The holidays had arrived, draping the city in a blanket of glittering lights and festive cheer. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of pine and cinnamon, and all around me, people bustled with excitement, preparing for the celebrations. I should have been feeling joyous, but instead, I felt an unsettling heaviness in my chest.
With the complications of my pregnancy and the recent tensions with Jun and Seong, Christmas felt more like a burden than a blessing this year. We had decided to spend the holiday at Jun's family mansion, where his mother had planned an extravagant celebration. She insisted that we all be there to celebrate, despite our tumultuous relationship.
"Censia, you're going to love it!" Seong had said with a grin, his enthusiasm palpable as he helped me choose a dress for the occasion. "It'll be a magical night!"
But as I stood in front of the mirror, trying to adjust the emerald green dress that clung to my body in all the right places, I felt anything but magical. The fabric was soft and shimmering, yet it did nothing to ease the anxiety swirling inside me. What would Jun's family think of me? Would they still view me as a burden, or had I finally earned my place among them?
As we drove to the mansion, the car was filled with a tense silence, punctuated only by the soft music playing in the background. Jun sat in the driver's seat, his knuckles white against the steering wheel, while Seong sat beside him, occasionally glancing back at me with concern. I stared out the window, watching the Christmas lights blur together as we sped past them.
Once we arrived, the grandeur of the mansion took my breath away. The exterior sparkled with countless lights, while wreaths adorned the front door, giving it a warm, inviting glow. But as soon as I stepped inside, the familiar feeling of dread settled back over me. The expansive living room was bustling with people—family, friends, and acquaintances—each one more glamorous than the last.
"Censia! You made it!" Jun's mother exclaimed as she spotted us, her eyes gleaming with excitement. She approached me with open arms, enveloping me in a tight hug. "You look beautiful, dear. We're so glad you're here!"
"Thank you," I managed to say, forcing a smile even as my heart raced with anxiety.
The evening unfolded with a whirlwind of socializing. Jun's relatives greeted me with polite smiles, but there was an undercurrent of judgment in their eyes. It didn't help that Jun was preoccupied, often pulled away by family obligations, leaving me feeling isolated and uneasy. I clutched my drink tightly, trying to blend into the background while desperately searching for a moment of connection with either Jun or Seong.
As the night wore on, I excused myself to the restroom, hoping a brief reprieve would calm my nerves. However, as I stepped inside, I was met with the startling sight of Jun's ex-girlfriend, Minji, adjusting her makeup in front of the mirror. The room felt suddenly claustrophobic, the air thick with tension.
"Censia," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I didn't expect to see you here. How lovely."
I forced a smile, not wanting to engage in any sort of confrontation. "Thanks, Minji. I hope you're having a good time."
She stepped closer, an insidious smile creeping onto her face. "Oh, I am. You know, I was quite close to Jun once. We had such a wonderful relationship. It's amusing to see how things have changed."
My stomach twisted at her words. "Things change, don't they?" I replied, trying to keep my composure.
She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "Just remember, Censia, a few mistakes can ruin everything. And you wouldn't want to lose what you have, would you?"
With that, she turned and walked out, leaving me shaken. I took a deep breath, splashing water on my face in an attempt to regain my composure. The last thing I needed was another confrontation, especially with the pressure of the evening weighing down on me.
When I returned to the party, Jun was standing with Seong, a glass in hand, laughing with a group of friends. I felt an immediate sense of relief seeing them, their presence grounding me amidst the chaos.
As I approached, I noticed Jun's eyes sparkle as he caught sight of me. "Censia! There you are! Come join us," he said, pulling me into the group.
For a moment, the warmth of his hand on my back made everything else fade away. But then, just as I began to relax, I caught a glimpse of Minji standing across the room, her eyes locked onto us with a predatory intensity.
"I'm going to grab us some snacks. Want to come?" Seong suggested, nudging me gently.
"Sure," I replied, eager to escape the tension that had begun to suffocate me again.
As we moved to the kitchen, I felt lighter, grateful for a moment away from the prying eyes of Jun's family. However, my sense of calm was short-lived. The moment I stepped into the kitchen, I overheard a hushed conversation.
"Do you think she really belongs here?" a voice whispered, unmistakably belonging to Jun's mother.
"It's a bit strange, isn't it?" another relative chimed in. "I mean, look at her. She's not like us."
I froze, the words cutting deeper than I expected. I felt the heat of humiliation rush to my cheeks. Unable to bear it, I turned to leave, but just as I did, I bumped into Minji once more.
"Oh, Censia," she said, feigning innocence. "I was just talking to Jun's mom about you. Isn't it sweet how she's so determined to embrace you?"
Before I could respond, a loud crash echoed from the living room, pulling my attention away from Minji. I turned to see the commotion—a tree ornament had fallen, shattering on the floor, creating a scene of chaos as guests gasped and rushed to pick up the shards.
In the midst of the confusion, I felt a sudden jolt in my stomach, an uncomfortable tightening that left me breathless. I glanced at Jun, who was already moving toward the sound, his concern evident on his face.
"Censia? Are you okay?" Seong asked, noticing my sudden stillness.
"I—" I started, but the sensation in my abdomen intensified, a wave of panic washing over me.
The chaos around me faded as I clutched my stomach, feeling a rush of warmth spread through me. I could feel tears welling in my eyes, but I fought them back. "I think I need to sit down."
Jun turned sharply, his expression shifting to alarm. "What's wrong?"
"Censia?" he said, his voice filled with worry as he rushed to my side, taking my hand. "What's happening?"
"I don't know," I admitted, my voice trembling. "I just—"
Before I could finish, another wave of discomfort crashed over me, and I felt my knees buckle. "Oh God, I can't—"
"Someone get a doctor!" Jun shouted, panic rising in his voice.
I felt myself being lifted, Jun's arms strong around me, but my vision blurred as the room spun. The last thing I remembered before everything went dark was the frantic voices surrounding me, the echo of Minji's laughter fading into the background.
When I came to, I was lying on a couch, surrounded by concerned faces—Jun, Seong, and several unfamiliar people, likely family members who had rushed to my side. My heart raced as I took in my surroundings.
"Censia, are you okay?" Jun's voice broke through the haze, filled with worry as he gripped my hand tightly.
"I—what happened?" I croaked, trying to sit up.
"You fainted," Seong explained, his expression serious. "We called a doctor, and they're on their way."
"Fainted?" I repeated, the panic creeping back in. "Is the baby—"
"Everything's fine," Jun assured me quickly, but the tension in his voice betrayed his own fear. "Just breathe, okay? The doctor will help."
As I settled back down, the reality of my surroundings sank in. The festive decorations around me felt so distant, a stark contrast to the worry brewing in my heart.
But then I heard a familiar voice cut through the chatter. "What happened to you, Censia?" Minji's voice dripped with faux concern, and I could feel the disdain behind her eyes.
"Leave her alone," Jun snapped, rising to his feet, protective as ever.
"It's just a question," she replied, feigning innocence. "I didn't mean to pry."
But the underlying tone in her voice sent a chill down my spine. I could see her enjoying the moment, relishing the chaos that surrounded me.
In the chaos that ensued, I turned my head slightly to find Seong's gaze. He was focused on Jun and Minji, but I could see the worry etched on his face as he tried to gauge my reaction.
Before I could say anything, the doctor arrived, cutting through the tension like a knife.
"Censia, how are you feeling?" he asked, moving to my side and checking my vitals.
"I'm okay… I think," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Just a moment," he said, and I felt the pain linger a little lower.