Chapter Thirteen: Shadows of the Past.

Kang Min Jun was engrossed in work at his desk when the office door creaked open. He glanced up, expecting a colleague, but froze as his eyes met the familiar figure of Ji-Eun standing in the doorway. Time seemed to stand still as the shadows of the past flickered across his mind.

Ji-Eun, with her polished look and confident stance, approached him with a tentative smile. "Min Jun," she said softly, her voice carrying a mix of warmth and uncertainty.

 Min Jun stood up abruptly, his heart racing. "Ji-Eun," he managed, his voice betraying his surprise. "I didn't expect to see you."

 She looked around the office, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. "I know. I'm sorry for the unexpected visit. I've been back in Seoul for a while, and I thought it was time to reconnect."

 Their conversation was initially polite but tinged with an awkwardness that neither could ignore. As they talked, Min Jun couldn't help but recall their past—the laughter, the shared dreams, and the eventual heartbreak. Ji-Eun's presence stirred emotions he had thought were long buried.

 "I didn't realize you were back," Min Jun said, trying to mask his internal struggle. "What brings you here?"

 Ji-Eun took a deep breath, her gaze meeting his with a mixture of regret and determination. "I've been thinking a lot about us—about what we had. I know it's been a long time, but I wanted to see if there's a chance to revisit what we once shared."

 Min Jun's mind raced. His life was now entangled with Soo Jeon, whose presence and love were a stark contrast to the shadowy remnants of his past. He felt a pang of guilt and confusion. "Ji-Eun, I... I don't know what to say. My life is different now."

 Ji-Eun reached out, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "I understand. I just wanted to be honest with you. I've missed you, and I wondered if maybe we could talk things through, find some closure."

 The weight of Ji-Eun's words pressed heavily on Min Jun. He agreed to meet her later to discuss their past more thoroughly. As they parted ways, he felt the heavy shadow of his past following him, a stark contrast to the bright future he had envisioned with Soo Jeon.

 Later that evening, Min Jun sat alone in his apartment, reflecting on the day's events. He thought about Ji-Eun and the unresolved feelings that her return had stirred up. His phone buzzed with a message from Soo Jeon, asking how his day had been. Min Jun hesitated before replying, knowing that he needed to address the situation honestly.

 When Soo Jeon arrived for their planned dinner, there was a noticeable tension between them. She sensed something was off and gently probed, "Is everything okay? You seem distant."

 Min Jun took a deep breath and decided to be transparent. "Soo Jeon, there's something I need to tell you. Ji-Eun, my ex-girlfriend, is back in Seoul. She wants to reconnect and talk about our past."

Soo Jeon's eyes widened slightly, but she remained calm. "I appreciate you telling me. How do you feel about it?"

 "I'm conflicted," Min Jun admitted. "I care about what we had, but I'm also committed to what we have now. I don't want to let this affect us."

Soo Jeon reached out, taking his hand in hers. "Whatever you decide, I trust you. We can face this together."

 Min Jun felt a surge of relief and gratitude for Soo Jeon's understanding. He knew that addressing his past was necessary, but he also understood the importance of focusing on their present and future together.

 The chapter closed with Min Jun and Soo Jeon sharing a quiet moment, their bond strengthened by the honesty and trust they had in each other. The shadow of the past loomed, but they faced it together, determined to build a future that honored both their present and their growth.