“Ji Hyo ar….don’t worry. Hee Gun has recovered from his flu and fever. But I am sorry that Hee Gun has no letters for you this week.” Jong Kook told Ji Hyo.

Ji Hyo still remembered the day when she leaves the North. She witness Hee Gun collapsing in the rain. She couldn’t run towards him to help him. She knew that the men from the Kangs were watching. She also knew that Hee Gun are in good hands. True enough, once Hee Gun collapsed, several men came out from their ambush and carry their young master back to the house.

“Oppa, good bye. Please take care of yourself.”  Ji Hyo bite her lips, her chin and body started to tremble. Tears filled up her eyes silently.  

After Ji Hyo went back to the big house of Kangs, she was rewarded like what Jae Suk had promised her. She got a pay raise, not just 5 or 10 percent but a 20 percent. Instead of sleeping together with the junior maids in the maids’ quarters, she was given a room a small room of her own.

Ji Hyo continued to work hard. She was looking forward to finish her contract, which ends 6 months later. She secretly prayed that no men and no matchmakers come with any marriage proposals. She also prayed that as long as she is still with the Kangs, she does not need to witness Hee Gun marrying another woman.

Towards the last month of Ji Hyo’s contract, it was rumored in the house of Kangs that Hee Gun had meet a girl in the North. Both families had decided to tie the knots for them. Hee Gun and his future wife shall be coming back to the big house of Kangs for the marriage ceremony.

Ji Hyo felt that her world is spinning upon hearing the news. She wanted to ask Jong Kook about it but she did not have the courage. Ji Hyo did not want to wait for that day to arrive. She went to see Choi En, she requested to end her contract one month earlier with the reason that she misses her family. She also lied that a good friend of hers is getting married and she wishes to be there to support the friend.

“Ji Hyo, will you stay for me?” Jong Kook asked. He stretched out his hand attempting to hold Ji Hyo’s.

“Master Jong Kook, the old master will not acknowledged us. And…and…I….I….only have Master Hee Gun in my heart.” Ji Hyo told Jong Kook boldly.

The permission was granted to Ji Hyo for her to return to her hometown. Ji Hyo was grateful to the Kangs that she is not required to pay back any compensation for breaking her bond. Instead Jae Suk had given her a sum of money which is equivalent to her 12 months wages.

Hee Gun came back to the House of Kangs 1 week after Ji Hyo left. The first thing he came home was to look for Ji Hyo.

“Hee Gun, come to my room.” Jae Suk said. When Hee Gun was in his father’s room, Jong Kook and Choi En were there also.

“Son, I know what you want and who you wanted to see. Unfortunately, Ji Hyo had left the House of Kang 1 week ago. She chooses to leave after her bond finished.” Jae Suk explained.

“I heard that she plans to marry for childhood sweet heart, a man with the surname of Lee who is a fisherman in her hometown” Choi En added.

Hee Gun left the room quietly. “So she has been planning to marry someone else? That’s why she is not replying to my letters? Or she has given up hope on us and left even before waiting for me to come back?”

“Hee Gun.” It was Jong Kook. It was the night before Hee Gun goes back to the North. Jong Kook came by his bedroom.

“I am here to return these.” Jong Kook took out a pile of letters. Each and every letter is still sealed and intact.  

Hee Gun was surprised. “So my letters are not passed to Ji Hyo?”

Jong Kook shook his head, “I am sorry, you trusted me but yet I betray you. Father had warned me not to pass her the letters. At the same time, I admit that I had a hidden agenda. I thought Ji Hyo will slowly forgets you once she receives no letters from you. And she will falls for me. Unfortunately, regardless is me or you, Father will not acknowledged Ji Hyo.” Jong Kook felt ashamed. He pinned his eyes on the ground.

“Also, Ji Hyo told me…..she…only…have you in her….her heart.” Jong Kook said sadly.

“One more thing. Choi En senior had suggested to father, to spread rumours about you getting married. I think Ji Hyo did not want to see you with another woman. So she request to end the contract early and left us.” Jong Kook sighed.

“You knew about all these? You knew!! Why didn’t you stop Ji Hyo from leaving?” Hee Gun shouted.

“Hee Gun, what can I do? I can’t betray Father and my family because of a woman. How about you, what have you done to protect Ji Hyo? What have you done to stop her from leaving?” Jong Kook challenged Hee Gun.

“Hyung, I am sorry.” Hee Gun apologized. He felt guilty towards Ji Hyo and Jong Kook.

Ji Hyo went back to her hometown and managed to clear her father’s debts with the handsome reward from the Kangs. And was glad that she still have some money left from both her savings and