Thanks to the cooperation of her mother, who had been the cause of her trauma, Chae-yeon's psychotherapy was showing rapid progress.

"My dear daughter, forget what I said in the past... You can be honest with the person you love now. Even if you reveal your true feelings, that person won't abandon you."

Su-yeon warmly embraced her sobbing daughter and continued to share words that were completely opposite of the indoctrination from Chae-yeon's childhood.

Su-yeon spared no effort in offering positive words to Chae-yeon, regardless of the place, hoping her daughter could overcome her trauma as soon as possible.

The same was true for Dong-hoon, who had also become aware of Chae-yeon's trauma.

"Chae-yeon, love is about giving and receiving from each other. Just like how your mom and I became closer. If you're honest with your feelings, you can have a good relationship with your boyfriend too."

Chae-yeon often saw her father's devotion reflected in Si-hyun's love. Perhaps that was why she trusted Dong-hoon's words even more and tried to follow his advice.

'I have to change. Only then can I date Si-hyun again.'

With Chae-yeon's strong will, her parents' unwavering support, and professional psychotherapy, everything was in place.

As a result, Chae-yeon was able to overcome her trauma in a relatively short period of two months.

When hope of growing closer by exchanging love overshadowed her fear of being abandoned by Si-hyun.

'I want to see Si-hyun.'

Feeling brave, Chae-yeon visited Si-hyun's house.

After confessing to Si-hyun, Chae-yeon realized that her trauma had completely disappeared.

'Finally, I've finally overcome it!'

Once Chae-yeon realized she had overcome her trauma, an overwhelming affection for Si-hyun surged within her heart. The love she had suppressed during their relationship began to overflow uncontrollably.

"I can finally say it now... I like you. I like you, Si-hyun!"

"What nonsense... Do you think saying that now will shake me?"

"I'm sorry for confessing so late. But from now on, I can tell you as much as you want..."

Once. Twice.

Chae-yeon took a deep breath and slipped her left hand through the door crack. Then, she gently caressed Si-hyun's cheek and spoke.

"I like you, Si-hyun."

Not long after, the door opened, and Chae-yeon, eager to express her feelings, leaned in...

Smooch♥️

As if possessed, she claimed Si-hyun's lips. It was a kiss after a long time, and since it was the first time she initiated it, a thrilling sense of accomplishment spread through her heart.

'This feeling, it's been so long...'

Chae-yeon gazed lovingly into Si-hyun's trembling eyes. She never dreamed she would do something like this. Believing that Si-hyun was happy, she attempted to gently deepen the kiss.

But then.

"What are you doing!? Are you crazy!?"

Si-hyun wiped his lips with his sleeve and forcefully pushed Chae-yeon away.

Chae-yeon, pushed back, looked at him with a vacant expression, while Si-hyun stared back with eyes full of animosity.

"You really are something else... I don't know what got into you over the break, but no matter what you do, I'm not getting back together with you."

"Si-hyun..."

Chae-yeon clutched her chest. Being rejected was expected. She had, after all, inflicted immeasurable wounds on Si-hyun.

While Chae-yeon was tormented by guilt, Si-hyun let out his anger without restraint.

"If you were going to be nice, you should have done it from the start. What's the point of clinging to me now? Did you get all upset because the slave you used to boss around disappeared? Is that why you're holding on to me like this?"

"That's not it at all!"

"Not it? If it really wasn't, then you should have at least nodded when I asked if you liked me. When I said I'd let it go with a single apology for how you treated me like crap, you should have at least managed a 'sorry.'"

Si-hyun's voice was filled with hatred. Chae-yeon, her legs giving way, dropped to her knees, rubbing her hands together, and spoke in a tearful voice.

"I was really sorry then... I wanted to tell you that I liked you too, but because of a trauma from my childhood, I just couldn't say it..."

"Trauma?"

Si-hyun's eyes widened with surprise as he listened intently to Chae-yeon’s unexpected revelation.

Chae-yeon nodded and began to open up to Si-hyun about her past.

She confessed how her home environment had been during her childhood, and what kind of life she had led because of it.

She explained that while dating Si-hyun, she realized her trauma and that it had prevented her from expressing affection.

And she also admitted that out of fear of losing him to Ye-rin, she had deliberately adopted a controlling attitude.

Hearing all this, Si-hyun froze in place, his mouth slightly open. He looked down at his ex-girlfriend, who was crying on her knees, in disbelief.

"Why didn't you tell me? If you had been honest, I would have tried to help you somehow..."

"I was too scared that if you found out I had a mental illness, you would break up with me..."

‘To think that there was such a background to Chae-yeon's behavior…’

The truth was hard to accept, and Si-hyun felt dizzy and nauseated.

Chae-yeon, still on her knees, clung to Si-hyun's legs and spoke.

"Si-hyun, I've completely healed now... I will spend my whole life making it up for how badly I treated you. I'll do whatever you say, so please, give me another chance..."

Where did things go wrong? Memories of their time together flashed through Si-hyun's mind, and Chae-yeon's harsh demeanor now struck him as heartbreaking.

'Even though there were circumstances, I can't agree to get back together...'

It's unfortunate that Chae-yeon had such a painful past. If he weren't dating Ye-rin, he might have been swayed by sympathy and accepted Chae-yeon's request to reunite.

But now, there was already someone he was responsible for.

"...Si-hyun?"

Si-hyun stepped back, breaking free from Chae-yeon's grasp. As she looked up at him with tear-filled eyes, he spoke in a subdued voice.

"I'm sorry, but I can't date you again..."

"W-why?"

"I'm already dating Ye-rin."

Han Ye-rin. The thought that her rival had started dating Si-hyun left Chae-yeon breathless, her hand covering her mouth in shock.

"Y-you're lying..."

"I'm not lying. It's already been 74 days since Ye-rin and I started dating..."

"Lies. Lies. Lies!!"

Chae-yeon, acting like a child who only hears what they want to, covered her ears and shook her head. A moment later, with eyes clouded and a slight laugh in her voice, she asked,

"Si-hyun, this is all a joke, right? You're just saying this to push me away, aren't you?"

"Ha..."

Seeing Chae-yeon continuously trying to escape reality, Si-hyun let out a deep sigh. Then, he took out his smartphone and turned the screen toward Chae-yeon.

Click.

As he pressed the power button, the background appeared. It was once an image of him kissing Chae-yeon at sunset.

"........."

Now, it has been changed to a picture of Ye-rin. At the beach, under the bright moonlight, they were kissing in the photo.

"What is this.. I hate this!"

"It might be hard to believe, but it's all true. So please, just accept it."

Believing that staying any longer wouldn't change anything, Si-hyun started walking towards his home with heavy steps. Chae-yeon quickly grabbed his leg.

"Si-Si-hyun, I was truly wrong.. I'll treat you better than Ye-rin ever could. So please, don't leave..."

Hearing Chae-yeon's desperate plea, Si-hyun bit his lower lip.

"It's already too late. Besides, dating Ye-rin is much more enjoyable and makes me happier than being with you again."

Shaking off her hand, Si-hyun continued walking away.

Slowly, Chae-yeon's body crumbled.

The further the distance grew between her and Si-hyun, the more despair began to settle in her chest.

"Don't go... Please, I'm begging you..."

The only sound that filled the air was the creak of the front door opening. Si-hyun opened it widely and went inside without looking back.

"Ugh! Ha... Ha..."

Struggling with a choking sensation in her chest, Chae-yeon let out a rough breath. Her vision blurred, and she felt dizzy, as if she could collapse at any moment.

'Don't leave me behind...'

With a longing gaze, Chae-yeon stared at the front door. But the door remained immovable.

At that moment, as despair settled back over her and she lowered her head...

Creak-

The sound of the door hinge was heard once again. As if she had discovered a ray of hope, Chae-yeon quickly lifted her head.

"Si-hyun, did you come back?"

In Si-hyun's returning hand was a medium-sized box. Slowly approaching Chae-yeon, he bent down gently and said,

"Lim Chae-yeon, thank you for everything until now. Even though it didn't end well, I loved you a lot."

Then he placed the medium box in front of Chae-yeon and slowly walked away.

"........"

After Si-hyun disappeared, Chae-yeon opened the box with trembling hands.

Inside, there was a sky blue album filled with their pictures, a dolphin-shaped keychain, the wallet he had given her on her birthday, and various other gifts.

It was filled with memories from when they were a couple.

"Ah…"

Realizing that Si-hyun had sorted out his feelings and their relationship, Chae-yeon broke into continuous sobs. Hearing this beyond the front door, Si-hyun...

As he slid down...

He sat by the shoe cabinet, listening intently to the wailing of his ex-girlfriend until the end.