Past and Present

Sam's POV

Two years ago, when Mother discovered I'd dated Aryang, she'd threatened to destroy her future. Now, her voice cut through the silence like shattered glass.

"We reconcile you with Brandon now," she declared.

I met her gaze, the air thickening between us. What did Aryang ever do to deserve your wrath? You'd drag her down for my choices? No wonder Father left—this is who you are.

The slap cracked across my cheek, sharp and sudden. Pain bloomed hot where her hand struck.

"Shameless!" she hissed, eyes blazing. "You dare weaponize your father's departure for sympathy? Remember this, Sam: our business feeds families. If you refuse to think clearly, those people lose everything." She stepped closer, her whisper venomous. "Brandon's family opens doors we need. Doors that keep our employees alive. Choose wisely."

Stop making excuses, Mom. The real reason is you're consolidating your power, using us like tools instead of treating us as your children.

"You're rude," Mom snapped, her hand striking my cheek a second time. The sting lingered, sharp and hot. "This is what you get for seeing other girl. You won't be leaving this house now."

A bitter laugh escaped her. "You should just get over it."

Fury, thick and suffocating, coiled in my chest. Words choked me, useless against the injustice. Hot tears welled, spilling over as the sheer, impotent rage surged. I fled to my room, slamming the door behind me. Inside the confined space, the anger threatened to detonate – a pressure cooker needing release, demanding I scream or break something, anything to vent the volcanic fury building within.

Days blurred into one another, the walls of the house my only world. Confined and restless, I waited. Then he arrived – Brandon, the very one I'd perhaps vexed one time too many. His presence shifted everything. During a shared meal, the air thick with unspoken decisions, our families reached an accord: Brandon and I would marry.

"We think this date is auspicious," Brandon's mother remarked, her voice warm as she gestured towards a calendar while our families lingered over the remains of dinner. "They say it promises good fortune for a wedding."

I bowed my head, overwhelmed, unsure what to do next.

"You should be happy, Sam," she declared, a bright, almost feverish joy in her voice. "You're marrying me! Can you believe it? I'm marrying Sam! Oh, Sam... I've had such a crush on you for ages." Her words tumbled out in a breathless rush.

"That's precisely why I chose you," she stated, her voice low and steady. "I knew you'd never abandon Sam. Not ever."Said mom

Not a single day passed without me drowning in liquor, my mind trapped in visions of invisible shackles around my wrists—until I saw it. There, on the table, glinting under the dim light: a key. liam's car key.

"Ma'am Sam, Brandon is here." The assistant's voice was sickeningly bright, his smile twisting like salt in a wound. Did he take some perverse joy in my torment?

I didn't hesitate. Shoving past Brandon, I stormed out, the key biting into my palm. The door crashed shut behind me, and within seconds, I was sliding into Liam's car, the engine roaring to life like freedom itself.

I lurched up, shoving past Brandon without a word. The front door slammed behind me, the night air sharp against my skin as I fumbled with the key. liam's car sat waiting, a silent promise of escape.

I didn't look back.

I didn't see Brandon shadowing my steps.

And I certainly didn't notice him sliding into the passenger seat—until it was too late.

Drunk behind the wheel of liam's car, I sped recklessly as Brandon pleaded for me to stop. Finally, I jerked the car to a halt, shoved the door open, and growled, "Get out—your whining is pissing me off."

"Sam, what's going through your head to make you act like this?" Brandon asked, stunned.

You want to know why I'm acting like this? I snapped. "Then go tell our parents we're not getting married. Maybe then I'll finally be happy."

"You know I can't do that, Sam," Brandon said, his voice pleading. "I want this marriage as much as you don't."

His words ignited something dark in me. Before reason could catch up with my anger, I was already striding back to Jay's car, fingers fumbling at the door handle. The metallic click of the lock echoed cruelly in the tense silence - sealed shut, just like my options.

Brandon and I wrestled desperately for control of the car, our furious struggle sending the vehicle careening over the cliff's edge.

Sam?

Sam?

Sam?

My vision blurred as consciousness returned. For one fleeting moment, the face before me morphed into Aryang's - that familiar smile, those knowing eyes. Then reality sharpened into focus, dissolving the illusion. It was just Liam. My heart sank as the memory of Aryang slipped through my fingers once more.

Liam urgently summoned the doctor as my eyes fluttered open. Five months—that's how long I'd been trapped in that hollow darkness. Then, in a flash of clarity, the perfect deception came to me: I would pretend to remember nothing. No memories, no burdens. If I played the blank slate, maybe I could finally shield myself from Mother's suffocating plans.

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Back to Present 

Liam's POV

I stared at Sam, her words slowly carving their truth into my mind. 'I can't believe this...' The weight of her confession settled like stone in my chest. Then, a sudden thought pierced through my daze. Leaning closer, I whispered, 'Wait, Sam—tell me... did you see Brandon walking last night?' My voice trembled with barely contained urgency.

"Yes, " Sam replied, her voice tight with frustration. "They're discussing the wedding details so intensely - they're rushing everything. One Week, Liam. Just One Week! It's like they're trying to steamroll me into submission before I can even breathe, let alone refuse."

OMG, they both got desperate. Mom is so bad—she'll do anything if she sets her mind to it. I told Sam...

Sam just shook her head, defiance hardening her voice. "I know I'll end up doing it, but I don't want controlling my life, using me like some kind of instrument."

I watched as my sister Sam stood her ground, already fighting back. My heart ached for her—and for myself. Mom dictated my life just as harshly, leaving me unable to make even the smallest decision without seeking someone else's approval. But seeing Sam resist, seeing her claw back control over her own fate... for the first time in a long while, I felt something like hope.

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Aryang's POV

Bun and I froze in surprise when we saw Sam standing in the doorway, arms laden with bags of food.

"Sister," Bun whispered, nudging me. "Who is she? She's beautiful."

Sam's lips curled into a smile at Bun's words, Bun eyes softening in amusement.

Before I could speak, Sam stepped forward, her voice steady but warm.

"Bun," she said, meeting my little brother's curious gaze. "Your sister Aryang and I are lovers. And soon... I'm going to marry her."

Bun's jaw dropped. He whipped his head toward me, eyes wide with disbelief. "Sister Aryang!" he exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me you have a handsome boyfriend ?"

I blinked, just as stunned. "I—I didn't expect this either," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "It all happened so fast."

Sam chuckled beside me, her fingers brushing mine in silent reassurance.

"Oh, sister," Bun murmured, still dazed, "this isn't a headache at all—it's a real surprise. A wonderful surprise. I think... I think I'd better go to my room and rest my mind for a while."

He spoke as if he couldn't quite believe it, his voice trailing off into quiet disbelief.

Suddenly, Sam wrapped her arms around me from behind, her warmth sending a rush of happiness and excitement through me.

"I missed you, Sam," I told her, my voice soft with affection.

"I missed you too," she replied, her smile audible. "Just wait—I've got something for you."

She reached into her small bag, the promise of a surprise glinting in her eyes.

A ring?, The question slipped out, laced with disbelief. My own hand felt strangely light.

"You were sleeping fitfully," she explained, her voice low. 

"The little cloth ring im crafted... it gave way. The movement snapped the threads. It jolted me awake – so sharply I tumbled right onto the floor." She met my eyes, a quiet determination replacing her initial worry.

 "That's what decided me. A real ring wouldn't break." She tilted her head, curiosity flickering. 

"But I'm wondering..." Her voice softened, almost hesitant. "This cloth ring—it was supposed to be broken."

I squeezed my eyes shut, humiliation burning through me as the morning's events replayed in my mind. There I was, chasing the cat like a fool—only to nearly lose my life to the sting of the anti-rabies shot. And in the end? It was all for nothing.

Sam grabbed my hand, her laughter light and triumphant as she slipped off the cloth ring. With a playful glint in her eyes, she replaced it with the one she had bought, sliding it onto my finger with exaggerated care.

"Don't worry," she teased, her voice laced with amusement. "This one won't break—even if you toss and turn all night."

A flush of embarrassment warmed my cheeks as I stared at the ring in my palm—real, delicate, and shimmering under the soft light. My heart raced, fingers trembling slightly as I traced its intricate design. This wasn't just any trinket; it was a promise, a tangible piece of Sam's devotion.

"Thank you, Sam," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. Before she could respond, I leaned in, pressing my lips to her in a kiss that sealed the unspoken words between us.

Sam's hands suddenly pushed me away, her eyes wide with surprise. Before I could react, I turned to see Bun standing behind us, his gaze sharp with curiosity—and something darker.

 This was the first time I had ever brought a lover home, and now, in the span of a single breath, everything hung in the balance. And just like that, the path before us became clear. We were getting married.

Sam's voice held a playful edge as she glanced at Bun. "Bun, are you going to ask me something? I'm really surprised to see you lurking behind your sister Aryang."

Bun's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Ahh, nothing important," he said, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Sister Aryang is sleeping—adorably, I might add." Before I could react, he shot me a teasing look and darted toward the room, his laughter trailing behind him.

I shook my head, fighting back a smile. This kid really loves to stir things up.

"He's too much fun to tease," I murmured to myself, watching the door click shut behind him.

Sam's gaze locked onto mine—dark, intense, almost predatory. For a breathless moment, I thought she might devour me right there. But instead, she held herself back, the tension coiling between us like a live wire.

Unable to resist, I closed the distance and wrapped my arms around her, pressing my cheek against her chest. "I know what you're thinking," I whispered, feeling the rapid thud of her heartbeat beneath my fingertips.

A low chuckle escaped her as she pinched my nose playfully. "Oh? Are you certain you really know?" Her voice was a teasing murmur.

We halted abruptly when we spotted a cat lounging in the open window.

It was the same one that had scratched me earlier. As Sam moved toward it, I caught her arm, warning her this creature had left its mark on me, and I didn't want it sinking its claws into her too.

But then, to my disbelief, the cat sauntered right up to Sam, rubbing against her legs and purring like some spoiled little prince. The betrayal was blatant. This shameless, fickle cat has favoritism.

Aryang looked up at me, her bright eyes gleaming. "Does she look like Sasa?" she asked cheerfully.

The mention of Sasa sent a sharp pang through my chest—a familiar ache from my first heartbreak, back when Sasa had been lost in the fire.

"Ah... sorry, Aryang," Sam murmured, lifting the cat toward the window, her voice soft with regret.

Ever since Sasa had disappeared, I hadn't been able to bring myself to care for another cat. Sensing my sadness, Sam wrapped her arms around me from behind, her embrace warm and steady, as if trying to shield me from the past.

-A written by: Teakuer