Suho was called to the Kim mansion for a family dinner. Haraboji had personally asked him to come, and Suho couldn't refuse.
But the moment he arrived, he sensed something was off.
The air was different. Too arranged. Too deliberate.
This was not just a Kim family dinner. His eyes moved across the living room and stopped.
Mr. Seo, Yerin's father. And beside him, her brother.
For more than a decade, these two families had never shared the same space willingly. Business rivals. Ideological enemies. A rivalry so deep that it once forced Suho to make choices he never wanted to make. Choices that tore love apart.
The very people who had stood against him and Yerin when he wanted to marry her were now sitting comfortably inside the Kim mansion.
Suho's gaze lingered for only a second before he looked away, his face unreadable.
"Surprise, baby."
Yerin walked up to him, smiling brightly, eyes shining as if this were the happiest day of her life.
Suho looked at her. Blank. Quiet.
"What is happening here?" he asked.
"Haraboji wanted to have dinner with my family," she replied, excitement lacing her voice. "So he invited appa and oppa."
Suho scanned the room. Everyone was smiling at him. Expectant. As if waiting to unwrap a carefully wrapped announcement.
He sensed that something was wrong, but he stayed calm and didn't react.
Haraboji stood up and said warmly, "Now that our Suho is here, let's all have dinner together. Mr. Seo, please come."
With a polite smile, Mr. Seo followed him toward the dining area, and the others followed soon after.
Yerin slipped her arm through Suho's and gently pulled him along. "Come," she said, her face glowing with excitement.
Suho went with her.
Everyone took their seats at the dining table, and the staff began serving the food.
"Where are Minho and Sora?" Suho asked, noticing their absence.
"They're out of station for work," Yuna replied quickly.
Suho looked at her for a brief moment, then said nothing.
Haraboji cleared his throat. "Since important people are here tonight… let's come to the real matter."
Suho listened, still eating quietly.
Haraboji turned his gaze to him. "Suho, my child… this is about you."
Suho looked up. "About me?"
Haraboji smiled and continued, "Why do you think Yerin and her family are here?"
Suho glanced at Yerin. She gave him a bright smile. Then he looked at her father and brother, who returned a small, polite smile.
Haraboji smiled as he watched Suho's reaction.
"It has been a year," he said gently. "You've been single, and Yerin has stood by you through everything. You both have loved each other for years…"
Suho went still, already sensing what was coming next.
"So we have decided to end the family dispute," Haraboji continued, "and tie you both in marriage legally. We wish to bring Yerin into the Kim family as our beloved daughter-in-law."
Haraboji's words filled the room.
Yerin flushed, happiness blooming openly on her face. Everyone at the table smiled in happiness, everyone except Suho and Yuna.
Suho remained silent, staring down at his plate, his face unreadable.
Haraboji smiled wider and turned to Mr. Seo. "Mr. Seo, we are truly happy to welcome Yerin into our family. I regret not doing this earlier and for creating unnecessary conflict in Suho and Yerin's lives. But I'm glad the time has finally come. What is meant to happen is now happening."
He continued firmly, "We promise to take good care of your daughter. You don't need to worry about her."
Mr. Seo smiled, and so did Yerin's brother. "I'm glad our families have finally come together," Mr. Seo said. "And all thanks to our children, who held on to each other despite our disapproval."
Yerin's smile only grew brighter.
Haraboji sighed softly. "You're right. We put you both through a lot. We are sorry, children. But not anymore. From now on, you can live your life happily. Legally."
Each word felt like a weight crushing Suho's chest. His heart sank deeper with every sentence.
This was the day he once prayed for before Hauen came into his life. Back then, he wanted this more than anything. He wanted Yerin. He wanted approval. He wanted peace.
But today, when the door to that past finally opened again, his heart refused to step inside. His heart was crying for someone else.
His breathing grew uneven. All he wanted was to disappear from that room and hide himself in Hauen's embrace. Her warmth, her voice, her smile flooded his thoughts, making his chest ache.
His chopsticks slipped from his fingers and clattered onto the table.
He kept his gaze lowered. Everyone turned to look at him, including Yerin.
"What's wrong, Suho?" Haraboji asked gently.
Suho didn't respond.
"Suho…" Yerin reached for his arm.
His body stiffened.
Yuna looked at him and spoke flatly, "He's not happy with this decision."
Everyone stared at her. She ignored them all and calmly took a sip of her wine.
Haraboji looked back at Suho, concern filling his eyes. "Is that true, Suho?"
Suho remained silent.
Mr. Seo's face fell. So did Yerin's and her brother's.
Haraboji spoke again, his tone calm but firm. "I understand your situation, Suho. I know you've been through a lot. And somewhere, we are also responsible for it. But we cannot stay stuck in the past, my child. We have to move forward."
He continued carefully, choosing his words. "Yerin still loves you. And we know that you love her too. Don't be afraid or overwhelmed. This marriage will heal you. You will be happy with Yerin, my son."
Suho finally looked up at Haraboji.
His eyes held both pain and anger.
"I can't marry Yerin," he said in one breath.
Yerin's grip on his hand loosened.
Mr. Seo's expression hardened. The room fell silent.
"That's not possible," He added further.
"And why do you say that?" Haraboji asked, his voice turning cold.
Suho lowered his gaze, unable to meet his eyes.
Yuna glanced at Suho, then spoke clearly, without hesitation. "Because he is still legally married to Hauen."
Everyone turned to look at her.
Haraboji's eyes darkened at the mention of Hauen's name.
Suho looked at Yuna, something unfamiliar stirring in his chest.
"Don't you dare take her name in this house again," Haraboji warned Yuna sharply.
Yuna looked at him, then lowered her head slightly. "I'm sorry, Haraboji… but this is the truth. No matter what she's accused of, she is still Suho's legal wife. They are not divorced. And Hauen is alive and hiding somewhere."
She paused, choosing her words carefully. "If Suho marries Yerin now, and she suddenly returns, it will create another chaos. We need to think carefully before making any decision."
Suho looked at Yuna again. She met his eyes and gave him a silent assurance.
Yerin shot Yuna a burning glare. Yuna had always stood against her marriage with Suho, and even today, she was doing the same.
Haraboji fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. Then he spoke.
"Tomorrow, I will remove her name officially from all Kim family documents," he said firmly. "And I will call a press conference to officially announce that she is no longer part of the Kim family."
Suho's heart shattered at every word. Haraboji didn't even say her name anymore. That hurt the most.
"But that doesn't make our divorce official," Suho said, his voice tight. "If she comes back, it will still cause legal problems."
"And how long will you live like this?" his father asked.
Suho looked at his father, his eyes burning, and replied with controlled anger, "Until she comes back."
"Suho...," Haraboji growled, his voice sharp with anger.
Suho felt like he couldn't breathe in that room anymore. He pushed his chair back and stood up.
"I'm sorry… I need to leave. I'm not feeling well," he said.
With that, he walked out of the mansion without looking back.
Haraboji sat there, furious.
Yerin was left heartbroken, her anger mixing with the pain. She stood up immediately and ran after him.
Mr. Seo and his son exchanged a glance as they watched her go.