Final Straw, What's broken can't be mended
"A penny for your thoughts?"A soft yet deep voice pulled Lina out of her thoughts. She quickly looked around to find where it came from, checking if she was in danger, then let out a sigh of relief when she saw a tall, familiar man walking towards her.
It was the same face and physique as the man she saw in the business magazine that afternoon. Lee Joon, the sole heir of the Lee family and the chairman of a massive business empire. One of the richest families in the country, and also her childhood friend.Well, she never really thought of him as a childhood friend because of their age gap. They were seven years apart, and she had always seen him more like an older brother.
Growing up, she often saw him sitting in this same spot, reading whatever book he was studying. He always had a serious look on his face, yet even when she was little, she knew he was very handsome compared to other boys around her.
Actually, when she was young, she once asked her grandfather if she could marry Lee Joon someday. But her grandfather told her about her engagement to Lee Hanbin instead.She was very sad. However, since she didn't really understand what love and marriage were all about, she agreed and let go of her desire to marry Lee Joon.
Their grandparents were best friends, so she grew up with both Lee Joon and Hanbin. Hanbin was Lee Joon's nephew from the second branch of the Lee family making them distant relatives.
The Lee family had an old-fashioned structure and followed traditional customs that were too complicated for her to fully understand.
Even though there was a big age gap between them though, her relationship with Lee Joon was always harmonious.She remembered that after she died, he was the only one who visited her grave every year. He cleaned her tombstone and took care of her resting place.
As a ghost, she learned more about this cold-looking man and the sorrow he carried after her passing.Knowing how deeply Lee Joon had loved her, Lina couldn't stop her heart from racing. Her hands, gripping the chair felt numb, like thousands of ants were crawling all over them. She didn't know where to look or how to hide the feelings rising inside her now.
Unbeknownst to her, Lee Joon had loved her since they were little and had always treasured the promise they made while growing up. After her passing, Lina witnessed how much this man changed. Losing her and their son shattered him, turning him into someone almost unrecognizable to the people around him.
She could only watch as everything unfolded before her eyes, unable to touch and provide comfort for him. The helplessness was unbearable; thinking about it made her lose her breath, as if a massive rock blocked her airways. Lina felt a deep, aching regret in her soul as she watches this lonely man deteriorates day by day.
If only she had known about his feelings sooner, she would never have ignored him or taken his love for granted. A love she could have cherished her whole life. Maybe then, just maybe, they could have had a chance to build the happy family they once dreamed of with their child in their arms.
Seeing Lee Joon sit next to her, Lina controlled her breathing while moving to create a space for him to sit, making sure she looked calm and natural in his eyes. Hiding her inner feelings is harder than she imagined, but she has to follow through with her plan, and for now, she doesn't want Lee Joon to be involved, as it could complicate things for her. But sooner or later, she knew she wanted to pursue a relationship with him and hoped that in the future, they could finally create the family they had missed in her previous life.
"I felt down today and wanted to get some fresh air," she replied while fiddling with the bars of the chair next to her.She looked him up and down and noticed his formal attire."Did you just come back from a party? You smell like a woman's perfume," she suddenly blurted out after catching a whiff of a feminine scent on his body.
"It just happened like that, but it was nothing," Lee Joon explained while trying to check if there was a woman's scent still lingering on his body, not smelling anything unusual but still believe her words, he decided to take his suit jacket off and get rid of the smell.
Lina chuckled at the sight of his panicked expression. She knew he had issues with cleanliness and hated when people touched him or got too close.In fact, she was one of the very few people Lee Joon could tolerate in this world, as the man had no patience in his bones.
While the man is occupied, Lina looked ahead and relished the sight of the city lights illuminating the night.
"Oppa, what would you do if someone you love betrayed you?" she suddenly asked, her eyes filled with melancholy.
It was the question that keeps repeating in her mind the entire night.
Lee Joon studied Lina's face closely, surprised by her sudden question.He now wondered if something had happened to the young woman that made her ask something so heavy.
He couldn't help but frown, adding an even more serious edge to his already stern appearance.
"Did Han bin cheat on you? Tell me, because if he did, I can have your engagement dissolved."
Lina laughed out loud after hearing his words. Seeing him so worked up because of her question sent a tingle through her heart.
"No, not him. But if someone did betray your trust, what would you do?"
Seeing her serious face this time, Lee Joon took a moment to consider the question more deeply.
"I'm not a good person to others, Lina. I've been managing our family business even before I finished my studies. I've met all kinds of businessmen around the world and built relationships only with those who could benefit me or the company.I don't give my trust to anyone—not even to my own family.If that trust is broken, it can never be mended.What is lost is hard to recover.But that's just who I am. I can be harsh towards people who betray me."
Lina listened in silence, her chest tightening with every word he said. So much pain, so much weight behind his voice.
She couldn't help but compare her own situation.
Lee Joon was right; her family had broken her trust, and what's broken is hard to mend. There was no point in clinging to the tiny hope that things would return to how they once were.
She already knew how her story would unfold if she didn't stop the cycle now. To change her fate, she had to walk away and carve a different path on her own, far from the people who had hurt her.
What happened tonight felt like an awakening, a sharp slap to the face of the girl who still hoped her family would love her the way they used to.
With this in mind, Lina finally made her resolve. Not wanting to get caught staying outside too late, she said goodbye to Lee Joon and walked back toward her home.
Lee Joon watched her back as she slowly disappeared into the night. He couldn't bring himself to leave the place where they had just spent time together. A suspicion began to stir in him. He signaled his assistant to come closer and quietly gave an order.
"Look into the Choi family's affairs. There's something she's not telling me."He couldn't shake the feeling that her question carried a weight far deeper than she let on.
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The next day, noise coming from the living room pulled Lina out of her deep sleep. It was the weekend, and she had planned to sleep until the afternoon to make up for the lack of rest the night before. Lately, every moment of peace felt borrowed. In order to protect her life, she had carefully planned her escape from this family.
But more than just leaving, she needed to do it without raising suspicion.
Looking at all the papers scattered across her desk, Lina dragged her tired body up to tidy the mess before her mother could see it and suspect her plans.
While cleaning, her eyes caught something tucked between the pages of a book. Upon closer observation, it's a blue savings card, hidden carefully, as if the person who placed it there didn't want anyone else to find it but her.
Next to the card was a folded note. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the handwriting.
It was from her late grandfather.
To my Loving Lina,
If you are reading this letter, it means Grandpa is no longer with you.
I want you to know that I have always been happy and proud to have you as my grandchild.
From the moment I first held you in my arms, I felt the blessing you brought to our family.
As I watched you grow, my only wish was for you to live a happy and peaceful life.
My dear grandchild, accept this small savings I prepared for you.
It might not be enough to support everything you need, but I believe that someday, it will help you when you need it most.
Just make sure to keep it hidden from your mum.
Remember, this is for you.
With all my love,
Grandpa"
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Lina and Lee Joon's Memory
It was a warm summer afternoon.
Lina and Lee Joon were sitting in their favorite chairs, enjoying the soft summer breeze as they ate ice cream. Birds were singing, people passed by with smiles and laughter, and there on the bench, two children were simply relaxing in their own little world. One ten years old, and the other seventeen.
Lina's eyes wandered to a couple crossing the bridge not far from them. An idea sparked in her mind. She glanced at Lee Joon, studying him from head to toe with quiet intensity.
Noticing her strange gaze, Lee Joon frowned and asked, "What are you thinking about this time?"
He scratched the back of his neck, trying to calm the goosebumps that always came whenever Lina stared at him like that. "Oppa, when we grow up, do you think we can get married?" Lina asked innocently.
Lee Joon immediately choked on his ice cream, coughing as he looked at her in disbelief.
"Are you crazy? You're too young for me! When you're an adult, I'll already be in my thirties!" he exclaimed, heart racing.
"But my grandparents are like that too. Even your grandparents have a big age gap. Is it really that crazy?" Lina pressed the topic.
"Anyway, you're too young to talk about stuff like this," he said quickly, trying to brush off the conversation and hoping the cheeky girl would let it go.
But Lina wasn't done. "Oppa, what if I ask my grandpa? I think he'll be okay with it. But before that, make sure you don't date anyone, okay? Wait for me," she said seriously, eyes shining with determination.
Wanting to end the conversation quickly, Lee Joon sighed and nodded.
"Alright, alright," he muttered, still flustered, as Lina smiled in triumph.