Chapter 34
One long week passed.
Sorim was getting thinner.
She often skipped meals because she had no appetite. At night, she could not sleep.
Even when she lay in bed with her eyes closed, sleep would not come.
So she had many restless nights.
“…I miss him.”
The words slipped out without her knowing. Sorim quickly covered her mouth in shock.
How could she miss such a proud and selfish man?
A man who ignored her, hurt her, and left her alone.
She buried her face in the pillow and sighed.
But she had to admit it.
No matter what, the only person she could depend on in this world was Taeha.
She hated him for easily telling her to give up cooking, which was part of her identity.
But at the same time, she needed him.
“…I should at least try to talk.”
Sorim made a decision.
She would not avoid him. She would talk seriously one more time.
She would explain her dream, what she truly wanted, and how his way of doing things hurt her deeply.
Maybe he would understand a little.
With shaking hands, she picked up her phone.
After writing and deleting the message many times, she finally sent it with a small hope.
[Do you have time tonight? I have something to say. I’ll wait.]
Her finger trembled before pressing send.
This was her last try. She threw away her pride.
She desperately hoped he would take her hand.
She stared at her phone.
One minute felt like one hour. Like one year.
At the Same Time – Yunsan Group Vice President’s Office
Taeha’s phone vibrated during a meeting.
He frowned and checked it. It was Sorim.
[Do you have time tonight? I have something to say. I’ll wait.]
His eyes shook slightly at the words.
“I’ll wait.”
That sentence poked his heart.
He had not faced her properly for a week.
He was busy, yes—but that was also an excuse.
If he went home, Sorim would be there.
If he saw her pale face looking at him, he might waver.
He was afraid his heart would soften.
That kind of weak fear did not suit Song Taeha.
“Damn.”
He loosened his tie roughly.
Suddenly, an old memory came to his mind.
A young girl smiling brightly and holding out an orange.
“Do you want this?”
Her neat white teeth and the fresh smell of the orange peel were still clear in his memory.
“…Ha.”
Why was he thinking about a girl who had nothing to do with this?
He did not like this illogical train of thought.
“…Vice President?”
The secretary’s voice brought him back to reality.
He turned his phone face down.
“Continue.”
“And the dinner appointment?”
“Go ahead with it. We need to finish the franchise investment deal as soon as possible.”
His eyes became cold.
This is for her, he told himself.
She might feel hurt now, but one day she would understand.
When she succeeded and stood in a high position, she would know he was right.
He could not let Sorim grow old just cutting vegetables in a kitchen.
So he had to be firm now.
Even if she got hurt.
“Aren’t you going to reply?” the secretary asked carefully.
Taeha hesitated for a moment.
“Later.”
He did not know that this would be a big mistake.
8 PM. 9 PM. 10 PM.
Time passed quickly.
There was no reply. No call with an excuse.
Sorim sat on the sofa and looked out at the dark night.
“…He’s not coming.”
Maybe he never planned to come.
No—it didn’t matter anymore.
Hope turned into despair. Despair turned into acceptance.
He wasn’t too busy.
He was ignoring her. Ignoring her feelings.
“This is your place, Yoon Sorim.”
It felt like her past and Taeha were telling her silently.
Don’t act out. Just do as you’re told.
You’re not my partner. You’re just something I own.
Sorim gave a bitter smile and drank her wine in one gulp.
It tasted very bitter.
Just then—
Her phone rang loudly.
She jumped and grabbed it.
Was it Taeha? Was he calling to say sorry?
But it wasn’t him.
It was the hospital where her grandmother was staying.
Her heart dropped.
Hospitals do not call this late for no reason.
A bad feeling crawled up her spine.
She answered with trembling fingers.
“…Hello?”
– Is this Yoon Sorim? This is the hospital.
“Yes. What happened? Is my grandmother okay?”
The voice on the phone was urgent and heavy.
– Please prepare yourself and come immediately. Patient Kim Jiran is… in critical condition.
“…What?”
Her mind went blank.
– Her heart stopped. We are doing CPR, but she is elderly, so the chances are…
“I’m coming right now!”
Sorim jumped up so fast that the chair fell.
She ran to the door without even putting on proper clothes.
While rushing out, she called Taeha.
Right now, he was the person she needed most.
“Please answer… Taeha, please…”
The ringing sound continued.
“Please… I’m scared. Don’t leave me alone.”
But the call ended.
He didn’t answer.
Not once. Not twice. Not three times.
The person who was not there when she needed him most.
The man who cared more about business than her desperation.
Could she really become family with someone like that?
Could she really be happy beside him?
The light slowly left Sorim’s eyes.
It was the look of someone standing at the edge of a cliff.
At the same time, it was a cold decision forming.
She sent one last message.
[Grandma is critical. I’m going to the hospital now. Please call me.]
She held her phone tightly.
She felt like this was her final signal for help.
At the Hospital
The air smelled strongly of disinfectant.
The medical staff had just stopped CPR. They shook their heads.
“…She has passed away. Time of death: 10:47 PM.”
The doctor’s calm voice echoed in the air.
Sorim couldn’t believe it.
She slowly walked toward the bed.
Her grandmother’s face looked peaceful, but there was no warmth left.
“Grandma…?”
No answer.
“Grandma, I’m here. It’s Sorim. Please open your eyes…”
Sorim held her grandmother’s thin hand and collapsed.
The warm voice that always worried about her was gone forever.
A deep fear of being alone in the world flooded her.
Even in that moment of despair, the phone in her hand was silent.
There was still no message from Taeha.
