Episode43
Serin’s father’s funeral ended after just three days.
Not long ago, he had held Serin’s hand and smiled at her warmly. But now, it had only taken three days for him to become ashes placed in an urn and laid to rest in a small space forever.
After the funeral, Serin locked herself in an empty room, barely moving.
She didn’t feel hungry. She couldn’t sleep.
Occasionally, Ae-seon visited and forced a few spoonfuls of porridge into her mouth — that was the only food she ate.
She had no sense of how much time had passed.
The fact that her beloved father no longer existed in this world, and that she was now truly an orphan — that sense of loss pressed down on Serin like a massive weight.
Eventually, when her mental strength reached its limit, she would pass out as if fainting.
Day or night — she didn’t know.
The room was always pitch dark, with the lights turned off and curtains drawn.
Her phone rang endlessly during that time. She neither turned it off nor answered it. Eventually, the battery must have died because it went completely silent.
A few times, there were knocks on the door.
And a low voice calling out, “Eun Serin.”
Was it Taeyoon?
Or maybe Changhyun?
It didn’t matter. Neither of them was her father.
After many days of simply enduring time, Serin finally got up.
She stood — because she still had to live.
Dongyoung Foods was on the verge of collapse, but not completely gone yet.
And now, the only person who could protect it — with her father gone — was her.
She washed thoroughly and changed into clean clothes, then stood in front of the mirror. Afterward, she left the house and headed somewhere.
She took a taxi and rode for a long time before getting off in front of Hyeonmuje.
The grand mansion still stood tall like an ancient castle, exuding pride and authority.
After staring at it briefly, Serin walked confidently toward the main gate, not the side entrance used by staff. She pressed the intercom button.
“Who is it?”
The familiar voice echoed in her ears.
“It’s Eun Serin, Madam Kang.”
— Eun Serin? Miss Serin? Why are you…
“Is Mrs. Ahn Youngsook home? I came to speak with her.”
— The madam, well…
Madam Kang hesitated. A sigh passed through the speaker.
— Come in, Miss Serin.
With a beep and a click, the gate opened and the intercom went silent.
Serin let out a deep breath and stepped inside.
As she walked halfway across the path cutting through the central lawn, she spotted Madam Kang hurrying toward her.
“Miss Serin…”
Serin offered a faint smile as she greeted the woman who wore an uncertain expression.
“Hello, Madam Kang. Have you been well?”
“Ah, well… I heard you went through something terrible recently. Are you alright?”
Madam Kang looked Serin over with concern.
Even without a detailed look, Serin’s condition was visibly poor.
Her body was gaunt, almost skeletal, and her face was terribly pale.
She looked like a walking corpse, completely devoid of life.
“You must’ve suffered deeply…”
Madam Kang was sympathetic, but there wasn’t much she could do.
“So, what brings you here today?”
“I came to ask for your help,” Serin replied, her gaze steady.
Sensing the determination on Serin’s face, Madam Kang sighed and nodded.
“Alright, come with me.”
Serin followed her inside.
They passed the foyer and entered the formal living room, where Ahn Youngsook sat drinking tea.
“Madam, Miss Serin is here.”
Even as someone entered, Youngsook casually sipped her tea. Only after a pause did she finally set her cup down and speak.
“Who? Serin?”
When she turned and saw her, she let out a long sigh.
“So, you came.”
Then, with a faint sneer in her voice, she added:
“It’s not really the right thing to say to someone who just went through a loss, but… What are you doing here? I told you not to come back.”
Serin quietly listened to the scolding and walked over slowly.
Then, without a word, she knelt down beside Youngsook.
“What are you doing, suddenly kneeling like this?”
Youngsook, startled by Serin’s unexpected gesture, raised her voice in shock.
Even Madam Kang, standing nearby, covered her mouth in surprise.
“Please… help me.”
“Help you? What exactly am I supposed to help with, you stubborn girl?”
Serin clenched her hands tightly.
“…I was going to leave, but… the more I think about it, the more I’m sure Taeyoon oppa will find me.”
“What?”
“You also wanted me to disappear from Taeyoon oppa’s life, didn’t you? Please, help make that happen.”
“…Unbelievable.”
Youngsook gave a sarcastic laugh and snapped her fingers at Madam Kang.
“Madam Kang, bring me a glass of cold water. My insides are burning.”
— Y-Yes, ma’am.
Madam Kang hurried off to the kitchen.
Moments later, she returned with a glass of ice water.
Youngsook gulped it down in one go, then slammed the glass on the table.
“So, you’re serious?”
“Yes. I mean it.”
“And how am I supposed to believe the girl who’s been sneaking around with Taeyoon behind my back?”
“You don’t have to believe me. Either way, I’ll disappear. And if no one helps me, it won’t be long before Taeyoon finds me again.”
Her words were as good as a threat — which left Youngsook with little choice.
“…Fine. I’ll pretend to be fooled again. I’ll send you somewhere Taeyoon will never find you — like some remote village in Africa or something. Will that do?”
“Anywhere’s fine, as long as he won’t look there.”
“You cheeky girl.”
Unable to hold back, Youngsook finally let out a harsh insult.
Serin’s composed, assertive attitude was infuriating.
“Then what do you want in return?”
“Please… take responsibility for reviving Dongyoung Foods.”
“What?! That collapsing company? What can I even do…”
“You were the one who helped ruin it. So now you can help revive it. You have the money and the capability, don’t you?”
Youngsook fell silent.
Was that a compliment… or an insult?
It sounded flattering on the surface, but something about it rubbed her the wrong way.
“…So, please. Dongyoung… it’s currently at a standstill, but it’s a company with history. You know that better than anyone. It would be a shame to let it go.”
Youngsook tapped the armrest of the wooden sofa with her fingernail as she fell into thought.
It wasn’t a bad proposal.
Once Serin disappeared, maybe Taeyoon could finally settle down. His engagement with Chaehee wasn’t far off, after all.
“Alright, let’s do it. But I can’t give you much time to prepare. You understand?”
“Yes. That’s fine.”
With her father gone, Serin didn’t have anyone left she could call family.
Her aunt Ae-seon did cross her mind, but she had built her own family now.
Serin leaving wouldn’t hurt her for long. Eventually, she would move on.
“Alright, then. I’ll send someone to your house in three days. Tie up any loose ends before then.”
Serin stood, bowed politely to Youngsook, and then to Madam Kang.
“…She’s tough, that girl.”
Youngsook muttered as Serin exited the living room.
—
As she stepped outside the Hyeonmuje estate, she looked up at the cloudless blue sky.
Even though she had been cooped up in the dark for days, the world was still beautiful.
With a strangely light heart, she began walking — but then, from down the hill, a car approached.
It was a familiar car.
With a screech, it came to a halt.
The door flew open, and Taeyoon stepped out.
Before she could react, he grabbed her wrist and pushed her against the wall.
A dark shadow fell over Serin’s head.
When she looked up — Taeyoon was standing there, his expression twisted with rage.
