The familiar hum of the city filled the air as Soo Jeon sat by the window, sipping her morning tea. The sun had just risen, casting a soft golden light over the apartment. She stared out at the bustling streets below, her mind far from the view in front of her.
Min Jun was still asleep, his steady breathing a comforting presence behind her. She hadn't slept much after their conversation the previous night. Her mind was too busy turning over everything they had discussed—about moving forward with their wedding, about defying his family's disapproval, about the life they were determined to build together.
It was a beautiful dream, one that filled her with hope and excitement. But as the morning light crept into the room, reality came with it. Soo Jeon couldn't ignore the weight of the decisions they were making, the obstacles that still lay in their path.
She loved Min Jun more than anything, but that love came with challenges she hadn't fully anticipated. His family, particularly his mother, was a force to be reckoned with. Despite Min Jun's reassurances, Soo Jeon knew that Mrs. Kang would not let go of her desire to see her son with someone she deemed more suitable—someone like Ji-Eun.
The thought of Ji-Eun made Soo Jeon's stomach twist. She had tried to be patient, to rise above the pettiness, but it was becoming harder to ignore the constant presence of Min Jun's ex. Ji-Eun wasn't just lingering in the background anymore—she was actively trying to reclaim a place in Min Jun's life, and that fact gnawed at Soo Jeon's heart.
Could she really handle this? Could she truly face the disapproval of Min Jun's family, the manipulations of Ji-Eun, and the constant pressure from every direction?
Soo Jeon's phone buzzed on the table, breaking her train of thought. She glanced down at the screen, seeing a message from her ballet company. It was a reminder about the upcoming performance, one that she had been rehearsing for relentlessly over the past few weeks.
A soft sigh escaped her lips. Ballet had always been her sanctuary, the one place where she could lose herself in the beauty of movement, where the noise of the outside world couldn't touch her. But even that felt different now, overshadowed by the complexities of her relationship with Min Jun.
Would there ever be a time when she could fully immerse herself in her art again, without the distractions and burdens weighing her down?
Just as she was about to respond to the message, she heard Min Jun stir behind her. Turning, she saw him sit up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Good morning," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.
"Morning," she replied, managing a small smile.
Min Jun stretched before getting out of bed and walking over to her. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before sitting down beside her, looking out at the city view.
"You're up early," he observed, his brow furrowing slightly. "Everything okay?"
Soo Jeon hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Just... thinking."
"About last night?" he asked, his tone careful.
She nodded again, biting her lip. "I keep going over everything in my head—your family, Ji-Eun, the wedding. It all feels so… overwhelming."
Min Jun sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know. I wish I could make it easier for you."
"I know you're trying," she said softly, placing her hand on his. "But I keep wondering—what if this never changes? What if your mother never accepts me? What if Ji-Eun keeps trying to come between us?"
Min Jun's jaw tightened at the mention of Ji-Eun, but he didn't interrupt her. Soo Jeon appreciated that he was listening, truly hearing her concerns.
"I love you, Min Jun," she continued, her voice trembling slightly. "But this isn't just about us anymore. It's about everything and everyone around us. I'm scared that no matter how hard we try, it won't be enough."
Min Jun's eyes softened, and he turned to face her fully, taking both her hands in his. "Soo Jeon, I'm not going to let anyone or anything come between us. I made that promise to you, and I intend to keep it. My family… they'll come around, eventually. And Ji-Eun—she's not a threat to us. I won't let her be."
His words were firm, but Soo Jeon could sense the frustration behind them. She knew Min Jun was doing everything he could to shield her from the chaos, but even he couldn't control everything.
"I just don't want you to regret choosing me over your family," Soo Jeon whispered, her voice barely audible.
Min Jun's expression darkened, and he shook his head. "I will never regret choosing you, Soo Jeon. You're my future. My family is important, but they don't get to dictate my happiness. And Ji-Eun? She's a part of my past. You're the only one who matters to me now."
Soo Jeon looked into his eyes, searching for any hint of doubt, but all she saw was conviction. He truly believed that they could overcome this, that their love was strong enough to withstand whatever challenges came their way.
But why did she still feel so uncertain?
She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close, and for a moment, the world outside seemed to fade away.
"I just want us to be happy," she whispered against his chest.
"We will be," Min Jun said, his voice steady. "No matter what, I promise you that."
They sat in silence for a while, the morning sun slowly filling the room with warmth. Soo Jeon wanted to believe him, wanted to trust in their future together. But deep down, she knew that the battle wasn't over yet. Mrs. Kang wouldn't give up easily, and neither would Ji-Eun.
As they sat together, Soo Jeon's phone buzzed again, another reminder about her ballet rehearsal. She glanced at the screen, feeling the pull of her career calling her back.
"I have rehearsal today," she said softly, pulling away slightly.
Min Jun nodded, releasing her from his embrace. "I'll be here when you get back."
Soo Jeon smiled at him, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. She stood up and began gathering her things, preparing to leave for the day. As she did, a thought lingered in her mind—how long could she keep balancing everything? Her career, her relationship, the constant pressure from Min Jun's family? Something had to give eventually, but she wasn't sure what.
As she stepped out of the apartment and into the bustling city, Soo Jeon felt the weight of her decisions more heavily than ever before.