Hwayoung's search for Seokmin proved fruitless, and her concern deepened with every passing moment. She finally tracked down Mingyu, who was engrossed in a lively conversation with Haneul.

Her approach was abrupt, her question tumbling out in a hurried rush. "Have you seen Seokmin?" she asked, her eyes scanning the surrounding area as if hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

Meanwhile, Seokmin stood at the beach's edge, the waves crashing against the shore in a soothing melody that calmed his mind. He was lost in thought, his eyes fixed on the horizon as he conversed with Dr. Hong Joshua, whose voice was a steady, reassuring presence on the other end of the line.

The sound of the waves and the warmth of the sun on his skin seemed to wash away his worries, allowing him to focus on the conversation at hand.

Dr. Joshua's voice was calm and professional, but the words he spoke sent a surge of elation through Seokmin. "The lung you've applied for has been sanctioned," he announced, the phrase hanging in the air like a promise.

Seokmin's eyes closed, and a rush of emotion overwhelmed him. He felt like he was walking on air, his heart soaring with hope. "That's it!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with joy. "We're saving her!" The words spilled out of him like a prayer, filled with gratitude and relief.

His mind was already racing ahead, envisioning the surgery, the recovery, and the bright future that lay ahead for his daughter, Areum.

Dr. Joshua's voice was laced with a quiet caution, his words dropping like a stone into the depths of Seokmin's soul. "But it's not about the lungs, Seokmin... it's about Areum's age and her condition," he said, his tone soft and measured.

Seokmin's heart sank, his mind racing with the implications. Dr. Joshua's next words were like a cold wind, blowing away the fragile hope he had clung to.

"The survival rate is just 0.1 percent," he revealed, the statistics hanging in the air like a death sentence. "And no doctor will take the risk." The sigh that followed was heavy with the weight of reality.

Seokmin felt like he was drowning, the world around him fading into darkness. Dr. Joshua's final words were a cruel mercy, a stark reminder of the bleak future that lay ahead.

"If you leave her like this... she might live for another six years," he said, the phrase echoing in Seokmin's mind like a haunting refrain.

Seokmin's voice cut through the air, sharp as a razor's edge. "You said three years then. Now you're saying six. Were you right then or now?" he demanded, his words laced with a hint of accusation.

Dr. Joshua's pause was palpable, but Seokmin didn't give him time to respond. His voice rose, fueled by desperation and determination.

"What if we leave her like this, and something happens to her? We are getting this operation done!" The words were a declaration, a statement of intent that brooked no argument.

Seokmin's tone was unyielding, his resolve forged in the fire of his love for Areum. "Whatever the percentage may be, I and my daughter will fight it!" he exclaimed, his voice ringing with defiance.

The determination that flowed through his veins was contagious, and for a moment, it seemed as though he could will a different outcome into existence.

Dr. Joshua's response was subdued, but a hint of respect crept into his voice. "Well, then... I'll start the preparations for the operation." The words were a quiet acknowledgment of Seokmin's unwavering resolve.

With a soft click, the call ended, leaving Seokmin to steel himself for the battle ahead.

"Seokmin!!" Hwayoung's voice cut through the air, her tone laced with a mix of concern and curiosity.

Seokmin turned to face her, his eyes locking onto hers as she approached him, Mingyu and Haneul trailing behind. The trio halted a few feet away, affording Seokmin and Hwayoung a semblance of privacy.

Hwayoung's gaze searched Seokmin's face, her eyes probing for answers. "Seokmin, were you aware that you were having a daughter?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her next question was like a gentle breeze that carried the weight of a storm. "The girl who gave Pluto to you... was her name Areum?"

Seokmin's eyes widened, a fleeting glimmer of surprise that he quickly suppressed. His composure was regained in an instant, but the faintest hint of vulnerability lingered, a whispered promise of secrets yet to be revealed.

Seokmin's frown deepened, his eyes narrowing as he sought to decipher Hwayoung's enigmatic words. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his tone laced with fake confusion.

Hwayoung's gaze drifted, her eyes clouding over as she struggled to articulate the jumbled thoughts swirling in her mind. "I don't understand... I might've imagined myself as Hana more than Areum," she admitted, her voice tinged with worry.

A faint crease etched itself between her brows as she endeavored to explain the inexplicable.

Her eyes wandered towards the sand, her gaze tracing the intricate patterns etched by the wind.

"I'm dreaming about things that you haven't even mentioned in your story," she revealed, her voice barely above a whisper. The words hung in the air, a mystifying puzzle that seemed to defy solution.

Hwayoung's voice was a gentle breeze as she offered her explanation, her eyes never leaving Seokmin's face. "I assumed it was because of my accident. Maybe because of my overthinking or maybe because of my crazy fondness for Areum," she said, her words dripping with vulnerability.

As she took a step closer, the air seemed to vibrate with tension. Seokmin's eyes, slightly widened in surprise, locked onto hers, their gazes intertwining like the tender shoots of a vine. Hwayoung's voice dropped to a whisper, her confession hanging in the air like a promise.

"I like you, Seokmin," she said, her words firm and resolute. "And I'm not assuming it." The sincerity in her eyes was palpable, a beacon of hope that illuminated the space between them.

Seokmin's face was a mask of calm, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of emotion. Hwayoung's gaze held his, her eyes burning with a quiet intensity as she asked the question that would change everything.

"Do you like me?" The words hung in the air, suspended in the silence like a delicate flower poised on the brink of bloom.

The sound of her name being called pierced the air, shattering the fragile moment between Hwayoung and Seokmin. She turned to face the familiar voice, her frown deepening as she took in Jungkook's smiling face.

His eyes, however, betrayed a flicker of unease as they darted towards Seokmin, a spark of suspicion igniting within their depths.

Jungkook's gaze snapped back to Hwayoung, his smile widening as he took a step closer. "I've been searching the entire resort for you," he said, his tone laced with a hint of relief.

His eyebrows arched, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "What? Surprised to see me?" he teased, his voice low and playful.

Hwayoung's confusion lingered, her mind still reeling from the sudden interruption. Jungkook's next words, however, piqued her interest.

"There's another surprise waiting for you... let's go," he said, his eyes glinting with excitement as he gestured for her to follow him. His gaze shifted, and he nodded towards Haneul.

"Haneul, come on," he called, his voice drawing Haneul into their little group.

Hwayoung trailed behind Jungkook, her feet moving reluctantly as her gaze remained anchored to Seokmin's figure, now receding into the distance.

The connection between them seemed to stretch and thin, like a fragile thread pulled taut, as she was drawn away from him.

As they approached the entrance of the beach, a sea of familiar faces came into view. Wonwoo, her mother, and numerous other people she knew and loved were all gathered there, their eyes fixed on her with varying degrees of curiosity and concern.

Wonwoo's gaze met hers, and he strode towards her, a questioning look etched on his face.

Jungkook discreetly excused himself, leaving the two of them alone. Wonwoo's eyes searched hers, his brow furrowed in concern.

"Were you scared of the wedding all of a sudden?" he asked, his voice low and gentle, his eyebrow arched in inquiry.

Hwayoung's response was silence, her gaze locked onto Wonwoo's as if searching for something.

Wonwoo's face softened, and he broke into a small, understanding smile. The quiet between them was a palpable thing, a living, breathing entity that seemed to pulse with unspoken emotions.

Wonwoo's smile broadened, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he revealed his surprise. "I heard these beaches calm you down," he said, his voice laced with a gentle teasing.

"So, I brought the whole wedding here, for you." The words were a warm, comforting blanket, wrapped around her in a gesture of love and support.

As he spoke, Wonwoo's gaze swept the gathering, his eyes shining with pride and happiness. With a gracious smile, he began introducing Hwayoung to the sea of faces, his voice ringing out across the beach.

"Everyone, this is Hwayoung, my fiancée," he announced, his words dripping with affection.

Hwayoung's eyes widened, her face frozen in surprise, as she was presented to a parade of strangers, all of whom seemed to know Wonwoo intimately.

The introductions blurred together, a dizzying whirlwind of names and faces that left Hwayoung reeling.

Mingyu hastened towards Seokmin, his long strides eating up the distance as he burst into the quiet space surrounding his friend.

"Did she have a dream, or was it actually true!?" he demanded, his voice low and urgent, his eyes blazing with curiosity.

Seokmin, however, remained impassive, his gaze drifting away as his thoughts meandered into the depths of his own mind.

The turmoil brewing within him was a palpable thing, a maelstrom of emotions that he seemed powerless to articulate.

Mingyu's face contorted in frustration, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Fine, don't tell me! But she returned and expressed her feelings! At least tell her!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in a crescendo of emotion.

Seokmin's gaze snapped into focus, his eyes narrowing as he pinned Mingyu with a sharp, piercing stare. "Tell her, and what?" he asked, his voice low and even, the words dripping with a quiet skepticism.

Mingyu's face lit up with an infectious enthusiasm, his words tumbling out in a rush. "You can get your life back! Or start a new one altogether!" he exclaimed, his voice ringing with conviction. The possibilities seemed to dance in the air, a tantalizing promise of redemption and renewal.

Seokmin's eyebrows arched, his expression a mask of polite incredulity. "Start, and...?" he repeated, his tone laced with a hint of mockery.

Mingyu's face fell, but he refused to give up. His voice took on a note of desperation, a heartfelt plea that seemed to tremble on the brink of tears. "Don't be so stubborn, Min! You, Hwayoung, Areum can live happily!" he exclaimed, the words a fervent prayer.

Seokmin's laughter was a cold, mirthless sound, a harsh, mocking echo that seemed to shred the very fabric of Mingyu's hopes.

He shook his head, the movement a slow, deliberate denial. "Me, Hwayoung, Areum... happy?" The words hung in the air, a cruel, heartless joke that seemed to mock the very idea of happiness.

Areum slipped out of the room, her small feet pattering against the floor as she embarked on a determined quest to find Hwayoung.

With Pluto by her side, she navigated the winding corridors and bustling spaces, her eyes scanning the crowds for a glimpse of the one person she sought.

After several minutes of searching, Areum finally spotted Hwayoung, but her heart sank as she took in the scene before her.

Hwayoung was surrounded by a sea of people, their faces a blur as they chattered and laughed, completely absorbed in their own conversations.

Areum's eyes locked onto Hwayoung, her voice rising as she called out across the din.

"Hwayoung!" she exclaimed, but her words were lost in the cacophony of sounds, swallowed up by the laughter and chatter of the crowd.

Undeterred, Areum tried again, her voice growing louder, more insistent. "Hwayoung!!" she cried out, but Hwayoung remained oblivious, her attention focused on the guests surrounding her.

Hwayoung's figure receded into the distance, swallowed up by the throng of people surrounding her.

Areum's panic escalated, her small face contorted in distress as she yelled out once more, her voice piercing the air like a fragile, shattered cry.

Heejin, who had been walking nearby, caught the sound of Areum's anguished cries and turned towards her, a concerned question forming on her lips.

But her words died unborn as she witnessed a poignant scene unfolding before her eyes. Seokmin appeared, his long strides eating up the distance as he swooped in to intercept Areum, his arms opening to envelop her in a warm, comforting hug.

Areum's words tumbled out in a slow, heart-wrenching whisper, her small body trembling with sobs. "Dad... Hwayoung..." Seokmin's response was a gentle, wordless shake of his head, his eyes closing as he held his daughter close, his face a mask of quiet, paternal sorrow.

Heejin's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the intimate scene unfolding before her. Seokmin and Areum, locked in a tender embrace, seemed oblivious to the world around them.

Her gaze lingered, her expression a mixture of curiosity and concern, before she turned to make a discreet exit.

But her departure was halted abruptly as her eyes landed on her daughter, Hwayoung, who was now standing mere feet away, her gaze fixed longingly on Seokmin.

Hwayoung's face was a picture of wistful yearning, her eyes shining with unshed tears as she seemed to be drawn to Seokmin like a magnet.

Heejin's instincts kicked in, and she swiftly intervened, her arm extending to gently but firmly guide her daughter away from Seokmin, effectively creating a subtle but palpable distance between them.

Hwayoung's world was turned upside down as she was whisked away to a nearby resort, the sound of waves and laughter fading into the distance.

The opulent surroundings of the new resort did little to lift her spirits, her heart heavy with the weight of unrequited love.

She tried to reach out to Seokmin, her fingers flying across the screen as she sent him a flurry of texts, each one a desperate attempt to reconnect with the man who had captured her heart.

But her messages hung in the air, unanswered and unseen, leaving her feeling shattered and alone.

The pain of his silence was a palpable thing, a gnawing ache that seemed to grow with each passing moment.

Hwayoung's thoughts swirled in a maelstrom of emotion, her mind reeling with the realization that she could no longer go through with the marriage. The prospect of spending her life with Wonwoo now seemed like a prison sentence, a bleak and loveless existence that she couldn't bear to contemplate.

As the truth dawned on her, Hwayoung felt a spark of defiance ignite within her. She knew that she had to make a choice, to take a stand and fight for the love that she truly desired.

But the fear of uncertainty, of rejection and heartbreak, threatened to hold her back, leaving her suspended in a state of emotional limbo.

Hwayoung's desperate need for escape from the suffocating marriage arrangements drove her to seek solace in the one person she knew would listen.

She ensconced herself in the quiet sanctuary of her room, her eyes darting nervously around the space to ensure she was truly alone. With trembling fingers, she dialed the familiar number, her heart racing with anticipation.

As the call connected, Hwayoung's composure crumbled, her voice cracking with emotion as she whispered the words she'd been longing to say.

"I really need you here, Dad..." The plea was a heartfelt cry, a desperate bid for rescue from the prison of her own making.

Her father's calm, reassuring presence on the other end of the line seemed to unravel the tightly wound threads of her emotions, and Hwayoung's words spilled out in a torrent of tears and confession.

"I loved someone... his name is Seokmin," she sobbed, the words tearing from her very soul like a pent-up storm. Tears streamed down her cheeks, a scalding reminder of the anguish she'd been trying to keep hidden.

The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm, golden light on the quiet scene unfolding in the room.

Seokmin's hands moved with a quiet efficiency, packing away their belongings with a sense of finality, as if he was closing the door on a chapter of their lives.

Areum sat beside him, her small frame radiating a sense of determination, her eyes shining with a fierce intensity.

"Dad, I have to meet Hwayoung," she said, her voice low and insistent, as if she was willing him to understand the depth of her need. Seokmin's gaze flicked towards her, his expression a mask of calm resignation, before he returned to his packing, the soft rustle of clothes and the zip of the luggage the only sounds breaking the silence.

Areum's voice rose, a note of desperation creeping in. "I need to ask her something!" she exclaimed, her words tumbling out in a rush, as if she was afraid of being silenced.

Seokmin's sigh was a soft, resigned sound, as he turned to face his daughter, his eyes searching hers with a deep, unspoken understanding.

Seokmin's voice was a gentle, reasoning tone, as he attempted to dissuade Areum from her quest. "Areum... you know it's her wedding tomorrow. We shouldn't disturb her," he said, his words laced with a quiet sense of finality, as if the matter was already settled.

But Areum's determination remained unwavering, her small face set in a resolute expression.

"Please, Dad..." she pleaded, her voice a soft, heartbreaking whisper, as she gazed up at Seokmin with eyes that shone like stars in the dimly lit room.

But his expression remained unyielding, his jaw set in a firm line as he shook his head.

"No, Areum," he said, his voice stern and unyielding, as he slammed the suitcase shut with a decisive click. The sound seemed to echo through the room, a harsh reminder of the boundaries that Seokmin was determined to maintain.

"We're leaving for Seoul tomorrow," he continued, his tone brooking no argument. "We have an important doctor's appointment. Get some sleep." With that, he turned and walked out of the room, the door closing behind him with a soft, final click.

The morning light crept through the windows, casting a golden glow on the empty room. Seokmin's eyes scanned the space, his heart sinking as he took in the absence of his daughter.

Areum's bed was untouched, the sheets smooth and unruffled, as if she had vanished