The Breakup Between You and Me - Side Story 3. Se-hyuk

Side Story 3. Se-hyuk

I caught her look in my eyes. Her bright smile, so different from when she was with me, made me feel like my heart was breaking. I knew I shouldn’t cry, but I couldn’t help it. I sat in my car and watched her drive away with the flowers, unable to wipe them away.

If she had looked less happy, I would have walked up to her with my eyes tightly closed. I’ve come to the U.S. countless times and stolen glimpses of her, but she just seems happier and happier.

The more I did, the more I broke down because of what I had done to her. I couldn’t reach out to her because I didn’t know any better, because I was a fool, and I hurt her. The more I did, the more I abused myself.

My pain was nothing compared to her pain. I didn’t sleep; I just worked. I didn’t go to the doctor when I was sick, and I endured all the pain without taking medication, like someone who was being punished.

There were days when I couldn’t sleep and had a stabbing headache, and days when I couldn’t breathe because my heart was tight.

Even when he was worried that he was going to collapse, he didn’t stop working. I wanted to finish the business expansion before she came back, so she could be happy by my side. I was going to build everything and wait.

Even on the plane ride here, I was tormented by a pain that felt like an awl poking my eye, but as soon as I saw her, it was gone. I didn’t need any medicine. I wanted to see her a little longer, but there was no time; I had to get on a plane and go to Korea.

Whenever I had time, I would come to the United States to visit her, sometimes for a few minutes, sometimes for hours, and then go back to Korea. Some days I would go back without seeing her face.

Today I was lucky: I saw her smile, and that was enough to get me through the week. I saw her, and that was enough.

I started the car, thinking of her smile, even though it wasn’t directed at me.

I thought of her, her cheeks flushed from walking with a bouquet of flowers bigger than her body, and I smiled. “I’ll see you next week,” she said.

I tell myself I’ll see you in a week and head to the airport. I keep wanting to look back, but I have to keep running. I have to run and run and run to get back the girl I lost for a while because of my mistake.

Time passed, and she came to Korea. I knew it was because her father was discharged from the hospital, but I wondered why she was so happy. I wondered if she was forced to come, and what if she wasn’t happy.

At first, I thought about showing up in front of her. But her words about wanting to live her own life echoed in my mind. So I decided to just watch her.

A lot had changed in two years. Her cheeks have gained some weight, the corners of her mouth are naturally upturned to the sky, and her eyes are sparkling, like she’s a different person. I can’t tell you how happy I was when I heard she was coming to Korea. I was full even though I hadn’t eaten.

Now, I don’t have to travel to the U.S.; she’s just a short drive away. When she was in the U.S., I kept in touch with Miho by email. I got a lot of help from her good friend, Miho. I reflected over and over again on my past when I was jealous, cursing, and snapping at him without realizing he was a good guy.

Miho was such a good brother or sister to her, and so was her girlfriend. He left the Royal Group and started his own business with like-minded people. The chairman still hasn’t given up on him and wants him to come back, but she has no choice because he doesn’t want Ji-soo, her sister, to get the wrong idea when she returns.

I moved my office near to her shop and worked more. I thought I would see her every day when I was in Korea, but there were many days when I didn’t see her. Even if I worked all night, I didn’t have enough time, so I asked someone else to watch her instead of me.

I talked to Jimin and Ha-Young, and they said she’s doing well. It’s harder to see her now that we’re in the same country. I shake my head vigorously, wondering if I poked my father-in-law in the side to make him come to Korea for nothing. There’s no point in regretting it; just being near her makes me so happy.

With Miho’s help, they’ve settled on a store and a house that I suggested. But looking at it from a distance is not satisfying. I can’t wait to get the office organized. Then I remembered my sister. Yesterday, she sent me a long apologetic text.

I couldn’t believe it: she had left for the United States to visit her mother and sister. No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t understand the way she shuddered when she saw them.

My mother didn’t seem to understand, and my sister didn’t either. She said I was not good enough to go out with a girl like that when there was Jisoo, a much better girl. That’s how I cut ties with my sister.

My father-in-law called me for dinner. When she left for the U.S., the first thing I did was go see my mother-in-law and father-in-law. She knelt down and apologized. S

he didn’t know what she was apologizing for, and when they grabbed her arm to get up, she told them the truth about how hard it was for her. I couldn’t go into details, but my mother-in-law kept sighing, saying that she knew why Sooyin had gone to the United States.

My father-in-law, who didn’t want to talk to me at first, now sends me texts saying he misses me. I went to the hospital often while he was in the hospital, and I don’t know how many times I went fishing in my spare time. It wasn’t hard at all to devote time to her and her family.

“But Sooyin, she’s wearing a ring, don’t you think she’s with a man? It’s weird that he’d leave her alone when she’s so pretty.”

The words from Jimin and Ha-young broke my heart. A ring? Did she have a ring on? My heart pounded. I should not rush things. I’m anxious and tense.

I knew she was single, but nevertheless, I thought I was going to lose my mind with worry.

Is the florist to blame? I am aware that he frequently visits her store. He’s not her type, though. I finally got her outside to the glass garden, which she had mentioned earlier, with other people’s assistance.

What will you look like when you see the glass garden, and when you see me?

My breath caught in my throat with each step. It’s been two years.

‘…….’

My eyes widen in surprise at first, then my mouth clamps shut. My gaze drifted to her finger, and I resisted the urge to rip the ring off right then and there. I couldn’t make her cry again.

I knew it didn’t mean anything, but that didn’t mean there weren’t a lot of guys out there trying to get her. I gritted my teeth, remembering all the as$holes who’d flirted with her when they knew she was dating me. Then she looked at me and turned white and ran away.

I would have run and grabbed her if she didn’t look like she was going to cry. As I stood there with my head down, Ms. Jimin came over and muttered something. I looked at Jimin and smiled a smile that could have crumbled.

I should have gotten down on my knees and begged her. It had been so long since I had seen her face up close that I couldn’t move. Her pretty face was even prettier up close. I felt like I was going to cry.

After watching her lie there all day, Mr. Jimin told me to wait for him at the restaurant. As I sit nervously at the restaurant Ms. Jimin suggested, the secretary in front of me laughs at me for a long time.

I feel like sewing her mouth shut as she talks about her love life. She doesn’t seem to remember fidgeting and fussing when she was dating Ji-soo. Now they’re married.

 As Secretary Shin brought the three of them into the room, I found myself staring at her. I extended my hand, pretending ignorance, and she shot me a glare. The thought of shaking her hand and removing the ring crossed my mind, but I refrained. It was as if I were somehow sharing in her warmth.

My impatience subsided. However, when she mentioned going to the movies with another man, I had to summon all my strength to contain my emotions.

I sighed heavily, unable to work all day because I was afraid I would be treated like trash if I followed her. I reached my limit and stood in front of her house with a black bag.

When will he be back? It’s getting late. Isn’t it too dark outside? Why doesn’t he leave early? She contemplated checking the nearby movie theater.

A car arrived, and she stepped out. Not in a position to exchange greetings, she just stood there and observed. Suddenly, the man stepped out of the car and forcefully grabbed her wrist.

Creating a deliberate rustling noise as he approached, she couldn’t help but be startled. She gradually lowered her head, fixing her gaze on his wrist. The man swiftly withdrew his hand.

Your wrist is mine, and I’m the only one allowed to touch you. When questioned about his presence, he points towards the house.

I should have lingered a bit more. This is the consequence of being a coward. I wanted to make her laugh, but seeing her on the verge of tears made me feel so apologetic.

I didn’t pursue her as she rushed into the house. Only when I noticed the lights on in her house did I turn around, my shoulders slumping with disappointment.

The person who once beamed with a bright smile during her time in the U.S. and upon her return to Korea still carries pain in her eyes when she sees me.

I pondered whether there would be a day when she would smile at me again, a day I longed for, filled with nostalgia for the times when her laughter made it seem like she was the only one in the world.