Chapter 124: The Snow That Stayed

I was momentarily speechless.

I hadn’t expected Seunghee to cry or anything, but this indifferent reaction was equally surprising.

“…Noona, you okay?”

<Yeah. Actually, with him like that, it’s quiet and nice. Grandfather’s the one not okay.>

“What happened?”

<No article yet, but seeing Dad like that, Grandfather collapsed too.>

My heart dropped at that.

“Is he alright?”

<Yeah. But just in case, he’s hospitalized.>

“Not in a coma or anything?”

<No, he’s fine. Regained consciousness quickly…. Doctor says no issues.>

Seunghee sighed briefly and said.

<More than health, mentally… seems closer to depression.>

I was quite shocked.

A heavy silence passed.

A man like Grandfather, who achieved everything, suffering depression in old age….

Unable to find words, Seunghee spoke again.

<…I realized a lot this time.>

“Huh?”

<Felt like a fool. Struggled so hard to get Grandfather and Father’s approval, but seeing this… it’s all so empty. What have I even done? Why did I live like that?>

Seunghee’s face seemed self-mocking.

It hurt to see.

She grew up discriminated against in the family, and knew it well.

But thought effort could overcome it.

That’s why she desperately proved her ability.

But when Choi Younggil used her inheritance to force Mother’s divorce, and even said he’d give it to Doyoon, she must have realized something wrong.

I couldn’t imagine her betrayal by Father.

His casual declaration dismissed her life and efforts.

Then Seunghee said.

<I won’t just wait anymore.>

My throat tightened.

I said sincerely.

“…Sorry I can’t help from beside you.”

<It’s fine. Choi Doyoon does well. You rest easy.>

Seunghee acted like hanging up, then added very softly.

<…And, if possible, come to Korea. Mom misses you a lot. Me too.>

I smiled bitterly.

“…Sorry.”

Then I’d see Doyoon.

Could I act nonchalant seeing him?

Just imagining meeting made my heart sink; seemed wrong to go for a while.

Seunghee sighed but didn’t repeat.

After that, I attended French academy more diligently.

Soon my skills far surpassed Minseok’s.

And uploaded YouTube videos regularly at home.

Nothing better to kill random thoughts and time.

Finally late November, Choi Seunghee confidently became Haewon Group vice chairman through shareholders’ meeting.

For an owner’s child, late 30s was exceptional.

Plus, Chairman Grandfather bedridden, hands off company; practically Seunghee was chairman.

News competed reporting her Haewon Commerce resume, praising Haewon entering ‘3rd generation management’, ‘new era’ with positive words.

With new appointments, governance restructured, major stock fluctuations.

Kim Minseok, buying Haewon Commerce stocks in the gap, profited big, thrilled.

Long live Vice Chairman Choi Seunghee, he raved in the cafe; funny, I let him.

A month later, Choi Younggil died.

Pathetically, naturally ‘death from stroke’.

Several surgeries mid-way, but insufficient.

Quite absurd death for someone who tormented everyone.

Mother speaking of his death seemed surprisingly calm.

“You okay?”

I asked carefully, Mother smiled small on screen.

<Of course. But paperwork not done, planning official death announcement next week. Not brain dead, fully stopped breathing, can’t drag longer.>

“Ah….”

Slightly flustered by overly detailed inside story.

I asked about the truly worrying person.

“Grandfather?”

<Not good.>

Mother looked at me a moment and asked.

<Coming to the funeral?>

I stiffened slightly.

Then said naturally.

“Doyoon… is there.”

<…Grandfather seems to miss you.>

I smiled bitterly.

‘No way.’

If Mom saw Grandfather throwing paternity test at my head yelling….

And I had no face to see him.

Caused such a scene leaving last.

Mother, since hearing my confession on fireworks night, never directly told me to return to Korea.

But after Seunghee’s try failed, now using Grandfather excuse.

Mother sighed when I didn’t answer.

<Not forcing. Grandfather sick, can’t come anyway. And funeral private.>

“…Sorry.”

I quickly changed topic.

“Then divorce suit?”

<He died, auto canceled. Property division claim ended too.>

Mother smiled.

But hollow, not joyful.

Like Seunghee’s expression.

“…Really okay?”

<What wouldn’t be okay for me.>

But Mother hesitated and said.

<But, not as refreshing as thought.>

Then added after a pause.

<…Thanks for stopping Mom then.>

My eyes widened.

Never expected this.

<After you left, it was really hard. Felt like I ruined your life. But now seeing this…. Felt possessed then. Almost did crazy for someone who’d die anyway.>

“…Didn’t do it, that’s enough.”

My voice trembled slightly.

Not for reward, but her words melted a corner of my heart.

What I did wasn’t in vain.

She hesitated and said.

<…You might know, but Noh Jaesik killed someone before. The doctor who knew your birth secret.>

“…I know.”

Mother’s face twisted.

Looked like crying.

<Apart from hating him, actually felt relieved. Thought secret wouldn’t leak. But….>

Mother breathed in briefly.

<Doyoon… said the other side already knows. So if you’re okay, want to tell them truth and apologize. Should’ve done earlier….>

I smiled.

“Of course.”

Mother smiled small following me.

<Thanks.>

“What for. Contact again.”

Then Mother said urgently.

<Seunghyun-ah, Mom wants you… to live happily. Definitely.>

I blanked momentarily.

Strange feeling getting my words back.

I stared endlessly at the ended call.

My face reflected mirror-like on black screen.

Stared hard at my face and thought.

Seunghee achieved her wish, Mother admitted wrong, Choi Younggil dead.

And I rich idler with plenty time….

Why this face?

As Mother said, Father’s death announced a week later.

But after Seunghee became vice chairman, his death little impact on Haewon.

Pushed by other issues, soon forgotten.

Occasional comments: mostly ‘that filthy bastard’.

Eternally dishonorable even dead—fitting end for him.

Alive, yelled at all; dead, yelled at by all.

Snow pouring outside.

Day after tomorrow Christmas, streets full of lights and carols.

People around blooming with smiles, all happy.

Except Kim Minseok.

“Girlfriend in Korea, lonelier. Here Christmas with family, we have none.”

He said bringing beautifully tulip-drawn cafe latte.

Latte art skills growing impressively.

“Ah, no. Hyung lives with relatives.”

He looked like abandoned puppy wanting pickup.

I burst laughing and asked.

“Well, want to drink that day?”

“Nah, just saying.”

Didn’t seem just saying… ask again, he’d pretend to yield.

But then.

Someone approached from behind with steady footsteps, stopped right by my table.

Then said out of blue.

“…Good. Then how about drinking with me?”

My body flinched.

Overly familiar voice.

Never forgotten once in months….

I slowly raised my head.

There stood Doyoon in dark gray coat and black scarf.