True to Joohyun’s words, Sooyoung continued to function as per normal after that fight with Sohyun. After a week of seeing such behaviour from Sooyoung, Joohyun finally couldn’t take it and decided to speak to Sooyoung about it.

“Sooyoung-ah, can I ask you something?” asked Joohyun over lunch one day.

“Of course unnie, what is it?” replied Sooyoung.

“Are you really okay?” asked Joohyun hesitantly.

“What makes you ask that?” asked Sooyoung.

“It’s… it’s just that, the previous time Sungjae rejected you, you totally closed yourself off from the world. But now, you seem so… so normal. Not that I don’t appreciate it, but I’m worried about this drastic difference,” said Joohyun.

Sooyoung took a sip of her drink, before replying, “I’ve been thinking, unnie. Maybe we really aren’t meant to be together. If Sungjae really feels that Sohyun’s the right one for him, then what can I do? I’ve tried to convince him, I’ve tried my hardest to fight for him. Nothing has worked. I can’t afford to go to pieces like I did last time. I realised how selfish I was when I behaved in that way the previous time. I made so many people worry for me. You, Changsub-oppa, Seulgi-unnie, eomma, Mrs. Yang and, most of all, Minjae! I need to keep it together, especially for Minjae. In fact, I’m almost thinking of cancelling my exchange for him. If Sungjae has told Minjae the truth, how can I bear the thought of him being alone thinking about the fact that his current appa has abandoned him? He’s already had to bear the pain of his parents leaving him once. How can I expect him to bear that pain a second time alone? So no, I can’t afford to break down so selfishly this time, unnie. There are people around me who love me so much that it would be completely unfair for me to hurt them by breaking down,” ranted Sooyoung.

“It hurts us more to see you try to be strong for us, Sooyoung,” replied Joohyun. “I’m so scared you’ll be strong for us to the extent that it’ll become too much for you to bear eventually. And while I hate what Sungjae has done to you, I agree with one point that he made. You’re not really Minjae’s eomma. You need to let go at some point.”

Sooyoung closed her eyes for a while and when she reopened them Joohyun could tell that she was fighting back tears. “I can’t, unnie. I really can’t. Sungjae-oppa may have given up on Minjae and I but I haven’t. Minjae’s managed to mature so well under our care. I know I can’t mother him forever, unnie. But it doesn’t mean I can’t mother him for as long as I can. Minjae’s my main source of strength now, Joohyun. He’s the one keeping me sane now. If you’re really worried about me unnie, then please don’t tell me to let go of Minjae now. I’ve already lost Sungjae-oppa, I can’t afford to lose Minjae too.”

Joohyun pulled Sooyoung into a hug, as she replied, “Of course I won’t force you, dear. If you’re able to push yourself on for Minjae, then I’m more than happy for you. I just want the best for you, Sooyoung-ah.”

“I know, unnie. Nomu gomawoyo. I can’t imagine how I would have survived all this without you,” replied Sooyoung.

Joohyun patted Sooyoung on her nape before pulling out of the hug. “Are you going home now?”

“Anni~ I’m going to visit Minjae now. Mrs. Yang told me Sungjae went to see him a few days ago. I’m worried about what Sungjae-oppa told Minjae,” replied Sooyoung.

“Would you like me to come along with you?” offered Joohyun.

“Sure, if you have time to spare,” replied Sooyoung with a smile.

Both of them set off for the orphanage. Naptime was just about to start for Minjae but he bounced happily up to Sooyoung when she appeared with Joohyun at the main gate.

“Eomma!” cheered Minjae brightly.

“Minjae-ah!” replied Sooyoung.

Mrs. Yang came out of her office at that moment and Sooyoung turned to greet her. “Annehasaeyo, Mrs. Yang. I’m sorry, is Minjae due for his nap now?”

“It’s all right, Sooyoung. He can talk for a few minutes,” replied Mrs. Yang.

“Thanks, Mrs. Yang,” said Sooyoung, before turning to Minjae. “Minjae-ah, have you been okay recently?”

“Of course, eomma. Why do you ask?” asked Minjae.

“Did your appa come visit you recently?” asked Sooyoung tentatively.

“Neh~ Sungjae-hyung came to see me a few days ago,” replied Minjae.

“Sungjae-hyung? Why do you call him that suddenly, Minjae-ah?” asked Sooyoung.

“Sungjae-hyung doesn’t want to be my appa anymore,” replied Minjae, as tears welled up in his eyes. “He said he’s leaving soon and not coming back.”

“Aigoo, Minjae-ah,” said Sooyoung, as she hugged him tightly. “Listen Minjae-ah, if eomma doesn’t have to go away for the next few months, would that make you happy?”

“Neh!” replied Minjae immediately.

Sooyoung smiled at Minjae and patted his head gently.

“But eomma, why would you suddenly not have to go away?” asked Minjae.

“I don’t want you to be alone, Minjae-ah,” replied Sooyoung.

Minjae stared into the distance for a while before asking, “Eomma, if you go, will you come back?”

“Of course, Minjae-ah! Eomma just doesn’t want you to be alone again,” replied Sooyoung.

“But eomma, you sounded like you really wanted to go for this trip,” said Minjae.

“Kwenchana, Minjae-ah,” repl