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Join the ServerThe chaotic family meeting, which had felt like utter pandemonium to me alone, concluded in a warm, amicable atmosphere. Yoo Hae-jung, who had formed an in-law relationship with Daejin thanks to his troublesome youngest son, wore a perpetual smile, and my mother also seemed relieved and happy, as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. After all, our child was growing day by day, and she had been quite concerned about us, the parents, remaining as mere acquaintances.
‘This must be for the best.’
Although I couldn’t fathom how he had swayed Chairman Han’s decision, it was clear that his efforts were instrumental in making this meeting happen. Bringing me here without a single word of warning was something I should have reprimanded him for severely, but I decided to overlook it this time, acknowledging his significant contribution.
“Hmm, just a moment.”
As we were about to leave the restaurant, Chairman Han gestured for me to come over. Leaving him mid-conversation, I approached alone, and Chairman Han suddenly extended his hand.
“I know you must harbor many grievances against me, but let bygones be bygones. Let’s forget the past and start anew.”
Though he offered no explicit apology, it felt like Chairman Han’s own way of expressing regret. As I cautiously took his hand, Chairman Han offered a gentle smile.
“I look forward to our future, my child.”
The slightly embarrassing endearment made my face flush, yet a pleasant warmth spread through me. It truly felt as though Chairman Han had finally acknowledged me as family.
“Yes, Father-in-law.”
“Do come visit with Seo-woo next time. We should share a meal together.”
“I’ll come whenever you invite me.”
“Is that so? Then perhaps next week…”
As we were arranging the dinner, he, having belatedly noticed the situation, quickly approached and separated Chairman Han and me.
“Were you discussing moving again?”
“This rascal! What do you take me for? I hadn’t even brought that up yet!”
Chairman Han’s eyes sharpened as he bellowed, but regardless, he took my hand and led me out of the restaurant.
“Ah, Father-in-law, I’ll see you next time.”
“Just you and Seo-woo come! Leave that fellow behind!”
As he pulled me along, I exchanged final goodbyes with Chairman Han. Unable to conceal his displeasure, he hastened his steps toward the parking lot.
He opened the passenger door, helped me into the car first, and then told me to wait a moment before turning back to Chairman Han.
A brief argument ensued, after which he turned back, looking satisfied, while Chairman Han was left clutching the back of his neck in exasperation.
“Did you two fight?”
“No, am I a child?”
He pouted slightly before starting the engine. For a moment, I almost answered ‘yes,’ but I held back.
“Even if Chairman Han asks you to move in later, tell him no.”
“Yes, I promise I will.”
“Absolutely, absolutely not.”
He seemed worried that I might succumb to Chairman Han’s persuasion. Only after I assured him it wouldn’t happen did he finally relax, his expression softening with relief.
The car, having left the restaurant, sped along a quiet road. When I mentioned that the beautiful weather made me want to feel the breeze, he pulled over in a nearby empty lot.
“Be careful getting out.”
He got out first and opened the passenger door for me. As I took his hand and stepped outside, a chilling wind swept past.
Though the air was cool, it wasn’t unbearable, so I merely hunched my shoulders slightly as we walked through the open space.
“Here, put this on.”
He draped his own jacket over my shoulders. I protested, saying I was fine, but he insisted, feigning strength by claiming he ran hot and felt warm.
‘He looks cold.’
I could see goosebumps prickling on his cheeks, but I pretended not to notice, wanting to preserve his pride.
Instead, I leaned into him, both to share warmth and to offer comfort, and he subtly wrapped his arms around me. Perhaps it was the shared body heat, but the cold suddenly felt much less biting.
“Hyung, look up.”
Hearing his words, I raised my head. Perhaps because the surroundings were dark, the stars, peppered across the inky black sky, were exceptionally clear.
“There are so many stars.”
“I think they’re clearer because the sky is so bright.”
With cheeks almost touching, we gazed at the sky for a long time. It was a sight I would have previously viewed without much emotion.
It was truly wondrous how simply having you by my side made it appear even more beautiful.
“Jung-ah.”
“Yes, Hyung.”
You, responding like an obedient child, turned to face me. We looked at each other from a distance so close our breaths mingled, before our lips gently met.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Just… everything.”
There were so many things I was grateful for to you, too numerous to name just one. And just as many things I felt sorry for.
However, knowing how much you disliked hearing me apologize, I swallowed those words with effort.
It remained a question in my mind. Why did you like me? What was so appealing about me, someone who had only ever hurt you, that you pursued me all this way?
You could have easily met someone better than me.
“There you go again.”
*Thwack.* He suddenly flicked my forehead with his finger. My eyes widened in surprise, and you, pouting, grumbled.
“Hyung, you’re thinking strange thoughts again, aren’t you?”
“…Me?”
I tried to pretend otherwise, but he didn’t seem convinced. As I subtly averted my gaze, he let out a deep sigh.
It was truly remarkable. Even without a word, it felt as though you knew exactly what I was thinking.
There were times when this very quality made me want to avoid you. Not anymore, though.
“Come here.”
He opened his arms wide and pulled me into a tight embrace. With every breath, his scent filled my senses, gently melting away my worries.
“From now on, only happiness awaits us. You, me, and Seo-woo—the three of us.”
“Indeed.”
A faint laugh escaped me. I felt foolish for still clinging to worries I should have long discarded.
Your feelings were unwavering, so what reason did I have to be anxious?
“Should we go register our marriage first?”
“Shouldn’t we prepare for the wedding first?”
“I don’t know, let’s just go fill out the papers quickly.”
“What are you talking about? Everything’s closed now.”
Only complete happiness filled the air.
****
Following that, I plunged into a whirlwind of hectic days.
With limited time to finalize the wedding preparations, I found myself constantly rushing from place to place without a moment’s rest.
In dramas, everything seemed to be arranged instantly, leaving only the ceremony itself, but reality, as expected, proved far less accommodating.
‘I miss Seo-woo.’
Leaving home early in the morning and returning late at night meant that if our timings didn’t align, I sometimes missed seeing Seo-woo awake.
At this time of day, Seo-woo would usually be playing in the living room with him before taking a nap together, but regrettably, I had just arrived at the studio for our wedding photoshoot.
‘It’ll be fine.’
I had just finished my makeup and changed into the outfit. All that remained was to step out for the shoot, yet my feet felt rooted to the spot.
Trauma doesn’t fade easily. I knew this, but I hadn’t even faced the camera yet, and my body was already rigid with fear.
If things continued like this, I felt certain I wouldn’t be able to endure once the shoot began, and I would simply flee. So, I repeatedly steeled my resolve.
‘It’s different from back then.’
Those who had maliciously pressed their shutters toward me were no longer here. In this place, I was Yoo Seo-jin, not Yoo Joon-hee.
So please… I just needed to stop trembling.
“Hyung, are you ready?”
He asked, having opened the waiting room door and stepped inside. I tried my best to feign composure, but it seemed my expression betrayed my true feelings.
“Should we postpone the shoot?”
He immediately sensed my state and asked. Even if I wanted to postpone, our schedule was so packed that we absolutely had to finish the wedding photoshoot today.
“It’s fine. We have to do it anyway, don’t we?”
“But…”
Knowing me as well as he did, it was natural that he couldn’t simply set aside his worry.
However, I couldn’t remain trapped by this trauma forever. I had to endure. If possible, I wanted to overcome it completely.
“Let’s try it first, and if it becomes too difficult, I’ll tell you.”
“Just don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”
“Yes, I won’t.”
I left the waiting room with a brave front, but the moment I faced the camera, my mind went utterly blank.
My body, seized by intense fear, stiffened, and my breathing grew increasingly shallow. The trauma button had been pressed.
‘It’s happening again.’
The relentless clicking of shutters, aggressively pressed by the reporters surrounding me, seemed to echo deafeningly in my ears.
The cold lenses that encircled me, preventing my escape, and the malicious eyes beyond them, were slowly constricting my very breath.
‘I want to run away.’
As I hesitated, trying to retreat, someone firmly grasped my hand. Slowly, I turned to my side, and he was there.
No, in truth, he had been there all along; I had simply failed to see him. You were, and always had been, right beside me.
“It’s alright.”
At his gentle whisper, my rigid shoulders miraculously relaxed. The gazes of others faded away, and only he completely filled my vision.
“I’m right here beside you.”
“Yes, you are.”
I turned completely toward him, away from the camera lens. And so, facing each other, we began the photoshoot.
*Click.* Each time the shutter clicked, my shoulders involuntarily flinched, but every time, he would reassure me.
“Please change your clothes, and we’ll resume.”
With that, the lengthy first session concluded. As I exhaled a long breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, he gently wiped the cold sweat from my forehead.
“Did I do well?”
“Yes, you did wonderfully.”
He smiled beautifully, cupped my cheek, and then kissed me. *Click.* I thought I heard the shutter click from beyond, but the sound was drowned out by our intertwined breaths.
Only you filled my world.
You think this chapter was thrilling? Wait until you read My Star, Your Star! Click here to discover the next big twist!
Read : My Star, Your Star
