungwook heard her whimpering and he snorted.
"Stay still or you'll regret it. Don't you want to see what will happen next?"
Jungwook increased the speed of the car and chuckled. "Obviously, the reason why I am doing this is because of Lee Junho. I will kill him today, of course. But I realized that just killing him won't be enough. He had to suffer first. And the best way to make him suffer is to let him watch as I kill you, Woo Youngwoo, the person he loves more than anything in the world."
Youngwoo growled loudly against her gag.
"Shut up!" Jungwook yelled. Just then, he heard some sirens in the distance. He cursed softly then decided to make an abrupt turn on the other side of the street.
Youngwoo managed to slip off her binds by then and wrapped it around his neck against the driver seat. The vehicle started to swerve wildly as Jungwook struggled to get out of Youngwoo's hold. He managed to hit the side of Youngwoo's head with his elbow, knocking her back to her seat.
With one hand on the steering wheel and another on Youngwoo's neck, he tried to choke her while he parked his car at the side of the street.
"Do you want to die before you see your husband's face?" He angrily yelled. She struggled for a few seconds before being knocked unconscious once again.
Junho's car appeared in the view just then. He immediately saw Jungwook's car at the side of the road. Praying that his wife is still alive, he stepped on the accelerator, swerving towards the other car and blocked it from getting away.
Jungwook decided to go to the backseat and drag Youngwoo out of the car. Junho got to him quickly and managed to pull him off her, landing a strong punch on his face. Jungwook was thrown off the street.
"Youngwoo-yah, love!" Junho frantically shook Youngwoo, relieved to see that she's still breathing but only just.
"I'm here! Please, wake up!" He tried with all gentleness he can muster to shake her awake, but she just groaned and her head lolled from side to side.
Unbeknownst to Junho, Jungwook has gotten off his feet. He immediately pulled a pocket knife from his coat and stabbed Junho at the back.
"Aarrghh!!!" Junho yelled as his brother turned him around and repeatedly stabbed him in his stomach. Blood began to pour out of his mouth, but he managed to push Jungwook back before collapsing to the ground.
Jungwook stepped on his brother's bloodied stomach, eliciting another scream of pain from the latter.
"Y-your l-leg...how did it get better?" Junho managed to ask.
"Why do you have to know? You're about to die." Jungwook snorted, pressing his foot harder.
Youngwoo started to wake up. With her blurry eyes, she can see someone lying on the ground while another one stands before it.
"Junho!" She screamed when her vision started to clear up. She immediately pushed Jungwook off and cradled her husband in her arms.
"You! How can you do this to your own brother? There's a special place for you in hell!" She screamed again, her body shaking so hard against Junho's own trembling form.
Jungwook laughed at her."Of course, there is. I'm the devil, right? I have always been the bad one, in your eyes and in my so-called family's eyes. But I'll make sure you and my beloved brother will go to hell first!"
He began to lunge at Youngwoo with his knife. At the last moment, Junho moved his foot and tripped Jungwook, sending him sprawling into the road. His knife flew out of his hand and landed a few feet away from them.
With all the energy left in his body, Junho crawled on top of his brother and started punching his face several times.
"Youngwoo would never die today, and neither would I." He growled. "You would stay alive too and pay for all of your crimes."
He landed another punch in Jungwook's face, rendering the latter unconscious.
"Lee Junho-ssi! The truck!" He heard Youngwoo yell, followed by the rumbling of the oncoming truck that looked similar to the one that hit him in the previous timeline. After a quick glance to check that Youngwoo is in a safe place, he took a deep breath and covered his brother's body. His own body shook as the vehicle approached, eventually passing them and continuing on to the road.
Youngwoo shakily held her hand up and watched as the glowing numbers disappeared before her eyes.
"They're gone! Junho, the numbers are gone. It's all over!" She crawled over to her husband and held his arm, watching the numbers disappear from his own wrist.
"We're okay now, Junho. And we're alive!" She laughed and cried at the same time.
Junho smiled weakly. "Yes, Youngwoo-yah, we're alive." He breathed before passing out in her arms.
"J-Junho? No, please, please don't leave me! Wake up! We're okay. Please. Junho!" She cried hysterically. She can hear the sirens in the distance and she cried for help, hoping against hope that her husband will make it through.
⋆.ೃ࿔*:
Choi Shin Ah rushed on her way to the operating room. She found her daughter-in-law sitting on the benches outside its doors.
"Youngwoo-yah, what happened?" She immediately asked.
Youngwoo's eyes are glazed and her body shows signs of exhaustion.
"I'm sorry, eomoni. Junho tried to save me, and he got badly hurt on the process. I'm really sorry." She answered in a tired voice.
Shin Ah looked at her daughter-in-law from head to toe. She is still in her pajamas, with blood splattered on some parts. Her face is pale and her hair is disheveled. Shin Ah's heart immediately went out to her.
Pulling a sobbing Youngwoo for a hug, she whispered. "It's okay, Youngwoo-yah. You don't have to apologize. I'm glad you are safe too."
Youngwoo cried in her shoulders for a while, before they got interrupted by the surgeon.
"How is my child doing, Doctor?"
"The surgery went well but I will continue to monitor the situation. The knife injured his splenic artery which caused so much bleeding. Don't worry, we'll make sure to keep an eye on his progress." The doctor reported.
A few days later, Junho remained unconscious. Youngwoo never left his side, except to shower. Even eating became a chore for her. He has been transferred to a private suite while his condition is being monitored, and that's where Youngwoo is sitting now with Shin Ah.
"I brought you some gimbap and soup. Please, you haven't eaten for days." Shin Ah pleaded.
Youngwoo shook her head."Eomoni, I don't think I can eat while Junho is in this condition."
Shin Ah sighed heavily. "As his mother, let me be heartbroken for him. But you, you have to worry and care about the baby in your womb."
Youngwoo just remembered then about her own condition. Nodding at her mother-in-law, she picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece of gimbap on her mouth, chewing carefully.
"This is delicious, eomoni. Thank you for taking care of us." She said gratefully, taking another piece to her mouth as Shin Ah smiled in relief.
⋆.ೃ࿔*:
The guard opened the door for Jungwook to the room where his father is waiting for him.
"I'm surprised to see you here, father." He sat in the chair across Junseo.
Junseo gritted his teeth. "I am more surprised that you can do such a thing. I thought you would repent after you have paid for your crimes, but all you can think about is hurting your brother. And your leg, how did it get better?" He demanded.
"I've been taking therapies. I even went to the States to have a surgery." Jungwook confessed.
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"If you knew that my disability has been healed, would you even care about me? I have to play my pity card just to secure my place in that house. I've never been comfortable there. All you care about is that woman and your children with her!"
"What are you talking about?"
"This is all your fault, abeoji!" Jungwook pointed an accusing finger at his father. "If you hadn't abandoned my mother, we would be your only family and I would be your only son. I will not get that injury and I will not lose my place in the Chaega family to Junho!"
Junseo looked at his son in disbelief. "I...abandoned your mother?"
"Yes!" Jungwook exclaimed.
Junseo sighed and shook his head. "All these years, you have built resentment in your heart when you didn't even know the truth."
"T-the truth?"
He took a piece of paper from his pocket, a thing he'd been carrying around for years for inexplicable reasons. He realized that the time has come.
He handed the paper to Jungwook. "Here, read this. I didn't abandon your mother. It's the other way around."
"What's this?" Jungwook snorted. "Another one of your excuses? And you dare to insult my mother? Just be frank and tell me directly that you want me out of your life, that I am getting in the way of your cozy little family."
Junseo looked at him directly in the eye. "From now on, I am no longer your father. You and I, we're done."
Without giving his son another glance, he left the room.
Later that night, when Jungwook is alone in his cell, he opened the piece of paper that his father handed him. It was a letter, and he almost cried when he recognized his mother's handwriting. A second later, his eyes widened when he read its contents.
Lee Junseo,
I have found another man. I am leaving and I'm never coming back. I also decided that it's best if you raise Jungwook in your home. I won't go looking for him anymore.
Jungwook's hand shook as he crumpled the paper into his fist.
"All these years, father. You never told me the truth and you cared for me despite everything. This is all my fault. I'm so sorry." He whispered regrettably.
⋆.ೃ࿔*:
"For heaven's sake, I am coming!" Youngra yelled irritably as she makes her way to the door of the hotel suite, where someone is ringing the bell continuously. It was hard for her to move quickly as she is now in the final month of her pregnancy.
"What?" She answered angrily as she opened the door. The hotel staff bowed respectfully.
"We wish to inform you that the Chaega Group will no longer pay for this room." She said.
Youngra's eyes widened. "W-wait, are you asking me to move out?" She asked.
"You have one week to collect your things." The staff answered with a smile before leaving.
"Wait, you can't just make me go!" Youngra yelled, but was stopped in her tracks when her stomach cramped. She held herself against the door, silently cursing Jungwook for all the misfortune he caused her.
Later that week, armed with only a large suitcase containing her belongings, Youngra marched bravely into the Chaega family's mansion and rang the bell. A maid immediately opened the door for her and ushered her inside, where Bang Chaega and Choi Shin Ah looked at her in surprise.
"Woo Youngra, what are you doing here?" Shin Ah exclaimed.
"This is all on you! You told me that I can stay in Jungwook's hotel suite until he comes back. But he got himself into trouble and now I am being kicked out of the room!" Youngra demanded.
"Got himself into trouble? Hah! He almost killed his own brother, that's a crime!" Shin Ah huffed.
"B-but, the baby has nothing to do with it. You can't just abandon me and my child because of what Jungwook did. Blood can't be cut off just like that." Youngra protested.
"Big talk from someone like you who I believe abandoned her mother when she is of no use to her." Shin Ah retaliated.
"That's enough!" Chaega interjected. "Youngra has a point. We can't just cut off blood like that."
"Yes, halmeoni! That's what I'm sayi --," Youngra excitedly said but the matriarch cut her off.
"But, that would only be true if Jungwook is the real father of your child."
The color drained from Youngra's face. "W-what do you mean?" She stammered. "Of course, this is Jungwook's child. That's a very insulting thing to say!"
Shin Ah sniggered. "If it happened to other people, I would've believed it. But Youngra, this type of thing happened to your family, right? If you're telling the truth, there won't be any harm in getting a paternity test."
"But, I haven't even given birth yet."
Chaega waved her hand. "I heard there are tests available from other countries where they can check the lineage of an unborn baby. I am willing to shoulder the cost."
Youngra slumped on the couch. Her trembling hands automatically went to her swollen belly, willing herself to keep grounded as the uncertainty of their future loom before her eyes.
⋆.ೃ࿔*:
Tae Sumi's hands are also trembling while she tightly held the doorknob at her home. She took a deep breath, mumbled a little prayer, and opened the door to come face to face with the man waiting on the other side.
"Annyeong, Sumi-yah." Woo Gwangho greeted. He aged, of course, Sumi thought. More than two decades had passed since they last saw each other, yet his eyes still had that youthful sparkle that belied the wrinkles around them. In his hands, he is holding a bouquet of sunflowers, and a food container that she assumed held his specialty, gimbap.
"Annyeong, Gwangho-yah." She smiled in return, ushering him inside to her living room.
He gave her the flowers and the food. "I made you these. I know you are a world-class cooking expert now, but I remember that you use to love the gimbap I make."
"Yes, you still make the best gimbap. Thank you for bringing me some." She opened the container and placed one piece of gimbap on her mouth. It still tastes like she remembered, simple but scrumptious.
Gwangho chuckled. "Do you know that gimbap is also Youngwoo's favorite? While she can eat any food in small quantities, there was a time when she wouldn't eat anything but gimbap, and only the ones I make. It's the only food she trusts herself to eat because she can see the ingredients and she can watch me prepare it."
He continued. "That's the only thing I can brag back then, that Youngwoo only eats the food I cook. Apparently, I have been dethroned when Lee Junho-ssi came along."
Sumi smiled and nodded."In one way or another, we have to accept the fact that our daughter would leave us to have a life of her own. Lee Junho-ssi is a good man. I'm glad that Youngwoo found the love that she truly deserved."
Gwangho agreed and sighed heavily. "You didn't have to meet me today, but I'm grateful that you did."
Sumi agreed. "I also dreaded this moment. But the more I prolong it, the more I realize that we're hurting Youngwoo a lot. She deserved to have this clarity, as we do."
Her voice started to shake. Her tears fell against her will. "The truth is...I feel a lot of resentment towards you. How could you not recognize your own daughter who's been with you all this time? I...I have been deprived of the chance to watch her grow. Yet you were with her since she was a child, and still you let the people around you treat her like a trash!"
Sumi started to cry. Gwangho reached out a hand to comfort her but withdrew it instantly.
His own tears fell as he spoke."I know. This is all my fault. Nothing I can do will take away the pain of the past. I'm sorry, Sumi-yah. I will spend my entire life making things up for you, for our daughter. I promise."
⋆.ೃ࿔*:
Jung Myeongseok visited Junho at the hospital. The man remained unconscious for weeks, and Youngwoo stayed by his side. She and Myeongseok are now sitting and having some tea.
"Hope everything's alright with you and your father." She said.
He nodded. "He is doing better now, thank you. I already transferred him to another retirement home. It might came as a big shock to you what I confessed in the police station."
"Hmm...I've always thought that you and Jung Min are related. I just didn't expect that he is your father. Is that why you kept close to Han Seonyoung?" She asked.
"Yes. I was sent to an orphanage at a very young age. I didn't even know who my parents are, until the day I sneaked out to the office and found my father's record. When I grew up and left the orphanage, the first thing I did is to look for him."
"When I got to his house, I saw him walking out with Han Seonyoung. They seemed very close, like lovers. Then, a week later, the news broke that he is dead."
"And you suspected that Seonyoung has something to do with it?" Youngwoo interjected.
"Yes, I did. When I heard that she is looking for a secretary, I immediately applied so I can be closer to her and hopefully shed some light on my father's death. I didn't expect that she's been treating him like her slave all these years." He spoke bitterly.
Youngwoo smiled. "Don't worry, whatever we do comes back to us tenfold. You and your father will have a better life, while Seonyoung will spend the rest of her life miserably."
"In that case, you will be showered with blessings too." Myeongseok smiled back. "You are the only one who treated me as a person in that house. Your kindness will be rewarded. Lee Junho Sajangnim will wake up soon and everything will be okay."
"Thank you, Myeongseok-ssi. I appreciate that." Youngwoo shot a lonely smile to her husband's sleeping form. "I sincerely hope your words will come true soon."
⋆.ೃ࿔*:
Junho had been in comatose for two months. He is not showing any signs of recovery, and the doctor said that he would need to undergo another surgery.
On the day of Junho's second surgery, Youngwoo held his hand tightly as the attendants wheeled him to the Operating Room. Before they close the doors on her, she whispered to his ear.
"I know now why I was given another chance to go back in time. Not to have my revenge, but to get to know you better. To be by your side forever. Meeting you is the best thing that happened to me. You made me realize who I am and what I am worth of. There are still a lot of things I want to do with you and our baby. So, please, Junho-yah, come back to me. Please come back alive."
⋆.ೃ࿔*:
Junho felt like he is floating in a void. He can hear Youngwoo's voice, but she seems so far away. He was startled when his feet hit the ground. He was transported to a place that is painfully familiar, the place where he and Youngwoo met their accident in their first life.
"Why am I back in here? Did we not survive?" He asked himself. Like watching a terrifying movie, he saw himself in a distance getting out of his car. His eyes immediately darted to Youngwoo, whose limp and bloody form lies on the road surrounded by shocked bystanders.
Everything came back to him and he remembered the prayer he is mumbling at the time while he crawled towards her. He started to recite it once again as a ray of light started coming towards him.
"Dear heavens, if you can hear me, please grant another life to this woman. She never experienced love from her own family, and all the people have been mean and prejudiced towards her."
"Please hear my sincere prayer. Grant another life to the woman who deserves all the love in the world, even if it costs me my own life."
⋆.ೃ࿔*:
Junho remained unconscious hours after the surgery. The doctors said that if he does not wake up in the next 72 hours, he possibly won't make it.
Youngwoo's heart breaks as she watches her husband's silent breathing. She needed a few minutes to breathe as well, to calm the fear that has been gnawing her body since that fateful day. She asked Geurami to look after Junho for a few minutes. She stepped out of the room and made her way to a small garden outside of the hospital.
She closed her eyes and clasped her hands together.
"Dear heavens, if you can hear me, please grant another life to this man. He loved truly and unconditionally and never expected anything in return. He's been hurt emotionally, but he never stopped loving."
"Please hear my sincere prayer. Grant another life to the man who deserves to be loved in return. Please let me give this man all the love I can give."
Wiping her tears away, she made her way back to Junho's room. Before she can reach it, however, she saw Geurami running towards her with tears running down her face.
Dread immediately consumed her entire body and tears started anew. Her steps felt heavy as she moved closer and closer to her sister-in-law, only to see her smiling through her tears.
Geurami gave her a big hug and she flinched a bit. The sparkle in her sister-in-law's eyes is enough confirmation for Youngwoo. She immediately went inside the room, hearing Geurami close the door behind her.
"Where have you been? What is so urgent that you would leave your sick husband alone in bed?" Junho groaned.
Youngwoo bursts into tears. "You are so unfair. I never left your side for two whole months. The minute I stepped out for a while, you decided to wake up."
"Teasing you and making you cry are the biggest joys of my life." He teased.
She wasted no time in running towards him and giving him a big hug. He winced painfully at the abrupt contact, so Youngwoo apologized and kissed him passionately in return.
"We all survived." She whispered tearfully, carefully taking his hand and resting it on the growing bump on her belly.
"Yes, and we will live happily ever after." He whispered back, lovingly gazing at his wife, then to the fruit of their love in her womb.
⋆.ೃ࿔*:
They visited Junho's family as soon as he was discharged from the hospital. His grandmother and parents tearfully welcomed him back. He made amends with his father, both of them committing to improve their relationship as a family.
She drove them back to their home, and she helped him walk inside and gently laid him to sit on the couch. The doorbell rang just then, and Junho kept an eye as Youngwoo opened the door and accepted the delivery.
"My mother sent us some food." She declared, placing the package in the coffee table and started taking out its contents. "She and your eomma kept me and our baby well-fed while you're at the hospital."
He smiled. "I am grateful. I'm sure our baby would grow really healthy with all the good food she is getting."
She spooned a portion of the soup in Junho's mouth. His eyes closed in delight.
"Hmm, this is delicious. We should pay your mother a visit to thank her personally. How's your grandfather and father?"
"They are planning to start a sponsorship for an orphanage. Your halmeoni is helping them with the specifics."
"That sounds wonderful." He took another spoonful of soup and asked. "Are you still concerned about Han Seonyoung and Woo Youngra?"
Youngwoo pondered on Junho's question. The last thing she heard about Youngra is that it was revealed that the real father of her baby is Youngwoo's former fiancé Moon Jehyeok. He is already engaged to another woman but was forced to break it off to take responsibility for Youngra and their baby, to the frustration of his mother and sister. Youngra had already given birth two months prior and is now forced to raise her child within the small space of Jehyeok's home.
As for Han Seonyoung, she is serving her lifetime sentence for her crimes. All her assets were frozen, and even Youngra abandoned her. Last thing that Youngwoo heard about her stepmother is that her cellmates are not exactly accommodating to her and subjects her to humiliation every single day.
Youngwoo pursed her lips and looked at Junho. "I am no longer concerned about them, but I don't think I can erase them from my memories."
He agreed. "That's the same thing for me towards Jungwook hyung. He is more like an awful memory for me, but he's still on my mind anyway. I'm sure we'll also feel some useless guilt, but we have to remember that it is them who chose their destiny."
He squeezed her hand. "As much pain as they inflicted upon us, I hope we can put everything in the past and move on. After all, we've been given another chance in life. Let's live well, shall we?"
"Yes, we shall."
"Good." Junho chuckled. "Speaking of which, spring is coming. We agreed to register our marriage by then. Are you still up to it?"
"One hundred percent." Youngwoo responded, giving Junho a big kiss.
⋆.ೃ࿔*:
Youngwoo smiles at her reflection in the mirror at her mother's living room. She turned to her side, her hands rubbing on the little bump on her belly.
"You look very pretty, Woo Youngwoo." She giggled to herself.
"Youngwoo-yah, brunch is ready!" Tae Sumi called out from the dining room.
They both sat down to eat. Sumi cooked a variety of food which still included her daughter's favorite gimbap. Youngwoo started to acquire appreciation for other dishes too ever since she became pregnant.
"Hmm, this is delicious! Your food is the best, Eomma!" She exclaimed.
"I'm glad you love it. I'm worried that you are not eating well." Sumi chuckled.
Youngwoo shook her head."Junho cooks for me everyday. I think my morning sickness is gone too."
Sumi smiled at her daughter. "Do you have anything planned for today?"
"I am meeting grandfather and father at their office today to talk about the foundation they are funding. And then, I am meeting Junho after that." Youngwoo replied in between mouthfuls.
"You're going out for dinner?"
"Ani. We will go to the local town office to have our marriage registered."
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Sumi clasped her hands over her heart. "I thought you will register your marriage after the baby is born."
"We expect to be busy very soon. If we put this off later, we might not have the time to do it. So, it's best to make our marriage legal before I give birth."
"How about you, eomma, do you have any good news?" Youngwoo asked.
Sumi pondered. "Hmm, let's see. I was able to meet up with Gwangho and break up with him properly."
"You did?" Youngwoo paused from eating, looking at her mother with wide eyes.
"Yes. We never had a chance to break up face-to-face in the past. We both think we needed a closure so we can comfortably meet each other as friends. I hope you understand."
Youngwoo smiled."Of course, eomma. I understand. Nothing would make me happier than to see you and Appa being happy, even if that means you won't be together. Speaking of which, I think you should start dating, too. I heard you are quite popular."
"Ah, I don't think so! Having a grandchild is good enough for me. Besides, I also enjoy hanging out with Madam Choi, Junho's mother."
"Let's hang out, too, eomma! We can go to the movies, or have some coffee."
"Of course, I would love that." Sumi chuckled, pinching her daughter's cheeks tenderly.
Later that day, Youngwoo finished up signing the paperwork with her grandfather and father.
"Aish! Are we a family or not? We're only meeting for work and we don't even go out to eat." Woo Jungwon grumbled.
Youngwoo lightly laughed."Harabeoji, our company stocks are going to the foundation, so these meetings are essential. I promise to have dinner with you and abeoji soon, but I have to meet Junho now."
"You see your husband everyday." Jungwon complained.
"Aigoo, abeoji, give Youngwoo a break. She and Junho have some important matters to do today. Let's just go out for a drink." Woo Gwangho interrupted.
Jungwon rolled his eyes at his son."Drink with just the two of us, what fun is that?"
"I have to leave now, I'll see you soon!" Youngwoo waved happily and ran towards the door.
"Say hi to Junho for us!" Gwangho called back.
⋆.ೃ࿔*:
Junho's eyes are glued to the screen of the television in his office at Chaega Constructions. He watched as the newscaster announced the resignation of his father, Lee Junseo, as the president of the company. Following that, there's going to be a deliberation with the board for the formal appointment of Lee Junho as the new president of the Chaega Group of Companies.
He sighed and turned the TV off. His days are going to be busier than ever, but today is a special day for him. He put on his coat, checked that the tiny velvet box that Minwoo and Minsik bought for him is safely tucked in its pocket, and look at his reflection in the mirror at his office.
"You look very handsome, Lee Junho." He whispered to himself. Gathering his keys, he went out and drove to the local town office.
He got there barely five minutes before Youngwoo arrived. Taking her hand to his, they made their way inside of the office.
They giggled playfully while they fill up the forms. As soon as they are done, Junho handed each of them their stamp.
"At the count of three, we'll place our stamp in the form. One, two, three!"
They pressed their signature's stamp beside each of their names. Junho held it out to the light, and he and Youngwoo admired the proof of the legality of their marriage.
They filed it immediately. As soon as they are done, they squealed excitedly as they made their way towards their car. Youngwoo's phone rang for a video call as soon as she got seated.
"Youngwoo-yah, Junho oppa, have you registered your marriage?" Geurami asked quickly as soon as Junho also came into the view. Her face is squished on the small screen together with Minsik, Minwoo, and Suyeon.
"Yes, we did!" Youngwoo answered happily.
Congratulatory squeals and cheers blasted on the phone, making Youngwoo almost drop it. Junho laughed out loud as he took the phone from his wife and placed it on the phone holder in the dashboard.
"Thank you, everyone. That really means a lot to us." He chuckled, placing an arm around his wife's shoulders.
"That calls for a celebration. Hey, let's go out for drinks and barbecue now!" Minwoo called out from the other line, only to be elbowed in the ribs by Suyeon.
"Yah! Why not let the couple celebrate together for now? You're always finding an excuse to drink for free." She remarked in disgust.
"Why do you keep on picking on me? What is it to you if I want to celebrate their marriage with some drinks?" He retaliated.
"That's enough." Junho interrupted the bickering couple while fighting his laughter. "Minwoo-yah, Suyeon is right. Youngwoo and I would like to have our own little celebration for today. But, let's have our celebration this weekend. Are you all in?"
The call once again erupted with cheers and agreement. Youngwoo and Junho laughed heartily as they waved goodbye to their friends before ending the call.
"Yeobo?" Youngwoo asked while she removes the seatbelt from her body.
"Hmm?"
"Will you let me drive the car today? I want to take us to a special place."
Junho smiled. "Of course, baby. Whatever you want."
Moments later, they parked at the basement parking of Chaega Hotel. Youngwoo practically dragged Junho from his seat to the lifts, all the way to the Chaega Hotel lounge.
She pushed him into a couch at the table overlooking the Seoul skyline. He looked around and noticed that they were situated at the very table where they met face-to-face for the first time.
"Youngwoo-yah, what's..." His words were cut-off when Youngwoo placed a finger on his lips. She then stood in front of him and bowed.
"Lee Junho-ssi?"
Confused, Junho replied. "Baby, what's going on?"
"If you don't understand what is happening, I’d like to discuss this in a more quiet and private place." Youngwoo fished something out of her pocket and placed it on the table. It was the keycard to Junho's hotel suite.
Finally realizing what's happening, Junho laughed so hard it brought tears to his eyes.
"Hey, it's rude to laugh at someone you hardly know." Youngwoo protested.
Junho leaned closer to her and pointed at the keycard. “A woman who makes me want to use this with her on the first day we meet is certainly someone I could stake my future to.” He winked at her, sending shivers to her body like the first time.
He stood up as well and fished the tiny velvet box out of his pocket. To Youngwoo's surprise, Junho bent down on one knee and opened the box. It contained a two-carat teardrop-shaped diamond ring.
"I felt that today is our real wedding. The first time I proposed to you, I fashioned you a ring made out of daisy I plucked from the park. Since then, we shared joy and laughter, as well as sorrow. The tears we shed all those times are very valuable and led us to where we are now, a life full of love and our bundle of joy growing inside your womb."
His eyes sparkled with tears as he looked up at her.
"Woo Youngwoo-ssi, will you marry me?"
Tears filled her own eyes. Youngwoo was rendered speechless for a minute. Junho lifted his brow.
"Are you not going to answer me?"
Shaking herself out of her trance, she also knelt down and hugged Junho's neck.
"Of course, my answer is yes! We are already married."
They laughed and cried heartily while he slips the ring into her finger, right next to their wedding band. They shared a short, sweet kiss before Youngwoo pulled away and hugged Junho once again.
"I love you, Junho-yah. Let's be happy together, always."
"I love you too, Youngwoo-yah. Yes, we'll be happy together, always."
He placed his arms around her and carried her up bridal-style.
"Junho-yah, what are you doing?" She asked, her voice a mixture of shock and mirth.
"Well, it's our wedding night. Come on, pick up the keycard!" He replied, lowering her a bit so she can reach for the keycard at the table.
As they turned around, they noticed that the other cafe patrons are staring at them. They both smiled awkwardly.
"Alright, baby. Here we go!" Junho declared before he started sprinting off with Youngwoo in his arms amidst the cheers of the spectators.
More than a year later
"Junho-yah, what are you doing? Hurry up! Eunji-yah and I are waiting." Youngwoo called out from the living room couch. She is rocking their six-month-old daughter in her lap. They are both wearing a white shirt with a cute animated whale printed on it.
"I'm coming!" Junho hurriedly ran to the living room holding a tripod and his phone. He is also wearing the same printed shirt. He quickly sets up the gadgets in front of the couch. Once he is satisfied with its position, he turned on the timer and ran to sit beside Youngwoo.
They took several pictures of them in matching shirts. They had a picture of Youngwoo and Eunji together, Junho and Eunji together, Youngwoo and Junho together.
A month later, Junho helped Youngwoo in hanging a large portrait she painted in their living room wall, next to their wedding portrait. She painted a replica of the family photo they took last month.
"There. You did a wonderful job once again, Yeobo. It's so beautiful. What's the title of this painting?" He asked.
"Our Happy Little Pod. We look like a small pod of whales, happily swimming in the ocean. Do you like it?"
"Like it? I love it. It's perfect." He answered, bending a little so he can quickly kiss her on the lips.
Youngwoo stared at the painting once again. "Years ago, I thought happiness is a privilege that is too special for me to have. That's why a happy family exists only in the canvas for me. But not anymore."
"Really?" Junho asked, pulling Youngwoo in for a hug. She hugged him by the waist in return and rested her head on his chest.
"Yes, that's true. When I met you, I realized that happiness can be found in our daily lives, especially in the moments that pass our eyes. Miracles happen everyday if we are wise enough to recognize them." She took Junho's hand and placed it on her belly.
Junho's eyes widened. "Are you...?"
Youngwoo smiled and nodded."Yes, yes I am."
"Oh, I love you so much, Youngwoo-yah." He pulled her closer until their lips met. They kissed deeply and passionately, only momentarily breaking apart to catch their breaths before diving in again. They would've kissed longer but they were interrupted by the cries of their daughter who just woke up from her nap. Youngwoo quickly rushed to their daughter while Junho sprinted to the kitchen.
"Eunji-yah, don't cry. Appa's coming now with your milk." Youngwoo cooed at their daughter and then raised her head to call at her husband. "Yeobo, hurry up!"
"I'm on it!" Junho called back. He was by their side in an instant. He holds the milk bottle in one hand and proceeds to take Eunji in his arms.
Youngwoo watched lovingly as the father and daughter danced happily in the living room. Eunji's eyes looked heavy as she is being lulled back to sleep by the milk and her father's soothing lullaby.
Youngwoo sighed contentedly, marveling how her life had turned out. She thanked the heavens for giving her and Junho another life. She may have begun with a heart full of hatred that fueled her revenge. Instead, she was blessed with another chance to live a life she deserves, and a marriage that is beyond perfect, with the perfect person and her perfect partner in life.
⋆.ೃ࿔*: THE END ⋆.ೃ࿔*: