The days that followed their return from the honeymoon passed in a whirlwind of activity. Min Jun had been pulled back into the fast pace of his work, juggling meetings and overseeing a new project that demanded his full attention. Meanwhile, Soo Jeon was preparing for an important ballet performance that would take place in just a few weeks. Despite the busyness, they always made sure to carve out time for each other in the evenings — whether it was cooking dinner together or simply sitting down to talk about their day.
One evening, as they were wrapping up dinner, Min Jun's phone buzzed with an email notification. He glanced at it, his brow furrowing as he read through the message. "Soo Jeon… there's something I need to tell you," he said, his tone serious.
She looked up from her plate, concerned by the change in his expression. "What is it?"
He took a deep breath, setting his phone down on the table. "I've been offered a major project… but it's overseas. They want me to lead the design for a new complex in Singapore. It's a huge opportunity, but…" His voice trailed off, and his eyes searched her face, worried about how she would take the news.
Soo Jeon felt her heart skip a beat. "Overseas?" she repeated, her mind racing as she tried to process the information. "How long would you be gone?"
"A few months, maybe more," he admitted, leaning back in his chair. "It's an incredible chance for my career, but I don't want to leave you so soon after we just got married."
Soo Jeon's initial reaction was a mix of pride for Min Jun's achievement and anxiety at the thought of being apart for so long. She knew how much this meant to him, but the idea of being alone in their new life together was daunting. "I'm happy for you, Min Jun. Really. I know how important this is… but it's a lot to think about. I didn't expect something like this so soon."
He nodded, clearly torn. "I didn't either. And if it was just me, I'd jump at the chance without hesitation. But now, everything's different. We're different. I want to make sure I'm doing what's best for both of us, not just my career."
Soo Jeon took a sip of water, thinking carefully. "It's a great opportunity, and I don't want to hold you back. But we also need to think about what it means for us. You'd be away for months, and we're still adjusting to married life."
Min Jun reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "That's exactly why I wanted to talk to you about it before making any decisions. I want us to decide together. I don't want to leave if it's going to hurt our relationship."
Soo Jeon appreciated his thoughtfulness. She knew that Min Jun's career was important to him, just as her dancing was to her. But the idea of being apart for so long weighed heavily on her. "I don't want to stand in your way, Min Jun. But I also want us to be realistic about how hard this could be. Long-distance… it's not easy."
"I know," he said softly. "It's a lot to take in. Maybe we need some time to really think this through."
They sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of the decision settling between them. Soo Jeon squeezed his hand, offering a small smile. "Let's give ourselves a little time. We'll figure this out, like we always do."
Min Jun smiled back, feeling a sense of relief. "Thank you, Soo Jeon. I'm so lucky to have you. No matter what happens, I promise I'll always put us first."
They spent the rest of the evening in quiet conversation, both of them aware that a decision would have to be made soon. But for now, they were content to take things one step at a time, trusting that whatever they decided, they would face it together.