Chapter Forty-three: The Confrontation.

Min Jun stood in front of his parents' house, the familiar facade looking imposing under the evening sky. He had always been confident in his decisions, but this time, he felt a mix of determination and anxiety. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions, and today he was ready to set the record straight. He took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and rang the doorbell.

 His father opened the door, smiling warmly. "Min Jun, it's good to see you, son. Come in."

 Min Jun nodded and stepped inside, glancing around the familiar living room. Mrs. Kang was already seated at the dining table, her expression unreadable. She greeted him with a nod but didn't rise from her seat. There was an unspoken tension in the air, a lingering unease from the previous family gathering that Ji-Eun had disrupted.

 "Mom, Dad," Min Jun began, taking a seat across from them. "I want to talk about what happened the other day and everything that's been going on."

 Mrs. Kang's gaze flickered, her posture stiffening slightly. Mr. Kang, ever the mediator, gave a gentle nod. "Go on, Min Jun. We're listening."

 Min Jun took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I'm disappointed in how Ji-Eun has been allowed to interfere in my relationship with Soo Jeon. I understand you have concerns, but Ji-Eun's actions are not helping anyone. She's causing more harm than good, and I can't allow that to continue."

 Mrs. Kang's lips tightened. "Min Jun, you know Ji-Eun only wants what's best for you. She's been a part of this family for so long. It's not easy to just—"

 "It's not about cutting ties," Min Jun interrupted gently but firmly. "It's about respecting my choices. Soo Jeon is the person I love, and Ji-Eun's interference is crossing boundaries. I need you both to see Soo Jeon for who she truly is, not through the lens of Ji-Eun's manipulations."

 Mrs. Kang looked away, her expression conflicted. Mr. Kang leaned forward, his voice calm but earnest. "Your mother and I have our reservations, Min Jun. But it's clear how much you care for Soo Jeon. We can see that you're serious about her."

 Min Jun nodded. "I am. And I need you both to understand that I'm committed to making this work, with or without Ji-Eun's approval. But I don't want to keep fighting against my own family."

 Mrs. Kang remained silent, her thoughts seemingly miles away. Min Jun continued, his tone softening. "Mom, I know you want what's best for me. But sometimes, what's best isn't what's easiest. I'm asking you to give Soo Jeon a fair chance, without Ji-Eun's influence."

 Mrs. Kang sighed, her resistance wavering. "Min Jun, it's not that I don't want you to be happy. But things aren't as simple as you make them out to be."

 "They can be," Min Jun replied gently. "If we all try a little harder to understand each other. I'm not asking you to change overnight, but I am asking for your support. Soo Jeon isn't the enemy here."

 Mr. Kang placed a comforting hand on Mrs. Kang's arm. "Perhaps we should take this step by step, dear. We've seen Min Jun's dedication to Soo Jeon. Maybe it's time we extend a hand as well."

 Mrs. Kang hesitated, then slowly nodded. "I… I'll try. But this will take time, Min Jun. You have to understand that."

 "I do," Min Jun said, his expression one of gratitude. "And I appreciate it. We can move forward slowly, but I need to know that Soo Jeon will be treated with respect and kindness."

 With the conversation drawing to a close, Min Jun felt a weight lift off his shoulders. It wasn't a perfect resolution, but it was a start. He thanked his parents and left, immediately dialing Soo Jeon's number as he walked to his car.

 "Soo Jeon," he said when she answered, his voice a mix of relief and determination. "I talked to them. It's not everything I hoped for, but it's a step in the right direction. They're willing to try."

 Soo Jeon listened quietly, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. "That's good, Min Jun. I know it's not easy."

 "It's not," he admitted. "But as long as we're together, I know we can handle it."

 Soo Jeon smiled softly, though her eyes still held a trace of doubt. "Thank you for standing up for us, Min Jun. I'm with you all the way."

 Min Jun nodded, his resolve strengthening. "And I'm with you, Soo Jeon. No matter what."

 They ended the call with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The road would still be bumpy, but together, they felt more capable of navigating the twists and turns. As Min Jun drove away, he felt a sense of peace. For the first time in a while, he was hopeful that their love could withstand the trials that threatened to tear them apart.