Chapter Fourty: Unbreakable Bonds.
Min Jun woke up to the soft sunlight streaming through his apartment window, casting a warm glow across the room. He turned over to find Soo Jeon still asleep, her face peaceful despite the turmoil they had been through. For a moment, he allowed himself to just watch her, marveling at her strength and resilience. He gently brushed a stray hair from her face, causing her eyes to flutter open.
"Good morning," she murmured, her voice tinged with lingering exhaustion.
"Good morning," Min Jun replied, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "How did you sleep?"
Soo Jeon stretched and sat up, sighing softly. "Better than I expected. But, Min Jun, I can't help but feel anxious about everything. Ji-Eun won't stop, your parents are still against us, and it feels like everyone's watching and judging."
Min Jun took her hand, his thumb gently caressing her knuckles. "I know it's been hard, but we'll get through this. You're not alone, Soo Jeon. No matter what happens, I'm here, and I won't let anyone or anything tear us apart."
Soo Jeon gave a small nod, appreciating his comforting words, though her eyes still held a trace of doubt. "I just want us to have a normal life, Min Jun. I want to dance without worrying about what people think, and I want to be with you without all these obstacles."
Min Jun pulled her into his arms, holding her close. "We'll find our normal, Soo Jeon. We just have to keep moving forward, one step at a time."
As the morning passed, Ji-Eun found herself standing outside Min Jun's office building, her mind racing. Her previous schemes had failed, and she was running out of options. Desperation clawed at her, pushing her to take drastic measures. She took a deep breath and stormed into the building, heading straight to Min Jun's office.
Min Jun was in the middle of a meeting when Ji-Eun barged in, her presence immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the room. Murmurs spread among his colleagues as Ji-Eun walked up to Min Jun, her eyes blazing with determination.
"Min Jun, we need to talk," Ji-Eun demanded, ignoring the startled looks from the others. "You can't keep ignoring what's happening. Soo Jeon isn't who you think she is. She's using you, and everyone can see it except you."
Min Jun stood up, his expression calm but firm. "Ji-Eun, this is not the time or place for this. We've been through this already, and I've made my choice clear."
Ji-Eun's voice grew louder, desperation seeping into her tone. "Don't you see, Min Jun? She's tearing you away from your family, from everything you've worked for. I just want to protect you."
Min Jun's gaze never wavered. He addressed the room, his voice steady and unwavering. "Everyone, I apologize for this interruption, but I need to make something clear. Soo Jeon is not using me, and our relationship is built on love, trust, and respect. I will not tolerate any more slander against her."
Turning back to Ji-Eun, Min Jun continued, "You need to stop this, Ji-Eun. Whatever you're trying to achieve, it's not going to work. I'm with Soo Jeon, and that's not going to change. It's time for you to move on."
Ji-Eun's face fell, tears welling up in her eyes. "I never got over you, Min Jun. I thought... I thought if I could just make you see that we belonged together, things could go back to the way they were."
Min Jun softened his tone, though his stance remained firm. "Ji-Eun, I understand this is hard for you, but we've both moved on. I wish you nothing but happiness, but you need to let go."
Ji-Eun nodded slowly, her shoulders slumping in defeat. As she turned to leave, Min Jun felt a pang of sadness for what once was but knew he had made the right choice.
After the confrontation, Min Jun returned to Soo Jeon, finding her at the dance studio. He watched as she moved through her routine, each step filled with determination. When she finished, she noticed him and walked over, her expression a mix of weariness and relief.
"How did it go?" Soo Jeon asked, though she already had a sense of the answer.
Min Jun pulled her close, resting his forehead against hers. "It's over. I told Ji-Eun it's time for her to move on. And I made it clear to everyone that I'm standing by you, no matter what."
Soo Jeon wrapped her arms around him, feeling the weight of the past few weeks lift slightly from her shoulders. "Thank you, Min Jun. For everything. I know this hasn't been easy."
"It's worth it," Min Jun replied softly. "You're worth it. How about we get away for a bit? Just the two of us. We could use a break from all this."
Soo Jeon smiled, the first genuine smile she had managed in days. "That sounds perfect."
They spent the rest of the day planning their getaway, each detail a small step toward reclaiming their peace. As they packed for their trip, Min Jun caught Soo Jeon's hand, pulling her close once more.
"Whatever comes next, we'll face it together," Min Jun said, his voice filled with quiet conviction.
Soo Jeon nodded, leaning into his embrace. "Together."
With that promise, they set out for their weekend away, ready to rebuild and strengthen their bond. Whatever storms lay ahead, they were confident in one thing: their love was unbreakable.