To My Brother’s Friend - Chapter 62

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

Chapter 62
Hee-jo faltered, then let out a hollow laugh.
“I suppose so. I think it would be best to wrap things up by greeting Chairman Beom today.”
“Still, wouldn’t it be good to see Beom Executive Director before you go? For the child’s sake, at least.”
At the word “child,” Hee-jo drew in a sharp breath and unconsciously wrapped her arms around her lower abdomen.
“This might be the last time. Don’t you think it would be better to let him hear his father’s voice at least once more?”
Han Teacher didn’t know.
That an absurd scandal had spread between his grandson and me.
That was why he could tell me to exchange a final, simple farewell with Kwon Yeol.
But Hee-jo couldn’t even be certain she would hear his voice.
He already refused to meet her eyes, and this morning he had even brushed away her hand as though her touch disgusted him.
‘Of course, Kwon Yeol doesn’t even know this is a final goodbye.’
Yet… Han Teacher’s words about letting him hear his father’s voice one last time weighed on her heart.
Her mind had reached a rational conclusion hundreds of times over, but the lingering attachment clinging to her chest kept pulling at her heels.
She wanted to see his face, to hold it in her eyes, just once more.
Wanting to let a child who didn’t even know of his own existence hear his father’s voice—perhaps that was merely her own selfishness.
Yes, because this was the end.
After today, they would never meet again for the rest of their lives.
“Then I’ll come early tomorrow morning.”
“Good, you’ve made the right choice. Beom Executive Director did care for you, after all. His heart in that moment was genuine.”
At Han Teacher’s gentle consolation—that she shouldn’t feel ashamed, for the child was born from at least some measure of affection—Hee-jo smiled.
After spending time with Han Young-sook at the Transmission Hall, Hee-jo returned home at her usual hour of departure.
When she arrived, the household staff hurried to prepare for their own departure—an order from Kwon Yeol, who despised having strangers linger in his private space.
“Madam, what shall we prepare for dinner?”
“I’ll make it myself today. Just a simple omelet rice.”
“Shall I prepare the ingredients for you?”
“No, that’s all right. You can go ahead and leave.”
Before departing, Hee-jo grasped Madam Kim’s hands tightly, as though offering a final farewell.
“Madam Kim, I’ve always wanted to tell you—thank you. Because of the breakfasts you prepare, I’ve been able to start each day with confidence.”
At her unexpected warmth, Madam Kim’s face flushed with embarrassment and joy.
“Oh, I should be thanking you for eating so heartily.”
Madam Kim lowered her voice shyly, glancing around as though mindful of others’ gazes.
“The family at the main house doesn’t say much, you see. It’s been so long since I’ve heard praise like this—it truly makes me happy.”
Hee-jo smiled.
Madam Kim, the Secretary Director who assisted her at the company, the staff members—
It was moments like these that allowed her to endure, even amid hardship.
The warmth these people who cared for me conveyed rekindled the heart that had grown cold.
After seeing Madam Kim off, silence and solitude enveloped the house, leaving only Hee-jo within.
Returning to the dining room, she familiarly tied on an apron and retrieved eggs from the refrigerator.
The sound of her knife finely mincing vegetables filled the quiet kitchen.
Fragrant aromas rose from the pan where the rice was caramelizing to a golden brown. Soon, I whisked the egg mixture and spread it thin across the pan to create a delicate crepe.
With meticulous care, I shaped it and drizzled sauce over the top—a rather impressive omelette rice was taking form.
It was at that moment.
An alert chimed from the wall pad installed on the wall—a vehicle had entered the garage.
I took a quiet breath and made my way to the entrance hall.
“Welcome home.”
Kwon Yeol’s footsteps halted as he stepped into the entrance hall.
There I stood in an apron, smiling to greet him—a picture of serenity, as though nothing had ever happened.
“What’s this? You’ve even tied on an apron.”
“I heard you have an early morning flight for a business trip tomorrow. So I thought… I’d like to prepare dinner for you myself tonight.”
I asked carefully, watching his expression with cautious eyes.
“Would that be inconvenient? Should I call Madam Kim right now instead?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Noticing how I remained withdrawn, still gauging his mood, Kwon Yeol spoke with deliberate lightness, as though it bothered him.
“It’s omelette rice, naturally?”
“Ah… I was trying to learn something different, but time didn’t permit.”
Seeing my cheeks flush faintly with embarrassment, Kwon Yeol let out an involuntary chuckle.
“You don’t need to learn anything else. Only Yoon Hee-jo can make that omelette rice.”
I’ll go wash up. His large hand brushed lightly across my hair as he passed.
Watching his retreating figure toward the bedroom, I exhaled the breath I’d been holding.
His scent, mingled with the cool night air, settled deep within my lungs.
Not wanting to miss a single fragment of this moment—its fragrance, its touch, its very atmosphere—I stood there for a long while.
* * *
Sitting across from each other for dinner felt like it had been an eternity.
Especially sharing a meal in such a tender atmosphere felt even more distant.
“Does it taste alright?”
“Yes. No one comes close to Yoon Hee-jo’s omelette rice.”
His low voice, the soft clink of cutlery, and the warm lighting.
I was truly grateful, I thought.
That our final memory together would be this gentle moment—not like this morning, when he coldly withdrew his hand.
After finishing our meal, we both took our teacups and headed to the garden.
Kwon Yeol chose his preferred Earl Grey, while I selected caffeine-free rooibos tea.
“The Annex Garden is truly beautiful.”
“The Landscaping Team put great effort into it. Team Leader Oh tends the Main House’s vast garden beautifully as well, but he has a particular talent for bringing out that understated, intimate charm like the Annex Garden possesses.”
I gazed at Kwon Yeol with a faint smile.
“Looking at it, you seem to know the circumstances of everyone who works beside you so attentively. That’s probably why they all follow you so well.”
“It’s thanks to you.”
“Thanks to… me?”
At my bewildered response, Kwon Yeol nodded with a low laugh.
“More precisely, thanks to Yoon Hee-jae. He’s always criticized me for being too indifferent to those around me.”
Kwon Yeol narrowed his eyes as if gazing into the distance, then continued speaking.
“Watching how Hee-jae treats you, I’ve learned something little by little.”
How to care for someone precious.
Without grand gestures—just through the smallest glances or a single word—Kwon Yeol learned from Hee-jae and Hee-jo how to convey affection.
“I owe you so much. For not taking proper care of you.”
At his matter-of-fact apology, Hee-jo quickly shook her head.
“What are you saying? Where would you find someone who takes care of me as well as you do? I’m sure my brother is watching from heaven right now, feeling threatened.”
At Hee-jo’s words, Kwon Yeol turned to look at her intently.
His gaze was deeper and more lingering than usual, making heat rise to the back of her neck.
“Why… are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m wondering if I deserve to hear such words.”
Just as Hee-jo, flustered by his sudden remark, parted her lips, Kwon Yeol withdrew his gaze with a bitter smile.
“Even if I can’t replace him… I at least wanted to give you the certainty that you have one more person to lean on.”
After a moment of heavy silence, he added softly.
“I was sorry this morning.”
With a soft clink, Kwon Yeol set his teacup down on the table.
“I suppose I’ve been on edge lately. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
Kwon Yeol looked away with self-deprecation.
“I’m pathetic, Hee-jo. Even though I know the rumor about Han Teacher’s grandson isn’t true, I’m still childishly jealous.”
At the word jealousy, her pupils trembled slightly.
But it was only a moment.
He must have said it without any particular meaning.
I know that… so why do I keep wanting to read into it?
Is it because of the lingering attachment that remains even after all my resolutions?
“…No, it was a situation that warranted it.”
Hee-jo’s voice came out small and trembling.
Kwon Yeol reached across the table and gently enclosed her cold hand in his.
“When I return from my business trip, there’s something I must tell you.”
Gazing directly into her trembling hazel eyes, Kwon Yeol spoke with weight.
“I hope you’ll listen to me.”
But Hee-jo already knew what he was about to say.
“If you truly care for him, you have to know how to let go. That’s the way to care for him, and for yourself.”
“I understand.”
He was asking to end this contract a little sooner.
It was undoubtedly the final verdict—that they should truly become strangers now.
“I will.”
Hee-jo smiled with her eyes closed.
“Go without worry.”
Hee-jo placed her other hand on top of his and added very softly.
“Go without looking back. I hope you achieve everything you want, eat delicious food, sleep well… and come back having lived well.”
When you return, you will finally be freed from your shackles and soar to those lofty heights.
May you cast aside the heavy burden of responsibility and the guilt you forced yourself to bear, becoming wholly free.
And now, may you forget me.
May the time we spent together, the fleeting memories born of your momentary compassion, fade into nothing but blurred afterimages.
Until at last you forget me entirely, leaving not even a trace behind.
I clung to this place, throwing tantrums for an impossible gift, desperate to be remembered by you, terrified of being forgotten.
But now that must change.
Because there is someone I must protect.
“Now that I think about it, I’ve received so much from you, Hee-jo’s Brother.”
Beyond the garden where the crimson sunset stretched long and low, the cry of an unnamed bird drifted through the air.
Even in the heat of early summer, that sound alone was strangely cold and mournful.
“Thank you, Hee-jo’s Brother. For everything, from beginning to end.”

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