Chaeyoung's P.O.V.

The morning sunlight streamed gently through the windows as I finished tying my shoes, preparing to leave for work. Mina stood by the door, her arms crossed, watching me with those eyes that always made my heart skip a beat.

"Mina, I'll be going now. Make sure to lock all the doors, okay? And don't forget to text or call me if you need anything. Promise me, alright?" My voice softened, almost as if leaving her was the hardest thing to do, even though it was just for the day.

She followed me to the gate, her footsteps light yet purposeful. "I'll be fine," she said with a reassuring smile, though I could sense the reluctance in her tone.

I stopped just before opening the gate and turned to her. "Now, where's my kiss?" I teased, grinning. She rolled her eyes playfully before leaning in to plant a soft peck on my lips, her touch lingering just enough to make me wish I didn't have to leave.

"Take care of yourself," she said, her voice tender yet firm. "And don't drive too fast. You know how I worry about you. Text me as soon as you get there, okay? I love you."

Hearing those three words from her lips never failed to melt me. I cupped her cheek for a moment, gazing into her eyes. "I love you too," I replied softly. "I'll text you the second I arrive. I promise."

As I stepped through the gate and walked to my motorcycle, I turned around one last time to see her standing there, her arms wrapped around herself, watching me. She waved, her smile both comforting and bittersweet.

The drive to work was smooth, the familiar scenery passing by, but my thoughts were with Mina. Everything in our lives felt like it was finally falling into place. The love we shared was steady, like the rhythm of my heart when I was near her.

I thought about the future—our future. I couldn't stop imagining the day when I'd get down on one knee and ask her to marry me. The thought made me smile so widely that I caught myself in the side mirror.

But for that day to come, I needed to work hard. Every shift, every extra hour, every delivery I took—it was all for her, for us. My savings were growing steadily, but I wanted everything to be perfect. She deserved nothing less.

As I parked my car at work, I reached for my phone and quickly sent her a message.

Me: "Just got here. Love you. See you tonight."

Her reply came almost instantly:

Mina: "Love you more. Be safe and don't work too hard. I'll be waiting."

The thought of her waiting for me at home, of her smile when I walked through the door, gave me the strength to face the day with a full heart. Everything was for her, and everything was worth it.

Because one day soon, I'd be saying those words that would change our lives forever: Mina, will you marry me?

Mina's P.O.V.

The morning sun poured gently through the curtains as I moved about the kitchen, a quiet hum on my lips. After Chaeyoung left for work, the house felt too still, too empty. So, I decided to head to the supermarket to pick up groceries. His favorite meal, Pad Thai, seemed like the perfect surprise. He always complained about eating the same bland food at the restaurant during his shifts. Today, I wanted to bring a smile to his face.

After returning from the store, I began tidying up. I played music as I cleaned, the familiar tune of Edward Chun's Give My Love filling the room. It was Chaeyoung's favorite song—the one he'd dedicated to me. "The lyrics are just so... us," he had said one night, his eyes sparkling. The thought made my chest ache with warmth and longing.

Once the house was spotless, I moved to the kitchen. I worked quickly, determined to finish cooking before lunchtime so I could deliver the meal to him. He often mentioned how busy it got during the lunch rush, sometimes so hectic that he forgot to eat.

Just as I was tossing the last of the ingredients into the pan, there was a knock at the door. Confused, I glanced at the clock—10:30 a.m. Chaeyoung shouldn't be home this early. A small smile crept onto my face as I wondered if he'd forgotten something.

"Chaengie, why so early—?" I froze as I opened the door.

Standing there were my parents, their expressions stern and unyielding. Behind them, two police officers loomed, their presence making the air feel suffocating. My voice faltered.

"Dad? Mom? What... what are you doing here?"

They stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, their eyes scanning the small home Chaeyoung and I had built together. My father's lip curled with disdain as his gaze moved over the modest furniture, the cozy but humble decor.

"How can you live in a place like this?" His voice was sharp, cutting through the fragile air. "We gave you everything—a better life, the finest education. And yet, you choose to throw it all away for him?"

My throat tightened. "Dad, please... this is my choice. Chaeyoung makes me happy."

"Enough!" His voice boomed, silencing me. "Go pack your things. We're leaving. Now."

I stood frozen, tears already welling up in my eyes. "Dad, no. Please, let me choose my own life. Let me stay here with him."

But my pleas fell on deaf ears. One of the men with them brushed past me, heading into the bedroom. I could hear drawers being opened, belongings being stuffed into bags. My hands trembled as I tried to stop him, but I was gently pushed aside.

When they ushered me toward the car, my tears began to fall uncontrollably. I twisted in their grip, desperate. "Please, let me wait for Chaeyoung! Just let me say goodbye, and I'll go willingly!"

My father's expression didn't change. He turned to me, his voice colder than I had ever heard. "He's in jail now. That man kidnapped you, and he will face the consequences."

His words struck me like a blow. My knees gave way, and I fell, sobbing uncontrollably. "No! That's not true! He didn't kidnap me! I chose to be with him. I love him!"

But my cries were met with silence. They didn't even glance at me as they forced me into the car. The door slammed shut, cutting me off from the life I had built with Chaeyoung.

As the car pulled away, I pressed my face against the window, my tears blurring the view of the house—the home that held all our dreams, our laughter, our love. My heart felt like it was being ripped apart piece by piece.

Please let him be okay, I prayed silently. Please, just let him be okay.

The world outside passed by in a blur, but all I could see was Chaeyoung's smile, the way his eyes lit up when he talked about our future. I clutched my chest as the pain became unbearable.

And as the car sped further away, taking me farther from the man I loved, all I could do was hope. Hope that somehow, some way, we'd find our way back to each other. Because without him, nothing felt right. Without him, the world seemed empty.

Chaeyoung's P.O.V.

The sun hung high in the sky as I arrived at the restaurant, its warmth doing little to calm the growing unease in my chest. Something felt off, but I brushed it aside, convincing myself it was just another busy day. Before stepping inside, I sent Mina a quick text, letting her know I was here. She always liked to know where I was—it gave her peace of mind.

As I pushed open the doors, my manager approached me, a worried look etched on his face. "Chaeyoung, there are some policemen here asking for you," he said hesitantly, gesturing toward a table where three uniformed men sat, their presence commanding the room.

My stomach churned, my limbs going stiff. I knew what this was about. Deep down, I'd feared this moment ever since Mina's parents found out about us. Forcing a calm expression, I walked over to the officers, my heart pounding in my chest like a war drum.

One of the officers stood as I approached, his expression unreadable. "Chaeyoung Son?" he asked.

"Yes, that's me," I replied, trying to steady my voice.

Before I could say anything more, he grabbed my arm, yanking it behind my back. His grip was iron, unyielding, and before I knew it, my head was pushed down against the cold surface of the table. The sound of handcuffs clicking around my wrists was deafening, drowning out the murmurs of the restaurant patrons who had stopped eating to gawk.

"You're under arrest for the kidnapping of Ms. Mina Myoui," the officer said curtly. "You need to come with us."

Kidnapping? The word echoed in my mind, sharp and cutting. Beads of sweat broke out on my forehead. This wasn't just a misunderstanding—it was a nightmare.

As they escorted me out, my thoughts were consumed by one thing: Mina. My Minari. I hoped she was okay, that she wasn't being hurt or coerced into this by her family.

At the police station, I was led into a cold, gray room where Mr. and Mrs. Myoui waited, their presence heavy and suffocating. Mina's father's glare bore into me like a knife.

"Mr. Myoui—" I began, desperate to explain, to make him understand that I loved his daughter more than anything. But before I could say another word, he slapped me. Hard. The sting burned across my cheek, but the pain was nothing compared to the ache in my chest.

"I tried to talk to you before," he said, his voice venomous. "I warned you to stay away from her, but you didn't listen. You're nothing but trash. A worthless, selfish influence on my daughter."

His words were like daggers, each one cutting deeper than the last. He slapped me again, the sound reverberating through the room.

But I didn't care. Physical pain was nothing compared to the agony inside me—the knowledge that I might never see Mina again. Our dreams, our happiness, everything we'd built together... all of it was being torn apart.

I couldn't take it anymore. I shot up from my seat, the handcuffs digging into my wrists. "Please!" I begged, my voice cracking with desperation. "Please, just let me see her! Just one last time! I promise I'll stay away after that. I swear!"

The officers moved to restrain me as I tried to run, but I didn't care. I needed to see Mina, to hold her, to tell her I loved her one last time. They tackled me to the ground, pinning me there as tears streamed down my face.

"You'll never see her again," Mr. Myoui said coldly, his voice like ice. "You'll rot in jail, just like you deserve."

His words crushed the last bit of hope I had.

The officers dragged me to a holding cell and shoved me inside. The door clanged shut behind me, the sound final and unforgiving.

I pressed my face against the cold bars, screaming her name. "Mina! Mina!" My voice echoed in the empty space, but it was futile. She couldn't hear me. She wasn't here.

I slid to the ground, my body trembling with sobs. I'd lost her. The one person who made my life worth living, who gave me hope, who made me believe in love.

"Mina..." I whispered, my voice hoarse. "My Minari..."

The hours turned into days, but the pain never dulled. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her smile, heard her laugh. I remembered the way her eyes lit up when she talked about our future. A future that now seemed like a distant, unattainable dream.

And so, I sat in the dark, the walls of the cell closing in around me, holding on to the faint, fragile hope that someday, somehow, I'd see her again. But deep down, I knew.

She was gone. And with her, so was my heart.

The days inside that cold, confining jail cell felt like an eternity. It had been one week since they locked me up, though it might as well have been a lifetime. When the officer came to tell me I was free, his words barely registered.

"The Myouis have withdrawn the case," he explained.

Mina. It had to be her. What did she say to convince them? How had she managed to soften their unyielding hearts? Questions swirled in my mind like a storm, but one thought overpowered the rest: I need to see her.

I stepped outside and saw my sister waiting for me. She rushed to embrace me, her tears dampening my shoulder. Her sobs were a painful reminder of how much I had put her through.

"I'm sorry," I muttered, the only words I could muster.

We headed back to Bangkok, the drive filled with a heavy silence. That night, I tried calling Mina. Her number was out of service. My heart sank. Maybe they had confiscated her phone. Maybe she had been forced to change her number.

Days turned into weeks, each one more unbearable than the last. I went to her university with Gin and Hyuga, hoping to catch even a glimpse of her. We waited for hours, but she never came.

"Give it up, Chaeng," Hyuga said, patting my shoulder. "You have to let her go."

How could I? How do you forget someone who's become your entire world?

A month later, I was walking through the mall when I spotted Sana with her friends. Desperation surged through me. I approached her, my voice trembling.

"Sana, please. I just need to talk to you."

She hesitated, her eyes wary, but eventually, she relented.

We sat on a bench, and she broke the news I'd been dreading. "Mina is leaving. She'll be staying with my family in Japan before her parents send her to the U.S."

Her words felt like a death sentence. My world crumbled around me.

"Please, Sana," I begged, handing her a small box and a letter. "Give this to her. It's for her birthday."

She sighed, reluctant. "If I give this to her, you have to promise to stop. Don't contact her again. She needs to move on."

"I promise," I whispered, though the words felt like knives in my throat.

Sana took the box and letter, walking away without looking back. I stood there, watching until she disappeared from sight.

That was it. The last act of love I could offer Mina.

Mina's P.O.V.

The days felt endless, each one blurring into the next. My room had become my prison, the walls suffocating in their silence. I didn't want to see my parents. I couldn't bear to face their betrayal.

One day, my mother came to me, her voice soft but insistent. "Your birthday is coming up. We want to celebrate, Mina. It's time to move forward."

I didn't respond. My eyes stayed fixed on the window, on the outside world that felt so unreachable.

"Let him go," I said finally, my voice breaking. "Release Chaeyoung from prison. He didn't do anything wrong. I went with him willingly."

Tears streamed down my face as I knelt before her, my hands clasped in desperation. "Please, Mom. If you love me, let him go. I don't want a party. I don't want anything. Just let him go."

Her arms wrapped around me, but her comfort couldn't reach the deep ache inside me. "I'll talk to your father," she said softly.

The days dragged on. They had taken my phone, cutting me off from the one person who mattered most. I didn't know if Chaeyoung was okay, if he was eating, if he was thinking of me. The not knowing was unbearable.

One evening, Sana knocked on my door. I didn't answer, pretending to sleep. She left something on my table and walked away.

When I finally got up, I saw a small box and a folded piece of paper. My heart raced as I recognized the handwriting. It was Chaeyoung's.

I opened the letter, tears already forming in my eyes as I began to read.

Minari,

You are my world—my beautiful, radiant world. You are my life, my soul, my everything. You always will be. You are my first love and my last, my future and my present. Loving you is the only thing I'll ever truly know how to do because I need you in my life. Without your love, I would be lost, wandering without direction or purpose. I love you now and forever.

But as much as it hurts to admit, our story feels like a dream—beautiful but fleeting. We love each other so deeply, yet love alone doesn't seem to be enough in the world we live in.

I've come to understand that I'm not enough for you, not yet. I want to be the man who deserves your love, the man your parents can look at with pride instead of disdain. That's why I promise you, Minari, I'll work hard. I'll fight for a better future, one where I'm worthy of standing by your side. One day, I'll become the man who can love you without fear, the man who can give you everything you deserve.

Until that day comes, promise me something: wait for me. Hold on to the baby shoes I bought for us. Keep them safe, because one day, we'll need them for our own little angel. That day will come, Minari, I swear it.

For now, I'll say goodbye, though my heart will never truly let you go. You'll always be with me, in every step I take, in every dream I chase. You're my everything, Minari, and that will never change.

Yours always,

Tears streamed down my face as I read his letter, each word cutting deeper into my heart. His handwriting—so familiar, so unmistakably his—carried the weight of our love and the impossible distance between us. The pain in his words mirrored the ache in my chest, a longing so fierce it felt as though the world itself was conspiring to keep us apart.

No matter how much we love each other, no matter how desperately we want to be together, it seems the universe has chosen a different path for us, at least for now. We are powerless against the forces pulling us apart, left only to accept this cruel twist of fate.

I held the letter close, the paper trembling in my hands as I whispered his words aloud, feeling their warmth and sadness seep into me. His promises echoed in my mind, but they also deepened the emptiness inside me. How can love so profound be forced into silence?

I miss you, Chaeyoung. Every breath I take feels hollow without you. Every corner of this world feels emptier without your smile. You are my idiot cub, my Chaeng, my everything. And now, you're gone.

I closed my eyes and clutched the little box with the ring he left for me. My tears fell onto it, mixing with the memories of all we had been. I could almost hear his laugh, see his silly grin, feel the warmth of his arms around me.

I hugged the letter and ring to my chest as if holding them tighter could bridge the distance between us. "Please, come back to me, my Chaeng. Please," I whispered, my voice cracking with sorrow.

But even through the heartbreak, through the storm of emotions tearing me apart, one thing stood firm. I knew what I had to do.

I promise, Chaeyoung—I promise I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes. Even if the days stretch into years and the nights feel endless, I'll be here. For you, for us.

Because I believe in you, in us, and in the love we hold so tightly in our hearts. Even if the world says no, my heart will always say yes—to you, to us, to everything we dreamed of.