Whispers and Wounds

The rain had finally passed, but a different kind of storm was brewing inside the grand estate.

Everyone had gathered in the vast living room — the air still heavy with grief, yet laced now with an awkward, unfamiliar silence.

Mi-kyung gently took Ha-eun’s hand and led her toward the guest room.

“Come, let’s get you out of these wet clothes.”

As she helped her change, Mi-kyung couldn’t hold back the tears in her eyes. She looked at the girl who had once run barefoot through her garden, laughing like the winter wind.

“Ha-eun-ah… You’ve grown up so much. Where were you all these years? Why didn’t you ever come to visit?” Her voice cracked.

Ha-eun didn’t have any words.

Her lips trembled, but nothing came out. She simply looked at Mi-kyung — her tears, her warmth, her pain.

They hugged, tightly — two hearts reconnecting over shared grief and distant memories.

And then, Mi-kyung spoke softly, almost in a whisper,

“Ha-eun… marry my son.”

Ha-eun froze.

Her body stiffened in shock.

“…What?” she managed to breathe out.

The words echoed in her mind. Just like Halmeoni… She said the same thing…

Sensing her unease, Mi-kyung cupped her face gently.

“Don’t be scared. I’m not forcing you. Just… think about it. If your heart says yes, you can always tell me.”

She smiled warmly. “Now rest. You’ve had a hard day.”

⸻

The Next Morning

Golden sunlight streamed in through the tall windows.

Ha-eun sat quietly at the breakfast table, taking small bites while watching the elegant home around her.

“Auntie…” she said softly. “I think I should go home now.”

Mi-kyung looked up, almost disappointed.

“Ha-eun-ah… Why don’t you just stay here, hmm? This is your home too.”

Ha-eun gave a faint smile.

“Thank you for saying that.”

Just then, footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Min-jae was heading out in his usual cold rush — briefcase in hand, hair slightly tousled, dark blazer sharp against the light. But before he could even reach the door—

WHACK!

A flying kick landed squarely on his leg.

“YAAAHHH!” Min-jae shouted. “What the hell?!”

Everyone jumped up from their seats.

Mi-kyung covered her face, muttering under her breath, “Not now… not in front of her…”

Ha-eun gasped.

“Eonni???”

Standing there, hands on her hips, fierce as ever, was Min-jae’s older sister — Kang Ji-soo.

Min-jae looked ready to explode.

“Are you crazy?! Why are you attacking me in front of everyone?!”

“YOU WENT TO MY DAUGHTER’S SCHOOL AND PICKED UP HER RESULTS WITHOUT TELLING ME?!”

Min-jae: “So what?! What’s the big deal?”

Before the siblings could escalate, Mi-kyung stood up.

“Both of you—enough. Sit down. Behave.”

Ji-soo grumbled, but then turned — her eyes landing on Ha-eun.

“…Wait a second…”

She squinted, then gasped.

“I’ve seen you somewhere before…”

Min-jae started to walk away, but Mi-kyung gently held his wrist, signaling him to stay.

Ha-eun stood up, smiling faintly.

“Eonni… it’s me. Ha-eun.”

Ji-soo’s eyes widened.

“Ha-eun?! HA-EUN-AH!!! YAAAHHH!!!”

She ran to her, enveloping her in a crushing hug.

“You’re all grown up! Wahhhh… You’re so gorgeous now! How old are you, huh?”

“25,” Ha-eun answered shyly.

Ji-soo turned dramatically to Min-jae.

“25?! And Min-jae’s almost 28! YA! You two should just get married!”

Everyone blinked.

Ha-eun and Min-jae both looked at each other awkwardly.

Mi-kyung started to laugh, a soft chuckle she hadn’t let out in years.

Ji-soo blinked. “Eomma… you’re laughing?”

Mi-kyung quickly wiped her eyes and changed the subject.

“Min-jae. Drive Ha-eun home.”

Ha-eun tried to stop them. “Oh, Auntie, I can just take the bus—”

“Let’s go,” Min-jae muttered.

⸻

The Ride Home

The car ride was dead silent.

The city buzzed outside the window, but inside the car — it was just the hum of the engine and the slow ache of unspoken things.

When they arrived in front of Ha-eun’s house, she reached for the handle.

But then—he called her name.

“…Ha-eun.”

She looked back, surprised.

“…Yes?”

He hesitated.

“…Nothing. Just… take care.”

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