Byunghan's voice was laced with indignation as he exclaimed, "Seokmin, what you're doing is wrong!" His eyes widened in disapproval as he watched Seokmin pack his luggage, his movements swift and deliberate.

Seokmin's eyebrow arched, his expression a mask of calm curiosity. "Wrong?" he repeated, his tone neutral, inviting Byunghan to elaborate.

Seokmin's gaze drifted away, his eyes losing focus as he stared into the distance. His voice was barely above a whisper, his words tinged with a mix of sadness and wonder. "Because of an accident, we were out of her life," he murmured, his eyes clouding over with memories.

"But by stopping an accident, she came back into our lives." His voice trailed off, leaving behind a haunting sense of longing and nostalgia.

Seokmin's voice was low and even, but a hint of tension underscored his words as he spoke. "She turned up at my house, unannounced, for my daughter... with just a brief introduction at the cafe yesterday," he said, his jaw clenched in an effort to rein in his emotions.

His eyes narrowed, piercing as he asked the question that had been gnawing at him. "Would she have come if she knew Areum was her daughter?"

The words hung in the air, heavy with skepticism and a hint of accusation. Seokmin's gaze bore into Byunghan, as if daring him to refute the doubts that had taken root in his mind.

Seokmin's voice turned sharp, his words laced with a hint of desperation. "And Areum... she couldn't just imagine her as her mom. Can she handle the truth if she knew Hwayoung was her real mother?" The question hung in the air, heavy with concern and a touch of fear.

He paused, taking a deep breath as he struggled to articulate the turmoil brewing inside him. "They're drawn to each other, unable to refrain from meeting. But they cannot live together as well," he said, his words tinged with a sense of resignation.

Seokmin's gaze drifted off, his eyes clouding over as he whispered, "Areum... Hwayoung... it's their fate." The words seemed to weigh heavily on him, as if he was acknowledging a truth he couldn't change.

With a quiet resolve, he shifted his focus back to his luggage, his movements deliberate and controlled, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within.

Byunghan's voice cut through the silence, his words a gentle yet piercing probe. "How far will you keep running?" he asked, his eyes locked onto Seokmin's, as if seeking to unravel the tangled threads of his heart.

Seokmin's hands stilled, his gaze drifting up to meet Byunghan's. For a moment, he seemed to falter, his eyes clouding over with uncertainty. "I don't know..." he trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper, as if he was confessing a truth he'd rather keep hidden.

The air was heavy with unspoken emotions as Seokmin's expression shifted, a hint of accusation creeping into his eyes.

"Didn't it occur to you to tell me that Hwayoung is back in Seoul?" he asked, his voice tinged with a sense of betrayal, the hurt and anger simmering just below the surface.

Hwayoung was taken to her hometown, Busan, with her mom after the accident. Since she wouldn't remember why she was in Seoul in the first place... and Heejin didn't want to explain or tell her the lies.

Byunghan's gaze dropped, his eyes avoiding Seokmin's as he took a deep breath, steeling himself for the next revelation.

"She's getting married in a week," he said, the words tumbling out in a rush, as if he was eager to unburden himself of the secret.

His eyes remained downcast, his voice barely above a whisper as he confessed, "I just didn't know how to tell you..."

The guilt and remorse etched on his face were palpable, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his own deception.

Seokmin's heart shattered into a million pieces as the words hung in the air, the pain of knowing the woman he loved was slipping away from him forever.

His eyes, like two dark wells, flickered with a deep-seated anguish, the agony of losing Hwayoung to another man threatening to consume him whole.

But Seokmin was a master of restraint, his years of practice in hiding his emotions serving him well in this moment.

Seokmin's voice was laced with a hint of bitter resignation as he spoke, his words a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside. "Great! You asked me how far I'd run. Well, just a week, and our paths will never collide again," he said, his tone detached, as if he was commenting on someone else's life.

The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions. Byunghan's sigh was a soft whisper of regret, a silent acknowledgment that he'd failed to penetrate the walls Seokmin had erected around his heart.

He knew that Seokmin's mind was made up, and that nothing he could say or do would alter the course of events that was now inexorably in motion.

The silence that followed was oppressive, a palpable reminder of the chasm that had opened up between them.

As the miles flew by, Seokmin's car devoured the distance to Incheon, carrying its occupants away from the heartache and uncertainty that lingered in Seoul.

Areum sat quietly in the backseat, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery, her small face a mask of subdued emotion. Though her father's decision had upset her, she couldn't help but be distracted by the picturesque landscape unfolding outside her window - the glinting water, the lush green hills, and the vibrant flowers that dotted the roadside.

Meanwhile, in a cozy restaurant nestled in the heart of Seoul, Hwayoung sat waiting, her eyes fixed on the door, her heart racing with anticipation. She had been waiting for hours, clutching a small, exquisitely wrapped gift for Areum, her mind replaying the memories of their fleeting encounter.

As the minutes ticked by, her excitement slowly gave way to concern, and finally, to despair. Nobody came. The door remained stubbornly shut, and Hwayoung was left alone with her thoughts, her heart heavy with the realization that she might have missed her chance to reconnect with the little girl who had captured her heart.

Hwayoung's emotions swirled in a tumultuous storm, a toxic mix of upset, disappointment, and hurt. The ache in her heart was palpable, a dull throb that refused to subside. She felt betrayed, not just by Seokmin's absence, but by his thoughtlessness. He hadn't even bothered to inform her that they weren't coming, leaving her to wait for hours, her hopes slowly deflating like a punctured balloon.

Her fingers trembled with frustration as she tried calling Seokmin, her phone ringing straight to voicemail with each attempt. The automated message was a cold, impersonal rebuff, a stark reminder that she'd been left behind.

With a heavy sigh, Hwayoung slowly gathered her belongings, her movements mechanical and detached. She felt drained, emotionally exhausted from the rollercoaster of emotions that had ravaged her heart.

The gift she had carefully wrapped for Areum still clutched in her hand, now seemed like a poignant reminder of her disappointment.

As she pushed open the door, a soft bell above it rang out, a melancholy echo that accompanied her out into the cool evening air.

The next day, Hwayoung found herself standing at the edge of a sprawling construction site, the skeletal frame of her fiancé's new hospital rising up from the dusty earth like a giant metal beast.

The sound of hammering and drilling filled the air, a cacophony of noise that seemed to reverberate through her very being.

She had been coerced into this meeting by her mother, who seemed hell-bent on rushing her down the aisle. Hwayoung's own feelings on the matter were decidedly lukewarm. In all honesty, she didn't really want to get married - at least, not to this man.

But her mother's enthusiasm was relentless, and Hwayoung had found herself getting swept up in the tide of wedding preparations, unable to resist the force of her mother's will.

As she stepped out of the elevator, Hwayoung's eyes scanned the bustling construction site, her gaze finally coming to rest on the man she was destined to marry.

Wonwoo was deep in conversation with his brother, their voices rising and falling in a animated discussion. But as soon as he caught sight of Hwayoung, his face broke into a warm, charming smile.

"Hi, Hwayoung," he said, his voice low and smooth, as he strode towards her with an air of confident ease. He enveloped her in a gentle hug, his arms wrapping around her in a familiar, comforting hold.

Hwayoung's response was automatic, her hands rising to pat his back in a polite, if somewhat perfunctory, greeting. "Hi, Wonwoo," she murmured, her voice a little distant, a little detached.

As she pulled back from the hug, Hwayoung's eyes met Wonwoo's, and for a fleeting instant, she felt a pang of guilt. She knew that she owed him a debt of gratitude - after all, he was the doctor who had saved her life after the devastating accident.

And yet, as she looked into his warm, expectant eyes, Hwayoung couldn't shake the feeling that she was trapped in a marriage that didn't feel quite right.

Jungkook's face lit up with a radiant smile as he greeted Hwayoung, his enthusiasm infectious. "Hi Hwayoung!" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with warmth. Hwayoung's response was equally bright, her smile mirroring Jungkook's as she replied, "Hi!"

As the brothers launched into a discussion about the hospital's layout, Wonwoo's arm remained casually draped around Hwayoung's shoulders, a gentle, possessive gesture that she didn't pull away from.

Instead, she listened intently, her eyes scanning the space as Jungkook explained, "I was thinking this would be the pediatric division. We can section off the area for the children's wards and create a playroom for them."

Hwayoung's gaze followed Jungkook's sweeping gestures, her mind absorbing the details of the hospital's design. She asked occasional questions, her interest genuine, as the three of them walked through the unfinished space, envisioning the future of the hospital and the lives it would touch.

Hwayoung's attention was abruptly diverted by the shrill ring of her phone, the screen flashing with an unknown number. She excused herself, murmuring a quick apology to Wonwoo and Jungkook, before stepping away to answer the call.

Her heels clicked on the floor as she walked a short distance, her heart beating with a mix of curiosity and trepidation.

As she lifted the phone to her ear, a soft, tentative voice whispered her name. "Hwayoung..." The sound sent a shiver down her spine, and she knew instantly who it was.

"Areum!?" she exclaimed, her voice rising in surprise, still laced with the hurt and frustration of the previous day's disappointment. "Where are you!?" she demanded, her words tumbling out in a rush.

Areum's response was slow, hesitant. "Incheon..." The single word hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions.

Hwayoung's voice was tinged with disappointment, a hint of hurt still lingering from the previous night's disappointment. "Incheon? I waited for you last night," she said, her tone gentle but reproachful.

"Do you know how many times I've called you?" she asked, her words laced with a mix of frustration and concern.

Areum's response was hesitant, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know..." she trailed off, her uncertainty palpable.

Hwayoung's curiosity was piqued. "Why don't you know?" she pressed, her tone softening as she sensed Areum's confusion.

Areum's reply was innocent, almost childlike. "Because I don't have a phone." Hwayoung's laughter was spontaneous, a warm, throaty sound that was both amused and affectionate.

"Not you, sweetie," she said, her voice filled with mirth. "I meant your dad. But forget it!" she exclaimed, her excitement suddenly palpable.

Hwayoung's voice was a bright, shining star, bursting with warmth and enthusiasm. "Now, listen! Happy Birthday, Areum!!" she exclaimed, her tone cheerful and celebratory. "May you get everything you wish for!" she wished, her words infused with genuine affection.

Areum's face lit up like a lamp, her smile growing exponentially as she heard Hwayoung's words.

Her eyes sparkled with excitement and happiness, her voice trembling with delight. "You remember!?" she exclaimed, her words tumbling out in a thrilled whisper.

Hwayoung's response was casual, as if remembering Areum's birthday was the most natural thing in the world. "Of course!" she replied, her tone matter-of-fact, but her eyes shining with warmth.

But Areum's happiness faltered, her smile wavering like a flame in the wind. "But... Dad doesn't remember..." she trailed off, her voice barely above a whisper, her words tinged with a hint of sadness and disappointment.

Hwayoung's mind was already racing with possibilities, her thoughts spinning with a plan to salvage Areum's birthday. She asked, her voice urgent but gentle, "Areum, where are you right now?"

The little girl's response was prompt, her words tumbling out in a excited rush. "We're at the beach! We booked a resort!" Hwayoung's heart skipped a beat as she envisioned the possibilities. She was about to respond, her mind whirling with ideas, when Areum's voice cut through, her tone abrupt and hasty.

"Hwayoung, I'll call you later! Bye!" The words were barely out of her mouth before the line went dead, leaving Hwayoung staring at her phone in surprise.

Hwayoung's voice was lost in the void, her call to Areum met with only silence. The line had already gone dead, leaving her with a deep sense of concern. Wonwoo, noticing the furrowed brow and worried expression, walked towards her with a gentle stride.

"Hwayoung, everything alright?" he asked, his voice tinged with genuine concern, his eyes scanning her face for any signs of distress.

Hwayoung nodded, a mechanical smile plastered on her lips, but her mind was a thousand miles away, still reeling from the abrupt end to her conversation with Areum.

Wonwoo's words, though spoken with warmth and reassurance, barely registered in her consciousness. "In case we leave for the US after our marriage, Jungkook will take care of everything here," he explained, his smile confident and calming.

"He'll be the Managing Director." But Hwayoung's thoughts were elsewhere, her heart still connected to the fragmented conversation with Areum, her mind whirling with possibilities and concerns.

Hwayoung's gaze suddenly snapped back into focus, her eyes locking onto Wonwoo's as she apologized, "Wonwoo, I'm so sorry, but I have to leave." Her face was a mask of contrition, her voice tinged with regret.

Wonwoo's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his expression inquiring. "Is there a problem?" he asked, his tone laced with concern.

Hwayoung's smile was hasty, her words tumbling out in a reassuring rush. "Everything's fine, really! It's just a bit of urgent work that I need to attend to."

Wonwoo's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze searching hers for any hidden truth. But Hwayoung's expression remained serene, her composure intact. "Do you want me to drop you?" he offered, his voice considerate. Hwayoung's decline was gracious, her smile warm.

"It's okay, I've got my car. But thank you, Wonwoo." With a final nod, she turned to leave, her heels clicking softly on the floor as she disappeared from view. Wonwoo watched her go, his expression thoughtful, his eyes lingering on the space she had occupied.

As the door creaked open, Areum swiftly returned the phone to its rightful place on the nightstand, her movements lightning-fast as she attempted to feign innocence. Mingyu's gaze swept the room, his eyes narrowing as he sensed something amiss.

His phone, which was neatly placed on the dresser, was now askew, and his gaze shifted towards Areum, his expression skeptical.

"Did you use my phone?" Mingyu asked, his voice low and even, but with a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. Areum's response was predictable, her head shaking vigorously as she attempted to convey innocence. But Mingyu knew his niece all too well, and he wasn't buying it.

"You're lying, right?" he asked again, his tone teasing, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he awaited her response. Areum's nod was slow, almost imperceptible, but her eyes never left Mingyu's, their gazes locked in a silent understanding.

For a moment, Mingyu's expression remained stern, but it was a facade that crumbled beneath the weight of Areum's bright, mischievous grin.

"Fine, just don't tell your dad," Mingyu said, his voice mock-stern, but his smile betrayed his true emotions. Areum's face lit up like a sunbeam, her laughter tinkling through the air as Mingyu's expression softened, his eyes shining with warmth and affection.

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