The weeks after the honeymoon were filled with a blissful routine. Seol-A and Hyeon-Woo found themselves growing closer, navigating the complexities of their new relationship while balancing the demands of their professional lives. But life, unpredictable and fragile, had other plans.
One rainy evening, after a particularly long day at work, Seol-A decided to head home a little early. She had promised Hyeon-Woo that she would cook him dinner, their first proper meal together since returning from Japan. As she drove through the bustling streets of Seoul, her phone buzzed with a message from him: "Drive safely, see you soon." She smiled, replying quickly before tucking the phone away.
The rain poured down harder, blurring the city lights into a hazy glow. It was a typical monsoon night, and Seol-A focused on the road, careful with every turn. But in a split second, as she approached an intersection, a truck skidded uncontrollably on the slick pavement. There was no time to react. The sound of the collision was deafening, shattering the calm of the evening.
The News
Back at the office, Hyeon-Woo was going over the final details of a new project when his phone rang. The voice on the other end was tense and urgent—it was from the hospital. He could barely comprehend the words: "Seol-A... accident... critical condition." His heart pounded in his chest as he rushed to his car, his thoughts a blur.
By the time he arrived at the hospital, the emergency room was bustling with activity. He spotted Seol-A's parents, their faces pale and eyes red from crying. He approached them, his breath shallow. "How is she?" he managed to ask, his voice strained.
Seol-A's mother shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "The doctors... they did everything they could," she whispered, her voice breaking. "But... she's gone, Hyeon-Woo. Our Seol-A is gone."
Hyeon-Woo felt the world tilt on its axis, his legs buckling beneath him. The weight of the words crashed into him like a tidal wave. He staggered backward, his hand clutching his chest as if to hold his breaking heart together. "No… this can't be," he murmured, disbelief washing over him.
Grieving and Regret
The days that followed were a blur. Hyeon-Woo attended Seol-A's funeral, standing alongside her grieving family and friends. He watched in numb silence as they said their goodbyes, his mind unable to fully grasp the reality that Seol-A was truly gone.
His heart ached with every memory of her—the sound of her laughter, the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about something she was passionate about, the feel of her hand in his. The memory of their honeymoon, so full of life and joy, now felt like a cruel taunt from fate. They had barely begun their journey together, and now it was over.
Every corner of his life seemed to hold a reminder of her. At the office, he saw the desk where she used to sit, her chair now empty and cold. Her absence was like a phantom pain, a constant reminder of the love he had lost too soon.
A Letter Unread
A week after the funeral, while sifting through Seol-A's belongings, Hyeon-Woo found a small, neatly sealed envelope with his name on it in her handwriting. With trembling hands, he opened it, finding a letter inside:
*"Dear Hyeon-Woo,
If you're reading this, it means I've found the courage to write down what's in my heart. I've always believed life is unpredictable, and so I wanted to make sure you knew how much you mean to me. Our time together, though short, has been the happiest of my life. You've made me feel special, cherished, and loved in ways I never imagined. Thank you for that.
Whatever happens, please remember that I've cherished every moment with you. Keep smiling, keep being the amazing person you are, and know that I'll always be with you, even if you can't see me.
With all my love, Seol-A"*
Tears streamed down Hyeon-Woo's face as he read her words. She had always been thoughtful, always thinking ahead, even to a future she couldn't have known would come so soon. He held the letter to his chest, feeling a mixture of unbearable pain and a strange, bittersweet comfort.
Moving Forward
Months passed, and the pain remained, though it softened into a deep, aching void. Hyeon-Woo threw himself into work, trying to find solace in the routine and the tasks that once defined his days. But something was missing—his purpose felt hollow without her. He often found himself staring at the empty chair across his desk, imagining her sitting there, smiling, or giving him one of her quick, witty comments.
One day, he decided to honor Seol-A in a way he knew she would have appreciated. He established a foundation in her name, aimed at providing scholarships and support for young women pursuing their dreams, just as she had pursued hers with such passion and determination.
As he unveiled the foundation, surrounded by those who loved and admired Seol-A, he felt a small sense of peace. She may have left the world too soon, but her spirit, her kindness, and her love would continue to live on in the lives she touched and in the hearts of those who would benefit from this small act of love.
And though he would always carry the pain of losing her, Hyeon-Woo also knew that he had been blessed to have loved and been loved by someone as wonderful as Seol-A, even if only for a little while.