‘Is it yummy?’

‘Mm.. You’re always the best in making seaweed soup. Thank you, Hyemi-ya.’ He smiled behind his tired façade and I couldn’t help but to smile back.

‘So, is he treating you well? Have enough meals?’

‘Kinda.’ I answered weakly.

‘Oppa, I’m sorry for everything. I didn’t mean to yell to you and say all those rude words. I was mad –‘

‘No. It was my fault. I thought you’re mine, only mine. I was devastated and angry at the fact that everything wasn’t true. I hated the fact that I was alone.’ He said and sighed. Didn’t want him to blame himself anymore, I got up from my chair and hugged him tight.

‘You’re not alone. I’ll always love you. It doesn’t matter if I’m Son Hyemi, Bae Suzy or anyone. You’ll always be my brother.’

‘Please don’t force yourself to lie to me. Don’t feel sorry or pity.’ He slowly tried to push my body away but I tightened my hold.

‘I’m not. Let’s just stay together like we used to.’

***

The door creaked open and I was expecting Suzy to come in but disappointingly, Aunt Joori was the one who slowly went inside the house. She was shocked when she saw my face and I noticed that she wiped the sweat on her forehead with a pink handkerchief in her hands.

‘Aunt Joori, where have you been?’

‘Some, somewhere. I’m tired. Don’t disturb me.’ She spoke quite fast and walked hastily towards her room. She seemed tensed and anxious. I couldn’t ask her more.

When her figure was out of my view, my thoughts flew towards Suzy. I tried to look for her, even at Son Dongwoon’s house but she wasn’t there. The gate was locked and his house seemed like a haunted house from the outside. The car’s wasn’t there and I tried to get rid of unwanted assumptions in my mind.

No, Suzy won’t leave with that man.

‘L-shi?’ I looked up to the faint voice and I was relieved when I saw her face that I got up and straightly pulled her into my arms.

‘Where were you?! You’re not with that scumbag, right?’

She pushed me away like she always did.

‘He’s my brother. You should be thanking him for bringing me back here.’

‘He’s not! You’re Suzy for God’s sake! How many times do I have to remind you that?!’ I couldn’t help but to yell. Suzy seemed to be mad at me as well. I noticed that she was biting her lips and not long after that, she put her hands on mine and held them tight.

‘I know. But you can’t just erase everything, every memory that I had with him. I don’t remember anything about you but yet, I’m still here. You should be thankful that I trust you. The truth was I wanted to be with Dongwoon Oppa but my heart told me to stay here. Please don’t yell anymore.’

Her words snapped me. Staring at her eyes, now I realized how harsh I had been towards