CHAPTER 68

Once inside the car, Taeheon’s scent, which she had forgotten, permeated deeply into her lungs.

“I’ll be returning to the United States soon.”

“….”

“But I’m afraid it’s going to bother me a lot if I leave you here.”

Taeheon kept his gaze forward without looking at Yeonseo.

“How about living in Yongin? I think you’d be better off staying there.”

“Yongin?”

“Grandmother left the Yongin house for you. Her lawyer will be contacting you soon, and she also left you some inheritance.”

“Why would she…”

“Whether you accept it or not, it’s up to you. You can use it to repay your debt to Baek Hyeonho if you take it.”

Every time Hyeonho’s name came out of Taeheon’s mouth, Yeonseo felt a chill in her spine. It reminded him of what he’d done to Hyeonho.

“If Yongin is too far for you, you can move into the officetel or use my residence.”

“Sir.”

“Otherwise, I could go to the United States but still watch over you. You probably wouldn’t want that.”

“…Do you pity me?”

“You know that’s not the case.”

Taeheon sighed heavily. Although he looked composed, his hands on the steering wheel were trembling.

He hasn’t calmed his heart yet. 

How much more will he endure this love?

Suddenly, she became curious. 

Would he suffer for a long time like me?

He’s a smart person, so his time of wandering in pain might not be that long.

“Would that… work? If I stay in a nice place, would it help you clear your mind?”

“That should work.”

Only then did Taeheon, who had been looking ahead, finally turn to look at Yeonseo.

“Maybe I won’t be able to let go for a lifetime. Someone like me can’t feel affection that easily. You are the only one.”

She didn’t need to ask. His gaze was fixed on her like a trap.

“…I’ll go to Yongin.”

“Good decision. Discuss the inheritance issue with Secretary Kim Hyunyoung. Feel free to contact her. I won’t be involved.”

Whether it was really the end or not, Yeonseo’s thoughts were tangled as Taeheon’s. After finishing his words, he took hold of the steering wheel and started the car. They quickly arrived at the stairs leading to the Yeonseo’s house.

She hesitated to reach for the door handle, uncertain if it was the final farewell.

“If you accept the inheritance, it won’t be difficult to raise the child. Don’t do anything that could harm your body for no reason.”

He must have known about her interview with the local clinic.

She couldn’t decide whether to be impressed by his informants or to be intimidated. Perhaps from the beginning, she was blinded. Only the definition of her emotions had changed; otherwise, Taeheon had been with Yeonseo closely all along.

It was scary, yet perhaps because she was inherently lonely, there were times when his affection seemed like a comfort.

But it doesn’t matter now.

She had asked him to choose a name for the child, but Taeheon seemed to have completely forgotten. If that was the case, she wouldn’t insist. The child must not have meant much to him.

“Be careful, then.”

Yeonseo pulled on the doorknob.

“I’m leaving because I don’t want to hurt you again.”

“…….”

“So, don’t ever let me see you again. I won’t come looking for you.”

“Please keep that promise.”

“But, if you do, I won’t let you go.”

It was a warning. Perhaps it was another confession.

“Goodbye.”

Yeonseo forced a smile as she said her final goodbye. She got out of the car and didn’t look back.

As she climbed the stairs step by step, she wondered what would have happened if Taeheon had gotten greedy and taken her by force..

Lost in unfulfilling thoughts, she arrived home with only a hollow smile lingering.

Goodbye.

***

Ten days later.

Yeonseo had been on the phone with Hyunyoung a lot over the past few days, discussing about Mrs. Kang’s inheritance to her and inheriting the Yongin house. And today she learned that Taeheon had really left. He’s really gone.

She couldn’t fall asleep until quite late. Now that he’s gone to a place where he can’t reach her, her heart should feel relieved.

But she was feeling uneasy like a child who didn’t finish homework. Her heart was pounding and she felt uncomfortable in her seat, as if she had swallowed poison.

Then, in the wee hours, she received a phone call. It was Secretary Shin.

• Director Taeheon has had an accident.

It felt like an unrealistic story, so she doubted if it was a dream.

Maybe I tossed and turned too much before sleeping. That’s why I’m having this dream.

Yeonseo sat up, pulling back the covers.

“What do you mean?”

• Director Taeheon is in Shinju Hospital right now.

It’s not a dream.

In the face of the reality that rushed in like a wave, Yeon-seo couldn’t immediately gather her senses.

• Will you come?

“What… “

• The offending vehicle crossed the centerline.

“…But it has nothing to do with me.”

Yeonseo barely managed to spit out the cold words.

• Director Taeheon didn’t hit the brakes at the moment of the accident.
• He didn’t slow down at all. It seems like he… did it on purpose.”

Centerline, brake. The words were foreign. She felt a strangling sensation in my throat and slammed her fist against her chest.

“… Is he badly hurt?”

• Yes. He’s in the operating room now. Please come. Director Taeheon has been through a lot. We’ll be waiting.

The call ended, and Yeonseo lowered his cell phone helplessly.

“Haa…”

With a shaky hand, he grabbed the bucket of water and spilled it. The water seeped down her thighs and calves. 

If he had ended up in the operating room, it wasn’t a minor injury.

How could he not have hit the brakes?

“Did you really want to die?”

Suddenly, Taeheon’s words about wanting to die crossed her mind.

‘I even thought about dying.’

‘Because I don’t see any reason to live. But when I try to die, your kindness holds me back.’

Even though he said he couldn’t, Taeheon tried to take his own life.

“Why on earth…”

Yeonseo collapsed onto the blanket. Her heart was breaking. 

What if Taeheon had really died? What if the surgery went wrong?

What would happen then?

The thought of Woo Taeheon’s disappearance from the world brought a deep sense of dread. It meant she could no longer find comfort in the thought that somewhere under the same sky, he was living well.

Perhaps more than the fear of being abandoned by Taeheon and not being by his side, it was more frightening to think that Taeheon would disappear forever.

What do I want to do?

Do I really want to erase all traces of my love for him?

Taeheon’s presence felt like it was within reach, yet at the same time, it felt elusive like the tail of smoke. It seemed like she could grasp it if she reached out, but could she really reach out?

Then, will you hold me completely?

It was hard enough to rush toward the approaching car. Yeonseo could only interpret it as Taeheon loving her that much.

“Don’t die. By whose sake… will you die?”

He wasn’t even seriously injured. Woo Taeheon is a near-perfect creature. If any disability were to occur in his perfect body, he wouldn’t be able to accept it.

A bitter wind struck her in the chest. In the end, Yeonseo was destined to run into his forest.

By now, Taeheon’s forest had encompassed her world, and she realized she had no choice but to head there. She bit her lip as she pushed herself to her feet.

“Haa…….”

This was no time to be lying on the ground crying weakly.

‘So don’t ever let me see you again.’

‘On the other hand, if you do, I won’t let you go.’

She recalled the last moments that were plain and straightforward, typical of Taeheon.

It won’t happen the way you want it to.

Not death, not love, not farewells.

She had to tell him directly that things wouldn’t happen his way. She needed to make him realize it was a wrong idea to live by the foolish, shameless, and arrogant tastes of a man.

“I won’t just stand by.”

Yeonseo mumbled. In fact, she was scared, but she forced herself to put on her clothes and headed out, struggling with the fear that had stiffened her hands.

She regretted not leaving sooner while riding the taxi. Even though it probably wouldn’t happen, if Taeheon was wrong… Thinking that way made all the worries she had harbored so far meaningless.

The difference between Taeheon living well somewhere and never seeing him again was so vast.

“Woo Taeheon, really….”

Yeonseo clenched her fist tightly and gritted her teeth. When she regained her composure, she found herself in front of Shinju Hospital. The deliberation took so long that the day had brightened, and a considerable amount of time had passed.

It was 3 p.m. The afternoon sun was languid, but the autumn breeze in late November was cold. Summer and fall had already passed.

With a trembling jaw, Yeonseo took a deep breath and headed towards the hospital. Hyunyoung, who had been wandering in the lobby, noticed Yeonseo and rushed towards her.

“You came.”

Noticing Hyunyoung’s attitude, as if she had expected her to come, Yeonseo realized that she had been carrying a lot of lingering feelings and regrets.

“…How did the surgery go?”

“The surgery went well. He was taken to his room a couple of hours ago.”

“So he’s okay now?”

“Yes. He miraculously survived.”

As they headed towards Taeheon’s room, Hyunyoung briefly explained the details of his accident.

She said the other driver was drowsy. The offending vehicle that invaded the centerline belatedly turned the steering wheel to prevent a major accident, but Taeheon, who did not hit the brakes, collided with the rear of the other vehicle.

Taeheon’s one shoulder and arm were severely damaged and required lengthy surgery. He almost lost the nerves, but luckily, the surgery was successful and with proper rehabilitation, he could resume his daily life without much difficulty.

It was fortunate. Truly fortunate.

“You’ll go see Director Taeheon, right?”

“Yes.”

“No one will come to the hospital room for a while. The family came, but they were kicked out in less than 5 minutes.”

Uncharacteristically, Hyunyoung added with fervor. Yeonseo felt uneasy about whether she should go back.

“Does he know that I’m coming?”

“No. He doesn’t know.”

The door to his hospital room in front of her seemed strangely distant, causing Yeonseo to hesitate for a moment. If she opened this door and went in, she might not be able to push Taeheon away.

Yeonseo wasn’t a person with a harsh personality. Pushing him away so much required a tremendous effort and determination.

There were lingering regrets to turn away from Taeheon, who had genuinely tried to let go of his life.

Maybe she still loved him.

No, she couldn’t turn away because she loved him.