Impossible Romance - Chapter 69

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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69.

Kwon Seok-ha volunteered for overtime every night, and even when work ended early, he seemed reluctant to go home, spending the entire night drinking instead. It was clear that before long, both his body and mind would succumb to illness.
Hwang Manager, who cared deeply for Kwon Seok-ha, could no longer bear to watch him deteriorate. After much deliberation, he finally spoke harsh truths.
Kwon Seok-ha remained silent for a long moment.
“…Get out.”
“Forget what I said.”
“I understand. Now leave.”
His voice cracked hoarsely, as though his throat were constricted.
Hwang Manager said nothing more and quietly left the executive office.
As the door closed, Kwon Seok-ha lifted his head. His sharp features remained unchanged, but his bloodshot eyes—evidence of sleepless nights—gazed wearily out the window.
‘Where on earth has she hidden herself?’
He closed his eyes, thinking of Jun-hee, elusive as the moon hiding in daylight.

***

It was a Saturday morning just past dawn—though the hour leaned more toward midday than morning.
“This is infuriating.”
A sigh escaped Han Seon-young’s lips as she arrived at Kwon Seok-ha’s house. Watching her son grow thinner with each passing day had become unbearable, so she came in person. Upon entering, frustration was all she could muster.
Despite Kang Manager visiting from the family home once or twice a week to meticulously maintain the house, the trash bin overflowed with empty bottles.
This meant Kwon Seok-ha was drinking far more than he was cleaning up—or perhaps he had been drinking through the entire night since leaving work. The refrigerator, when opened, still contained untouched food from the family home, its packaging sealed.
“What has he been eating?”
Han Seon-young’s face twisted with distress. Though lunchtime approached, Kwon Seok-ha showed no sign of emerging from his room. He had always been meticulous with self-care, yet now he only seemed alive when working at the company.
As she tidied up, the door opened and Kwon Seok-ha emerged. His face and body appeared far more gaunt than before, sharp and angular.
“You’ve come?”
Kwon Seok-ha greeted Han Seon-young quietly, his expression devoid of warmth.
“I heard you did well at the executive meeting. Congratulations.”
“This is only the beginning. I’ll accept congratulations after securing the business contract.”
Lifeless words flowed from him, his voice flat and expressionless.
“I understand. I brought some tonic for you to eat. You’re far too thin.”
Han Seon-young sighed softly and retrieved a thermos, pouring the medicinal broth into a cup.
“Please leave it. I’ll have it later.”
Kwon Seok-ha spoke and moved toward the sofa, picking up documents. His unspoken message was clear: there was nothing more to discuss; she should leave. Seeing Han Seon-young only made him think of Jun-hee more, and that discomfort was unbearable.
Han Seon-young stepped closer and thrust a photograph toward him.
“It’s Gyeongwon Corporation. Next Saturday. This time, you’re going no matter what.”
“I don’t see blind dates.”
“Do you want to watch your mother die? Heartbreak is cured by love. Don’t pathetically wait for someone who left you saying she didn’t want you. Jun-hee would want you to be happy.”
Han Seon-young’s expression and words were both cutting. She could no longer bear watching Kwon Seok-ha fall apart because he couldn’t forget Jun-hee.
“Mother, you shouldn’t speak of Jun-hee that way.”
“What? You really…!”
Han Seon-young started to say more but pressed her lips firmly shut. She couldn’t simply watch her son deteriorate, yet contradicting him felt equally impossible.
“Please go home. I’ll handle my own affairs.”
Kwon Seok-ha gazed into the distance with hollow eyes. The more Han Seon-young persisted, the more desperately I longed to see Jun-hee—it was driving me mad.
“Fine. But take your medicine without fail. Your mother is asking.”
Han Seon-young passed through the living room and stepped outside. As she looked back at the house—so devoid of warmth—she suddenly thought of Jun-hee.

“Tell the Executive Director that I left after receiving money from the Director. Make it seem like I’m a vulgar woman blinded by greed. Because that’s what I am, really. So he can forget about me and start fresh with someone else.”

Those were the words Jun-hee had spoken when she came to see me. She said she would leave entirely so her family would stop tormenting Kwon Seok-ha. All for his happiness.
“This is unbearable. I’ve made such a terrible mistake.”
Han Seon-young exhaled deeply, her face contorting with anguish. She regretted not holding onto Jun-hee—and before that, for tormenting and mistreating her. Kwon Seok-ha needed Jun-hee more than anyone.

***

When night fell, the bookstore became another island. I sat in the chair by the window and gazed out at the sea.
Once the sun completely set, the island grew profoundly quiet. My daily ritual was to sit here, watching the dark waters and the lighthouse beam that flickered intermittently, reflecting on the day.
The bookstore’s exterior lights were already off, and the door was locked. Inside, only a single small lamp remained. Since the sea wasn’t far away, the sound of waves reached me in steady rhythm.
During the day, the bustle drowned it out, but at night, the waves seemed to knock persistently at the door of my heart. And without fail, Kwon Seok-ha came to mind. My resolve to forget him scattered like foam, and every single day, longing filled my chest with an ache.
While the sun shone, I guarded the bookstore as Ahn Na-yeon—brighter than anyone. But in these hours, I removed the mask and returned to my true self: Ahn Joon-hee.
‘He must be doing well.’
Kwon Seok-ha was always spirited and capable, so surely he was dedicating himself to something now. Perhaps he’d already forgotten me and was exchanging marriage proposals with a good woman. Han Seon-young would never leave him alone.
I deliberately avoided the news, afraid I might hear something about him. Even when watching other programs, I desperately tried not to watch if anything about Seonjin appeared. On days when I accidentally glimpsed his face on screen, I couldn’t focus on work all day.
Because I missed him so much.
Because I wanted to run to him immediately.
The city glowing with lights, his face reflected in glass windows, the breath I felt in the elevator.
The day it rained, the way he shielded me with his coat—all of it was vivid before my eyes.
“Sigh…”
Jun-hee shook her head at that thought. When I was alone like this, my heart always grew weak. Going to find him was something I absolutely could not do.
And returning to a life controlled by my mother and brother again? I hated that. I hated the life that would cause Kwon Seok-ha such suffering.
“Are you doing well?”
Jun-hee whispered softly toward the sea visible through the window. The sea only rolled with great waves, offering no answer.
Jun-hee stood and opened the side door of the bookstore, entering the house. The side door opened directly into the kitchen, and beyond a small wooden floor lay the bedroom.
When I opened the door, the dark room was empty. Having been vacant all day, the room felt cold even in summer, untouched by human presence.
Without turning on the light, I crouched in the corner. Moonlit rays filtered through the small window. Jun-hee closed her eyes in the darkness.
Absurdly, his face appeared vividly before me.
When would I be able to forget?
Yet I didn’t want to erase his face. Because I feared that someday, I might truly forget him.
I both longed for and dreaded the moment when I would truly forget Kwon Seok-ha.
“Sigh…”
Jun-hee finally broke down in tears once more.
Though her mind had clearly let him go, her heart still refused to release him.

***

Summer was ripening into its full glory. Sudden downpours would strike without warning, only for the brilliant sun to emerge moments later, drying the surroundings as if the rain had never fallen at all.
Jun-hee was placing an online order for newly acquired books at the bookstore when the bell above the door chimed, and Kim Byung-ho stepped inside.
“What are you doing? Didn’t you say you were going out today?”
“Oh, right. Where’s my head? The ferry hasn’t left yet, has it?”
Jun-hee suddenly remembered the Book Fair being held on the mainland. It was typically only held in major cities, but this time several events had been organized simultaneously for provincial development.
One corner would feature a children’s book called “Island Village Clouds” that had been published recently. She had decided to venture to the mainland both to gather book-related information and to see the children’s books on display at the fair.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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