Prologue:

As usual, she didn’t get any sleep.

Even though five years had already passed.

As if it happened just yesterday, the memories were so vivid that she often had nightmares when she managed to fall asleep. So Seowoo couldn’t fall asleep easily.

With tired eyes, she stayed up through the night, and around 3 a.m., she got up and busied herself.

She boiled seaweed soup and cooked white rice.

Three types of fruits, freshly baked buns, and even the white snowflake-shaped rice cakes she had ordered in advance.

She carefully packed the food into cute character bento boxes that children of her daughter’s age would like.

“So pretty.”

Seowoo murmured as she gently touched a neatly folded outfit.

The white lace dress was just the right size for a five-year-old.

“Hmm. Have I packed everything?”

Stuffing the clothes into her bag, she checked everything one last time. Then, holding a beautiful bouquet of chrysanthemums, she left the house.

A chilly winter breeze blew across her skin. Seowoo buttoned up her jacket. The chill breeze made her feel as if her heart had been pierced.

A taxi stopped in front of the villa.

“Welcome. Where can I take you?”

As she got into the backseat, the driver spoke in a cheerful voice.

“To Gapyeong Memorial Park, please.”

“Got it.”

The driver replied and stepped on the accelerator. It was early in the morning, so the streets of Seoul were fairly quiet.

Seowoo looked out the window silently. The streetlights that hadn’t yet been turned off lit up the road.

“Why are you heading there so early in the morning?”

As she reminisced about that day five years ago, the driver broke the silence and spoke.

Whether he was aware that it was rude or not, his tone bordered on impolite, but he seemed indifferent.

“I’m going to see my daughter.”

“Oh…….”

She told him the truth. It seemed like she wouldn’t be asked any more questions this way.

A look of bewilderment crossed the driver’s face. There was a moment of silence.

“It seems like I made a mistake. I’m sorry.”

He apologized, embarrassment across his face.

The driver looked quite old, with his hair turning gray. When she glanced at the rearview mirror, she saw his aged face. 

He looked about her father’s age. The deeply etched wrinkles bore the traces of time.

“It’s okay.”

She hoped to feel better now 

But no matter how many times she repeated it was okay, the heavy feeling in her chest only deepened instead of getting better. 

After the brief conversation, the driver didn’t speak anymore. After leaving the city, the taxi quickly entered the Gyeongchun National Highway.

Drip, drip.

Large raindrops began to fall on the window one by one.

“It’s raining.”

The raindrops, which had been falling one by one, suddenly poured down so heavily that it was difficult to see ahead. 

Seowoo sighed and clutched the bouquet a little tighter.

***

Seowoo carefully placed the bouquet in front of a small tree.

“Mom’s here.”

Her voice cracked as if something was caught in her throat.

Tears welled up in Seowoo’s eyes. Staring at the tree, she began to unpack the lunch she had brought. Warm soup in a thermos and rice were placed next to the bouquet of flowers, and other food was laid out neatly. Then, she took out a pretty dress and held it in her arms for a moment.

“My little girl, congratulations on turning five.”

She promised herself that she wouldn’t cry today.

But as soon as she greeted her daughter, tears fell down her cheeks. Seowoo sobbed without making a sound.

When she let go of the umbrella, rain poured down on her head. Worried that the rain might get into the warm food she brought, Seowoo wiped her tears while holding up the umbrella.

“Sob, my dear.”

She called out her nickname after a long time.

Perhaps because she was named ‘Byul’ (Star)… So, she became a star even before she was born.

She should have gone to the hospital when she couldn’t feel her movements in her womb. Then her daughter could have lived.

She knew it wasn’t her fault, but the more she thought about it, the more it seemed like it was indeed her fault.

She can’t count the number of sleepless nights she’s spent blaming herself.

“I’m sorry.”

She knew that the harder she suffered, the harder it was for her daughter to rest in peace, but her greed still held her back.

She felt like if she didn’t do this, she wouldn’t be able to breathe.

The memory of that day, when she screamed in front of the small tree, began to resurface like a nightmare.

“…….”

At that moment, the rain pounding down on her head stopped.

Still holding onto her daughter’s clothes, she turned her gaze to the side. Even without confirmation, she could tell from the scent mixed in the rain. She tilted her head, past the shiny shoes, and her blurred vision gradually cleared.

“Yoon Seowoo.”

A familiar deep voice echoed in her ears. Seowoo turned to look at him through gritted teeth.

“It’s been a long time.”

There, in the heartbreaking place, was the man she had once loved.

No, she was reunited with the one she still loves.