Love is better than pain
22. In the arms that hide farewell
That night, Siyeon quietly opened the door to Myeongho's house and entered.
I held his hand without saying anything and naturally lay down next to him on the bed.
Under a small light, under a warm blanket.
Myeongho carefully laid Siyeon down on the armrest and pulled her into his arms once more.
디에잇(명호)
“Don’t… do that again.”
A small, trembling voice. Myungho kissed Siyeon's forehead and spoke with sincerity.
디에잇(명호)
"Seriously... I thought my heart was going to stop. It hurt a lot more than I imagined, Siyeon."
At those words, Siyeon closed her eyes and buried her head.
강시연
"sorry...."
So much emotion was packed into that one little apology.
And—tears gathered silently in her eyes. But they never fell.
She simply took a deep breath in Myungho's arms. Myungho stroked her hair and smiled softly.
디에잇(명호)
"Yeah. Okay. We're hugging like this right now."
That night was so peaceful, warm, and endlessly lovely.
So it fell apart even more.
디에잇(명호)
"Siyeon."
강시연
"huh..?"
디에잇(명호)
“I’m going to Paris for about four days for a fashion show event. Do you want to come with me?”
강시연
“…Excuse me, Myeongho. I have work to do.”
Myungho pouted at the playful demonstration.
디에잇(명호)
“Hey~ How can I not do that? Just… say you’re on a business trip and come with me? Okay?
디에잇(명호)
“If I’m away from you… I’m going crazy with anxiety…”
At those words, Siyeon shrugged and burst into laughter.
강시연
“Separation anxiety? Seriously… haha…”
Myeongho playfully poked Siyeon's forehead and hugged her tightly.
디에잇(명호)
“I’ll be back soon. You’ll have to wait.”
강시연
"Have a nice trip..."
I couldn't give a definitive answer that that would happen.
Siyeon said that and gave him a small kiss.
And— leaning on his shoulder, he whispered invisibly.
강시연
‘…I’m sorry. I’m so sorry…’
***
The day Myungho left for Paris, Siyeon quietly took out the resignation letter she had prepared.
A quiet company, an early morning conference room.
The moment I quietly placed a piece of paper on the desk, my heart sank.
강주아
"Ms. Kang Si-yeon... I don't know what personal circumstances are involved, but..."
Agent Kang Joo-ah looked at her with a slightly worried expression.
강주아
“How long has it been since you joined the company… and all of a sudden…”
강시연
"I'm sorry... It's a personal matter, and I would appreciate it if you could keep it a secret."
A short, quiet request. And a suppressed smile.
Manager Kang watched the demonstration silently and then nodded quietly.
강주아
"You don't like it very much?"
Siyeon nodded silently.
강주아
"Okay. I'll fix it, but... You've done a great job so far.
강주아
“If you ever want to come back later, just let me know. I’ll keep the seat… empty.”
At those words, Siyeon smiled slightly and lowered her head.
강시연
"…thank you."
The moment she left the office, the entrance lobby, the photo on the desk, caught her eye.
Even the sound of the copy machine felt unfamiliar.
And— tears welled up in my eyes. I left everything behind, and took the first step toward leaving him.
Siyeon quietly walked out, took out her phone, and opened her photo album. It contained photos she had taken with Myeongho.
Laughing, joking, hugging, kissing… those brilliant memories were lined up beneath my fingertips.
강시연
"I can't erase it or look at it.."
That statement became reality, and the demonstration eventually covered the screen.