“And what did you think I was? A girl who’s been diving for mussels since I was fifteen to support you? Someone who lived alone and took care of my sick grandmother? What did you think you knew about me?”

At my words, Jae-yeol fell silent.

“If you don’t want to see us all go mad, go to America.”

I growled, stepping closer to him, my voice sharp and unrelenting.

“Isn’t what we’ve suffered so far enough? Why are you so stubborn?”

Jae-yeol’s expression grew serious as he finally spoke.

“You… you don’t understand what it means to live as if you were dead, do you?”

“What?”

I stared at him, confused. What was he talking about? Was he just talking nonsense because of his education?

With a heavy tone he rubbed his face like a man trying to shake off exhaustion.

“Living a life you don’t want is like living as if you were already dead. You don’t understand how terrifying Woo-jin’s family can be because you haven’t seen it. Protesting is a better option. You have no idea how terrifying it is to join that family, to become one of them. You don’t understand what Woo-jin is trying to do right now…”

“…”

I couldn’t answer, just clenched my fists tightly over the fabric of my skirt. I didn’t know. I didn’t know what kind of things Woo-jin would have to face or what kind of world he would have to live in. But wasn’t it better than becoming a wanted criminal? No matter how corrupt or painful his family’s world might be, wasn’t it better than prison?

All I cared about was what was in front of me – the safety of the people I loved. That was more important than anything. I was determined to do whatever I could to help. I might be an uneducated girl from the provinces, but I wanted to help Woo-jin. He was mine now, and I was his.

I would do my best to be with him.

If he saved Jae-yeol, if he helped me and Grandma – even sacrificing his own beliefs to save me – wasn’t it only right to repay such a debt?

“Soon-young.”

Woojin’s voice suddenly came from behind me.

“Soon-young, step outside for a moment.”

He gently led me out. I didn’t want to stay any longer anyway. As I stood up and walked to the front of the shop, the hard shoes I was wearing made my feet hurt unbearably. My heels were probably raw and blistered by now, the pain stinging sharply with every step.

While Woo-jin and Jae-yeol continued their conversation in the back room, I looked out of the window. The tailor brought me a cup of some dark drink, but it tasted awful. After taking a sip, I didn’t touch it again.

Outside the window, people strolled along the streets, laughing and chatting as if they didn’t care, completely oblivious to the serious circumstances in which we were trapped.

If only life could be that simple… Just living like that would be enough. Why does life have to be so difficult, especially when it’s not even for a great cause like fighting for independence?

As the conversation in the back seemed to drag on, I wandered over to the display and examined the clothes. A woman’s dress of soft white fabric caught my eye – it was so beautiful.

“Would you like to try it on?”

The tailor asked as he walked up to me.

“Oh, no, no!”

I quickly shook my head. It was far too extravagant for someone like me.

“Do you like it?”

Woojin’s voice suddenly broke in. I turned my head to see him standing there, looking at me with a faint smile. He must have heard what I said earlier… but he didn’t seem angry. Was he really not bothered?

I just shook my head.

“Come here.”

He said, taking a tape measure from the tailor’s hand and starting to measure my shoulders. I looked at him, confused, not sure what he was doing. Woojin met my gaze calmly, his dark eyes slightly subdued.

“What about brother?”

“He’s leaving.”

Woo-jin replied quietly as he continued to take my measurements.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Relieved, I let out a long breath, as if I had just overcome a great hurdle.

Woojin silently measured the length of my skirt. Watching his hands move, I suddenly missed the version of him from Chungmu. What had he been like then? The way he’d dipped his feet into the stream and smiled playfully… Would I ever see that carefree smile again?

“Woo-jin.”

“Hm?”

“Thank you.”

Woo-jin looked up at my words. His look was beautiful. It reminded me of the first time I met him at sea. Sitting on the edge of the boat, his hair blowing in the wind, he had looked more charming than any prince in a fairy tale.

“Don’t be silly.”

“I’ll make you happy.”

His eyes widened slightly at my words before he smiled again.

“That sounds like something a man should say.”

“Does it matter? I just want to do everything I can to make you truly happy.”

He looked at me quietly for a moment before reaching out to pat me lightly on the cheek.

“I’m already happy. Don’t try too hard.”

Was it really him? I wasn’t sure. An unease lingered inside me, stronger than anything I’d ever felt – not even when my parents died. It wasn’t just the fear of being hunted by the police, or the fear of leaving my hometown behind. It was the fear of losing him. The fear that he would be unhappy. The fear of rushing blindly into the unknown, like running headlong into the darkness with no idea what lay ahead.

“Don’t worry.”

He whispered softly, as if he could see the unease in my heart, his gaze fixed intently on me.

“I’m here. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Then he leaned in and stole a kiss from my lips. I closed my eyes and hugged him tightly.