Min Ho's eyes narrowed as his father, Jung Ho, entered the hall with his new family in tow. The sight ignited a simmering anger within him, which he struggled to contain.
"Father, how could you?" Min Ho spat, his voice low and even, but laced with venom.
Jung Ho's smile faltered for a moment before he regained his composure. "Min Ho, meet your new stepmother and stepsister," he said, his tone dripping with artificial enthusiasm.
Min Ho's gaze flicked to the woman and girl standing beside his father, but he refused to acknowledge them. His attention remained fixed on Jae Min, his mind reeling with resentment.
"You're really going to do this, aren't you?" Min Ho said, his voice rising. "You're going to replace Mother with her?"
Jung Ho's smile faltered again, and he took a step forward, his eyes flashing with anger. "Min Ho, that's enough."
But Min Ho was beyond reason. "No, it's not enough! You're always doing this, Father. You're always hurting us and then acting like nothing's wrong!"
Grandpa Jae Ho intervened, his voice firm but calm. "Min Ho, stop. This isn't the time or place."
Min Ho's anger boiled over, but he knew better than to cross his grandfather. With a final, scathing glance at his father, he stormed off to his room, slamming the door behind him.
As he lay on his bed, Min Ho's mind raced with thoughts of his father's betrayal. He couldn't believe his own father could hurt him like this. But then he remembered his meeting with Soo Jin, and his heart racing with excitement, he pushed aside his anger and focused on the encounter.
Later that day, Min Ho approached the bench where they had agreed to meet, his heart pounding in his chest. Soo Jin was already sitting there, her hair shining in the sunlight. Min Ho's heart skipped a beat as he sat down beside her.
"Hey," she said, smiling at him. "I'm glad you could make it."
Min Ho took a deep breath and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small box and opened it, revealing a beautiful silver necklace.
"Soo Jin, from the moment I met you, I knew you were special. I love the way you make me laugh, the way you always know how to make me feel better. I love everything about you."
Soo Jin's eyes widened in surprise, and Min Ho's heart sank. He knew that look. It was the look of someone who was about to reject him.
"Min Ho, I...I don't know what to say," Soo Jin stammered.
Min Ho's heart raced as he waited for her response. He knew he had to say something, anything, to convince her to be with him.
"Please, Soo Jin. I know I'm not the most popular guy in school, but I promise to always be there for you. I'll do anything to make you happy."
Soo Jin looked at him, her eyes filled with pity. "Min Ho, I'm flattered. Really, I am. But I don't feel the same way. I think of you as a friend, nothing more."
Min Ho's heart shattered into a million pieces. He felt like he had been punched in the gut.
"Oh," he said, trying to hide his disappointment. "I understand."
But Soo Jin wasn't finished. "Min Ho, I have to tell you something. I've had a crush on someone else for a while now. His name is Tae Oh."
Min Ho's eyes widened in shock. Tae Oh? The most popular guy in school? How could she choose him over Min Ho?
"Oh," Min Ho said again, trying to hide his pain. "I see."
The rest of the conversation was a blur. Min Ho didn't remember what they talked about or how he got home. All he knew was that he felt like he had been rejected twice that day. First by his father, and now by the girl he loved.
As he lay in bed that night, Min Ho couldn't help but think about everything that had happened that day. He thought about his father's betrayal, Soo Jin's rejection, and Tae Oh's smug face. Why did this always happen to him? Why did he always get rejected by the people he loved?